audiojan

Ok, I'm a bit confused over this whole thing... I've been told to get a PowerTap to aide in training and communication with the coach (long distance....) so he can adjust my training... fair enough...

I looked at the powertap webiste (saris.com) and that didn't make me any smarter... what is the real difference between the pro and sl and now they have the wireless version too.. Any reason why you would not get the wireless one? (except price of course...)

And of course another issue... I have Campy on my road bike and Shimano on my TT bike.. what do I do then?

NomadVW 

Pro is heavier (500g and some change), shimano only (I think). The newest pro has all of the old SL engineering, just heavier.

SL is lighter (440ish I think?), still wired, shimano/campy changeable.

Then the wireless is the SL ... but.. uh.. wireless.

audiojan

Thanks NomadVW. I figured that the Pro would heavier than the SL, but is there really any technical differences? If the Pro is Shimano only, it would automatically disqualify it... I need Campy hub (and really would not like to use a conversion cassette).

Does the wireless work or does it drop the signal? What about external interference; powerlines, heart rate monitors from other rides; HRM that I'm wearing, etc.?

DesFlurane

If you have more than one bike get the 2.4 otherwise save the money, get the SL.
Guess which one I have?
Good luck.

NomadVW 

Word on the street is the pro/SL differences are strictly weight now. (pro has a steel freehub and some internals, SL is aluminum).

I have a new 2.4 coded CPU and the HR does not drop ever anymore. The old (2006 and before) CPU's with non-coded HR monitor was horrible. I don't have the wireless, but you could do a search on the cyclingforums.com power training forum for reviews of folks that have had problems with it. From what I've heard, the wireless's are working great now.

ElJamoquio

The SL you can change from Campy to Shimano with some hardware swap. Don't know if it's feasible for a bike-to-bike type operation, but it's worth a call to ask.

The pro might have the same feature... but I don't know for sure.

El Diablo Rojo

Having had the Pro and SL models I've dealt with the Shimano/Campy compatability. The most economical way would be get a Pro with a Shimano free hub and the Wheels Manufacturing Campy conversion cassette (you can do the same with the SL or wireless). If you go that route you will need a second bike kit (65.00) and I highly suggest getting the Wheels Manufacturing lock ring. Do not use Shimano lock ring as it is not deep enough to get a good 'bite' and can come loose. I know this because mine did during a sprint and I really tanked it. If you go this route let me know I have a very good 11/25 WM cassette and lock ring for 30 bucks shipped.

damocles1

So spend $400 more on wireless, or just spend $65 on another wiring kit for the second bike...? I'm no accountant, but that sounds quite dumb...

NomadVW 

Corrected...

damocles1

Thank you...

brianappleby

I've contacted Saris about this, and they told me that the only difference between the SL and the Pro is the freehub body and axle. The Pro uses Steel while the SL uses Aluminum. I had an SL and I was eating through the aluminum freehub bodies every few months. After doing this twice, ordered a steel one from Saris. It ended up costing $70, so I essentially had to pay to downgrade from the SL to the Pro.

If you feel like being patient, you could buy the PT Pro, and then hit up Saris' excellent customer service for an aluminum freehub body ($60 if I remember correctly). This is cheaper than the cost difference between the SL and the Pro, and you end up getting the same thing, plus an extra freehub body

runtimmyc

Quick question... is SRAM compatible with Shimano?

eskimo85

go here https://www.saris.com/c-11-power-meters.aspx and click on compare on one of the units. they are all pretty much the same except for the wireless and some weight differences.

ElJamoquio

Nice hijack. Yes.

DesFlurane

damocles 1,
You're correct, dumb if you are poor, but smart if you have the income to afford it.
I hate wires all over my bike.
The real question is if they were the same price would you choose wireless, if the answer is yes, then you're just talking about your disposable income.

damocles1

I can more than afford it, that's not the issue. My wired SL is hooked up on my full D/A Ridley Damocles, FWIW. Paying $400 extra for wireless is just an exercise is stupidity. The point you make is moot, seeing as they aren't the same price. Paying an extra $400 for something is done just so you can tell your riding buddies, "Yeah, I got the wireless one!".

Why didn't you just sack up and buy a SRM, if money is no object?

It's an exercise in bling, nothing more. You aren't saving more than 20 grams (the wire) and if installed correctly, the wire is barely noticeable.

audiojan

First, thanks all for your input... Second, stop fighting about disposable income... :-) Is the wireless prone to external interference, ex. powerlines, other HRM, etc.? I want to use the darn thing, not guess what it should've been if it wasn't for that powerline (or whatever...). I hate wires too, but if there is no drawback of wireless would I consider it. But than again, I could you two seperate wireharnesses and then the wireless is a moot point anyway... Discuss nicely now!

brianappleby

On a carbon bike with odd shaped tubes, the wiring harness can be a bit of a hassle to get mounted cleanly. That said I'd rather have wires to guarantee constant transmission and prevent crosstalk during races, where every other guy has a PT these days.

DesFlurane

Is an avatar a reflection of peoples character?
damocles 1 , difference in price is actually $200 not $400.
Did I say multiple bikes? Thought I did.
As for your 'point'
Why do you need your Ridley with DA?
Let's face it you'd be just as fast on a bottom of the range Giant with 105.
Showboating, look at me with my flash bike, you're no different ;-)
Sorry to OP. you have my opinion.

El Diablo Rojo

Not for me it just reflects some of the things that I love.

ratebeer

Fix.

Reminds me of a too-honest statement made by an old bud of mine that got himself the boot. "Erin, [stares at her very large chest] there are two things I love about you."

DesFlurane

How's the rest of the picture?
Maybe a link

NattyTerp

How do you get the ride data from the Powertap to your pc? Does it use a USB connection?

NomadVW 

^^^
Yes

senatorw

So if the Pro has everything the SL has except 160 grams heavier and a steel hub body, is there any reason not to get one? If you're not a weight weenie or a tri stud (BOP at best, but I still enjoy it), am I stupid to consider the pro?