canam73

So?

People do things for their own reasons and values. I hope you realize that by the time you grow up.

plpete

Really dude? What's the point of getting fitter? To be healthier, enjoy riding and seeing your self progress and you can still want to be competitive without racing. By your logic we don't really need carbon bikes, deep wheels and 11sp drive trains but hell if it makes you happy and makes you get out and ride then go for it! Some people enjoy geeking out over numbers and if that motivates them to ride more and be more fit then that is great. Power meters are not exclusive to racing either. Many people enjoy long climbing and knowing your sweet spot power wise can go a long way without blowing yourself up. You sound bitter

canam73

Well, when you have it all figured out for everybody else it would be nice to to get a little recognition for your accomplishment.

Silvercivic27

Not bitter, just bored on a rainy Sunday and trying to strike up a dialogue.

SpeshulEd 

Strava, duh!

Silvercivic27

That's actually funny that you say that because one of my teammates always says that race results are temporary and forgotten, but Strava is forever!

himespau 

Some people just like to better themselves and only want to compete against themselves. The only benchmark they are interested in is their own past performance. Nothing wrong with that.

Dunbar

Two words - MUP racing.

gregf83 

You could make the same argument for 99% of bike racers too. How many riders are actually competitive and have a chance at winning in any given race. Anyone who wins consistently against weaker riders just moves up a category and starts struggling. Unless you're actually competitive in Pro/1/2 races is there really any point in training?

And who really needs a powermeter anyways? Just get out there and do 15-20 hrs of hard work every week and you'll be very close to your maximum potential.

Silvercivic27

What you say is true to an extent, but cycling is a team sport, not an individual sport, and only one guy on your team is hopefully going to win, and it may not necessarily be you. A large part of racing is about helping one of your teammates win, not necessarily winning yourself. Everybody has good days and bad days.

gregf83 

Do you need a powermeter to help a teammate win a Cat 5 race?

Silvercivic27

Absolutely not. Do you need one to get fitter? Absolutely not.

Dunbar

If you're going to walk-the-walk you should sell your CF bikes and start racing/training on an aluminum bike with Tiagra.

canam73

You must be rich. I race a Denali.

Dunbar

Racing with twist shifters? That's boss.

spdntrxi

I'll reduce it to one… strava


I have a PT.. I don't race (anymore).. I might again, but I've always hated crits… I used to enjoy Tri's, but F'd my knee and I can't run for distance anymore..yes I'm afraid 5K might even be too much. I'll like to geek out a little with numbers, I guess. It's nice to see my power curve get better over time…even my trainer has power.

canam73

The shifters and dérailleurs broke so I stripped them off and just set the chain in the 50x14. My power must be off the chart.

Dean V

You could just as easily argue what the point of competing is too!

canam73

Keep it up and you will have people offing themselves.

Bacciagalupe

First, there's a difference between "stronger/faster/better cyclist" and "fitter / healthier." If you are sedentary, all you really need to be a fitter and healthier person is to a) put in about 30 minutes of moderate intensity work a day, b) stop eating crappy food and c) get off the couch or chair. You can get most of the important health gains with just a few hours of exercise per week.

As to your question, lots of people who don't compete can still benefit by becoming a stronger cyclist. You can ride farther, you can do more climbing, you can tour without killing yourself, you can challenge yourself with personal bests, lead group rides and so forth.

That said, I absolutely agree that most people don't need a power meter or even an HRM. Just do some intervals 1-2 days per week, and put in a long ride on the weekends, and you'll get stronger and more capable. As with so many things, the detailed training is for those who need to wring out all the marginal returns, to meet their goals. Or are data nerds.


I guess, but I think there's a motivational factor as well. And some people do have discrete goals, e.g. a personal best or getting into a certain event -- Boston Marathon, finish an Iron Man, whatever.

himespau 

For some of us, quantifiable numbers allow us to set goals to strive towards. Whether that's distance in X time, x power or whatever. A goal gives training meaning. Makes us keep coming back on those days we really don't feel like it. Otherwise we get complacent. No, I don't have a power meter yet, but might if the money thing works out my way. I've got lots better to get without one first though.

zymphad

Wow, this is one of the best posts I've seen on this forum. I agree with everything here. If you don't care about perfecting your ride by using a powermeter, then I see no reason why you wasted thousands on it. Looks like wasted money and time. To be faster, just ride raster than everyone else on the road, just like run faster. See a runner, catch him, past him and make sure he can't see your back in a few minutes.

As for goals? C'mon. All you need is distance and make sure you ride faster time. Done. That's what matters, the overall time. Whether you ouputted more watts on a particular hill means nothing if your overall time is still the same.