Powertap users: always or no?

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loudtiger
Posts: 125
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 3:37 am

by loudtiger

Do you always use your powertap wheel, or do you only use it occasionally to check your FTP? I've been training with one, just wondering if people typically did rides or races with it too, or switch back to a lighter wheelset.

by Weenie


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spdntrxi
Posts: 5782
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by spdntrxi

I always use it...
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2018 BMC TImeMachine Road
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Tinea Pedis
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by Tinea Pedis

Why would you not train with it?

Have you read Racing and Training with a Power Meter?

And unless it's a race with a crazy amount of vert, power data uses from a race would trump the weight savings from a lighter wheelset.

dunbar42
Posts: 191
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:20 am

by dunbar42

You should pick the power meter(s) that allow you to race and train with power data. If you race that may mean purchasing more than one power meter and/or using something other than a Powertap.

I only have one "good" bike and I don't race so I'm always riding with power...unless I forget to charge my Garmin.

Stoo
Posts: 338
Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 9:22 am
Location: Warwick, UK

by Stoo

I've got 2 powertaps.

One in my training wheels.
One in a set of zipp 303's

Both 10 speed. 2 bikes.

I can run either wheelset in either bike for training, racing, climbing. Whatever.
'18 Giant Trinity Pro TT - DA9070 - QuarQ DZero - HED Jet 9+/JET+ Disc3
'18 Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1 - R8000 - QuarQ DZero - SLR1
'16 Genesis Equilibrium - U6800 - FSA SRM - WH6800
'13 Giant Trinity Composite - U6870 - QuarQ DZero

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jekyll man
Posts: 1570
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:23 am
Location: Pack filler

by jekyll man

you need 2 powermeters- so you're covered when the powertap goes back for repairs.... ;-)
Official cafe stop tester

Butcher
Shop Owner
Posts: 1917
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:58 am

by Butcher

Boy, you are spot one with that! Get a FedEx account while you are at it.

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Rick
Posts: 2034
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:30 pm

by Rick

Ironically, in today's velonews, Dan Martin says he never looks at his power meter during a race.
That is sort of the way I feel too. I have become addicted to watching my powermeter. I don't really race anymore, and we didn't have powermeters when I was actively racing. But I always refused to wear a heart rate monitor because the few times that I did it scared me, even though I had become addicted to monitoring heart rate in training.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/04/ ... tts_325438

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djconnel
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Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: San Francisco, CA
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by djconnel

Too heavy.

My best hill climb, arguably, was when I had my powertap and the battery died on the start line. I ended up pushing myself harder than I thought possible.

eric
Posts: 2196
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Location: Santa Cruz, California, USA
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by eric

When I had a PT I would have to leave it behind for races when I used race wheels. And I am hard on rear wheels so I kept having to get it rebuilt.. like every 9 months. I'd be without a PM then.

Then I got a crank based PM so I could use race wheels, and use multiple sets during training to spread the load (and also build my own to make wheels that will last under me).

For many races I set the Garmin to not show power or HR. If I can see them I'll look, and during the crux moments may think "oh, I can't do that for long" and back off early. But it is very useful to be able to analyze the data afterwards. There's a few climbing races where I will use power and/or HR for pacing. And of course they're useful for TTs.


So, sadly, the answer is spend more money.

dunbar42
Posts: 191
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:20 am

by dunbar42

Butcher wrote:Boy, you are spot one with that! Get a FedEx account while you are at it.


The latest G3 hubs are supposed to be as reliable as anything out there. Don't think Quarq's and SRM's are free from problems just because they cost a lot of money.

Stoo
Posts: 338
Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 9:22 am
Location: Warwick, UK

by Stoo

Had my 2 G3's in since Aug last year.
5000miles of racing and training over the 2 of them, in all weather conditions, and no problems yet (beside the typical rough bearings)
'18 Giant Trinity Pro TT - DA9070 - QuarQ DZero - HED Jet 9+/JET+ Disc3
'18 Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1 - R8000 - QuarQ DZero - SLR1
'16 Genesis Equilibrium - U6800 - FSA SRM - WH6800
'13 Giant Trinity Composite - U6870 - QuarQ DZero

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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