Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
You need to understand what the wattage charts are about. They're not intended to show you where you stand up in relation to others. They're intended to be a tool to show you how you standup to yourself.
By looking at profiles of FTP (1hour power) 5 minute power, 1 minute power, and 10 second power, and comparing the relative dispersion, you can get an idea of your strengths and weaknesses, based on which ones are relatively higher or lower.
From there, you can train your weaknesses, and race your strengths.
Also, I don't think age would be much of a useful metric. I'm 53. I know there are 65 year olds with higher FTP's than mine. I also know there are 30 year olds with lower FTP's than mine.
Exactly why I would like to have a power meter.
That said is there any difference, besides price and obviously the wire bit, between a wired and ANT+? I suspect not but asking the experts.
Wired ones can be had on Fleabay fairly cheap.