Road Bike Racing - Power Meter -- Is It For Wussies, Too?

Assume that:

1) I am about to be forty years oldI have been cycling for just over two years -- a hobby I selected to lose weight, but then got addicted -- and racing for about a year. By racing, I mostly mean weekly events at the Velodrome: other than that, I have three USCF Cat 5 criterium starts, a handful of 20K time trials, and a few short, non-sanctioned road races.

2) I'm not that fast. My three criteriums have been (a) a DNF, (b) getting pulled with a few laps left while in about 25th place out of 50 starters, and (c) a back-of-the-pack finish. I do better at the track, with some "podium" finishes against a 20+ person field that is usually guys who are Cat 4s.

3) My priority will always be track racing -- I like it best. My ultimate road racing goal is to be "competitive" in Cat 4 criterium-like races and 20K time trials (meaning, for example, that I don't finish every criterium at the back of the pack). I have no aspirations to do longer road races. I doubt that, at my age and weight, and with my limited time, I will ever see Cat 3: if I do, it's gravy; if I don't, I'm won't be disappointed.

4) I ride/train on the weekends, about 35 hard miles on Saturday with a group ride, and 50 miles or so on Sunday on my own or with a friend or two. I track race on Tuesday nights through the summer. My work and family commitments prevent me from riding more. While I enjoy racing, and would like to be better at it, it is not enough of a priority for me to sacrifice the work or family time.


At each of my Cat 5 criteriums, I have seen many in the field pull up to the line with PowerTaps on their Zipps. That seemed, to me, overkill. But what do I know?

Would riding/training with a power meter be that much help to me? How would it help? Or is it, frankly, not a wise use of money for a guy at my present level and with my future aspirations?

If you're committed to improving, get a power meter and a coach. Those who suck will see the greatest gains from focused training.

With regards to riding time, I'm in the same boat. But I've started either a) waking up at 4am; or b) going to bed after my wife so that I can get in more ride time. If you want to do it bad enough, you'll find a way.

Buy Training and Racing with Power by Allen and Coggin. It will give you a good idea of how you might use it, and whether it's something you would use.

A power meter will measure a Cat 5's power output just as well as a Pro's.

If you are going to continue doing the same set of rides for your training, I would think the PM is not worth it for you. If you think you will alter that training based on your power testing to include some intervals or other specific workouts, and especially if you might add a workout or two during the week then it might be worth it. Like merlin said, Hunter & Allen's book will give you a good overview whether you choose to buy a PM or not.

Power Meter -- Is It For Wussies, Too?
from what i've seen, yes.

I'll say what bd said in a different way. A PT is a tool. A coach can tell you how to use that tool more effectively given you limited schedule. IMHO the coach is the more useful of the two.

oy

from what i've seen, yes.

I'm living proof.

a Cat V who rides about 100 miles a week needs neither a power meter or a coach. Unless you're looking to spend money for the sake of spending money it should be impossible to justify the cash outlay. Read Friel's book. Train as hard as you possibly can, given your limited training hours, and most of all enjoy yourself.

a Cat V who rides about 100 miles a week needs neither a power meter or a coach. Unless you're looking to spend money for the sake of spending money it should be impossible to justify the cash outlay. Read Friel's book. Train as hard as you possibly can, given your limited training hours, and most of all enjoy yourself.

I'm beginning to think this advice is appropriate for a certain Cat 3 who rides +/- 175 mi/week ...

I'm living proof.

of what? darwin's theory of evolution? ;)

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3469/rojogw0.jpg

wussies? what's wussies?

Wussy not wussies.

F-ing wussy.

a Cat V who rides about 100 miles a week needs neither a power meter or a coach. Unless you're looking to spend money for the sake of spending money it should be impossible to justify the cash outlay. Read Friel's book. Train as hard as you possibly can, given your limited training hours, and most of all enjoy yourself.

Such logic has no place in these confines. The appropriate answer to any suggested purchase of bike stuff is, "yes, it will make you faster, but for $XX more you could get YY which will help even more." Geez, Gary, haven't you learned how this place works? ;)

I think you'll find the overwhelming majority of PM owners will tell you they have been worthwhile investments, and the majority of people who will tell you not to bother with one don't own one.

