WattBikes

[Norry1]

I've had a search but not really found a thread that discusses Wattbikes.

I've just found that a gym near where I work has a bunch of Wattbikes. I have wanted to train with Power for a while and am thinking about using the Gym to do structured Wattbike sessions.

Anyone have any views?

Rgds

Martin

 

[Dogtrousers]

Much more realistic than most gym bikes. Very good for understanding your power output throughout the pedal stroke, and a super uncomfortable saddle. I use one regularly but not in a structured way, I just pop into the gym and blast for an hour or so then go. I find it fun to ride. There's tons of complicated info on the wattbike site.

 

[screenman]

My turbo has a power read out along with many other things. It does make things more interesting.

 

[Rob3rt]

If you would be joining the gym in order to use these and would otherwise not be joining, I'd suggest you save your money and buy a turbo...

 

[jdtate101]

My boss bought one for the office, so I use it occasionally when I'm there (I'm about the only one who does use it). as previously mentioned they have a super uncomfortable saddle and bar design. seems as I use it, my boss agreed to use a normal cycling saddle (charge spoon) and fit some deda RHM01 with old tiagra shifters to give a better "feel". It's now 100% better to use. Wattbike really could do with making them with adjustable handlebars, or a stemlike attachment you can built your own.. (I had to machine a part to do the job).

 

[Norry1]

If you would be joining the gym in order to use these and would otherwise not be joining, I'd suggest you save your money and buy a turbo...

You don't have to join the Gym, and sessions are £6 an hour which seems reasonable.

I have a Turbo, but don't have power. I thought the Wattbike would be a good way to see if I can gain by using Power in my training.

 

[Rob3rt]

IMO, £6 per hour is not reasonable, but then it is your money and you can and should do with it what you wish.

To the more objective side of things, power measurement is often sold as some sort of magic metric that is used like an expensive speedo but all of a sudden allows you to train more effectively. This is not the case, the power readout will not offer much, if any benefit over a turbo session riding to speed (if your turbo has a repeatable speed vs power curve, you can get an intuitive feel for if this is the case by riding it regularly) or heart rate. It might actually be a thorn in the side if my experience of Watt bikes is anything to go by.

Do some reality maths, how many times per week will you go? How much does it cost per session? For how long will you keep it up? Are there any other extra costs such as travelling to the gym etc? Add it all up.

How much does a powertap wheel cost? (PT chosen for example as it is a cheap power meter, you can look at other options)

If the total cost =>50% of the powertap wheel, buy a powertap use it for as long as you want, then sell it for 50% of what you paid. You will be financially even to the wattbike scenario at worst, yet you will have been able to use it for every ride and use it like a power meter ought to be used (not one off sessions).

FWIW I use a power meter for every ride and am massively pro training with power, but having now been training and racing with power for as long as I have, I know that it doesn't work like magazines etc would have you believe! I've also got a fair bit of experience using a watt bike.

 

[Norry1]

Rob3rt, as always I like the fact that you have a clear (and often different) view on matters relating to training - which are always worth taking notice of.

To be honest, I'm not worried about saving a few quid, I am more interested in the effectiveness and outcomes. I know I have little tolerance for faffing around with things which is what has stopped me buying some form of powermeter equipment. I thought being able to use pre-setup equipment may be a benefit, plus having someone set me a programme to follow.

I use my turbo regularly, particularly in winter, but there is no science - I tend to do say 2 Sufferfest vids a week - which work me really, really hard.

 

[burndust]

I like them...my work gym has 2 a trainer model and a pro model....I've noticed a difference in my outdoor cycling since using one...

 

[Rob3rt]

Rob3rt, as always I like the fact that you have a clear (and often different) view on matters relating to training - which are always worth taking notice of.

To be honest, I'm not worried about saving a few quid, I am more interested in the effectiveness and outcomes. I know I have little tolerance for faffing around with things which is what has stopped me buying some form of powermeter equipment. I thought being able to use pre-setup equipment may be a benefit, plus having someone set me a programme to follow.

I use my turbo regularly, particularly in winter, but there is no science - I tend to do say 2 Sufferfest vids a week - which work me really, really hard.

My point isn't so much about saving a few quid (let's be honest here, I ploughed about 2 grand into my power meter and Garmin etc and I would do it again at the drop of a hat), but more so where the money goes and what benefit you get from spending it.

Lets say you go 3 times a week, for 6 months, that's £864. You will never see that money again, you won't have anything physical to show for it and any benefits will have been shall we say, moderate. Training with power is much more than watching the values on the screen while you train and a gym watt bike only really offers you the "expensive speedo" features, rather than all the good stuff where you will really find ways to increase performance.

If you put that save money into a power meter, a good book, and pay a good outfit to write you a 3 month training plan (I would recommend http://www.rstsport.com/training/ for affordable, customised training plans written by Alex Simmons!). You would have a physical object, a lot more knowledge, have improved your performances at least equally, in all likelihood a lot more & should you wish, be able to get probably 50% of the money back. Also if you downloaded Golden Cheetah for analysis you will save ~£80 over WKO+ or Training Peaks, I have Training Peaks to share my data etc with my coach, I wouldn't pay money for this alone, I only use it because he set it up, I do all my own analysis for free in Golden Cheetah.

 

[Dogtrousers]

The WB has a number of baseline tests you can use to measure your progress. I don't understand them, but they exist. These, plus the pedalling technique feedback might be the best use of limited time on the machine.

 

[Rob3rt]

The WB has a number of baseline tests you can use to measure your progress. I don't understand them, but they exist. These, plus the pedalling technique feedback might be the best use of limited time on the machine.

I'd argue those features are virtually useless!

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'd argue those features are virtually useless!

I'll defer to your superior knowledge there, then!


I just use it as an interesting toy in my gym.

 

[screenman]

In the time it would take me to get to the gym and back I would have got another hour on the turbo, make training as easy as possible seems to work for me.

Says the person who has just driven 10 miles each way for a 90 minute swim.

 

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

Sausage or peanut?