Lets say you have £500-£600 for an upgrade. Carbon Wheels, Or a Power Meter?

[razabbs]

Hi all,

AS the title. Each year I can get a grant through work to the tune of £200 for physical activity. Riding a Planet X Pro Carbon (with Fulcrum Racing 800 wheels) summer bike and Triban RC120 Disc for Winter bike.

Of course, carbon wheels would make me quicker overnight, but I think a Power Meter would give me the opportunity to be outright stronger with better training. That said, I have a Wattbike and normal Spin Bikes available to me at the gym at work. I generally cycle for pleasure, although I keep on saying I'd look to dip my toe into racing (72Kg, 260+ FTP without any focussed training) for a laugh.

Whichever I don't buy now, I'll buy with the grant next year

 

[Chislenko]

Speaking from experience carbon wheels do not make you go any quicker.

 

[Buck]

A power meter will give you the ability to better understand your power output and focus improvements and then monitor these against any targets you set.

Carbon wheels will potentially save a few grams, look nice but in and of themselves will not make you faster ! Unless you need new wheels I would be tempted to go power meter.

 

[razabbs]

A power meter will give you the ability to better understand your power output and focus improvements and then monitor these against any targets you set.

Carbon wheels will potentially save a few grams, look nice but in and of the selves will not make you faster ! Unless you need new wheels I would be tempted to go power meter.

I did ask this same thing in our cycle group chat; 6 responses to the Poll. 5 Said carbon Wheels, 1 said power meter (one voted for both )

That said, I as I've looked into it, I've started to lean more towards a Power meter; also my logic is I don't have a power meter. I do currently have wheels

 

[biggs682]

Never spent that much on an individual bike and never intend to

 

[Drago]

Some sessions with a personal trainer.

 

[Buck]

I would add that you would need to understand your power zones and what you want to achieve so that you can structure your training rides.

Otherwise it’s just a number?!

 

[si_c]

I'd suggest it really depends on how you ride and what you're looking to achieve. A carbon wheelset is a very nice addition to have, I really like mine, sets the bike off and are noticeably faster in certain wind conditions. That being said, a power meter was my first purchase, for a couple of reasons, firstly to better quantify my efforts outdoors - the power meter takes a lot of variables out of the question when determining ride intensity and performance. But also I was riding a lot more at the time and wanted to better track my calorie burn on longer rides to ensure I was eating enough. Secondly it helped with pacing to ensure I didn't push myself too hard.

As a test of value, all three of my bikes have a power meter, only one has a set of carbon wheels and the power meters combined cost less than the wheels did. Far more effective value proposition.

Also to add, there is little benefit to a dual sided power meter compared to a single sided, the difference is very little unless you want to track pedal balance.

 

[T4tomo]

Definitely wheels. eh fulcrum 800's are quite basic but decent wheels. Carbon wheels will be lighter and more aero, best upgrade bang for your buck.
get some Zeds for the pro carbon and chuck the fulcrums on the triban....
https://zedbikewheels.com/shop/

Edit to say don't go made with 55mm deep etc, 35mm gets you the aero benefits without the extra weight and crosswind issues, the rest is just vanity

 

[cyberknight]

bike fit if you havent had one .

 

[fossyant]

Are you racing ? If not, a little pointless. Spare wheels can be good. I've got carbon wheels, but not used them since I stopped racing (came with tubular tyres which aren't practical for general riding - not tubeless). A better set of alloy wheels, or not too deep section carbon would be a good bet, but you need to take into account riding, and the conditions.

Difficult to say without knowing your goals. A lighter pair of wheels (assuming weight is lost at the rim and on the tyre), will be faster accelerating, but if the weight is lost in the hub then there won't be any difference. You could splurge a fair bit on a set of handbuilt wheels with quality hubs that may not be that light, but paired to a light rim and tyre set up - they will feel quicker than an off the peg wheelset, that might be lighter on paper, but the rim is a fair bit heavier.

Riding more will make you quicker - simple.

 

[13 rider]

For me a power only really comes it to its own if your doing a form of structured training other wise it just a number .
For me the first upgrade would be tyres a nice set of 'race' tyres on the summer bike will make it feel faster even if it isn't really and a change away from butyl inner tubes . Yes these tyres are more fragile and will wear out quicker but should be fine for the summer bike I presume you ride in nice conditions for that budget your looking at 7 sets for top end tyres

 

[PaulSB]

When I upgraded to carbon wheels I gained a measureable 2 mph. Everyone I know will tell you wheels and tyres are the best upgrades you can make.

There are real benefits to be gained from using a power meter but you need to understand power zones, use them to train and have the discipline to ride using those zones. Two of my regular buddies have this discipline, I don't. Under certain circumstances it makes a difference, generally it doesn't.

For example we have a 3½ mile local climb that we ride regularly. If my buddies decide to settle in and maintain there power they will pull ahead on the gentle inclines. I catch them on the sharper gradients and we finish within yards of each other.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Have you ever done any heart-rate based training? If you have, and stuck with it and made the improvements you planned for and worked for, you'll probably benefit from a power metere.
If you already have all the heart-rate gadgets and haven't taken it seriously and have made no imprvements using those tools, what makes you think you'll use the power meter for its intended purpose.

It is the plan that makes you stronger, not the gadgets. Plan the work and work the plan.

I think you've answered your own question and you just feel like a new gadget. Put it on the shelf for ten days and the urge will go away.

 

[Sharky]

Speaking from experience carbon wheels do not make you go any quicker.

Very true, I bought myself a carbon tri-spoke, with deep rims. Thought it would shave a few seconds off my 10 time. But in the slightest cross wind, it took all my strength to keep a straight line and didn't see any benefits.