Originally Posted by tcarl

What is a power meter? It sounds like that thing the electric company hangs on the side of my house to see how much electricity I use, but that doesn't have anything to do with cycling.

I've been riding for nearly 50 years. I learned to ride back in the 1970's before there was anything like clipless pedals, index shifting, aero anything, computers, power meters, etc. We all rode fine, and those from my generation still ride fine. All I know now is that I'm univerally praised by everyone who drafts off me about how easy I am to follow, so smooth and steady. It's in my pedaling. I don't know what a "power meter" has to do with that.

As for as power, first, I'm not a competitive cyclist at all, no racing or anything, so I'm not comparing myself to them. But among the recreational cyclists I ride with (some of whom are pretty good - you know, people who routinely ride 400 miles each weekend as their normal weekend ride, and people who have no trouble doing 9 hour double centuries) - I outsprint these people with me sitting in the saddle and them standing. My 3/4 revolution power stroke is stronger than their just downstroke sprint. I don't need any sort of a "power meter" to know what amount of power I have or don't have or how to use it.

Another example - I wanted to take a nice relaxing "rest" ride. Got out a comfy Cannondale touring bike with racks and fender and low gears, etc. Rode easily, spinning comfortable gears. Along comes a guy, stomping hard in a definite downstroke only riding style - you could just see in in his whole body motion on the bike. He gradually, very slowly passes me, and I get to observe his riding. At this point on this road I was moving along about 18 mph, he was doing 19 or 20, and you could just tell he was working nearly twice as hard as I was to move a lighter weight bicycle just barely faster than I. So yes, as described above, you'll ride faster with less energy used.

I put this up to help the original poster pedal better. He asked. I have a definite system that's worked well for me. I share it with him.

I complain back at you because I don't know what your question about a power meter has to do with anything I said, and then when you end it with "huh" you make it sound negative or critical or insulting. I'm trying to be positive to the OP, not negative, I'm trying to help him and others, not be critical, and I don't like to get the feeling that you're insulting me because of my pedaling technique or suggestions to help another cyclist. If this was not your intention, then I'm sorry for misunderstanding you and complaining, but your question to me sounds critical and to end it with "huh" just sounds insulting.