Stages powermeters
Discussion
Surfr said:
None of the offerings are perfect for me. My requirements:
Swappable between compact chainset trainer and 54/39 TT chainset
Reasonable price
Work with disk, deep section and training wheels
Reasonable accuracy.
So far stages comes closest
Or just get a crank based system and some new rings for your trainer. Change cassette to suit. Swappable between compact chainset trainer and 54/39 TT chainset
Reasonable price
Work with disk, deep section and training wheels
Reasonable accuracy.
So far stages comes closest
That of course is your decision, but I'd suggest that it's better value to invest a bit more in solid data than 1/2 as much in shonky data - stages still isn't exactly cheap.
What I would consider is harmonising the bottom brackets (if necessary) so you can run the same crank in both bikes; If you 'need' a 54 on the one bike, you almost certainly don't 'need' a compact on the trainer.. and you can compensate to some degree with cassette anyhow. Then you're free to buy either p2max or the quarq alu.
What I would consider is harmonising the bottom brackets (if necessary) so you can run the same crank in both bikes; If you 'need' a 54 on the one bike, you almost certainly don't 'need' a compact on the trainer.. and you can compensate to some degree with cassette anyhow. Then you're free to buy either p2max or the quarq alu.
Well with all the Stages bashing, I thought I'd give my positive view of them. Yes they are single legged and if you pedal in an unbalanced way you can send the readings every where. I also have a WATTbike, which is a pretty accurate device that will give you your L/R balance. I currently will range from 48-52 left to right to 50/50( that also includes threshold efforts and vo max efforts) It's taken me a few years of using the wattbike to improve my pedal stroke, but its pretty good now I think. I have run back to back tests on the road bike, on the road and fixed to a turbo against the WATT bike and the readings will come out very close and by very close I mean pretty much the same. I do the comparisons with my HR belt on so I've got power v's HR.
It's not totally scientific, but I trust the reading the Stages gives me. I don't road race, so I don't look at whole ride data so much to see where I start to fail, I do how ever look at specific sections, so if I'm looking to attack a particular climb then I know roughly how long it'll take and I can ride to a specific power, during that climb/ section I will be making an effort so I concentrate on the whole pedal stroke. If I have to ride a tempo ride then as long as I keep my 30 sec power in the tempo zone then I know I'm there or there abouts. the same goes for endurance rides. Lets face it, watching a real time power trace as is like watching a fly- all over the bloody place.
stages isn't perfect, but then none of them are. I can remember when I had my SRM, I was always being told that mine must be out, I couldn't be producing the power I was. Go and get it calibrated, so I did and guess what, all the readings were the same.
I'd say that it's a simple device that's easy to use and if you understand how it works you can quite easily get some decent results from using it.
JMO obviously, but for all the people dismissing the data as utterly unreliable and rubbish, I'm sorry but I disagree. If you are all saying it can't work because your L/R balance is out and varies with efforts, well work harder on improving your L/R balance.
For the level I work at, I'm happy. :-))
It's not totally scientific, but I trust the reading the Stages gives me. I don't road race, so I don't look at whole ride data so much to see where I start to fail, I do how ever look at specific sections, so if I'm looking to attack a particular climb then I know roughly how long it'll take and I can ride to a specific power, during that climb/ section I will be making an effort so I concentrate on the whole pedal stroke. If I have to ride a tempo ride then as long as I keep my 30 sec power in the tempo zone then I know I'm there or there abouts. the same goes for endurance rides. Lets face it, watching a real time power trace as is like watching a fly- all over the bloody place.
stages isn't perfect, but then none of them are. I can remember when I had my SRM, I was always being told that mine must be out, I couldn't be producing the power I was. Go and get it calibrated, so I did and guess what, all the readings were the same.
I'd say that it's a simple device that's easy to use and if you understand how it works you can quite easily get some decent results from using it.
JMO obviously, but for all the people dismissing the data as utterly unreliable and rubbish, I'm sorry but I disagree. If you are all saying it can't work because your L/R balance is out and varies with efforts, well work harder on improving your L/R balance.
For the level I work at, I'm happy. :-))
okgo said:
Yep, the new Vectors would be ok I guess.
Failing that just buy two crank based systems, can get two for around 1k now.
I read up on the Vectors and was just about to purchase, when I happened to twitter search 'garmin vector' and came across DCRainmakers recent review of the Powertap P1s. All the experience of the Powertap brand in a new pedal based meter with none of the fiddly installation of the vectors. Only negative is a AAA battery which lasts 60 hours but that's a very small gripe. Released in a matter of days, I'm thinking of taking the dive. Failing that just buy two crank based systems, can get two for around 1k now.
Surfr said:
I'm thinking of taking the dive.
Well that escalated quickly. Popped to CRC and they claimed to have 2 in stock. 50 quid more than Wiggles pre-order price but whos to say that won't go up when stock arrives?
A couple minutes of searching for a discount code reminded me that all BC members get a single 10% code to use monthly. Logged into BC and updated my lapsed membership, paying by direct debit reducing bronze to 18 odd quid, picked up my 10% code. Quick visit to Quidco to get the 2% cashback cover ths the next day delivery and still gets me another 15 quid in my pocket. So 905 quid later the pedals should be here tomorrow and 15 quid in my pocket whenever that processes. BARGAIN!
okgo said:
I think pedals are potentially a bit risky in that if you crash they're usually buggered. Power2max have a deal on for £480 currently which is a bargain.
Admittedly that's a risk, but one which Insurance can cover. Touch wood, I've not come off the bike in years. Last time was at a dead turn on our local 10 TT when I caught some gravel in the gutter when taking a wide line in. Slow speed front wheel washout. I've never bust regular pedals in a crash before, but yes, these are going to be more delicate than a set of Ultegras. I don't race crashfest crits any more and if I did, I'd probably just run standard pedals. Not much time for looking at power in a crit anyway. Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff