Interested in Power Meters - any advice?
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PowerTap G3 MTB Disc Hub by PowerTap | PowerTap®
That says "MTB" and I'm far too ignorant at present of how all the dimensions stack up and or if that would be the proper one to use with a 2014 Fuji Sportiff 1.5 which is 9 speed Sora.
Bille
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I looked real quick an thought I saw one, and it said "10 speed freehub included"
PowerTap G3 MTB Disc Hub by PowerTap | PowerTap®
That says "MTB" and I'm far too ignorant at present of how all the dimensions stack up and or if that would be the proper one to use with a 2014 Fuji Sportiff 1.5 which is 9 speed Sora.
Bille
PowerTap G3 MTB Disc Hub by PowerTap | PowerTap®
That says "MTB" and I'm far too ignorant at present of how all the dimensions stack up and or if that would be the proper one to use with a 2014 Fuji Sportiff 1.5 which is 9 speed Sora.
Bille
A quick search here on the forum or on Google should clear it up if you're interested.
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I train systematically, I just don't bother with regimented workouts that require timing every movement down to the second nor hours of research/preparation/study beforehand. Would I get better results if I used the power meter for more regimented workouts? Probably! Do I care? Not really. I've already achieve results that most in this forum would kill for...
As far as heart-rate monitors, I've been using HRMs for far longer than the power meter and find theta they're a relatively poor way to mesa sure performance or effort. They're also entirely useless at predicting how many calories you've burned during exercise. When I got the PowerTap and realized just how far off my HRM had been with respect to calories burned, it made a dramatic change in my weight loss.
As far as heart-rate monitors, I've been using HRMs for far longer than the power meter and find theta they're a relatively poor way to mesa sure performance or effort. They're also entirely useless at predicting how many calories you've burned during exercise. When I got the PowerTap and realized just how far off my HRM had been with respect to calories burned, it made a dramatic change in my weight loss.
However, if what you are interested in is getting fit, then for relatively steady efforts an HRM is an excellent tool. Because of lag it won't be as useful for the highest-intensity intervals, but it is fine for zone-based training up to lactate threshold levels.
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All the estimates from Strava etc. are unreliable. Most people are burning far fewer kcal cycling than they imagine. Obviously it varies with intensity but if you guess at an average of 25kcal per mile you won't be deluding yourself too badly.
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And if I back figure into the human dynamo that is "me" there are about that many calories "gone missing" in a week...diet is -2 lbs a week, and I usually average an extra one, and ride 8-10 hours a week at varied intensity.
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To the best of my knowledge Shimano 8/9/10 speed mountain and road cassettes are interchangeable. People use Shimano MTB cassettes on their road bikes all the time to get better climbing ratios.
A quick search here on the forum or on Google should clear it up if you're interested.
A quick search here on the forum or on Google should clear it up if you're interested.
Bill
#32
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I've never had much luck training with a heart-rate monitor. Probably because the correlation between HR and power output is so incredibly variable, especially from one day to the next. For me the PM is what works. Don't want one? Don't buy one. Don't waste your time trying to convince me that mine isn't worthwhile, however. It just makes me think that you're uninformed...
#33
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I looked real quick an thought I saw one, and it said "10 speed freehub included"
PowerTap G3 MTB Disc Hub by PowerTap | PowerTap®
That says "MTB" and I'm far too ignorant at present of how all the dimensions stack up and or if that would be the proper one to use with a 2014 Fuji Sportiff 1.5 which is 9 speed Sora.
Bille
PowerTap G3 MTB Disc Hub by PowerTap | PowerTap®
That says "MTB" and I'm far too ignorant at present of how all the dimensions stack up and or if that would be the proper one to use with a 2014 Fuji Sportiff 1.5 which is 9 speed Sora.
Bille
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Unless you're using a PM, you can generally cut Strava's estimated wattage substantially. Go to any segment with lots of riders, and pay attention to the power readings of riders with and without PMs. I'm not sure why they don't change their algorhythms to be more in line with actual power output, but they don't.
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Unless you're using a PM, you can generally cut Strava's estimated wattage substantially. Go to any segment with lots of riders, and pay attention to the power readings of riders with and without PMs. I'm not sure why they don't change their algorhythms to be more in line with actual power output, but they don't.
I know Black Wallnut says he gets numbers that sort of make sense out of a Garmin linked to an HRM, and he is able to eat back the calories it gives him and STILL lose weight.
Right now it is just bonus weight loss, and that overall is a way to estimate calories BUT the rest of my TDEE is pretty involved too with 6,000 steps at work, and the 20-30 flights of stairs :-).
When I get closer I will set MFP to maintenance and experiment with eating back until I reach a balance point, that will get me through to Oct 2015 when I buy a power meter :-).
Bill
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Unless you're using a PM, you can generally cut Strava's estimated wattage substantially. Go to any segment with lots of riders, and pay attention to the power readings of riders with and without PMs. I'm not sure why they don't change their algorhythms to be more in line with actual power output, but they don't.
Last names marked out to protect the innocent.
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Yup, dangit! On the one hand I'm 20 - 40 lbs heavier than most of these folks. However on this 7.8 mile, slightly up hill, run I'm drafting probably 75% of the time. Strava has no way of knowing if you're pulling or drafting. That might be the biggest difference.
Last names marked out to protect the innocent.
Last names marked out to protect the innocent.
Bill
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Not really, the lightning bolt symbol next to the wattage number means they were using a power meter. You can see the people with power meters are a good ~15-30% lower than the estimate power of the other riders. Now, for out-and-back type rides the average power can be fairly close IME. When I got a power meter my Strava calorie estimates didn't change all that much on the same routes. On a one-way segment estimated power is going to be far less accurate.
