Power Meters (Why?)
10-27-19, 01:27 PM
#2
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,272
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2618 Post(s)
Liked 3,155 Times
in
1,921 Posts
You don't
Likes For dedhed:
10-27-19, 03:31 PM
#3
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,329
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3582 Post(s)
Liked 5,167 Times
in
2,624 Posts
Only if you are fast enough to warrant buying a Trek.
10-27-19, 03:42 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,128
Bikes: yes, i have one
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1046 Post(s)
Liked 1,089 Times
in
627 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:
10-27-19, 04:19 PM
#5
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,819
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1170 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times
in
581 Posts
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
10-27-19, 04:32 PM
#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.
10-27-19, 04:34 PM
#8
Non omnino gravis
But they are very handy to have, if even only for use as a fuel gauge.
__________________
10-27-19, 06:20 PM
#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.
10-27-19, 06:25 PM
#10
Old Legs
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Mass.
Posts: 1,212
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: 302 Post(s)
Liked 31 Times
in
20 Posts
I have one, cause I got a deal and I like collecting data. KB
10-27-19, 06:53 PM
#12
Junior 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:
10-28-19, 05:54 AM
#14
Senior Member
How do you know you're dialing it up to 400W if you don't have a power meter?
10-28-19, 07:03 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,437
Bikes: SuperSix Evo | Revolt
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 732 Post(s)
Liked 814 Times
in
413 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.
10-28-19, 07:24 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 1,984
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 774 Post(s)
Liked 1,835 Times
in
887 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.
10-28-19, 07:38 AM
#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.
10-28-19, 08:09 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,192
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 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.
10-28-19, 08:31 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
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.
10-28-19, 09:31 AM
#21
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,006
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,539 Times
in
805 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...
10-28-19, 09:34 AM
#22
Senior Member
Likes For PepeM:
10-28-19, 09:46 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Posts: 1,221
Bikes: '13 Diamondback Hybrid Commuter, '17 Spec Roubaix Di2, '17 Spec Camber 29'er, '19 CDale Topstone Gravel
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 590 Post(s)
Liked 445 Times
in
260 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:
10-28-19, 10:00 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,201
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1186 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times
in
177 Posts
