Dale
Posts:1767
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| 04/17/2018 10:21 AM |
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For years I've mocked lower level race guys for having power meters... pretty much stated that most guys with a PM are the equivalent of a McDonalds burger flipper hiring a CPA to manage their finances.
After using a smart trainer and getting wattage data I can see this could be useful, and if not actually useful it would give me more information to obsess about.
Problem is I've got a cross race bike, a gravel bike (cross B bike), a road bike, and a mountain bike all of which I'd like to know the data.
I'm not about to upgrade all those guys to power unless someone comes with a $300 unit.
So what to do? |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 04/17/2018 12:33 PM |
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I don't wanna say "I told ya" about a power meter, but....... 
What crank / BB do you have on the road and cross bikes? (MTB is gonna be a different issue altogether). I am assuming you have discs on the cross & gravel bikes? |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 04/17/2018 12:55 PM |
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I see more than a couple of similarities between power meters and illicit drugs. Habit forming and the need to increase dosage leading to further dependence, both physically and financially.
Don't want to pile on and say "I told you so" but be careful. This could lead to marital issues and further. (I have heard rumors there may be help. I think I recall hearing somewhere that a 12 Step group, PMA (Power Meters Anonymous) has been started.
Ben |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 04/17/2018 01:03 PM |
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Just...don't...do....it
You're initial instincts were right Dale, stay on the straight and narrow. Don't peek over edge, don't fall. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 04/17/2018 01:07 PM |
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Masi Evoluzione road bike: Campagnolo Chorus crank, BB86 (I think) BB, rim brakes
Focus Mares cross bike: Sram Rival, PF30 BB, disc brakes
Ritchey Ti gravel bike: Praxis crank, threaded BB, rim brakes |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 04/17/2018 01:24 PM |
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Yeah....you are kinda fooked. No cross-compatibility options there....was hoping you could get one PM crank and use it across a couple of bikes (pretty quick change process these days).
Wait....hang on. Check to see if a PowerTap Chainring might work for those bikes. Think they knocked the price down to $349 for those. Only available through their website. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 04/17/2018 01:33 PM |
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Did some checking for you.....yes, $349. Looks like it will work for your cross and gravel bike, but doesn't help you for your roadie. But you'd have to use a 50/36 for your cross bike.
https://www.powertap.com/product/powertap-c1-chainrings
Other option would be a PowerTap hub that you could use on both the Masi and Ritchey (swap tires, obviously) and then one of their chainrings for the cross bike. G3 hub is $399
https://www.powertap.com/product/powertap-g3-hub
So $750 (plus a wheel build) would get you covered across all 3 bikes. Not too shabby.
Also PT wheels / hubs go pretty cheap on eBay. May wanna check there and see if you can get a lightly used wheel at a good price.
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 04/17/2018 01:35 PM |
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I have one of these. I don't know how accurate it is. I just got it as yet something else to look at as a motivator. It's not $300...but$400. They will attach one to your crank, but only certain cranks are compatible. Looks like a nogo on the Chorus. Not sure about the others.
https://4iiii-innovations.myshopify.com/collections/power-meters/products/precision-factory-install?variant=23440795334 |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 04/17/2018 01:52 PM |
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| 4iiii stuff is generally pretty dang good (and accurate) |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 04/23/2018 07:39 AM |
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| That stuff can be useful, but in my experience the one thing that matters more than anything else is simply listening to your body and adjust accordingly. The guys racing in the pro/am category in Granada would sometimes use power meters, but more often than not their go to method for getting faster, was simply to ride more and recover better. 1,000km weeks weren't uncommon there.
I'm not a luddite, but sometimes I think we as amateur cyclists can get sucked up with all the latest tech which is meant for the pros. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 04/23/2018 10:06 AM |
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It occurred to me last night while I was on the trainer that I'm doing EXACTLY what most amateurs do:
Too hard on the easy days, too easy on the hard days.
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 04/23/2018 10:20 AM |
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| For easy days I put away the head unit on the bike, keep it in the little ring and just keep repeating to myself "Suave y souplesse" anytime the urge to go hard comes about. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 04/23/2018 10:48 AM |
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...but ...but ...but, if you don't have the gps how can up upload to Strava to prove you actually rode?  |
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 04/23/2018 10:55 AM |
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| I don't do Strava anymore. I just stick the head unit in my pocket when I need to chill. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 04/23/2018 12:52 PM |
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Hab, I'm sorry but I keep seeing this picture of "I don't do Strava anymore. I just stick my head in my pocket when I need to chill." Doesn't match my picture of you.
Ben
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