Power Meters....What do you use?

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2014-10-11 6:36 PM

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Conroe, Texas
Subject: Power Meters....What do you use?
I'm doing a little research on Watt meters/Power meters and am a little overwhelmed with the choices and prices of the different meters out there. I would like to start training with power meters but what I've seen online cost twice as much as my bike. Is there a reliable, accurate, and affordable meter out there?

2014-10-11 6:41 PM
in reply to: sawyer1206

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Power Meters....What do you use?

I've used a Powertap for the last few years but recently bought a Power2Max.  I wanted some more wheel choices and since my road bike and tri bike have the same bottom bracket, the P2Max makes a switch pretty simple (not quite as simple as a wheel mind you)

2014-10-11 7:18 PM
in reply to: sawyer1206

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Regular
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Portland, Oregon
Subject: RE: Power Meters....What do you use?
Start here: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/09/buyers-guide2014-edition.html
Come back when you've got specific questions that people can better answer.
2014-10-11 7:35 PM
in reply to: sawyer1206

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Subject: RE: Power Meters....What do you use?
I use different wheels for racing, training, and on the rollers/trainer. I like my crank based PM.

I've got a Quarq on my tri bike and a Power2Max for my road bike. Were I to do another, I would probably get another Power2Max.

2014-10-12 9:13 AM
in reply to: sawyer1206

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Melbourne FL
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Subject: RE: Power Meters....What do you use?

Man what kind of bike do you ride!?!

There's a FLO 30 wheelset with Powertap G3 wheelset on on eBay for $800, plus some others wheels in that range.  It was listed higher, now 2nd time around and there still no bids, the wheelset alone goes for $500 new.

I'll be looking at PM next year, and will be monitoring ebay & BT-ST classified.

2014-10-12 9:34 AM
in reply to: sawyer1206

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Master
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Subject: RE: Power Meters....What do you use?
I have used a Powertap since 2011. I have two now, one in my race wheel and one laced to a box rim for a training wheel. When I started I just had the race wheel and used it for training and racing.

I picked up the second one (training wheel) used for pretty cheap. There are a lot of gently used setups out there and Saris/Powertap is rumored to have excellent customer service, even if you aren't the original owner (I have never had any issues so I don't know this first hand).

I think you are going to see the prices start to come down on power meters in the near future. There are a lot more lower priced options out there that will hopefully drive down the costs.

2014-10-12 9:39 AM
in reply to: sawyer1206

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Subject: RE: Power Meters....What do you use?

Picked up a used PowerTap G3 from a big-name coaching group in the area who had used it for a few camps. Pretty happy with it! I'd say it meets your categories of reliable, affordable and accurate. 

2014-10-12 9:42 AM
in reply to: sawyer1206

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Subject: RE: Power Meters....What do you use?

Used a Quarq from 2010-2013.  Was not compatible with my new 11-speed bike I bought in Sept 2013 so went with Stages.  Not a big fan of the Stages.  Switched back to Quarq after some 11-speed options came out.

2014-10-12 11:20 AM
in reply to: sawyer1206

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Subject: RE: Power Meters....What do you use?
I use
#1 wired powertap purchased used on ebay. It's built into an Mavic rim. Use the yellow head unit. Mostly my training wheel but I tend to leave this on my road bike all year round.
#2 wired powertap purchased used from a friend. It's built into a Zipp 808. Use the yellow head unit. Mostly my race wheel but I tend to leave this on the tri bike all year round.
#3 Computrainer. Purchased used on ebay. It's a older model but bullet proof.

Training with power doesn't have to be expensive. I think I purchased #1 for around $500 in 2008. They are much cheaper now. I think I purchased #3 for around $500 also in 2009.
2014-10-12 6:42 PM
in reply to: jonathan22


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Subject: RE: Power Meters....What do you use?
Quarq powermeter and could not have been happier.
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