Power Meters / Powermeters (SRM, Powertap, Quarq, Ergomo, Vector, Stages, power2max, P2M, 4iii, InPower, Cinch)

Hoarder!

I hope you enjoy all those silly proprietary cogs... :'(

This is a bit misleading - it depends what you are training for.

True, but W/kg is a reasonable metric to try to improve in the absence of an accurate/cheap/reliable way of measuring CdA. Improving W/kg by increasing W (with no significant increase in kg) shouldn't increase CdA. And improving W/kg by decreasing kg (with no change in W value) should only help reduce CdA. Obviously doesn't help the direct attempts to minimise CdA by changing position/kit.

To adapt/murder the BMI analogy; W and CdA is like BVI (Body Volume Index) vs W/kg =~ BMI (Body Mass Index). BVI (analogous to W and CdA) is a far superior metric than BMI (analogous to W/kg) but very few people have the necessary equipment to accurately measure body volume (analogous to CdA) and so BMI is simpler/easier.

To be fair, I've not played around with the Aerolab stuff in GoldenCheetah (or even have access to anything more professional than that).

It's pretty simple to plot the W/kg values for 5s/1m/5m/ftp for the different "Coggan" bands (untrained/cat-4/cat-3/etc) on a chart and interpolate intermediate values. I was planning on doing something similar combining the style of the Golden Cheetah Critical Power profile page (pure W, no weight taken into account) and the weight (which varies considerably over time for me!). So I'd plot W/kg rather than W and overlay the selected ride and 'best' onto the Coggan W/kg bands. Or I can just go out and ride the bike more.

wiggle. to be fair they had no problem taking it back. it took me 6 weeks to decide whether it was user error and testing various handsets / software options. If it worked it would have been amazing, the unit is well built and sturdy.

Thanks again. My Powertap going wrong and needing a fair chunk of cash to fix may have just ruled out the Kickr to be honest - that takes priority over a clever turbo.

Be great if there was somewhere in Londons famous London to try one out.

miro_o
Q: are there any reasonably priced turbo trainers that do a good job of measuring power? Sub £400 would be ideal. Usable fixed would be dreamy. Everyone I know whose used the Tarcx power products agree's the readouts are nonsense.

Maybe: http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/BKOOL/Turbo-Trainer-Package/1SB7?wmp=

That looks interesting but what about a review:

"Climbing isn't so good as the resistance isn't high enough at low cadence – even in a big gear – to get you working really hard. "

Does this mean I can not climb a 5% hill at 34:24/27 80rpm for an hour at 10 miles with the occasional attack on this machine?

who climbs at low cadence anymore? #eddymerckxwasanodder

Damo does. #grinder

I go as low as 25rpm on really steep stuff (15%+).

Damo does. #grindr

Swipe left. SWIPE LEFT!

80 rpm isn't really 'low cadence' unless you're racing XC or something.

Swipe left.

Some sort of #euph ?

My knee goes:

IMHO. The inaccuracy is smallerthan the difference between riding outdoors, and sitting on a trainer indoors. So as long as it's precise. It's good enough.

The big difference is flywheel lag. You put in uber watts to get up to speed, and get the guy wheel turning. Which isn't measured. Then at the end of the effort you ease off, while the flywheel give you free watts.

I miss flywheel lag TBH. Made intervals easier.

My balance was 49.5 / 50.5 yesterday.

Exciting stuff.

Doing 19% gradient hill sprints over 250m. I finally hit my record peak power. I am so very very fecked today.

Slight difference in the epic terrain that we train over - 1,300 watts over Waterloo bridge is not quite the same...

It's not as glamorous as it sounds. Doing zone 5 hill repeats on a pretty busy road in town. It's a 180m climb though, so pretty decent. Then there's a tarmac'd footpath at the top that averages 19% for over 200m. Which I don't include in the repeats usually. Because it's zone 'grrrrfffffuuuuccccccc....'

For All my suffering I earn 2nd place on Strava. 3 seconds short of KOM. I can't believe how much that silly fact pissed me off.

http://www.bikerumor.com/2014/09/10/ib14-brim-brothers-toes-the-line-with-first-wearable-power-meter/

^yeah but really?

Not seen the $400 4iiii crank arm mounted meter mentioned yet

http://4iiii.com/product/precision/

http://www.bikerumor.com/2014/09/10/ib14-power-meters-hit-400-with-new-4iiii-innovations-crank-arm-units/

too slow :)

Only to make it fair on you.

Hmmm, interesting. And there I was, just this morning, wondering how to get a power meter fitted to some nice old Campag Record cranks.

my P2M keeps getting loose; I tightened it with the rotor tool provided and a wrench; does anyone know the recommended torque?

Yes but get the S one. They're better.

P2M are solid. I'd ride one without hesitation.