Power output
03-29-06, 10:00 AM
#1
Keep pedaling
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Power output
I am interested in being able to measure my power output. I know that I will need to buy a heart rate monitor, but is there anything else that I need? Also is there a formula or a program where I can enter all of my numbers and have it tell me my p.o.? I tried doing a search, but the forum has been acting up for me and none of my searches have gone through.
03-29-06, 10:05 AM
#2
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,296
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1442 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times
in
365 Posts
If you really want to measure Power output, you need a power meter. the choices basically are crankset based power meter (SRM), a hub based system, (powertap), or chain tension (Polar). The SRM is very expensive, the Polar is reportedly difficult to set up, somewhat delicate, and not as accurate as the other 2. Thus the powertap is becoming the most popular choice. There is a system coming out that estimates power by measuring data including wind speed. Several threads discuss whether it's accurate enough to train by, and it still costs $400. Personally, I have, and like the Powertap SL.
As for a formula, you would have to make a lot of assumptions, such as windspeed, direction, how aero your position was. Such a formula might be intersting for estimations, but wouldn't be precise enough to be useful to train by.
As for a formula, you would have to make a lot of assumptions, such as windspeed, direction, how aero your position was. Such a formula might be intersting for estimations, but wouldn't be precise enough to be useful to train by.
03-29-06, 10:08 AM
#4
Keep pedaling
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
If you really want to measure Power output, you need a power meter. the choices basically are crankset based power meter (SRM), a hub based system, (powertap), or chain tension (Polar). The SRM is very expensive, the Polar is reportedly difficult to set up, somewhat delicate, and not as accurate as the other 2. Thus the powertap is becoming the most popular choice.
03-29-06, 10:10 AM
#5
Keep pedaling
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
If you really want to measure Power output, you need a power meter. the choices basically are crankset based power meter (SRM), a hub based system, (powertap), or chain tension (Polar). The SRM is very expensive, the Polar is reportedly difficult to set up, somewhat delicate, and not as accurate as the other 2. Thus the powertap is becoming the most popular choice.
03-29-06, 10:21 AM
#6
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,296
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1442 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times
in
365 Posts
Originally Posted by tranzformer
How much should I be looking to spend for one of those? Any way to do something like this for a couple hundred bucks?
My 2 cents, start with a Hr based program, see how it goes, and then consider adding power later on.
03-29-06, 10:29 AM
#7
Isaias
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 5,182
Bikes: Ridley X-Fire (carbon, white)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
If you really want to measure Power output, you need a power meter. the choices basically are crankset based power meter (SRM), a hub based system, (powertap), or chain tension (Polar). The SRM is very expensive, the Polar is reportedly difficult to set up, somewhat delicate, and not as accurate as the other 2. Thus the powertap is becoming the most popular choice. There is a system coming out that estimates power by measuring data including wind speed. Several threads discuss whether it's accurate enough to train by, and it still costs $400. Personally, I have, and like the Powertap SL.
As for a formula, you would have to make a lot of assumptions, such as windspeed, direction, how aero your position was. Such a formula might be intersting for estimations, but wouldn't be precise enough to be useful to train by.
As for a formula, you would have to make a lot of assumptions, such as windspeed, direction, how aero your position was. Such a formula might be intersting for estimations, but wouldn't be precise enough to be useful to train by.
To the OP, one of the favorite online power calculators can be found here:
https://www.kreuzotter.de/english/espeed.htm
Money? With the SRM, PT, and ERGOMO, you're talking about average $1,000US--not including the most expensive SRM (scientific) at $10,000US. The Polar is about $700US and you'll need a bottle of minoxidil by the time you get it adjusted.
Then, sometime in April, you can order the iBike--$400US.
03-29-06, 10:35 AM
#8
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,296
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1442 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times
in
365 Posts
Personally, I'd wait on the ibike, until its been out awhile and there are some reports and test data. The price is attractive, but if it turns out not accurate enough to be useful, then it's a $400 waste. My bet is the ibike, which calculates, rather than directly measures, power is not going to be accurate enough to be valuable, but we should know the answer to that in a month or two.
03-29-06, 11:42 AM
#9
so whatcha' want?
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,709
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Any way to do something like this for a couple hundred bucks?
best save up some money for a power meter and a software program like cyclingpeaks and money on a coach (at least for two or three months) ... why all this? if you're serious about training w. power it's worth the time and money. you'll be rewarded in many ways.
My 2 cents, start with a Hr based program, see how it goes, and then consider adding power later on.
^^ good advice.
best save up some money for a power meter and a software program like cyclingpeaks and money on a coach (at least for two or three months) ... why all this? if you're serious about training w. power it's worth the time and money. you'll be rewarded in many ways.
My 2 cents, start with a Hr based program, see how it goes, and then consider adding power later on.
^^ good advice.
03-29-06, 06:21 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 915
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Until someone can plan their training program with the Ibike computer, don't get your hopes up. Looks like the Ibike computer may just be another HRM. It can tell you what's your power output at various distance in a relatively accurate way. Unfortunately, training with power requires accuracy and precision. When you are doing sprint workout, you want to know your max power you can output in sec. The unit should able to tell you if ANY power changes from one day to another based on some fit adjustments you have made.
Originally Posted by tranzformer
I am interested in being able to measure my power output. I know that I will need to buy a heart rate monitor, but is there anything else that I need? Also is there a formula or a program where I can enter all of my numbers and have it tell me my p.o.? I tried doing a search, but the forum has been acting up for me and none of my searches have gone through.
03-29-06, 06:47 PM
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
there are a few more.
- ergomo
https://www.cbike.com/ergomo_powertraining.htm
you get power readings with a cpu in the bottom
- trainers with power readings. atleast 4-5 out there
- ergomo
https://www.cbike.com/ergomo_powertraining.htm
you get power readings with a cpu in the bottom
- trainers with power readings. atleast 4-5 out there
