Cadence and Power

Hi All,

With my year of running finally over I want to get back to my true love. CYCLING!

I'm looking to get a Power Meter/Cadence, who knows.

Essentially i'm looking for help and advice.

I will want to build up to having a full set, i.e. heart rate monitor, garmin type doo whap and power meter on the bike, so anything that will mean I can build that up slowly. All tips welcome.

Thanks

A lot of the power meters that I have seen do cadence as well and so "override" things like the Garmin one.

I've got the standard Garmin cadence/speed meter and heart rate monitor from when I got my 705 about four years ago and they have served me well.

If you're using accessories with a Garmin bike computer you want ones that are ANT+ capable, if with a smartphone (as I know Strava's app is capable of picking up more and more) then you want Bluetooth or Bluetooth Smart

With power meters you have quite a number of choices with the majority normally requiring the replacement of the whole crank structure, most well known ones of these being Quarq and SRM though Rotor also do one now. Garmin have come out with their Vector which is basically a set of modified Look pedals so if you already use Look or similar then they would be worth a look. Stages do a series of replacement non-drive side crank arms which makes it as easy to fit as the Vector system if you know your way around the bike. One other option is a Cycleops power hub which you can either buy as part of a wheel or buy the hub separately and get it built into a wheel, pretty sure this is the only power meter that doesn't do cadence for obvious reasons.

David Lindsay was talking about a German firm that does a system similar to Quarq/SRM at a competitive price but not sure on lead times. Lead times for Stages and Rotor meters seem quite long at the moment possibly due to publicity for the former (Team Sky use them) and brand popularity for the latter

I witnessed the readings of a Stages meter being compared to those of a simpler looking bar-mounted (pressure-based?)system being compared at the weekend and they seemed to be fairly consistent

why not just get out and get some serious miles in,join a London racing club.,I have seen you on your road bike and to me you are 100%...its miles miles and more miles, there are no expensive short cuts, but what do i know,ah ah G

Hi Jane,
Getting a power meter for the average cyclist (the likes of you, me, and most people in a cycling club ) is a complete waste of time and a lot of money. It would be the equivalent of buying an F1 car to do the weekly shop. Unless you are a pro or a very good amateur who races, then all it does is tell you a series of numbers which add up to "you aren't training hard enough".
Geoff is right - increase the mileage. Once you have increased the mileage consistently over a period of at least 6 months then you can start to put some structure into what you want to achieve in the sport.
As for cadence - this is useful and should be around 90 (ish).

Tim

Can I press a like button or share or a retweet ?? !!!!!!!

after you 26 minute 10 TT i would hide in the loo..ah ah G

Yep G . Didn't need a power meter to tell me I was sh#t though

Buy what you want Jane!

Thanks all. I shall take all your advice into consideration.

I find that I need numbers and they help me get results. As my commute is my main training time I want to optimise it. If I get home late from work I can persuade myself with a number challenge but getting back out on those roads with all the k**b drivers is harder.

Jane
I looked into this and I have to agree with Tim and Geoff in terms of price and extra mileage.. I'm like yourself I have to look at stats to see a improvement. But over the last couple of weeks I have worked with the development group on the chain gang and I have noticed my MPH rise. It is strange but it bloody works and I am pushing a higher gear all thanks to the chain gang.
You should give it a try and see how it works out for you. If some of the guys who have started to experiment with the development group are honest they will say the same. Fruit for thought but I thought it was worth letting you know.

Steve L

wonder who thought of the club chain gang..did anyone really think it does you good,does it find those few extra WATT's for FREE..yes it does, its been around since Noah's arc,, 100% of ALL pro riders do it, and by golly (sorry ) its DAM FREE....ah ah G