A better saw does not make a better carpenter though, unless he knows how to use it.

^^^ +1

You're at the point where you can make enormous gains without a power meter, but having one could make the process more efficient. As you get stronger and stronger, it becomes easier and more meaningful to integrate the power meter into your training. It's never necessary, but it sure doesn't hurt.

Mine has really helped me quantify my form and track my improvements.

Just a bonehead suggestion. I'm in no way an experienced racer but shouldn't he take a look at his current training plan and try to improve as much as he can without a power meter. Once he's reach a "plateau" then he should look for other means to help him improve.

One thing I might suggest is alternating your group rides. Are your group rides with clubs or racing teams? There's a big difference.

I guess I'm asking cause I see a lot of guys at races with PM's and I'm always wondering if it'll be worth the purchase or just HTFU and focus on my training.

This is coming from a poor guy that races.

I think you'll find the overwhelming majority of PM owners will tell you they have been worthwhile investments, and the majority of people who will tell you not to bother with one don't own one.

A better saw does not make a better carpenter though, unless he knows how to use it.

I think this is the key. In the right hands, a powermeter is a very powerful tool. But if you already lack the capability / initiative to stick to training plan, have many interruptions to your training plan, or generally just aren't willing to train enough, I doubt a PM will solve those problems. If you are dedicated to the sport, are focused and work hard at it (as folks like you and WR do), by all means it seems to be a useful device.

The first part describes me. During part of the year, I follow a regular schedule, but that schedule is easily disrupted. The biggest aid to me right now would be more miles and more structure. For me, a PM would likely be another reminder that I don't spend enough time riding and that my riding is poorly structured. Knowing me as well as I do, I would ignore that reminder just as ably as a cheap HRM I once had that would implore me each hour to get up and move (with a lovely running graphic!).

So my actual perspective is that in the right hands, a PM is very useful and appropriate. In my hands it would be a pretty gizmo that would give me data that I more than likely wouldn't make very good use of. That same reality is one reason I am not a very good bike racer.

^^^Well put.


shouldn't he take a look at his current training plan and try to improve as much as he can without a power meter?...

A better tool used properly will yield better results.


I guess I'm asking cause I see a lot of guys at races with PM's and I'm always wondering if it'll be worth the purchase or just HTFU and focus on my training.

This is coming from a poor guy that races.

HTFU is an outstanding concept to apply to racing. Not always so good for training though. Too many guys go out, put in big rides, go to the race and fail. They figure they aren't training hard enough, go out and destroy themselves during the week, and do even worse than the week before in the actual race.

WR is probably the best example of someone who had limited time and knocked himself out training. From what he's told us (and please step in here if I'm incorrect) is that the PM woke him up to what he was doing wrong. He made changes, added more structure and now he's a guy that the others are watching and trying to get rid of.

I can tell you pretty much the same tale. Real training is not about HTFU, it's about STFU. (Smarten baby).

But yeah, they aren't cheap.

I think you'll find the overwhelming majority of PM owners will tell you they have been worthwhile investments, and the majority of people who will tell you not to bother with one don't own one.

yes, because you're all enlightened and we have no idea :rolleyes:

it isn't really true. there should be a progression in what one needs to help them train. at that level one is simply better served focusing on developing training discipline, bike handling, putting time in the saddle, and learning to suffer. the idea that one should spend 1k on a power meter and x dollars a month on a coach to ride 100 miles a week is really pretty silly.

I'll say what bd said in a different way. A PT is a tool. A coach can tell you how to use that tool more effectively given you limited schedule. IMHO the coach is the more useful of the two.


Unless your coach is going to ride with you, you'll get a lot more use out of your coach if you have power files he can review.

IMHO it's penny wise, pound foolish to pay $150 a month for a coach, and not spend $750 one time for a powertap.

Truly.

yes, because you're all enlightened and we have no idea :rolleyes:

Enlightened is your word. I'd use educated and experienced. And thank you for proving my point.


the idea that one should spend 1k on a power meter and x dollars a month on a coach to ride 100 miles a week is really pretty silly.

To you. I think commenting on the value of something I've never used and have no experience with kinda silly too, but such is the Internets.

