I like my Powertap. More and more. Very cool.

Do you ever find it inconvenient because you have multiple sets of wheels and if you want to use a different set you lose the power meter? I mean I would like a power meter and the price of the PT is a big draw. I just don't want any regrets.

All the current power meter options have some limitation, and that is the Powertap's biggest weakness. There are tradeoffs between all of them.

Which one is best for anyone depends, on their budget, priorities, and intended uses.

Luckily for me, as an avid cyclist who just is getting interested in racing, I am at a level where a Power Meter will not necessarily provide as much benefit compared to a higher class racer. So I am just going to hit my training program, use my heart rate monitor, and wait until the prices drop and the technology improves.

I think your assumption that power meters benefit the more experienced rider more than the less experienced is incorrect. The more experienced rider is much more likely to know their strengths and weaknesses, know how their body responds to training, and know the effort necessary for different types of workouts.

A power meter will really help you figuring all that out, a lot quicker than without a power meter. Read Training and racing with Power, and see if you stil think you don't want a power meter now.

Admittedly, there's the idea that new racers should just ride lots the first year, and not do a structured program.But if you're at the point where you're doing a structured HR based program, you're far enough along to benefit from a power meter.

So a better plan would be $250-300 for a used wired Power tap, and then wait for the next big thing or price drop.

Here's more detail in how you do it:

http://blog.mitsukuni.org/2010/08/03...quarq-cinqo-en

I followed those instructions and ran quarqd on a Vista laptop by running Ubuntu under VMWare and using a Garmin ANT+ USB stick. Works great. It's a bit "clunky", but nothing this mechanical engineer couldn't figure out (i.e. I'm definitely no "code monkey")

Speaking of Look power meters though, I already have one. Picked it up last week, in fact :)

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/8113/maxone.jpg

Now that's old school.

http://blog.trainingpeaks.com/upload...one-786375.jpg


From a 1989 issue of Winning.

Polars last grasp at relevancy. The day they decided to go Bluetooth over ANT+ is the day they doomed themselves.

Yep...after I lace it up into an appropriate rim, it's going on my '86 Bianchi Sport SX :thumb:

Barney?

It's "Violet" to YOU...

Then don't ever buy anything ever again. And for God's sake, don't become a Mets fan.