Power meters.......

[murray]

Having just got a set of P1's yesterday sounds like I'm in for more pain. To be fair to Stages it seemed to stack up ok in terms of the
power readings, it was the lack of reliability that killed it for me. I've also got some Vectors which I've had issues with in the past although much better now with the v2 pods and the later firmware.

[Matt_N]

Guy in my club is on his 3rd Stages since Christmas.

[okgo]

langy said:

After reading this little lot, I'll think I'll invest in some new wheels or a smart trainer rather than a power meter

Neither of the above are an investment. And the smart meter will be largely useless without a powermeter anyway unless they've changed very recently.

The answer is fairly simple, accept you need to spend a few more quid. Buy a proper unit, reap the benefits for ever more.

[ALawson]

murray said:

Having just got a set of P1's yesterday sounds like I'm in for more pain. To be fair to Stages it seemed to stack up ok in terms of the
power readings, it was the lack of reliability that killed it for me. I've also got some Vectors which I've had issues with in the past although much better now with the v2 pods and the later firmware.

Garmin replaced by V1 Vectors with some V2's touch wood absolutely no issues since then. I even called them up when I filled a pod up with water (battery panel not put back properly), Garmin sent me a new one FOC.

Only thing that concerns me is potential damage from an "off", mate with P1 has not had many major issues with his apart from bluetooth on his mobile interferring with Garmin / Pedal comms.

[murray]

I'm having issues getting a refund on my stages. Warranty is two years, original unit failed at 13 months, new unit failed after one ride.

[langy]

okgo said:

Neither of the above are an investment. And the smart meter will be largely useless without a powermeter anyway unless they've changed very recently.

The answer is fairly simple, accept you need to spend a few more quid. Buy a proper unit, reap the benefits for ever more.

Thanks again for your useful comments. I will make my own decision on what I feel is best for my circumstances.

[ALawson]

murray said:

I'm having issues getting a refund on my stages. Warranty is two years, original unit failed at 13 months, new unit failed after one ride.

I would love to know how much it cost Stages to make them, I reckon their business model factors in 2-3 replacements.

[AyBee]

langy said:

okgo said:

Neither of the above are an investment. And the smart meter will be largely useless without a powermeter anyway unless they've changed very recently.

The answer is fairly simple, accept you need to spend a few more quid. Buy a proper unit, reap the benefits for ever more.

Thanks again for your useful comments. I will make my own decision on what I feel is best for my circumstances.

He's right though. I picked up a trainer a few months ago and it's all very well being able to see what power you put out on the trainer, but if you can't tell whether you're replicating it on the road or not, it's next to useless and you'll end up frustrated. Keep an eye on eBay for a second hand powermeter or save up for a bit longer for one of the units mentioned in this thread which are only slightly more ££ than the Stages

[F355GTB]

SRM, it is expensive but totally reliable, accurate, they run a "if you can break it we can fix it" guarentee, and despite some of the pro teams stating they use Stages and other devices, for training, they revert to SRM.

Edited by F355GTB on Friday 17th March 14:45

[okgo]

F355GTB said:

SRM, it is expensive but totally reliable, accurate, they run a "if you can break it we can fix it" guarentee, and despite some of the pro teams stating they use Stages and other devices, for training, they revert to SRM.

Edited by F355GTB on Friday 17th March 14:45

Personally, having to send it back to change the battery would do my head in.

Also I feel that they've been resting on their laurels and everyone else has caught up and is banging them out at well under half the price. I'd ride one if it was free, but for me, they're not worth the outlay, and you can get 2 or 3 Sram/Power2max units for the cost of one SRM - which all have user changeable batteries, and I should think more features to boot. Qalvin for example is a great app for the SRAM unit to upgrade firmware/adjust slope etc.

[frisbee]

AyBee said:

He's right though. I picked up a trainer a few months ago and it's all very well being able to see what power you put out on the trainer, but if you can't tell whether you're replicating it on the road or not, it's next to useless and you'll end up frustrated. Keep an eye on eBay for a second hand powermeter or save up for a bit longer for one of the units mentioned in this thread which are only slightly more ££ than the Stages

Snap, I got a Kickr and then a few months later a Quarq.

[Banana Boy]

I know I got lucky with a stonking deal but I love my Verve Infocranks and can't recommend them enough! I quickly realised that there is no real cheap what into proper power meters and had already dismissed Stages etc.

If I hadn't got my Infocranks when I did I would almost certainly saved up and got them at a later date! I'm now getting to the stage where I'll need to upgrade my cycle computer within the year to take full advantage of the metrics offered!

[okgo]

Know someone with infocrank, is there only one model? - to me it isn't bringing anything to the party that the cheaper crank based systems are not. However, I personally think its design isn't great, 4 batteries, that awful plastic thing you have to put on the bike, what were they thinking with that?

[Banana Boy]

okgo said:

Know someone with infocrank, is there only one model? - to me it isn't bringing anything to the party that the cheaper crank based systems are not. However, I personally think its design isn't great, 4 batteries, that awful plastic thing you have to put on the bike, what were they thinking with that?

Essentially one model with a choice of spindle diameters. I quite like the functional looks but that's a personal thing, I don't get the whole Dura-Ace thing - they don't look that pretty to my eye...

I guess the 'awful plastic thing' is the ring mounted magnet option?! There is an option for sticky magnets mounted under the bottom bracket but actually the latest firmware update negates any magnets at all!

At the moment my head unit limits the amount of data I see to a single power output based on the measurement from each leg, which has been fine to get me started and has definitely helped with my training so far. Once I've upgraded my cycle computer I will be able to fully analyse my balance, stoke efficiency and all that jazz... what the fk I'll do with all that info is anyone's guess at the moment but by the time I come to answer that I will hopefully have a better idea of where I am and where I need to be as a bike racer?!

[langy]

Well after a conversation with the LBS and AN Other, it looks as though the Quarq Dzero (aluminium), new chainset and bottom bracket could be purchased for under £700

[okgo]

langy said:

Well after a conversation with the LBS and AN Other, it looks as though the Quarq Dzero (aluminium), new chainset and bottom bracket could be purchased for under £700

Well you knew that on page one of this thread right?

[langy]

Amazon sellers are somewhat misleading by advertising something they don't actually have to sell 🙁

[fromage]

langy said:

Amazon sellers are somewhat misleading by advertising something they don't actually have to sell ??

I only bother buying from Amazon themselves, another one popped up for just over £400 the other day direct from Amazon.

[addey]

I've just placed an order for the new FSA powerbox, should get it in the next couple of weeks. Its basically a power2max unit made in collaboration with FSA and seems to be the best value at £550 complete i.e. including chainrings. Look forward to trying it out then trying to make the most of the data!

[AyBee]

That's a brilliant deal. I'm about to pull the trigger on a Quarq Dzero, just trying to work out which crank length would work best.