Power Meters

[Newgirl1426]

I have been thinking of getting a power meter as everyone says they are the best thing since Cher. How do you know when to start using them? I am still a new cyclists and going on 41 so I am not training to win the Tour De France but just exercise and to get out of the house. They are also expensive most more than I paid for my bike so do I really need one? Is there any reasonable priced starter ones? I go back and forth between my road bike and my hybrid so I do want one that I can switch between bikes if possible. Anyways any suggestions will help since I know nothing much about them and Google just tells me the "best" ones to get and nothing on "baby's first". Thanks everyone

 

[HLaB]

Nope you don't really need one; if your training for TTs and other races you might consider one (even then they are not vital) if not I wouldn't bother.

 

[J1888]

Wouldn't bother

 

[bozmandb9]

There are no cheap ones, certainly not which are worth buying, and they are not easily switchable between bikes, plus you really don't need one.

What might be useful if you're cycling for fitness, is a GPS unit, either bike computer, or watch, and compatible heart rate monitor. If you want to monitor your exertion and put a figure to it, this would be a useful measure, you'll also be able to see how your fitness improves, especially if you monitor your resting heart rate.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

I have garmin vector on both my bikes and do like them. Over time you learn what your max power is and if your doing the same routes and looking to improve your time you can use it.

They are a luxury item as they ain't cheap but I do like them and feel the benefit.

I used my power meter when doing a charity ride and a lot of riders went ahead but I passed them down the route so I can only assume they rode on feeling and hit the wall.

You can ride to average speed or heart rate but average speed can be affected by route or wind and heart rate isn't very accurate and differs from different people

 

[boydj]

Power meters are an expensive item, and only really useful to racers.

I'd agree that a heart rate monitor is an affordable and useful training aid, especially if you are not good at gauging your effort levels.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

Power meters are an expensive item, and only really useful to racers.

I'd agree that a heart rate monitor is an affordable and useful training aid, especially if you are not good at gauging your effort levels.

Gotta disagree with only used by racers.

I think if your into your numbers and like analytical data and analysing data it's a good tool.

Expensive yes but that all depends on your financial situation.

I use power more than HR or average speed and I find it useful.
I also think that if your doing a new route you can know how long you can get at a certain rate so you avoid hitting the wall half way through your ride.

 

[boydj]

Gotta disagree with only used by racers.

I think if your into your numbers and like analytical data and analysing data it's a good tool.

Expensive yes but that all depends on your financial situation.

I use power more than HR or average speed and I find it useful.
I also think that if your doing a new route you can know how long you can get at a certain rate so you avoid hitting the wall half way through your ride.

Sounds like you are racing yourself when you go out.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

Sounds like you are racing yourself when you go out.

Not purposely but I do like to try and push my power. Shows my I'm improving. No point looking at times as you have traffic and traffic lights to contend with.

I commute and go out on social rides so very rarely stick to the same route as I like to try different routes

 

[broady]

Wouldn't a heart rate monitor and cadence sensor give you enough live data as you're going along?
Even with wind and terrain etc you should be able to stat out of the red zone.

I could be completely wrong here, but I am hoping that it will be enough as it's what I am going to try.

 

[Crandoggler]

Heart rate monitor! You don't need instant feedback on power. a heart rate monitor will be plenty enough! Especially if you work out your peak HR and zones.

 

[fossyant]

You only need a power meter if you are competing at a high level, eg national level and know how to use the data. For everyone else it's just some bling kit.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Bling kit/only for racers/high level, what an absolute load of balls...

What groupsets are on your bikes? If they aren't the same that's going to be the first problem

 

[Hacienda71]

I am going to disagree that it is "bling kit" and only needed at "national level", my power meter cost less than most wheelsets used in the race I was in yesterday. If you are serious about improving it is the best piece of analytical equipment you can buy when combined with a good training plan like the time crunched cyclist.
They are not cheap but are coming down in price. You can get a new one for under £400.
Measuring power is the best measure of your performance. Every other measurable factor has too many variables, I would say heart rate is your next best option and a lot cheaper, but heart rate lags and varies from day to day dependent on a number of factors. The advantage of power is, it is repeatable. If power meter money is not expensive to you and you want to improve your cycling why not get one. You can always sell it if you decide it is not for you.

 

[Norry1]

If you are new to cycling I'd say they are low down the list of things to buy. They are very useful if you want to effectively improve performance but in the early days it is probably better to just ride your bike more and be the correct weight.