Powertap coming...which computer?
 

I have a powertap wheel on the way, now need to get the computer in order. The hub is a Pro+

I had assumed (which was dumb) that my phone would be able to pick up the ANT+ signal, because I heard about people doing that with smartphones. I had planned on using the phone for trainer sessions over the winter, and getting a computer at a later date. But, I have a Droid, and from what I can tell, it won't do that.

1st question: Do current Droids possess ANT+ compatibility? I've seen the option in mapmyride, but I have not ANT+ things to try it with...

2nd question: I would like something like a Garmin 500, but if similar features can be had cheaper with older devices, that's good. Not worried about maps. It just has to do the basics plus tracking and displaying power (and HR would be nice). Which older Garmin, or models from another company, will accomplish this?

I have the garmin 500 and the powertap. I think that is the best way to go. You can still use the garmin if you don't use the powertap.

1) I know you can get an ANT+ dongle for a I phone, not sure if there's one for Android phones. But if you've got to buy a mount, and a dongle, you might as well get a Garmin 500.

2) A garmin 705 would work, but it's likely to still be more expensive than a Garmin 500. The cheaper 305 doesn't support power.

Just get the Edge 500. Great computer in general. Been using it for a little while now, w/ no power. Just ordered a hub like you and so will be adding power to my workouts.

I started using the 500 with power and had some freezing issues, but it has ceased with the update. Other than that I love the thing. Also, love Golden Cheetah for analysis. Great tool and it is free. The only down side is that you will read about power analysis and it will all reference WKO terms. You just have to use a term conversion chart. Same data though.

Another vote for Edge 500. I also have a yellow PT ANT+ head lying around doing nothing ... drop me a PM if interested.

I licensed WKO+ a few years ago and really like it. I tried out Golden Cheetah more so that I could be familiar with it -- it's free, and pretty crude in some areas where WKO+ is fairly refined. Dashboard, consistency of terms, and user documentation in particular are far superior in WKO+.

I also found that the Critical Power model in GC comes out about 20-25W below my functional threshold measured other ways (I use 45 minute NP since I can't find a place to do a true "hour of power" other than my trainer, and that's not happening during the outdoor riding season).

edge 500

You'd also need something which exports data in a format amenable to the training software you'll be using (Golden Cheetah which is free and Windows/Mac/linux compatible; WKO+ which was first; Training Peaks which is on-line and makes it easy to share data with a coach). I'd punt on trying to make that work.

As a tangent there if you haven't already done so you need to pickup a copy of
_Training and Racing with a Power Meter_ http://www.amazon.com/Training-Racin.../dp/1934030554.

You can get a used wireless Cervo (aka Little Yellow Computer) for about $75. It has no back-light, displays power + speed + a third line (one of interval time, interval distance, heart rate, cadence, etc.), and downloads via a dedicated USB cradle.

The Garmin 500 is back-lit so on evening rides you can see time remaining on intervals and power for pacing, displays up to 8 (that gets crowded, although 5 fields work great) fields at once, and downloads via a ubiquitous mini-USB cable which is more convenient if you're feeding some rides into your laptop at work (lunch hour ride) and some at home. I got an Edge 500 for those reasons.

The 705 also didn't get any firmware updates that allow you to measure torque from a powermeter.

That can be important if your PT goes out of calibration.

500 for data, 800 if you want maps. The 705 is dead to Garmin. GL

You already shelled out for the PT, now get the Garmin. It's worth it. A phone would be a poor substitute for a lot of reasons, battery life among them.

Thanks, guys. Noted.

No votes for the Joule?

As for speed and cadence sensors: do I need them? Seems pretty lame to have to buy them separately.

The powertap has a speed sensor and cadence built into the wheel, there is no need for the extra sensor.

For wireless powertaps, the virtual cadence seems to be pretty accurate as well.

Since minimizing cost was a big factor in the OP's other thread, I would recommend this for the off-season. Add GPS if desired in the spring, and hopefully resell the Cervo then.

The PowerTap will send speed and virtual cadence. Virtual cadence might be okay if your cadence is stable, especially on a trainer, which has smoothly varying resistance.

Cyclops is about to introduce replacements for the Joule line (announced @ Interbike).

Vaporware, but still.

I went from minimizing cost to maximizing value, hopefully.

And this partially explains why I was able to get the Joule 2.0/Sl+ package so cheaply; both are on closeout. It made me actually cancel my CC order and go with November.

The overall price tag (wheel w/ sl+ hub because they were out of pro+, and Joule 2.0 w/hr strap) ended up being about $100 more than CC's open pro/Pro+ and a Garmin 500 w/hr strap.

If nothing else, the November FSW 23 w/ sl+ was estimated at 1020g,which is barely more than my (very serviceable, BTW) Neuvation M28X. Maybe not that light, but less than the 1201 for CC's Open Pro/Pro+, 130g of the difference being outside of the hub. Honestly, I also like the idea of supporting a small company if they're able and willing to compete.

As long as everything functions correctly, I'll be happy I chose to buy when and what I did, even though I ended up spending more than I expected.

Edit: weight difference is probably largely due to spoke count, nipples, etc. The Velocity A23 (which November uses) is listed as about 15 g lighter.

The data display on the joule is really good-- much better than the garmin. The downsides are no gps (not critical but a fun thing to have) and their preloaded workout feature only works with their super expensive trainer. Oh and it gives annoying but harmless error messages when I charge it with my Mac. So mediocre overall (and terrible if you paid retail for it). I considered getting a Garmin but I think it would just be moving the mediocrity to other areas. I'm waiting to see what the currently vaporware joule gps has to offer.

I still use my garmin speed sensor for days on the trainer and the GPS speed sucks. It's margin of error is visible in golden cheetah (or your analysis program of choice). GL

You sure?

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/06/f...joule-and.html