Can I get a power meter for this?
Discussion
I'd like a power meter for 2016 - I'm interested in making my training more scientific so would like to find my lactose limits (is that the correct term?) and be able to carry out interval training. I'd like to record heart rate in addition to power etc.
I can't really afford anymore than £500 - is this doable? And what type should I be looking at - having read a bit about them there are lots of different types and I'd imagine some are much better than others? Despite having the budget constraints, I wouldn't want to get one that is seriously compromised.
Is buying second hand advisable or are they liable to being damaged / worn out? After having key elements of bikes fail at the worst moments, I'm not too keen in anything second hand that can break easily.
Lastly - I'd want to have a decent display unit with the power meter - are these generally included or would that be another big cost?
Thanks
I can't really afford anymore than £500 - is this doable? And what type should I be looking at - having read a bit about them there are lots of different types and I'd imagine some are much better than others? Despite having the budget constraints, I wouldn't want to get one that is seriously compromised.
Is buying second hand advisable or are they liable to being damaged / worn out? After having key elements of bikes fail at the worst moments, I'm not too keen in anything second hand that can break easily.
Lastly - I'd want to have a decent display unit with the power meter - are these generally included or would that be another big cost?
Thanks
Have a look here for meters - http://www.cyclepowermeters.com/
If you have a suitable Garmin unit, you won't need an extra display.
I suspect you are more interested in lactate than lactose.
If you have a suitable Garmin unit, you won't need an extra display.
I suspect you are more interested in lactate than lactose.
I spoke to them last year when I had a few issues with some Vectors,they reckoned that the
http://www.cyclepowermeters.com/favero-bepro-dual-...
We're very good, so good they are I back order until Feb, apparently they will be offering replacement of internal batteries in due course.
http://www.cyclepowermeters.com/favero-bepro-dual-...
We're very good, so good they are I back order until Feb, apparently they will be offering replacement of internal batteries in due course.
More 'scientific' training doesn't necessarily equate to more 'effective'. Do you have a specific goal in mind? Having another set of numbers to analyse will only be productive if (a) you have a specific target in mind (b) you have specific sessions to work on your goals, and (c) you know how to analyse the numbers being reported by your power meter.
One of the cheapest power meters will be the Stages. You can pick up the 105 version for about £450. Most Garmin devices (apart from the 200) will be able to record/display your power.
One of the cheapest power meters will be the Stages. You can pick up the 105 version for about £450. Most Garmin devices (apart from the 200) will be able to record/display your power.
SorryYou won't be able to find your lactate threshold with a power meter. Lactate testing is all about the blood and tested in a lab.
There are plenty of other tests that you can do with a power meter, the most common being FTP (Functional Theshold Power) which is basically the maximum power you can output in 1 hour.
There are plenty of other tests that you can do with a power meter, the most common being FTP (Functional Theshold Power) which is basically the maximum power you can output in 1 hour.
Can you not get a good idea of the lactate threshold though simply by finding that wattage that you can maintain without that feeling of lactate in your legs that comes on when you are (I might not be correct here) at an anaerobic level and they just turn to lead?!?
My goals are just to get fitter and faster. I really go into cycling this year after about 10 years of road riding and did a few long rides and just want to feel fitter and have more confidence in going further for longer
My goals are just to get fitter and faster. I really go into cycling this year after about 10 years of road riding and did a few long rides and just want to feel fitter and have more confidence in going further for longer
torqueofthedevil said:
Can you not get a good idea of the lactate threshold though simply by finding that wattage that you can maintain without that feeling of lactate in your legs that comes on when you are (I might not be correct here) at an anaerobic level and they just turn to lead?!?
My goals are just to get fitter and faster. I really go into cycling this year after about 10 years of road riding and did a few long rides and just want to feel fitter and have more confidence in going further for longer
No, If you're interested in lactate threshold, you'd be better of doing a maximal test for blood lactate. with a PM you'd never find the point at which blood lactate starts accumulating and it's steady state or threshold as it's more commonly known. Once you know, you can then work backwards. My OSBL starts at 160 BPM and threshold is 187 BPM. I have the corresponding PM readings if I ever convert.My goals are just to get fitter and faster. I really go into cycling this year after about 10 years of road riding and did a few long rides and just want to feel fitter and have more confidence in going further for longer
It's all pretty much pointless info though if you're not going to follow a specific plan, of which there are a bewildering number of.
Find a plan that you'll stick to, then work out what info you need to achieve the plan. If you're looking at a power meter someone will be along whose more informed than myself, but you'll definitely not need lactate info for that plan.
Don't buy a stages is all I will say, I must have told 10 people not to, and of that 10 a handful have, they have all had issues.
Qaurq Riken AL would be where my money went, save up for a bit longer (650 I think) and get a product that works properly, or power2max - not sure what their best price is currently but they should be similar and are very well regarded.
Qaurq Riken AL would be where my money went, save up for a bit longer (650 I think) and get a product that works properly, or power2max - not sure what their best price is currently but they should be similar and are very well regarded.
As above, it Will be interesting to see if the Bepro pedals are any good when they arrive. I've been pondering over the Powertap P1 pedals as I want to be able to swap from bike to bike now and again. Just waiting for a mate to get his (and junk his Stages) before I decide.
Regards Stages, I know 7 or 8 who have them ... I know that a couple have been returned and swapped for the later items so perhaps the first incarnation weren't as robust as the newer models. Either way, with a £500 budget, its probably worth holding on until you can get a L & R option rather than just left sided.
Regards Stages, I know 7 or 8 who have them ... I know that a couple have been returned and swapped for the later items so perhaps the first incarnation weren't as robust as the newer models. Either way, with a £500 budget, its probably worth holding on until you can get a L & R option rather than just left sided.
okgo said:
Don't buy a stages is all I will say, I must have told 10 people not to, and of that 10 a handful have, they have all had issues.
Qaurq Riken AL would be where my money went, save up for a bit longer (650 I think) and get a product that works properly, or power2max - not sure what their best price is currently but they should be similar and are very well regarded.
I haven't checked lately but apparently the P2M spider only is down to around £500 now. An absolute steal if you already have a compatible set of cranks.Qaurq Riken AL would be where my money went, save up for a bit longer (650 I think) and get a product that works properly, or power2max - not sure what their best price is currently but they should be similar and are very well regarded.
Yes I do agree, I don't think the left side only ones are worth a look but the independent monitoring is not that useful. Interesting about your knee, I would imagine that even naturally your body has found the best way in terms of applying force with the pedals, but I suppose the Quarq for example will give you its estimation of l/r which would tell you if there was something very wrong.
I have a fully ruptured MPFL and partial tear to ACL in my left knee.
Typically I am 51/49 L/R, although recently had a little right knee patella tendon pain and last few rides have been 55/45.
With the pedal dynamics I can see the left is putting more effort in. I also find it interesting to look at where the power is being applied when focusing on using glutes as opposed to just pushing the pedals around. Glutes can make a big difference, just need to get them more engaged!
Typically I am 51/49 L/R, although recently had a little right knee patella tendon pain and last few rides have been 55/45.
With the pedal dynamics I can see the left is putting more effort in. I also find it interesting to look at where the power is being applied when focusing on using glutes as opposed to just pushing the pedals around. Glutes can make a big difference, just need to get them more engaged!
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