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Post by Paulinblack on May 21, 2017 12:12:35 GMT
I just did a search on 'cheap power meters' and came up with something called a 'PowerPod'. This, unlike the 4iiii, Stages, Avio etc etc just hangs on the handlebars. It costs £269. I've read some fascinating article which explain how it works. It works by measuring opposing forces working against you (e.g. wind resistance, gravity (hills), acceleration and friction). It integrates with your speed and cadence sensors to see how fast you are going and how fast you are spinning your cranks. It then works out how much power you must be producing to output to overcome the total opposing force. I saw DC Rainmaker gave it a good review: www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/03/powerpod-depth-review.htmlI don't claim to understand all of the science behind this stuff. But the review seems to suggest that the results are 'similar' to other more expensive power meters. For me, the thing I liked was that I could transfer it between bikes. With the 4iiii and Avio I was nervous about the fact that I might upgrade at some point from the Shimano 105. Has anyone looked into this and if so what are your conclusions? Edit: More analysis: Pros: Price Transferable between bikes Cons: Prob need another bracket to avoid fouling cables Needs recharging after 20 hours Doesn't turn on automatically My main issue would be no use on the turbo trainer as nearly all my 'training' (I.e. not commuting) is on turbo so no use to me. Now if don't do much on turbo then not an issue. Other thing would be you'd have to stay in same position throughout/each time so wouldn't know if on hoods/drops/aero bars. Again this may or may not be an issue but for me on TT bike then always on aerobars. On road bike usually on hoods etc. The turbo bit is not so much of an issue for me I think as I have a smart trainer and use the power readings calculated through Zwift. Thing I was thinking more of is the fact that I have the summer bike on the turbo in winter and then could move the Powerpod to the winter hack and still use it outside. I need to reread the bits about riding positioning as I can't get my head around how the Powerpod results would be different from the 4iiii for example. For me, I am normally riding on the hoods or on the bars and rarely drop down on the drops (unless I am descending) so I'm not sure whether this would be a big deal. The bit I don't like with this is what appears to be frequent charging and having to remember to turn it on. But flexibility to switch bikes is awesome.
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Post by Paulinblack on May 21, 2017 12:19:55 GMT
Just found a code for Probikekit (RMN10) that takes the price of the PowerPod to £242.99.
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Post by william39 on May 21, 2017 14:45:05 GMT
Fairly easy and quick to move a crank arm between bikes as long as you stick with Shimano and have the same length on both bikes.
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Post by robertsims on May 21, 2017 16:14:44 GMT
My main issue would be no use on the turbo trainer as nearly all my 'training' (I.e. not commuting) is on turbo so no use to me. Now if don't do much on turbo then not an issue. Other thing would be you'd have to stay in same position throughout/each time so wouldn't know if on hoods/drops/aero bars. Again this may or may not be an issue but for me on TT bike then always on aerobars. On road bike usually on hoods etc. The turbo bit is not so much of an issue for me I think as I have a smart trainer and use the power readings calculated through Zwift. Thing I was thinking more of is the fact that I have the summer bike on the turbo in winter and then could move the Powerpod to the winter hack and still use it outside. I need to reread the bits about riding positioning as I can't get my head around how the Powerpod results would be different from the 4iiii for example. For me, I am normally riding on the hoods or on the bars and rarely drop down on the drops (unless I am descending) so I'm not sure whether this would be a big deal. The bit I don't like with this is what appears to be frequent charging and having to remember to turn it on. But flexibility to switch bikes is awesome. A normal pm just measures force directly at crank/hub/pedal. The powerpod looks at external forces such as wind resistance and gravity and then uses your speed to calculate the force required to achieve that speed against those external forces. However if you go from hoods to drops you are altering the wind resistance but powerpod wouldn't know. Therefore you'd need a consistent position for each profile. If ride on say hoods 95% time then no issue.
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Post by Rocket on May 21, 2017 18:27:45 GMT
If you want to measure power then you need a POWER METER. Now stop waffling and stump up the £379 for a 4iiii and stick to Shimano cranks of the same length just like I do 👊
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Post by robertsims on May 22, 2017 10:27:11 GMT
That's what my plan is - I've bought a Shimnao crankset for my TT bike to put on when I get my PM - Then it should only be a 5min job to switch the PM from road to TT bike.
Be interesting to see the reviews of the new Avio Powersense meter though for only £250. Looks similar to 4iii but glue and calibrate it yourself. Somes out next week.
