Polar Power Measurement
02-14-07, 01:51 PM
#101
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Originally Posted by eandmwilson
.......................What always bothers me about these sorts of comments is people feel the need to throw in every cat and dog as to why something is great or sucks. It would be substantially more helpful to only include the relevant issues, like chain weight impacting vibrational frequency, than all the other red herrings.
I am, BTW, in no way claiming the Polar is the most accurate option.
Pete: any pics yet?
I am, BTW, in no way claiming the Polar is the most accurate option.
Pete: any pics yet?
I just did a translation of a test magazine and I don't think there's nothing wrong with sharing this.
I'm not cracking it down but facts are facts....
Myself would go for the Polar, so please next time try to be more open minded.
02-14-07, 01:59 PM
#102
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I totally forgot to put pics in this thread... sorry!
Overall I've been happy with the unit for the price. As all the reviews have stated, the Polar does miss some quick sprinting efforts so I just take my 1sec and 5sec power numbers with a grain of salt. For instance, I stayed on the wheel of a pretty quick Cat 3 teammate in a sprint over the weekend and the Polar never registered over 900 watts. All in all, though, for interval work above 15-30 seconds or so, it's become a very useful tool.
If you're anal about the installation it pays off.
All in all, it's been a great intro to power training without dumping a ton of cash.
Overall I've been happy with the unit for the price. As all the reviews have stated, the Polar does miss some quick sprinting efforts so I just take my 1sec and 5sec power numbers with a grain of salt. For instance, I stayed on the wheel of a pretty quick Cat 3 teammate in a sprint over the weekend and the Polar never registered over 900 watts. All in all, though, for interval work above 15-30 seconds or so, it's become a very useful tool.
If you're anal about the installation it pays off.
All in all, it's been a great intro to power training without dumping a ton of cash.
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02-14-07, 01:59 PM
#103
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Originally Posted by DrPete
I did my first Power testing today, and I'm a mediocre Cat 4 according to the Friel/Coggan power tables... guess the Polar is pretty accurate 
5 min power: 373W (4.02W/kg), FTP 301W (3.26W/kg)
If it weren't for all those damned kg I have to divide by I'd be in pretty good shape. But I'm getting rid of some of those as we speak. I'm encouraged, though, because those numbers are with a mild hangover and going into a recovery week. All in all pretty satisfying since I have yet to start my build period.
5 min power: 373W (4.02W/kg), FTP 301W (3.26W/kg)
If it weren't for all those damned kg I have to divide by I'd be in pretty good shape. But I'm getting rid of some of those as we speak. I'm encouraged, though, because those numbers are with a mild hangover and going into a recovery week. All in all pretty satisfying since I have yet to start my build period.
And my new SL will be here today, so round about 1800 hrs tonight you all can laugh as I'm doing a 20 minute suffer fest in the trainer.
It better not drop below 300.
02-25-07, 02:37 PM
#104
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Well, I wanted to resurrect this thread, because My cool new Polar power sensor has served me well, but now it's for sale. Quite unexpectedly, I won a research award that came with a nice little cash prize, so if I sell my used Polar I'll have enough to buy a PT SL/RR 1.1 setup through my sponsoring shop.
Anyone want the Polar? I'm serious here. Details are in the For Sale forum.
Shawnee, cslone, and company.... You were totally right. The sensor worked great and got me fully into power training. Total gateway drug.
Anyone want the Polar? I'm serious here. Details are in the For Sale forum.
Shawnee, cslone, and company.... You were totally right. The sensor worked great and got me fully into power training. Total gateway drug.
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02-25-07, 04:58 PM
#105
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You might at least want to hold on to the HRM I suspect this won't be the first pair of wheels you buy. Unless you have plans for putting PT into a bunch of wheels, you'll still get some value in having a second data source.
And here's some more practical questions. I've heard that wattage numbers jump around a lot. Wouldn't that make them difficult to use in a race (as opposed to post ride analysis)? Is HR more useful in a race? Or would someone be better off just getting a handle on how perceived exertion relates to redlining?
And here's some more practical questions. I've heard that wattage numbers jump around a lot. Wouldn't that make them difficult to use in a race (as opposed to post ride analysis)? Is HR more useful in a race? Or would someone be better off just getting a handle on how perceived exertion relates to redlining?
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02-25-07, 05:03 PM
#106
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Originally Posted by SpongeDad
You might at least want to hold on to the HRM I suspect this won't be the first pair of wheels you buy. Unless you have plans for putting PT into a bunch of wheels, you'll still get some value in having a second data source.
As for the rest of it, I started a thread over in the racing forum about when to use a PT wheel vs. "race" wheel. There's a little discussion already, hopefully more to come.
https://www.bikeforums.net/33-road-bike-racing/272411-how-many-folks-race-powertap.html
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02-25-07, 06:58 PM
#107
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I just saw the new CS600 and Power Output Sensor from Polar. I was at the Tour of California in Santa Clarita and talked to the Polar rep. He had it installed on a bike, it looked slick. They have done a lot of work on it and it is now wireless. Go to Polar CS600 Go to Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D.
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