Powertap Elite w/ Garmin 310xt OR Powertap Pro+

I think the Pro + is the way I'd go. I think I'd go with that and a Garmin Edge 500. ( I just got the garmin edge 500 for $187) .

Edited by losta 2009-12-24 9:01 PM

Where did you get the 500 from??  Have you used it yet and if so what's your opinion of it??  Since when I got my PT I went with a Pro+ also since I figured I could go with the 500 when it came out if I wanted to "upgrade"---I already have a forerunner 305 so I'm not super interested in the 310xt....

I got it from Nashbar when they had 20% off. I just set it up but haven't used it yet. It looks like it does everything the 705 does except mapping and color with a smaller screen. I have a 705 too but I'd feel more comfortable having this sitting on my bike alone in a transition area than my 705.

You are in the same boat I was just a few weeks ago, after much digging and discussion with some folks at wheelbuilder and Saris, here is my opinion:

1 Pro+ trumps Elite+, weight is not that important, but its actually the head unit that is different to perform that analysis of additional information.

2 Spoke with a Saris rep last week and was told that they are now shipping the 2010 Pro+ hubs, which are now 15mm axles not 12mm.  Still full alloy, but in general just a better axle, so if you can wait.  I was told by wheelbuilder they would start shipping with the new axles in Jan. 

Garmin 310 vs LYC (Little Yellow Computer) - Tough choice here, I had a 305 and then sold it to fund the 310.  Right now you can use  trizone to purchase either the 310xt for 350 or 310xt w HR for 399.  Keep in mind they also have a 15 or 20% code floating around, bringing the cost down even more.  And finally if you purchase it before the end of the year, you can get the $50 Garmin rebate.  I think my total end cost for the 310 w/HR will be around 270 or a bit less.  Subtract the 305 package I sold, and my cost is below 100 bucks, justified by my wife, so it has to be worth it

I have not ordered yet, but will be ordering the PRO+ system and using my 310xt.  If you have a hard cutoff amount you could:
310xt Trizone - 270 after rebate
PRO+ wheel/hub (not system) - wheelbuilder
Ebay - Electronics pack - 160ish for the PRO+/SL+ computer

Finally, in all my discussion with wheelbuilder, I was recommended the Kinlin X300 rim as being lighter and better than the DT models offered, especially for a person who is using it for both racing and training.   This may be based on your weight, but it is something to explore (still the same price as DT rim), I was looking to use a 24 spoke wheel, since they said that would be good for my rider weight (165 lbs)

Good luck, if you have not already purchased Training and Racing with a Power Meter, I highly suggest picking it up from Amazon, its around 13 bucks, find another book so you hit 25 for free shipping.  There is very valuable info there, making me itch to order my PT.

Merry Xmas and good luck!

Feel free to PM or email on my blog if you have anymore questions.  I have researched until I was blue in the face on this subject.

Out of curiosity, if the Garmin is ANT+ compatiable, why would one need the Electronics pack? Cant you just stream the data to the Garmin?

If you are getting into training with power, I'd suggest getting "The Triathlete's Guide to Training with Power" by Philip Skiba.

I've got the Allen/Coggan book and read it probably 5 times. Its really geared more towards bike racers and has some information about triathlons in it but not much. Skiba's book is geared for triathletes and is more applicable.

I have two PMs one wired on m Zipp 404s and upgraded my wired model to wireless this summer and didn't consider the Elite+ with the limited things you can program on to your computer head. The difference in price is small. I like having HR has an option because it helps triangulate how I ride based on power, HR and RPE. Not sure if you have an ant+ device like a Garmin if HR will show up on it or the whole system does not record it in any manner.

Thanks Kathy, I just ordered it. I didn't know there was another book on training with power.
FYI the only place I could find the book is physfarm.com, amazon didn't have it.

Exactly,  according to wheelbuilder at least, the Pro and Elite both send the same data stream over ANT+ so the Garmin 310 should be able to give you the same data using either.  The limitation in data displayed on the Elite+ system wouldn't really be an issue if you used the Garmin instead of the yellow computer that comes with the Elite+

I was mostly wondering if anyone had both the powertap computer and the garmin 310 and could compare/contrast their capabilities.

Also, thanks for the tip on the book.  I have the Hunter Allen book, but I'll look for the other as well.

You dont need it, but there are some reasons for it.  The LYc (Little Yellow Computer) has some restrictions on what you can display, so the Garmin can scroll some additional fields, for example (HR, Cadence, Power, Time) The LYC only can display 3 fields and I believe only the middle one is customizable.

I will purchase the Electro pack to have the LYC as it will read from the garmin HR strap.   

That is exactly what I was wondering.  I didn't want to get the Garmin ONLY if I was going to get less data than from the LYC.  If I'm reading this all correctly, the Garmin would give me more, or at least more than the Elite+ computer

I just got the 310XT and will be playing with it today while doing my CT ride.

Yellow power tap computer is smaller and clicks on cradle what I see better but can pop off. I use electric tape around the edge after having it fall off twice once during a race. I know others who have lost it riding as well.

Those I know who have 305 and try to get it to stay on their bikes have had some issues.

Interesting concept just getting wheel/hub and Garmin with ant+ technology. Perhaps that is why Sarris is coming out with new head computer.

Interesting that the hubs transmit same data and it was the computer that was limiting what is displayed and the Garmin option changes that.

Bottom like of LYC scrolls through a number of data fields and you can choose which one you want displayed. Mine has distance, time, HR, avg HR, total miles, KJs on bottom line. Middle line I have set on cadence.

I have a Powertap PRO+ with the LYC and got a garmin 310XT from my Santa wife for Christmas. Theoretically that eliminates my need to have the LYC on my bike, yet I still think it's worth to have it for the simple reason that the LYC is what you need to re-zero the torque or calibrate the hub. This can NOT be done with just the garmin unit, so if your data starts to look a little funky you may not be able to check the accuracy.The other advantage of the LYC is the ability to show streaming averages. Once you start training with a powermeter you'll see how the power data jumps up and down and it could be very confusing (the slightest change in wind or variation in the road surface will change the force you are applying and hence the power). A great way to display your data with less 'variability' is to use moving averages, i.e. the LYC will calculate the average of (for example) the last 5 seconds and show you that value as its 'current power'. This provides much more data stability making it easier to focus on the watts you want to push. The refresh rate is still every second. This is a function the LYC can do but the garmin can not. Personally, I have only used my Garmin once on my ride last Saturday and it actually didn't jump to much up and down but that was probably due to the nature of the ride I was doing. The Pro+ LYC has additional options such as displaying your 5seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes and 20 mins (if I'm correct) mean maximal powers of the ride. That is interesting to know, however if you are analyzing your data using an advanced software program such as WKO+, you will get that data with any unit and way way waaaay more. It's also not really the kind of data you need to know as you are riding - it's more something to look at afterwards.Garmin 310xt gives you other benefits like knowing your elevation which is great if you are climbing. I really like the ability to iluminate the display - especially since I do ride in the dark outdoors at least once a week for my TT training and I'll finally be able to actually read the display! At the moment I am personally doing a couple rides with both the LYC and the garmin 310XT but I'm thinking I may stick with the LYC for regular rides on the road bike and use the garmin for training in the evenings, or using the TT bike (automated laps), or on my bricks (and runs of course). I'd still want to have a LYC, for checking the torque settings or the easier to read power data.

Edited by BenV 2009-12-28 11:16 AM

I just got the 500 and have not played with it at all.  It is supposed to have 5 customizable portions of the screen.  I think that the Joule is almost identical from what I was told except it does not have GPS and it has 6 customizable portions to it.