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Post by Paulinblack on May 22, 2017 13:16:07 GMT
If you want to measure power then you need a POWER METER. Now stop waffling and stump up the £379 for a 4iiii and stick to Shimano cranks of the same length just like I do 👊 But on the T5 I have Shimano Sora and on the Mach I have this Shimano crankset: So with the 4iiii do I get the 105 crankarm ? Does it matter that it won't be the same as the rest of the crankset? If so, it would be good if I could find a bloomin 175mm black one in stock somewhere!
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Post by robertsims on May 22, 2017 13:23:00 GMT
If you want to measure power then you need a POWER METER. Now stop waffling and stump up the £379 for a 4iiii and stick to Shimano cranks of the same length just like I do 👊 But on the T5 I have Shimano Sora and on the Mach I have this Shimano crankset: So with the 4iiii do I get the 105 crankarm ? Does it matter that it won't be the same as the rest of the crankset? If so, it would be good if I could find a bloomin 175mm black one in stock somewhere! As long as cranks are hollowtech 2 then type of crank (sora, 105, ultegra etc) makes no odds in terms of fit. I've got tiagra on both my bikes but would get the 4iii 105 crank
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Post by ChrisD on May 22, 2017 13:30:35 GMT
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Post by Paulinblack on May 22, 2017 15:27:04 GMT
Steady tiger!
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Post by Paulinblack on May 24, 2017 10:36:09 GMT
Just saw this from Avio on FB: Worst news ever, the delay.
Yep, so the very ambitious and impending release date of Monday the 29th isn't looking practical at this stage.
The software development is coming to a finished system, as well as the sensor hardware and electronics. However with attention still needed on plastics and solutions to adhesives needing a touch more work it wouldn't be right to release the product right now; we could, but it wouldn't be right.
So firstly our sorrys for that. We're feeling the pressure from people holding off the purchase of power-meters in light of our developments with PowerSense, although it has to be the very best product we can produce. We use power-meters everyday here. We know what this product has to do, and it has to do everything we say it's going to do; nothing less.
Expect a new release date soon and the updates with what we're doing with PowerSense during this time
Peace and PBs.
M.
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Post by robertsims on Jun 2, 2017 9:59:26 GMT
Just saw this from Avio on FB: Worst news ever, the delay.
Yep, so the very ambitious and impending release date of Monday the 29th isn't looking practical at this stage.
The software development is coming to a finished system, as well as the sensor hardware and electronics. However with attention still needed on plastics and solutions to adhesives needing a touch more work it wouldn't be right to release the product right now; we could, but it wouldn't be right.
So firstly our sorrys for that. We're feeling the pressure from people holding off the purchase of power-meters in light of our developments with PowerSense, although it has to be the very best product we can produce. We use power-meters everyday here. We know what this product has to do, and it has to do everything we say it's going to do; nothing less.
Expect a new release date soon and the updates with what we're doing with PowerSense during this time
Peace and PBs.
M.The guy from here keeps updates on TT forum if interested: www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/119955-power-meter-%C2%A3250/
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Post by Paulinblack on Jun 3, 2017 21:35:35 GMT
Cat is out of the bag! I bought a Powerpod. I was worried about the glue on the £250 Avio - So were Avio as they have put the launch date back. Radchenister gave me some great advice a couple of years or so ago when I was waiting for the T5SE to come out - Go for the thing that's available or you'll end up wasting time waiting when you could have been out there having fun. I wanted the 4iiii really but SWMBO said no! I couldn't argue really, as I wanted a PM to have a play rather then needing it for structured training or racing. So £375 was too much to pay for a whim. I liked the sound of the Powerpod and understand the limitations. I managed to get a second hand one from Ebay at a price that I was a little happier with. I've downloaded the Isaac software, personalised the device to both mine and the Mach's vital statistics and have calibrated and done one ride. Once I know what I'm doing, I give a proper review. For other's considering taking the plunge, there is currently another on Ebay.
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Post by robertsims on Jun 4, 2017 12:46:41 GMT
Be really interesting to read review Paul. Not for me due to turbo issue but hopefully work really well for you. On a consistent set up then no reason not to be good.
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Post by robertsims on Jun 10, 2017 20:13:08 GMT
Just got some unexpected overtime coming end if month so booked camping holiday for family...and enough left over for 4iiii power meter (105). Any and all reviews/experiences much appreciated!
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