Counting the races I've done I've averaged somewhere around 120-140 miles over the last 6 weeks. I guess I should fire my coach and sell my SRM's.

I guess I should fire my coach and sell my SRM's.

Dude, that's a great idea! When will we be racing again?

I've used power, and do so regularly. But I've also been riding and racing for two decades, and think that it's part of a natural progression. But you like to assume things which is kind of silly too, but such is the Internets.

I've used power, and do so regularly. But I've also been riding and racing for two decades, and think that it's part of a natural progression. But you like to assume things which is kind of silly too, but such is the Internets.

I'm sorry you took my initial post regarding the plethora of PM opinions as some kind of personal insult and saw fit to fire back with sarcasm and condescension. I think you'll find my statement to be true though. And considering you use power it's puzzling you consider it good enough to use, but not good enough for the OP?

A better saw does not make a better carpenter though, unless he knows how to use it.

A good carpenter can take a simple saw and make a near perfect cut. However, give an idiot a fancy saw, and even they can cut straight.

A good coach is like the master carpenter; he can use what he has and get a good result. The self coached athlete with advanced tools can also get a good result. However, TSTWKT is having a great carpenter with the best tools at his disposal.

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/shopping/images/saw-screwfix-70x70.gif
Stopwatch / speedometer etc.

http://www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk/acatalog/947footprint.jpg
HRM

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImage/64161f0a-0961-4aee-93d8-2377ed662b7b_300.jpg
Powermeter.

I'm sorry you took my initial post regarding the plethora of PM opinions as some kind of personal insult and saw fit to fire back with sarcasm and condescension. I think you'll find my statement to be true though. And considering you use power it's puzzling you consider it good enough to use, but not good enough for the OP?


I think there's a progression where it becomes useful, and then important...but for someone with limited training time, modest goals, and just starting out the value isn't there. There are more important things to focus on, like simply putting time in the saddle.

I think there's a progression where it becomes useful, and then important...but for someone with limited training time, modest goals, and just starting out the value isn't there. There are more important things to focus on, like simply putting time in the saddle.

OP is new to the sport, racing track as a 4 and wants to improve. You're racing 3/4's and masters with 20 years of experience. Both of you are barely 40 (damn kids) so I would say the goals are similar but of the two the experienced racer who presumably has years of training experience to fall back on, and who has already come close to maximizing their potential would benefit less from a PM in percentages gained.

OP may have a big upside and the quickest way to maximize that would be a structured training program using power. Saddle time is useless if it's doing the wrong workout. Also, track racing workouts really fit well with a PM and his limited time.

As someone who started this sport well late in life and made it to Cat 2 in two seasons of USAC racing at 47, my own experience was that my biggest gains in transition from pudgy guy and best racing came from use of the PM and having training structure. I self coached through part of that process using the available literature, I hired a coach once I realized how crazy my racing schedule was.

OP's question wasn't whether he needed a PM, but rather if he would benefit from the use. Applying the caveat of proper and diligent use, I'd say yes. Had you posted the question I'd have said you'd likely not see as much benefit from a PM given your years in the saddle.

actually I was mostly addressing this part...Or is it, frankly, not a wise use of money for a guy at my present level and with my future aspirations? ...We're not going to see this in the same way at all. I think the gains a newbie make are exponential anyway, thus the value being elsewhere.

Assume that:

1) I am about to be forty years oldI have been cycling for just over two years -- a hobby I selected to lose weight, but then got addicted -- and racing for about a year. By racing, I mostly mean weekly events at the Velodrome: other than that, I have three USCF Cat 5 criterium starts, a handful of 20K time trials, and a few short, non-sanctioned road races.

2) I'm not that fast. My three criteriums have been (a) a DNF, (b) getting pulled with a few laps left while in about 25th place out of 50 starters, and (c) a back-of-the-pack finish. I do better at the track, with some "podium" finishes against a 20+ person field that is usually guys who are Cat 4s.

3) My priority will always be track racing -- I like it best. My ultimate road racing goal is to be "competitive" in Cat 4 criterium-like races and 20K time trials (meaning, for example, that I don't finish every criterium at the back of the pack). I have no aspirations to do longer road races. I doubt that, at my age and weight, and with my limited time, I will ever see Cat 3: if I do, it's gravy; if I don't, I'm won't be disappointed.

