"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - ANT+ PowerTaps

http://www.saris.com/athletes/PermaLink,guid,c23a1c7c-7059-4068-9f22-c0b931e27920.aspx

Confirmed that the Tour riders for Garmin-Chipotle are using ANT+ powertaps. Video in link.

I'm digging the power info on Millar too. 400W for 36m. 5.19W/kg, with several days of racing before... nice.

You can also give him 10W or 12W for drivetrain losses...

I was just looking over Frischkorn's #'s linked below...

http://www.saris.com/athletes/PermaLink,guid,d8578478-ac4d-4353-a06b-4168737548d4.aspx

How did they get average watts overall AND while pedaling? Can that info be obtained using Power Agent or is this something that can only be figured out using the 705 and PT together?

Will was obviuosly upset with himself that he hesitated at the finish of the stage. At the time, I just thought he was gassed. Looking at his PT numbers, it looks like there was still gas in the tank. You can understand why in hindsight he regrets not playing the final 300 meters or so a little different.

Still a heckof an effort for your 3rd stage ever in the TDF.

How did they get average watts overall AND while pedaling? Can that info be obtained using Power Agent or is this something that can only be figured out using the 705 and PT together?

Basically you get the "non-pedaling" average by ignoring 0 Watts.

For this kind of arithmetic analysis, exporting your data to a CSV and using Excel would be easier, I'd think.

Part of me wonders if they're just using normalized power from WKO+...

Part of me wonders if they're just using normalized power from WKO+...

I should have thought about this before I asked my last question, but I just realized that Power Agent probably isn’t capable of pulling data from the 705. I hope they come out with a version that will. The lap button on the 705 could work just like the interval button on the PT.

I think there is a good chance you're right about the WKO+...

the "Lap" button functions the same way as Intervals on any other cycling computer.

the "Lap" button functions the same way as Intervals on any other cycling computer.

True, lol....sorry, it's been one of those weeks at work, making me a little slow.

Tonights ride should help get me going again (I hope) :thumb:

Question/thought:

Current 2.4 hub (2008) can be "software updated" to be compatable with ant. I wonder if it is possible to update the hub without sending it in?

With the 2.4 retailing in the $ 1400 area - seems like the 2009 version is the better buy.

Still on the fence woth 08 now or 09 in a couple months. I know WR had some great advice on buying used... I'm just a little skiddish on used electronic gear.

Yes Saris announced that the current model can be upgraded to ANT+

Question/thought:

Current 2.4 hub (2008) can be "software updated" to be compatable with ant. I wonder if it is possible to update the hub without sending it in?

With the 2.4 retailing in the $ 1400 area - seems like the 2009 version is the better buy.

Still on the fence woth 08 now or 09 in a couple months. I know WR had some great advice on buying used... I'm just a little skiddish on used electronic gear.

It's pretty easy to find 2.4 hubs new for $1000-$1100.

I wonder if it is possible to update the hub without sending it in?

I didn't ask that specific question, but it seemed like Saris wanted to have the hub in their hands. Besides, you would need some kind of cable or some such on the hub itself in order to talk to it to reprogram it.

Question/thought:

Current 2.4 hub (2008) can be "software updated" to be compatable with ant. I wonder if it is possible to update the hub without sending it in?

Supposed to be a software upgrade you will be able to perform yourself. If you own an SL (wired version) you can send that in for an upgrade to the 2.4 though all they do is replace the chip. An end user would be able to do this IMHO.



With the 2.4 retailing in the $ 1400 area - seems like the 2009 version is the better buy.

Still on the fence woth 08 now or 09 in a couple months. I know WR had some great advice on buying used... I'm just a little skiddish on used electronic gear.

The more power data you have the more useful it is. I say get what you can now then upgrade if needed. If you dont need ANT + (dont have a Garmin) then theres really no need.

Besides, you would need some kind of cable or some such on the hub itself in order to talk to it to reprogram it.
It'd be nice if they would equip local authorized resellers to perform the upgrade, similar to how Shimano has authorized shops who will heat-mold their shoes. Except Saris would need to provide a cable and laptop where Shimano has provided an oven.

I hope the 2.4 hub is user upgradable to ANT+ but I'd be suprised. Upgrading the firmware on the head unit is easy but I don't see how you could do anything to the hub since there aren't any connectors. Replacing chips is probably beyond what SARIS would want users to do.

Anyway, I guess time will tell...

All I know is that I ♥ Saris

Saris and Velowear are tied for the top of the heap.

A little addl. info - I spoke to a Saris customer service rep and he told me:

1. Could not comment on pricing seen in cycling articles.
2. They have not determined if the software update can be done by the PT owner or service center.
3. Said the 09 versions may or may not be out in Sept. (gave a 2-6 month window)
4. Said the 09 version was really cool and given the choice he would wait (this was unexpected).

edit - 5. There will be a fee to upgrade to ant+ per CR rep @ saris

Anyway, just some addl feedback I received when I called Saris.

4. Said the 09 version was really cool and given the choice he would wait (this was unexpected).


I'm glad to hear their customer service reps are that honest, none of that pushing old stock crap that you usually have to put up with.

^^ like Campagnolo taking a red sharpie to their left-over 10-speed Record shifters?

You can also give him 10W or 12W for drivetrain losses...

What, why? Can you always give everyone 10W to 12W for drivetrain losses? Are all my numbers 10W to 12W higher than I thought?

What, why? Can you always give everyone 10W to 12W for drivetrain losses? Are all my numbers 10W to 12W higher than I thought?

I'm figuring 2-3% power loss for a well-maintained geared drivetrain. That seems to be the common estimate. I guess if I actually calculate it out instead of just typing the first number that comes to mind, that would be 8W-12W on 400W :)

Yes, you can add some estimate of drivetrain losses though. I haven't been doing that on the e-wang chart, but that's about the only place where it would make any practical difference at all, since we train for relative changes. But, if you're comparing to somebody using an SRM...

I've given some thought to using a PT on one bike (say a road bike) and a Quarq/SRM on another (TT).

So theoretically you could use the estimate there, too.

In reality I lose so much power on my TT bike that I have to use a completely different FTP/etc to set my target interval power. So it'd be different anyway.