Obviously, money is an object, so I’m looking for the model that will give me the most accurate, reliable, useful info for the buck.
I DID DO A SEARCH…And I am still asking…
Got some good info from an '09 thread with some insight from Rappstar. But, i was wondering if anything has changed in the last year.
Bottom line is this…I’m trying to get more efficient with my training time. And I’m wondering if a PT would cure this, as well as helping me get faster at the same time.
So, I’m trying to break down the Comp, Elite, Sl. That’s probably all I can afford…
I’ve read the specs on the website. Doesn’t mean much to me. I’m the kind that uses a HR monitor occassionally, but not locked into the numbers. For example, I don’t ride with a HR monitor with group rides cuz you have to go as hard as necessary to hang on…so, hard is hard…and ez rides are ez without question…etc. So, I guess I’ve been more of an RPE guy that often wears a HR monitor for kicks. Actually, really just use it to monitor pace on runs. Anyhooo…
I’m the kind that uses a HR monitor occassionally, but not locked into the numbers. For example, I don’t ride with a HR monitor with group rides cuz you have to go as hard as necessary to hang on…so, hard is hard…and ez rides are ez without question…etc. So, I guess I’ve been more of an RPE guy that often wears a HR monitor for kicks.
Are you looking to get a PT mounted to a race wheel or a training wheel? If this is just a training tool, then I’d recommend the Pro+. People say the Pro+ alloy axle is much better then the steel axle on the Elite+. The benefit of going up to the SL+ is mostly weight savings.
IMO: Effective training with power is all about the numbers.
I think that I would put it on one of John Neugent’s wheels, C50. Train and race (with a cover, probably) on that. That would allow me to read watts during the 1-2 races/year with a ‘disc’ on back and a 808 up front. But, thinking out loud, then what to do with my 808 rear…is it crazy to get it rebuilt with a PT hub? Thus, 2 wheels and one computer. That would be suhweet! But, how much dinero to rebuild the Zipp? cuz I’m not poser enough to start with the Zipp/PT and use it out on training rides…
If you read my post on the 15mm vs 12mm axle, you’ve seen pretty much all I’ve got for opinions. Wireless is AWESOME, so I’d be hard pressed to steer you to the Comp unless you really can’t afford the Elite. The SL is worth it over the Pro, but I don’t think the Pro is really worth it over the Elite.
EDIT: ALL the hubs have the 15mm axle now, which is a great change. see below for more info. My apologies for not being up to date.
New info (thanks to sentania for pointing this out). ALL the hubs use the 15mm axle design. So they are now even closer. The different between SL and PRO is the hub shell. Difference between PRO and ELITE is the axle material. So they ELITE and PRO just got a LOT better. So the Elite is really an awesome, awesome hub right now. Only downside is that the weight is high. But especially for triathlon, weight is way overrated.
Aaahhh… this is the banter I was looking for. Sounds like I might save a buck or two! And still get a pretty damn good powermeter!
BTW, pulled off that 300 mile solo nonstop brick in 24:20 with about 2:30-2:45 of transition/medical (IV’s) time. Awesome effort from all involved and big coin raised for the charity. Race Report soon after I recover physically and mentally for a couple of days. FWIW!
New info (thanks to sentania for pointing this out). ALL the hubs use the 15mm axle design. So they are now even closer. The different between SL and PRO is the hub shell. Difference between PRO and ELITE is the axle material. So they ELITE and PRO just got a LOT better. So the Elite is really an awesome, awesome hub right now. Only downside is that the weight is high. But especially for triathlon, weight is way overrated.
Jordan - the difference between the Pro and the Elite is the axle material AND the free hub material (steel vs. aluminium). Plus the Pro allows you to see more data on the computer (I think, still trying to figure out the product cycles). So for $100 difference, you have a more intelligent device and you save 6 ounces with the Pro+ over the Elite. I think the Pro+ is the best deal right now… am I looking at this incorrectly?
Also, is the little yellow computer (I think called cervo), the best option for someone just getting into power? I am very very confused on the right head unit to buy. I like simplicity.
The Pro+ only displays less info on the computer if you buy the pro+ as a hub/CPU combo.
if you do what I did - SL+/CPU (race wheel) and Pro+ hub only (training wheel) - you get all the analysis data.
Regarding the Cervo being adequete. I used an SRM for 2 years, and now have the Cervo. In some ways I wish I could merge the two together - particularly the interval functionality of the Cervo over the SRM.
If I had to pick between the two I do prefer the Cervo a bit over the Powercontrol. Mostly because I can configure to display: Power/Cadence/Time - and nothign else - so my brain stays focused on the important things for me.
I have access to a joule - which I might try to use for a bit this week - so sometime soon I’ll have an opinion for that.
The Pro+ only displays less info on the computer if you buy the pro+ as a hub/CPU combo. .
Do you mean the elite+ or the pro+? I thought the pro has the same data fields / cpu as the SL+.
if you do what I did - SL+/CPU (race wheel) and Pro+ hub only (training wheel) - you get all the analysis data.
Which CPU did you buy? The LYC? This is my big question. I am trying to find which model CPU so I can find one used… can you provide a picture or a model number?
Do you mean the elite+ or the pro+? I thought the pro has the same data fields / cpu as the SL+.
The data fields, etc. are a function of the LYC, not the hub. If you are planning on using your PT with a Garmin (or other aftermarket computer), you can get all of the same data with either the Elite+ or Pro+ hub.
The main differences between the Elite+ and Pro+ hubs are that the Elite+ has a steel axle & carrier versus the alloy axle & carrier of the Pro+. The steel does add a little weight (which doesn’t really matter). But, it also adds durability - especially if you are larger and/or more powerful.
Since the Pro+ has a 15mm alloy axle now (it used to be a 12mm alloy axle), there shouldn’t be any flex issues resulting in premature bearing wear (which was an issue with the 12mm alloy axle). But, it does still use an alloy carrier, which can become “galled” by individual cassette cogs if you put out a fair amount of power.
Personally, I went with the Elite+ hub. I wanted the durability. And, I always planned to use a Garmin for the computer. So, the data differences were a non-issue.
I just bought a new Elite+ powertap a month ago. I love it and cannot wait to train more with it. I paired it with a garmin 500. The elite + 500 combo is amazing, I still get a sweet cyclo computer and it reads power as well. The Pro is just weight savings along with the SL… and for training who cares!!
The more you train the better you get. The more you train with power the more efficient you will be and the more you will get out of your riding. The more you train with a “heavier” powertao the better you will be… who needs the lightest stuff for training? That should only be for racing. And honestly I am not sure if I would want to race with a powertap because the more you train with it, the more you will get used to your effort outputs just like when you group ride and HARD is HARD… when you are racing without a powertap you can feel what the difference is between riding controlled up a false flat or a hill and riding HARD. It has helped me be a more controlled rider in my last 2 races and really rock out the last little bit to have a better run.
If you are strapped for cash just get the elite+ … I would recommend the Garmin 500 because you can pick one up for the same price as the cervo 2.3 … all you need is a garmin HR strap and your good to go! I built mine on a bulletproof DT Swiss rim… I love it.
Good luck with your search, either way the numbers you crank out will all be the same no matter what hub you choose
Most coaches I know want the powetap info from races as well, that is why over the winter my build will have the pro+ laced to something 38-42mm deep
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