4) I ride/train on the weekends, about 35 hard miles on Saturday with a group ride, and 50 miles or so on Sunday on my own or with a friend or two. I track race on Tuesday nights through the summer. My work and family commitments prevent me from riding more. While I enjoy racing, and would like to be better at it, it is not enough of a priority for me to sacrifice the work or family time.


At each of my Cat 5 criteriums, I have seen many in the field pull up to the line with PowerTaps on their Zipps. That seemed, to me, overkill. But what do I know?

Would riding/training with a power meter be that much help to me? How would it help? Or is it, frankly, not a wise use of money for a guy at my present level and with my future aspirations?


I say yes to power in almost every case. Yours may be an exception.

Considering that, of your three rides per week, one is a group ride (with the group dictating the workout and usually the only goal being "dont get dropped") and one is a race, you are not likely to see structure in either situation which means you get a lot of data at the end for downloading and little else. With your solo ride you could certainly see some improvement if you wanted to structure your workout.

As a pacing tool for TTs and as an analysis tool for your races/rides, it would be excellent. However, analysis without an attempt to address discovered weaknesses? I am not sure that is of much value.

Your stated goals do not indicate a desire for much improvemnt. In that case, keep racing and group riding, have fun, and see some mild improvement. No need for a meter.

If you desire an excellent pacing tool for TTs, or you do want to put any type of "structured training" time (even for one workout per week) in, then you will see great improvement with the power meter. Does not sound that this is your desire.

A good carpenter can take a simple saw and make a near perfect cut. However, give an idiot a fancy saw, and even they can cut straight.

The toolbox saw can be used to cut dovetails, but the CMS can't. Also, having built a couple houses, I've found that cutting straight isn't enough to prevent some "carpenters" from ****ing up a cut with a $600 SCMS. A straight cut in the wrong place is no better than a crooked cut in the right place.

The cuts I'm most proud of were done with a $25 Dozuki and a $2 chisel (that I sharpened), for some dovetails I cut for my wife's desk drawer.

What were we talking about again? I dunno.

Assume that:

1) I am about to be forty years oldI have been cycling for just over two years -- a hobby I selected to lose weight, but then got addicted -- and racing for about a year. By racing, I mostly mean weekly events at the Velodrome: other than that, I have three USCF Cat 5 criterium starts, a handful of 20K time trials, and a few short, non-sanctioned road races.

2) I'm not that fast. My three criteriums have been (a) a DNF, (b) getting pulled with a few laps left while in about 25th place out of 50 starters, and (c) a back-of-the-pack finish. I do better at the track, with some "podium" finishes against a 20+ person field that is usually guys who are Cat 4s.

3) My priority will always be track racing -- I like it best. My ultimate road racing goal is to be "competitive" in Cat 4 criterium-like races and 20K time trials (meaning, for example, that I don't finish every criterium at the back of the pack). I have no aspirations to do longer road races. I doubt that, at my age and weight, and with my limited time, I will ever see Cat 3: if I do, it's gravy; if I don't, I'm won't be disappointed.

4) I ride/train on the weekends, about 35 hard miles on Saturday with a group ride, and 50 miles or so on Sunday on my own or with a friend or two. I track race on Tuesday nights through the summer. My work and family commitments prevent me from riding more. While I enjoy racing, and would like to be better at it, it is not enough of a priority for me to sacrifice the work or family time.


At each of my Cat 5 criteriums, I have seen many in the field pull up to the line with PowerTaps on their Zipps. That seemed, to me, overkill. But what do I know?

Would riding/training with a power meter be that much help to me? How would it help? Or is it, frankly, not a wise use of money for a guy at my present level and with my future aspirations?

How hard is the Saturday ride? Are you "on the rivet" for most of it? Are you wasted at the end? Is this the primary method for improving?

How long (time) is the Sunday ride? 3-4 hours? Cruising? Would you be better off interval/track training for 90 minutes, giving the excess time back to the family and taking one more night a week for interval/track training?

Answers to those questions will tell you if a power meter is helpful or not.