General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Power Meter or Racing Wheels??? Rss Feed  
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2013-06-05 9:12 AM

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Subject: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
I'm away from the tri world and have converted to an all out cyclist (GASP!)

I'd like to budget a purchase for the Holiday timeframe for either racing wheels (thinking 50/58MM race wheels - either Boyd/November/Neuvation..sorta level) or get a power meter (thinking of either a stages PM or quarq)


I know the typical response will be, if you train with power you need to be able to read how to train with a power meter. Trust me I'm way ahead of you and understand the added costs/reading associated with a power meter.

Thanks for your input.


2013-06-05 9:22 AM
in reply to: Dlaxman31

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Champion
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Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
I'd rather have a PM than race wheels.

That said, if bike racing is your #1 sport, I'd rather have a crank based PM than a Powertap... of course that's just preference. (And that way you can buy some race wheels later)
2013-06-05 9:23 AM
in reply to: Dlaxman31

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Master
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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
To me it seemes that the return on investment (ROI) on a powermeter is better than on wheels.
A stages PM can be bought for under $1k and it will help you train and help you race better.

Wheels are more like a one-time instant bump in speed and that comes at a hefty price tag (often $2k and up).

2013-06-05 9:28 AM
in reply to: Dlaxman31


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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Not even a debate. Power meter for sure.

Training with power is great, but honestly, even if you don't always train based on power, having objective numbers on the bike is huge for a bike racer or triathlete aspiring to best bike splits.

The race wheels I wouldn't even consider except as a luxury splurge more dependent upon your wallet than actual performance.
2013-06-05 9:29 AM
in reply to: Dlaxman31

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Master
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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Power meters is a great tool..

I have the cyclops powermeter on a set of amercan classic wheels.
Great wheels. http://www.amclassic.com/en/#

downside is I have a set of race wheels i don't really use anymore..

So id say go with the quarq. You will power reading with any wheelset.
2013-06-05 9:49 AM
in reply to: Dlaxman31

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
I purchased a set of Boyd wheels in 2012. They are great and I don't think you can beat his service. I had a powertap on a training wheel, and this year decided that I wanted one on the race wheels. Purchased it from Boyd and he relaced the wheels with the new PT. Again, could not be happier.

The only problem is having to purchase two Powertaps.The advantage is I can swap wheels and bikes to suit my requirements. I wouldn't ride my carbon wheels on the trainer, for example. Alternatively, get a decent training wheel with a PT and a wheel cover.

If I had one choice I'd likely go crank-based powermeter. You can use it all the time, and all that training will add up to more bang-for-the-buck than fancy wheels.


2013-06-05 10:04 AM
in reply to: BrianRunsPhilly

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Originally posted by BrianRunsPhilly

I wouldn't ride my carbon wheels on the trainer, for example.


Not nitpicking... this just struck me as odd. Why wouldn't you? (other than having another pt wheel)
2013-06-05 10:19 AM
in reply to: Leegoocrap

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Master
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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
The only hold up for a power meter would be to wait for a pedal or cleat based system that offer ANT+.
crank based systems do no easily transfer from bike to bike :-(
2013-06-05 10:20 AM
in reply to: Leegoocrap

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Thanks guys for the input. Now time to save up for the PM.


Any benefit from going between Stages and Quarq? I'm mainly thinking crank base since hopefully down the road I'll be able to change wheels.
2013-06-05 10:29 AM
in reply to: timf79

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Originally posted by timf79

The only hold up for a power meter would be to wait for a pedal or cleat based system that offer ANT+.
crank based systems do no easily transfer from bike to bike :-(


I swap my Quarq from bike to bike all the time. It's really quite easy.
I would say it's same effort as moving pedals, with a slight more grease on the fingers.
2013-06-05 10:31 AM
in reply to: Dlaxman31

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Master
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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Given the difference in price I would go stages...
DCRainmaker reviewd it here:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/01/stages-power-meter-in-depth-revi...


2013-06-05 10:42 AM
in reply to: timf79

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Originally posted by timf79

Given the difference in price I would go stages...
DCRainmaker reviewd it here:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/01/stages-power-meter-in-depth-revi...


and given that exact review I would not go stages....
2013-06-05 10:50 AM
in reply to: dmiller5

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Originally posted by dmiller5

Originally posted by timf79

Given the difference in price I would go stages...
DCRainmaker reviewd it here:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/01/stages-power-meter-in-depth-revi...


and given that exact review I would not go stages....


+1 - it's not reliable/accurate enough. Don't see the point of training with it if it is not at least consistent. If you have one bike you primarily use - get a Quarq/SRAM.
2013-06-05 10:54 AM
in reply to: marcag

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Originally posted by marcag
I swap my Quarq from bike to bike all the time. It's really quite easy.
I would say it's same effort as moving pedals, with a slight more grease on the fingers.


This only works if you use same BB and crank lenght and chainrings on both bikes.
My P2 is GSA my CAAD 10 is BB30.
Further I heard that it is advsed to run shorter cranks on a tri bike versus road bike.

