Power Meters (Why?)
Likes For dedhed:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 585
Bikes: yes, i have one
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 279 Post(s)
Liked 221 Times
in
119 Posts
I don't race bikes either but if i could afford a power meter i would likely buy one. I only compete against myself. I ride because i like to and i like to improve. A power meter is something that can better gauge improvement compared to just time and distance because it takes other factors into consideration (indirectly).
Likes For spelger:
#5
Super Moderator
A power meter is a measuring device. Some people like to measure, others don't.
Even if you race, you don't need one.
Even if you race, you don't need one.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#7
Destroyer of Worlds
I had to buy pedals regardless...so I figured why not just snag some with power meter? No real reason other than that. Might come in handy down the road.
#8
Non omnino gravis
But they are very handy to have, if even only for use as a fuel gauge.
#9
Banned.
Thread Starter
Good point as use for a fuel gauge
I like Trek. I’m just shocked at how many of them I see on road and trail.
I like Trek. I’m just shocked at how many of them I see on road and trail.
#10
Old Legs
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Mass.
Posts: 1,196
Bikes: '80 Strayvaigin, '84 Ciocc Aelle-Shimano 105, '90 Concorde Astore /Campy Triple ,85 Bridgestone 500/Suntour, 2005 Jamis Quest, 2017 Raleigh Merit 1, Raleigh Carbon Clubman
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 298 Post(s)
Liked 23 Times
in
15 Posts
I have one, cause I got a deal and I like collecting data. KB
#12
Senior Member
I'm still waiting for power meter pedals usable with mountain style spd cleats so I can put two sets on our tandem to figure out our individual contributions. Supposedly, such pedals are coming "real soon now." Neither of us is willing to move to road shoes/cleats. There's no need for knowing, just info that would be fun to know.
Likes For honcho:
#14
Senior Member
How do you know you're dialing it up to 400W if you don't have a power meter?
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: SC
Posts: 1,281
Bikes: Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 642 Post(s)
Liked 632 Times
in
336 Posts
Using it as a fuel gauge is very helpful, especially if you do a lot of climbing. I ride with someone who has one, and when he's staying on a power goal for a long ride, he'll back off more on the climbs than I would if I were riding by myself. Just gauging off of his effort has helped me from going too hard.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 937
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 314 Post(s)
Liked 608 Times
in
343 Posts
As a recreational rider, I see no need for one and money can be better spent on other essential gear.
I ride the same route every other Sunday so I can track improvement by reviewing my times as data points and calculate VAM since this is a heavy climb ride.
I ride the same route every other Sunday so I can track improvement by reviewing my times as data points and calculate VAM since this is a heavy climb ride.
#18
Senior Member
I use power meters to train and I do race, but I personally think a lot of non-racers could benefit from power meters if they are enthusiastic about fitness and improvement. Just from a simple level, calorie tracking is far more accurate with a power meter than by using HR or other estimates that are often waaay off. I also think that just having an idea of what one's FTP is and using the power meter as a pacing tool could be helpful for a lot of folks.
I see a lot of people always asking about wheels and such to gain speed, but if people invested in a power meter (cheaper than a lot of wheelsets people look for) and incorporated at least a little structure to riding they'd probably see bigger gains in their riding experience than they would through wheels.
I see a lot of people always asking about wheels and such to gain speed, but if people invested in a power meter (cheaper than a lot of wheelsets people look for) and incorporated at least a little structure to riding they'd probably see bigger gains in their riding experience than they would through wheels.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,078
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 888 Post(s)
Liked 476 Times
in
322 Posts
I use power meters to train and I do race, but I personally think a lot of non-racers could benefit from power meters if they are enthusiastic about fitness and improvement. Just from a simple level, calorie tracking is far more accurate with a power meter than by using HR or other estimates that are often waaay off. I also think that just having an idea of what one's FTP is and using the power meter as a pacing tool could be helpful for a lot of folks.
I see a lot of people always asking about wheels and such to gain speed, but if people invested in a power meter (cheaper than a lot of wheelsets people look for) and incorporated at least a little structure to riding they'd probably see bigger gains in their riding experience than they would through wheels.
I see a lot of people always asking about wheels and such to gain speed, but if people invested in a power meter (cheaper than a lot of wheelsets people look for) and incorporated at least a little structure to riding they'd probably see bigger gains in their riding experience than they would through wheels.
#20
Senior Member
You need a power meter if you want to objectively measure your efforts in a repeatable, precise manner. Less commonly, if you need to relate your efforts to some measure of speed.
If you're training seriously but not racing (and if someone has to ask "why" they'll never understand), it just depends on how precise you want that data to be.
If you're training seriously but not racing (and if someone has to ask "why" they'll never understand), it just depends on how precise you want that data to be.
#21
Journeyman Bike Commuter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 6,220
Bikes: '71 Jeunet 640, '79 Peugeot PXN10LE, '88 Fuji Saratoga, '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '16 Motobecane Gran Premio Elite, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1128 Post(s)
Liked 859 Times
in
480 Posts
On the plus side, one can only improve what can be measured. So power data are useful to some.
On the negative side, collecting and not using data is like collecting Precious Moments figurines. It might make you feel better at first, but after a while, the collection becomes less than useless...
On the negative side, collecting and not using data is like collecting Precious Moments figurines. It might make you feel better at first, but after a while, the collection becomes less than useless...
#22
Senior Member
Likes For PepeM:
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 778
Bikes: '13 Trek Madone 2.3, '13 Diamondback Hybrid Commuter, '17 Spec Roubaix Di2, '17 Spec Camber 29'er
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 164 Times
in
106 Posts
Training on a bike without a power meter is like going to a gym that has no weights listed on any of the equipment. In either scenario, it's still possible to train by feel, but it's a lot easier to make small incremental improvements when you know exactly how much effort your putting out, relative to the previous workouts in your training program.
Likes For Riveting:
#25
Senior Member
