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New purchase opinions wanted
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 2016-08-30 1:40 PM |
 165  |  Subject: New purchase opinions wantedGood afternoon all, I'm currently saving some money for a purchase and wanted to get opinions of the board. I'd like to use this winter to get in better bike shape, and prepare to take on a full IM next year here in Louisville. After much consideration, I think my next, and probably last (the wife will have something to say about it) purchase will be a power meter. From everything I've read it will help not only in training, but also with pacing the bike for the big one. So I ask the board...is it worth it to drop the money on the power meter, or should I put that money into new wheels or components or a frame (or something else) and keep training with virtual power and heart rate? I ride an older Javelin road bike with syntace aero bars, Shimano 105 components and Shimano RS10 (I think) wheels. It's what I call my blue collar roadie, but it got me through Raleigh 70.3 and a local oly distance tri this year. One piece of info to add, I'm not competing for any podiums, only the satisfaction of finishing. Ideally I'll do some shorter races earlier in the year, a HIM later in the summer, in prep for IMLoo in October. Thanks as always. |
| 2016-08-30 2:13 PM in reply to: linkslefty |
Expert 2852   Pfafftown, NC | Subject: RE: New purchase opinions wanted Pretty much the same boat you're in. I did my first 70.3 a few weeks ago.....and my 2nd will be Augusta (9/25). I plan on doing IMNC, in 2017. I bought a Stages PM............because......I wanted one and I didn't want to spend a fortune. I think I paid $350 for it. I bought it for the purpose of helping me pace IMNC. I may or may not use any of the data for Augusta. I have my file from the last 70.3. I'm still learning what all of the data means (as far as predicting future efforts). Good luck. |
| 2016-08-30 3:42 PM in reply to: nc452010 |
Extreme Veteran 1574 | Subject: RE: New purchase opinions wanted Speaking from experience, the power meter is worth it, if and only if you are actually going to train with / by it and know how to properly use it and do so. I got one and I can tell you that for me it only ended up being a number on my stats at the end of the ride. Add into it that my power number was right above my HR and I always converted to the old way of riding by heart rate. The one thing it did tell me, which I had not realized was how little power / pressure I used on flats and just how much I used on hills. Just my .02 from my experiences |
| 2016-08-31 9:01 AM in reply to: linkslefty |
| 194 , North Carolina | Subject: RE: New purchase opinions wanted I would go for the PM... Most upgrades will make you immediately faster, but then hold constant in the long run... a PM will help you train better and continue giving you improvements for your whole "career." Even people like you who just want to finish will benefit from a PM with the more precise training and the better pacing on race day. My recommendation for you is get a good budget option like a Stages or Powertap (you can find some used PowerTap wheels that are semi-aero... killing two birds with one stone). Then I would also get the book "training and racing with power." It's pretty in depth, but it will help you get the most out of your investment. http://www.trisports.com/training-power-meter-2nd.html |
| 2016-08-31 9:51 AM in reply to: triathlonpal07 |
Master 3888 Overland Park, KS | Subject: RE: New purchase opinions wanted I'd go with the PM if having that will encourage you to use it. Structured workouts based on power (increasing your FTP) will gain you WAY more than upgraded wheels, components etc. A set of 60 mm race wheels will get you 4 minutes or so of time on an IM bike leg, that's it.... Just for kicks I used Best Bike Split and got the two comparisons with regards to speed and time for a 112 mile ride: Average Speed: 19.18 mph 112 mile time: 5:50:37 Average Speed: 19.56 mph 112 mile time: 5:43:46 So an increase of only 0.38 mph could net you nearly 7 minutes on the bike. |
| 2016-08-31 11:47 AM in reply to: reecealan |
| 409 Durham, North Carolina | Subject: RE: New purchase opinions wanted I personally HATED training indoors until I got zwift. Zwift + a PM is pretty fun and has helped me a ton! I personally went for a stages powermeter because they had what I needed on closeout. Check their site to see if they have one that matches your crankset. https://store.stagescycling.com/closeout--cosmetic-blems-c32.aspx |
| 2016-08-31 11:51 AM in reply to: #5197200 |
| 165 | Subject: RE: New purchase opinions wanted A wheel hub pm was recommended to me, and a guy on eBay has a next to new one for $375. I may go for it unless I hear something here that scares me away. And thank you all for the feedback thus far. |
| 2016-08-31 2:07 PM in reply to: linkslefty |
| 409 Durham, North Carolina | Subject: RE: New purchase opinions wanted Originally posted by linkslefty A wheel hub pm was recommended to me, and a guy on eBay has a next to new one for $375. I may go for it unless I hear something here that scares me away. And thank you all for the feedback thus far. A lot of people like those. The only reason I don't like them is that I have a separate wheel for my trainer so I don't have to worry about swapping tires or blowing through expensive tires on the trainer. |
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