revchuck 

About a month ago, the bearings in my Powertap Pro+ died. Powertap couldn't/wouldn't replace just the bearings, but had to upgrade the internals to G3 specs. I just got the email from Saris saying that it's on its way back, so there's a 50/50 chance it'll be here Friday, and I'd be able to use it in the season's first race Sunday.

My computer is a Garmin 500. In theory, I should just need to search for the PT, find it, calibrate it, and be good to go. For those who have been through this, are there any additional gyrations required? I'd rather just use HR than have to screw around with it on a race weekend.

Thanks!

waterrockets 

I had mine overhauled, and they re-did it with some upgraded components and it lost some weight. Worked great out of the box, but both of mine are wired.

ovoleg

You just scan for it with a Garmin 500: 1) hit search, then hit calibrate.

It's going to take you maybe 1 minute. Maybe less...

Tyrell

They could not would not (Dr. Suess, anyone?) replace just the bearings? Why not? I had a local shop do that for my Pro+ just last year, no problem.

waterrockets 

Saris, in the interest of customer service won't just do bearings b/c it could knock the hub out of calibration (not just zeroed). So, since they're going to be in there anyway, they have a one-package deal to overhaul the hub. When I did it, it was like $300, but what I got back was an entirely new hub, other than the shell. Overkill for new bearings, but probably worth the risk since I don't think I've read of anyone having calibration issues after local replacement.

revchuck 

Not on a boat, not with a goat!

I asked them about that, because the electronics were working fine, and IIRC they said they no longer had the parts. It's also possible, since they've lowered their prices, that they're using this as a profit center to help make up lost income. It comes with a one year warranty, and since I bought the hub used, that's a positive outcome.

ETA: WR and I were writing at the same time, and his explanation is probably more accurate than mine. FWIW, it's up to $350 (including shipping) now.

Dunbar

There's a big Powertap support thread over on Slowtwitch you may want to read. I think Saris has said they no longer have parts for older units so they upgrade them.

How long do the bearings last (I have a G3)? There's a thread on WW about the bearings wearing out after a year but a lot of posters are in the UK and I hear it rains a lot there.

revchuck 

I bought the hub used; the seller claimed that it had built into a wheel by a bike shop for display and never ridden, and the guy who built the wheel said that that appeared to be true. I've had it for about a year and a half and put about 10k miles on it.

Just wondering if I need to send the wheel back to Saris once a year for bearing replacement as part of normal maintenance...

Tyrell

Hmm...so how can I check if mine is out of calibration? Does it matter if I've recently reset my FTP and am basing workouts off of this new number anyway (it's all relative)?

waterrockets 

I'm not sure -- I think the calibration is like a slope issue on an SRM, but you can't adjust it on the PT. I'm sure that at a given torque, it's going to be consistent. You can do a stomp test to see how it goes. I hang some free weights from one of the pedals, lock the rear brake, and tip the bike into a wheelie until that crankarm is level (you can see the torque value peak as you slowly go past it). Then I rotate the wheel a bit, and retest, and repeat that maybe 5 times and take the average (differences are small).

Monkeyclaw

I had the internals replaced on my SL+ to G3. It took just over a week door-to-door and recalibrating was a non-issue. Just pair it with your head unit when you get it, re-zero and you're all set. I've found PT's match pretty well between units so your previous FTP should be accurate for the new internals.

revchuck 

Monkeyclaw - Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear!

topflightpro

I used a PowerTap for five years, more than 30k miles, when I sold it. I never had issues with the bearings in that time.

revchuck 

My perception is that your experience is closer to the norm than mine. I guess I just had bad bearings...or bad luck.

revchuck 

Just got the wheel back. It just says "G3" on the battery cover part, the freehub was replaced with an 11 speed version and included the spacer for 8/9/10 speed, and the required new cap remover tool was also included. I need to install the cassette and tires/tubes and take it for a test ride.

ETA: I just did a 1:30 ride. No problems with my Garmin finding it or calibrating it. It's good to go.

himespau 

I know this is an old thread, but does anyone know if they're still doing this for ~$350? I don't see it anywhere on their website. If so, it seems that buying a cheap used wired (or nonworking wireless) wheel and doing this would be a relatively inexpensive way to get power measurement.

revchuck 

I checked a couple of months ago for another PT hub I had bought used and as of that time they did. I haven't sent the other one in yet.

himespau 

Great, thanks. Is that through Saris or Wheelbuilder or either?

revchuck 

You just send the wheel to Saris/Powertap. I don't think they have any other shops do it for them.