Pedals are always the same mounting method, which guarantees you can transfer them to your next bike in a few years
2013-06-05 12:30 PM
in reply to: timf79

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
The difference between the quarq and stages is about 600-800 dollars.

I've read the review on the stages PM. Anyone here try it out yet?
2013-06-05 2:16 PM
in reply to: Dlaxman31

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.


2013-06-05 2:17 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Originally posted by timf79

Originally posted by marcag
I swap my Quarq from bike to bike all the time. It's really quite easy.
I would say it's same effort as moving pedals, with a slight more grease on the fingers.


This only works if you use same BB and crank lenght and chainrings on both bikes.
My P2 is GSA my CAAD 10 is BB30.
Further I heard that it is advsed to run shorter cranks on a tri bike versus road bike.

Pedals are always the same mounting method, which guarantees you can transfer them to your next bike in a few years


Yes. I changed the BB thingy on my P2 ($30) , Giant TCR01 ($30) and TM01 ($30) and I can swap them all within a few minutes
Shorter cranks can be useful on a tri bike to open up the hip angle. But you can pick a relatively 'neutral length' around 170/172

Yes pedal based systems would be wonderful, if they actually existed :-)
Swappable cranks arms would be wonderful, if they prove to be reliable.

A $30 BB allowed me to make my Quarq swappable.

Edited by marcag 2013-06-05 2:18 PM
2013-06-05 2:19 PM
in reply to: 0

Subject: ...
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Edited by Fred D 2013-06-05 2:20 PM
2013-06-05 3:27 PM
in reply to: Dlaxman31

Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
A power meter is a great training tool. If you do a lot of solo training, it's awesome. If you mostly do hard group rides...well, not so much. You'll be far more concerned with trying to hang onto the group or maybe drop your buddies on a climb than you will be paying attention to your power. This is why a power meter is great for triathletes or time trial specialists.

I've been road racing for 2+ years now without power (using 404's instead of my PT rear) and I never felt like I needed it. I have recently moved to a Quarq, so I will be able to capture power data, but honestly, unless you're planning a solo breakaway, you really won't need power during road racing.

Where power can be great for road racers is to track your overall training stress. Even if you don't pace your races or group rides by power, you can still track the amount of stress you are building up to peak for specific races. This takes a lot more experience and maybe some coaching to nail down though. I still am learning the ropes after 3.5 years of using power.

Swapping cranks between bikes is REALLY EASY. I bought the BB30 adapter for my CAAD10 and switched my BB on my P2 to GXP to accomodate my GXP Quarq. I timed myself...it takes me about 90 seconds to make the switch. If someone wanted to make a bet with me, I'm pretty sure I could do it under 40 seconds if I was really trying to move fast. A little grease on the fingers as others mentioned.
2013-06-05 3:44 PM
in reply to: tri808

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
I'd go with the power meter if I had to choose especially as a lone wolf rider. A pm has been on my wish list for awhile. I don't know a lot about them but I don't think that the unit DcR reviewed above would work for me because it is left crank dependent and I have an imbalance in power from one leg to the other due to nerve damage.
2013-06-05 3:46 PM
in reply to: tri808

Expert
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Oklahoma
Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
If it was me it would be an easy decision. Without a doubt I would spend my money on race wheels.


2013-06-05 5:22 PM
in reply to: Leegoocrap

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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Originally posted by Leegoocrap

Originally posted by BrianRunsPhilly

I wouldn't ride my carbon wheels on the trainer, for example.


Not nitpicking... this just struck me as odd. Why wouldn't you? (other than having another pt wheel)

Partly because it strikes me as something I shouldn't do (non-logical, I know), but mostly because I have race tires on them and the trainer would just tear them up.
2013-06-05 6:08 PM
in reply to: Dlaxman31

Veteran
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Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Depends on what you want, a sweet looking bike or to make some improvements?

If the later, definitely the power meter. As you already know, you need to know how to use the data or work with someone who does, but its ultimately a better ROI.

If your budgeting around $1k, I wouldn't get a stages PM. I've heard that their accuracy isn't the best, and when it comes to power you need to have repeat-ability so that would void that idea.

You could probably find a used Powertap, if any luck laced to a race wheel. Then at least you'll have a nice wheel and a power meter!
2013-06-05 6:19 PM
in reply to: Dlaxman31

Elite
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PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
My Power Meter (once I learned how to properly train with it) has made me faster than my race wheels ever would have.  You could probably get a used PT, put a disc cover on the wheel and then a front FLO 60 for about the price of a Quarq?
2013-06-05 6:46 PM
in reply to: axteraa

Subject: RE: Power Meter or Racing Wheels???
Originally posted by axteraa

My Power Meter (once I learned how to properly train with it) has made me faster than my race wheels ever would have.  You could probably get a used PT, put a disc cover on the wheel and then a front FLO 60 for about the price of a Quarq?


Makes sense for triathletes...but if the OP is going into road racing, the only time he'll be able to use a disc cover is during TTs. Of course the OP could just do as you said and get the rear FLO 60 for another $450. That way he'd have power for training, FLO 60/cover with power for TTs, and FLO 60 front/back for road racing where power doesn't really matter (as I mentioned above).
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