DXchulo

I've been shopping for a new (to me) bike. I had visions of a 15-pounder dancing in my head, but I think I'm going to lower the budget and add on a power meter instead.

What can I expect in the used power meter market? What is a good price for each one? I'm guessing the PowerTap and Stages are the only ones in my budget ($800 max). I would prefer the Stages, but I'm guessing I could get a better deal on a PowerTap if I shop around long enough.

bonz50

used maybe?? search craigslist

robbyville

Great deals on used power meters, sometimes via Craigslist and Ebay. I ended up with a Stages (new), only because I wanted to match my crankset which was also new.

bobonker

There's lots of power meters for sale at slowtwitch.com.

Not uncommon to see wireless Powertap wheels in the $450 range.

Another option is the $899 Power2Max crank-based power meter.

https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Sl...read_P4743738/

Bob

kv501

Just keep in mind that if you go with the Powertap you're going to have to have a wheel built up for it, and I wouldn't cheap out on that.

I know the Stages gets a bad rap sometimes for being cheap and (according to some) inaccurate, but Team Sky announced that they are going to be using it for the 2014 season.

If that isn't a vote of confidence I don't know what is.

robbyville

Don't get me wrong, I have a Stages and it's perfect for me. But I don't know that it's so much a vote of confidence vs. dollars from Stages to Sky for sponsorship to get additional visibility and sales for Stages.

That being said, I certainly hope that it's also a vote of confidence and that this will help Stages make an even better product!

Genaro

I bought a Powertap G3 used from ebay for $650. It came laced on a lower end set of mavic wheels. Saving up for a nice build up.

link0

If you have SRAM components, you can get a used Quarq on eBay/craiglist.

DXchulo

Normally I would agree, but the power meter is such an important part of how Sky races. You can say that's boring or bad for the sport, but that's an argument for another day. It would be really hard for them to "rebadge" the power meter. If Froome shows up at the TDF with an SRM or a Quarq, people are going to notice. It's not like a tire where they can take an FMB and slap any old logo on it.

robbyville

Yup agree that it's super important for the team and that they must have faith in the overall accuracy of the product... who knows what version and testing that they are using. I still think that much of this stuff boils down to dollars given to the team and those who rely on the data may not be able to influence the marketing and finance decision makers (yet but look out if they have a bad season).

Either way, I'm a glass half full kind of guy and think this will be good for those of us who are using or continue to look for cost effective power meters.

kv501

Right away when I heard they were using the Stages I thought to myself that there had to be some big dollars there, I'll admit that. But I also know that no UCI team is going to be even slightly competitive without a powermeter, and Sky would definitely not use one that they thought wasn't both dependable and accurate. Stages hit the jackpot and I'm happy for them.

How has your experience been with it? I don't know anyone around here with a Stages PM.

sbxx1985 

psimet.

robbyville

I agree, and part of me is really hoping that they keep on the sideline out of view and during certain training rides a separate PM, in order to qualify and help Stages with development of accuracy, etc. I'm happy for them as well.

My experience has been nothing but positive. I wanted a PM on a budget, I have no baseline to compare so felt that as long as I was getting steady stream data I would be happy. The whole one leg meter for me was a non issue at this time in my training albeit when I do one legged drills I laugh at the graphs

I especially like the ability to update the firmware with my phone but I'm geeky that way.

KantoBoy

I bought a used Powertap wheelset last year to train @ $700. I sold it for $560 months later.

I bet you could get used PT wheelsets on EBay now around $500 with the rear built on a 32 spoke wheel. Don't go for the lower spoke counts.

P2M is a good option but also think you need to buy the chainrings. Stages would be ok as well but it only comes with 1 year warranty.

Or you can race like Tommy Voeckler with a no non-sense cycling computer I rarely saw the guy use a PM last year. It was always a standard Campy crank with some cheap computer.