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Not really, the lightning bolt symbol next to the wattage number means they were using a power meter. You can see the people with power meters are a good ~15-30% lower than the estimate power of the other riders. Now, for out-and-back type rides the average power can be fairly close IME. When I got a power meter my Strava calorie estimates didn't change all that much on the same routes. On a one-way segment estimated power is going to be far less accurate.
#40
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Not really. Everybody on that list is going virtually the same speed. Unless there are monumental differences in frontal area, I would expect that power outputs would be similar. Look at someone going 5mph faster or slower and I'm sure their power output will be very different!
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Bill
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I'd also like to see why it gave one rider (#39 on the list) a reading almost 10% lower than the others at the same average speed. Did he enter physical measurements significantly smaller than the others?
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Seems to be, at least for a sample of four people, though there is one outlier. It would be interesting to see how the rest of the list compares.
I'd also like to see why it gave one rider (#39 on the list) a reading almost 10% lower than the others at the same average speed. Did he enter physical measurements significantly smaller than the others?
I'd also like to see why it gave one rider (#39 on the list) a reading almost 10% lower than the others at the same average speed. Did he enter physical measurements significantly smaller than the others?
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Well, he's not completely incorrect. I'm glad you are happy with your PM, but if you're not doing a structured training plan and are just paying attention to riding in zones, you'd probably have seen very similar results with just a HRM - and they're a lot cheaper.
Of course, lots of people like data. But if one isn't using it systematically that's all it is, just data.
Of course, lots of people like data. But if one isn't using it systematically that's all it is, just data.
I train systematically, I just don't bother with regimented workouts that require timing every movement down to the second nor hours of research/preparation/study beforehand. Would I get better results if I used the power meter for more regimented workouts? Probably! Do I care? Not really. I've already achieve results that most in this forum would kill for...
As far as heart-rate monitors, I've been using HRMs for far longer than the power meter and find that they're a relatively poor way to mesasure performance or effort. They're also entirely useless at predicting how many calories you've burned during exercise. When I got the PowerTap and realized just how far off my HRM had been with respect to calories burned, it made a dramatic change in my weight loss.
As far as heart-rate monitors, I've been using HRMs for far longer than the power meter and find that they're a relatively poor way to mesasure performance or effort. They're also entirely useless at predicting how many calories you've burned during exercise. When I got the PowerTap and realized just how far off my HRM had been with respect to calories burned, it made a dramatic change in my weight loss.
Would a power meter give you more accurate results with less trial and error? Of course.
Would I suggest one to a recreational cyclist who's goal is weight loss, and doesn't aspire to racing? Heck no. Even when it's a moderately serious rider who likes to get out on frequent 100 - 150km rides. If you're not planning on racing, I'll suggest plenty of other things in our shop you can spend your $1000 on if it's absolutely burning a hole in your pocket and you have to spend it; but I'm most likely to tell you to save your money.
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Unless it's a hill with at least a 6-7% grade the wind can seriously throw off the accuracy of estimated power. Think about how much harder it is to ride into a strong headwind and how easy it can be to fly with a tailwind. Strava has no idea what the wind conditions are when it estimates power.
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Unless it's a hill with at least a 6-7% grade the wind can seriously throw off the accuracy of estimated power. Think about how much harder it is to ride into a strong headwind and how easy it can be to fly with a tailwind. Strava has no idea what the wind conditions are when it estimates power.
#48
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Would a power meter give you more accurate results with less trial and error? Of course.
Would I suggest one to a recreational cyclist who's goal is weight loss, and doesn't aspire to racing? Heck no. Even when it's a moderately serious rider who likes to get out on frequent 100 - 150km rides. If you're not planning on racing, I'll suggest plenty of other things in our shop you can spend your $1000 on if it's absolutely burning a hole in your pocket and you have to spend it; but I'm most likely to tell you to save your money.
Would I suggest one to a recreational cyclist who's goal is weight loss, and doesn't aspire to racing? Heck no. Even when it's a moderately serious rider who likes to get out on frequent 100 - 150km rides. If you're not planning on racing, I'll suggest plenty of other things in our shop you can spend your $1000 on if it's absolutely burning a hole in your pocket and you have to spend it; but I'm most likely to tell you to save your money.
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It will also vary based on how much sleep you got, how much coffee you drank in the morning, how stressed you've been at work, what time of day it is, and the phase of the moon. OK, maybe not that last one but the point is: HR is better than nothing... but not by much. With a power meter, there are fewer variables to worry about and you get a much more accurate picture of what's really happening.
I'd love to hear some examples of where you think I should have spent $1000 other than a power meter...
I'd love to hear some examples of where you think I should have spent $1000 other than a power meter...
Bill
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People who come into the shop asking for suggestions on where their money is best spent would have a different experience. I'd have one of our coaches talk to them about overall goals with their riding. Are you training to race? Are you just looking for better fitness and a change in body composition? What is your current level of riding/training like? Then they'd discuss the advantages and disadvantages of any specific purchase, like a power meter, and offer (get this) a far less expensive option; like 6 months of our Performance Coaching package. Explain that in those 6 months they'll get individualized training packages tailored to them by National and World Champ coaches. They'll have access to online training logs, be given a baseline zone training assessment, get weekly checks of body composition, and have a monthly workout schedule created for them by our coaches. Those workout schedules over six months will give them the trend for how to continue with their training after the coaching sessions have ended.
Or , if that sounds like a bit much to begin with, possibly our indoor classes might be a good place to start out for a basic training plan. Less than the 6 month coaching sessions, it's a 3 month program of structured indoor workouts at our computrainer facility twice a week. Again, there are baseline and composition assessments, but rather than training programs for you to follow on your own, you're part of a class of up to 16 riders for workouts lasting as long as 2 hours twice a week. Which, once you're finished with the class can translate directly to continuing your personal outdoor training.
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