Power meters.......

[langy]

I’ve being a keen cyclist for a good few years now and have recently started to use TrainerRoad for winter training and I'm now starting to see the benefit of training by power.

To date I have been riding to cadence, HR and feel, which I think has worked fairly well for me (e.g. I know I can't sustain 170bpm+ for very long out on the road, or on the turbo).

I've been using the virtual power with TR to monitor power during work outs and I find it’s a very good method of ensuring perceived effort is maintained across multiple blocks within a given workout. So I want to transfer this 'knowledge' to the road.

I have been looking at power meters on and off for 12 months or so and have looked into getting one through our cycle to works scheme, but the preferred option (Powertap P1 pedals) have a cost above £1k from our provider, therefore they aren't eligible (not much flexibility and no option to change provider), so I've been looking at the Stages crank arm (not eligible through CTW as they are classed as crank arms….), so I’ve given up on the CTW scheme.

I can’t justify spending £1k on a power meter (have looked at P1’s and the Quark system, but above my budget), so have been looking at the 4iii or Stages crank arms. Has anybody got any real life feedback on either of these or anything similar? I’ve had a good read through the DC Rainmaker reviews which have been a great source of information.

TIA

[Matt_N]

I'd go 4iiii, only because Stages sem to be plagued with battery drainage issues even on the Gen 2 units.

Big thread on Bikeradar: http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40...

[okgo]

Quarq £400-500 on amazon.

[langy]

okgo said:

Quarq £400-500 on amazon.

I did look at the Quarq, however, because of my bottom bracket type, I need the GXP version of the Dfour and also would need to replace my BB with a pressfit GXP type, so unfortunately, none of the £500 ones on Amazon fit the bill. Appreciate the heads up all the same

[Dannbodge]

Have a look at the Powerpod.

It's claimed to be as accurate as pedal based systems and is less than £300.

[okgo]

langy said:

I did look at the Quarq, however, because of my bottom bracket type, I need the GXP version of the Dfour and also would need to replace my BB with a pressfit GXP type, so unfortunately, none of the £500 ones on Amazon fit the bill. Appreciate the heads up all the same

Which would take about 15 mins and £25?

[langy]

okgo said:

Which would take about 15 mins and £25?

Agreed, however the Quarq system is £968 (from Sigmasports).

[JEA1K]

From my own experience and from riding friends, I'd stick with SRM, Quarq or Power2max as they seem to offer the best reliability. When I say 'reliability', I'm not just talking about reliable figures (thats a given) I'm talking about it actually working and not falling apart. If you want reliability, then Stages should be discounted!!

Been using my P2M for about 10 months so I haven't got a full years data to go back on but its really helped me with some structure over the winter on the turbo. Currently swap between bikes which takes 5 mins but will probably buy another one this year.

[okgo]

langy said:

Agreed, however the Quarq system is £968 (from Sigmasports).

That's why I said go and have a look on Amazon, or Wiggle

[AyBee]

okgo said:

That's why I said go and have a look on Amazon, or Wiggle

Which model are you saying is £4/500 please?

[okgo]

AyBee said:

Which model are you saying is £4/500 please?

I think its the Riken or Elsa?

Can't see what the more expensive one offers that you'd need

[PulsatingStar]

AyBee said:

Which model are you saying is £4/500 please?

The listings on Amazon change almost daily you have to keep looking to pick up the bargain ones. If you want GXP 172.5 arms and 110BCD then you need to get lucky as they dont come up often and dont hang around when they do.

They are out there though, in the past couple of months Ive picked up 2 Quarqs <500 each. These are Rikens/Elsa not the new DZero. I guess sooner or later everyone will have shifted off all the old ones they are getting harder to find now than just before Christmas.

[langy]

Dannbodge said:

Have a look at the Powerpod.

It's claimed to be as accurate as pedal based systems and is less than £300.

I have had a look at those and at £250 (from probikekit), it's tempting, however, as it works on wind resistance, it won't be any good on the turbo, unless I can connect my speed sensor to a fan and blow in the right amount of air.....

[addey]

I'm in the same position as the OP, looking for a quarq, power2max or possibly the powertap c1. Those amazon listings are annoying, of course my preference (175mm 130BCD) is always the most expensive option

[PulsatingStar]

addey said:

I'm in the same position as the OP, looking for a quarq, power2max or possibly the powertap c1. Those amazon listings are annoying, of course my preference (175mm 130BCD) is always the most expensive option

£520. How fussed are you about 2.5 mm?

http://www.cyclepowermeters.com/quarq-riken-r-gxp-...

[addey]

PulsatingStar said:

addey said:

I'm in the same position as the OP, looking for a quarq, power2max or possibly the powertap c1. Those amazon listings are annoying, of course my preference (175mm 130BCD) is always the most expensive option

£520. How fussed are you about 2.5 mm?

http://www.cyclepowermeters.com/quarq-riken-r-gxp-...

In theory 2.5mm should make bugger all difference, however I've recently had a bike fit which has caused me all sorts of problems despite the changes being only a few millimetres here and there! So I'm quite wary of any small changes at the moment.....

Anyway I'm keeping an eye on ebay too and I'm not in a rush to buy so will see what comes up

Did you buy from that seller in particular? Seems a bit random the account name and the prices are obviously very cheap.

[PulsatingStar]

addey said:

In theory 2.5mm should make bugger all difference, however I've recently had a bike fit which has caused me all sorts of problems despite the changes being only a few millimetres here and there! So I'm quite wary of any small changes at the moment.....

Anyway I'm keeping an eye on ebay too and I'm not in a rush to buy so will see what comes up

Did you buy from that seller in particular? Seems a bit random the account name and the prices are obviously very cheap.

Thats a shop nothing to do with Ebay. Ive not bought from them but they have a superb reputation on the TT forum. Id have no problem buying that one I linked.

Ive got 172.5 on my Road bike and 175 on my TT bike and I cant tell the difference. I have more than 2.5mm stack variance between the shoes I own though...

[okgo]

Crank length will make almost no difference to anything.

2.5mm in saddle height possibly, crank length? No way.

[Dannbodge]

langy said:

I have had a look at those and at £250 (from probikekit), it's tempting, however, as it works on wind resistance, it won't be any good on the turbo, unless I can connect my speed sensor to a fan and blow in the right amount of air.....

Definitely missed the part about the turbo

[addey]

PulsatingStar said:

addey said:

In theory 2.5mm should make bugger all difference, however I've recently had a bike fit which has caused me all sorts of problems despite the changes being only a few millimetres here and there! So I'm quite wary of any small changes at the moment.....

Anyway I'm keeping an eye on ebay too and I'm not in a rush to buy so will see what comes up

Did you buy from that seller in particular? Seems a bit random the account name and the prices are obviously very cheap.

Thats a shop nothing to do with Ebay. Ive not bought from them but they have a superb reputation on the TT forum. Id have no problem buying that one I linked.

Ive got 172.5 on my Road bike and 175 on my TT bike and I cant tell the difference. I have more than 2.5mm stack variance between the shoes I own though...

Sorry, for some reason I had it in my head that you'd linked to one of the ones for sale on amazon!