Training & Nutrition - Tell me about the PowerTap stuff.

OK, so the last time I rode and trained competetively (Cat 2) was in the late 80's. I'm getting back into cycling now, and am a bit overwhelmed by the new thoughts about the equipment "needed" for training properly.

To do all the power measurement stuff...how much money are you guys/gals dropping to measure that stuff? Is power training the next big thing for everyone, or is it still out of reach financially for most people?

A good, high cadence, lots of miles, and interval training used to work great back then - what's better about the new stuff?

I'm NOT being a smartazz, I seriously am wondering about the new training thoughts.

The main difference is that training by power allows you to use your time more efficiently.

The main difference is that training by power allows you to use your time more efficiently.

OK, I can buy that.

How much money does a good power training unit cost?

This is the best price I have seen. It is a PowerTap SL (http://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=details&PageID=30&SKU=WE8031) complete wheel for $988. I am using the PowerTap SL and I love it. It is much lighter than the Pro so I can still use it for racing.

WOW. 1000 bucks? :eek:

OK, so it's obviously NOT for the "general racer" - at least not yet. Wow.

OK. So explain to me how the powertap SL can be used when one trains on one set of wheels but races on another set...can one buy an extra set of built up wheels without the computer? Do you just not measure power, etc., while racing? thanks.

I think that my husband (Cat 2) got his on eBay for as little as half of that, after lots of patient waiting.

He's been quite happy with it, but I honestly couldn't tell you if it's more about the data for training purposes or about the exciting gadget/number geek aspect. :) "Look where my power peaked on THAT sprint, honey!" :p

OK. So explain to me how the powertap SL can be used when one trains on one set of wheels but races on another set...can one buy an extra set of built up wheels without the computer? Do you just not measure power, etc., while racing? thanks.

You can have one hub built up for racing and one for training. Just keep in mind that the hub is the expensive part. You can also just use a standard set of wheels and just use the computer for everything except wattage during the race.

Allison - did he get the SL or the pro? If it is the pro then the hub is yellow, if the SL the hub is polished and carbon.

Allison - did he get the SL or the pro? If it is the pro then the hub is yellow, if the SL the hub is polished and carbon.

Er. In all honesty I don't think I've ever looked closely. I do know the computer is yellow, he flashed that in my face yesterday to show me his 100.6 miles. ;) But I also am not at ALL sure how much he paid. Only that it was quite a chunk of change, and he researched it for a long time before buying it, but he was very pleased at the great deal he got.

It certainly is a good chunk of change. It took me a while to convince myself to buy one as well. I am just a cat five road racer but I mainly use my bike to train for mountain bike racing. It just seems like the powertap makes it so much easier for my coach to figure out what is going on with my body and what I need to work on.