Which will be more beneficial Powertap or Computrainer?

I have both and while the computrainer is indeed a nice tool for the northeast winter I got a power tap first as I believe having the ability to train with power indoors and outdoors will be more helpful to improve if used correctly.

If your goal is to train with power, the PT.  If your goal is to provide more 'entertainment' to your indoor bike sessions so you do more of them, the CT.

My hands-down choice was, and is, the PT.

I have both, without a doubt the powertap is the way to do. You get the training benefits of using power but even more importantly a powertap is an amazing tool to help pace long course racing.

I agree with others having both PT first.

With PT your indoor riding on any trainer improves as you can see what work you are really doing.

x2

x however many that is for the PT. You can't take the computrainer with you on race day!

I own a computrainer, and honestly, I would ONLY recommend it if you are VERY serious about indoor training. First, the "entertainment" value wears off pretty quickly. Second, its sort of a pain to set up. If you have a bike to leave on it for a long time, its fine. However, if you only have one bike and you plan on taking it on and off the trainer, you will grow tired of the CT very quickly. It has a host of wires and gadgets that you have to attach to the bike, which I find to be a bit much.

In addition, the CT isnt really something you can just "hop on and ride"... its like, boot up the computer, plug the thing into the tv, warm up the power unit for 10 minutes, then select a ride and finally go.

However, the up-side to the CT is it is a very nice power training tool. I believe it will challange you more than the PT can. If you are looking for power training, and want the best training you can get indoor...get the CT. Andy Potts rides a CT EXCLUSIVELY for training...meaning he does not ride outdoor at all. If you have any desire to use power on the road, and dont want the "hassle" of setting up the CT, get a PT.

To be quite honest, I have found HR training to be very effective, and very close to power training (if you know what you are doing). I barely use my CT anymore, and mostly use my Spinner bike for indoor training. Its much more stable, its fixed gear, and I can crank the resistance up to infinity, or down to nothing. The Spinner bike can simulate the resistance of hills much better than the CT, and provides me a VERY good workout. Its also very comfortable and quiet compared to all the trainers I own.

Hope my opinion helps.

Andy

I have both (actually we have both, as both me and my wife have CompuTrainers and PowerTaps), and I love training with the PT, especially on the trainer! (you can't get more exact training than on a trainer as you have no terrain/weather etc. to take in consideration).

The CompuTrainer is great during the long winters we have in Sweden, so for that reason they are worth it... breaks up the boredom of trainer rides... But all my serious training is still on fluid trainers with the PT... CompuTrainer is nothing more than a fun way to break things up and do actual rides (I know... expensive, but when you have crappy falls, long winters and really cold springs, that only leaves 3-4 months per year of decent outdoor riding, then they are worth the investment)

Great thread, I had been wondering the same thing myself.