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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2015 23:22:42 GMT
I've been considering going to the next level and buying a ~1k€ bike to upgrade my triban 3, but I can never convince myself enough to actually do it. I rekon I'm not that serious about cycling at the moment, but that doesn't mean I don't train hard every day. In any case I've decided as long as my triban rolls I'm going to stick with it.
On the other hand I'd like to improve my training sessions as I feel following my HRM is not enough. My HR is usually stuck in the higher zones so it's hard to shoot for a specific target. And also slowing down to maintain some arbitrary HR is quite boring for me, as I can maintain higher bpm for hours. From what I've seen a powermeter could give me some more room to adjust my intensity levels as it doesn't depend on internal factors that affect the HR. I also like numbers ans graphs so the learning curve doesn't bother me at all. I know I won't become better as soon as I turn on the power meter btw.
So my question is whether it is worth investing into a power meter for a cheap bike without intentions of racing. I'd like to hear some opinions.
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Post by robertsims on Jul 30, 2015 7:42:29 GMT
Surely could move power meter across to new bike if ever upgraded anyway so to me the question is do you want a power meter...The bike seems irrelevant!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2015 8:06:46 GMT
If you want a power meter then the bike is irrelevant.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2015 9:01:44 GMT
what about compatibility? are crank powermeters only compatible with the higher end cranksets? (ultegra/dura-ace). So far the 4iiii can be installed on 105 but the stock t3 drivetrain is far from that. I don't know much about hub pm but I guess they only work on 11-spd which leaves me at pedal based pm as the best option.
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Post by r0b1et on Jul 30, 2015 9:03:13 GMT
On the other hand I'd like to improve my training sessions as I feel following my HRM is not enough. My HR is usually stuck in the higher zones so it's hard to shoot for a specific target. And also slowing down to maintain some arbitrary HR is quite boring for me, as I can maintain higher bpm for hours. I'd see no harm in a power meter on a £300 bike, none at all, especially if you get one that will simply move to a replacement bike if it does get there. HOWEVER, the quote above doesn't ring at all true, if its true you can maintain a high heart rate for ages, i.e. staying over threshold for more than an hour, it just means your zones aren't calibrated properly, because it simply isn't true, by definition. If you want to train seriously, I would strongly suggest doing a PROPER maximum heart rate test, take a day or two's rest before hand and then do the sprint hills and see what you can get to... the formulas using your age etc are hopeless, I can get well above what they would suggest, I suspect from your comments so can you - I use HR zones based of those.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2015 9:24:51 GMT
HOWEVER, the quote above doesn't ring at all true, if its true you can maintain a high heart rate for ages, i.e. staying over threshold for more than an hour, it just means your zones aren't calibrated properly, because it simply isn't true, by definition. If you want to train seriously, I would strongly suggest doing a PROPER maximum heart rate test, take a day or two's rest before hand and then do the sprint hills and see what you can get to... the formulas using your age etc are hopeless, I can get well above what they would suggest, I suspect from your comments so can you - I use HR zones based of those. I agree with you. In fact I've tried that and my max HR before almost passing out was pretty close to the formula (~193bpm) and yet I can maintain 175-180bpm for hours while 185-190 only for a few minutes. So either I'm too excited when I'm out there on my bike or my heart is not very fit yet to work more efficiently. Regardless, sometimes just by breathing and trying to calm myself I can lower my HR while maintaining the intensity (from feel) so I don't think HR training works for me.
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Post by r0b1et on Jul 30, 2015 9:29:06 GMT
HOWEVER, the quote above doesn't ring at all true, if its true you can maintain a high heart rate for ages, i.e. staying over threshold for more than an hour, it just means your zones aren't calibrated properly, because it simply isn't true, by definition. If you want to train seriously, I would strongly suggest doing a PROPER maximum heart rate test, take a day or two's rest before hand and then do the sprint hills and see what you can get to... the formulas using your age etc are hopeless, I can get well above what they would suggest, I suspect from your comments so can you - I use HR zones based of those. I agree with you. In fact I've tried that and my max HR before almost passing out was pretty close to the formula (~193bpm) and yet I can maintain 175-180bpm for hours while 185-190 only for a few minutes. So either I'm too excited when I'm out there on my bike or my heart is not very fit yet to work more efficiently. Regardless, sometimes just by breathing and trying to calm myself I can lower my HR while maintaining the intensity (from feel) so I don't think HR training works for me. Try racing! that adds about 10 to my HR!
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Post by Paulinblack on Jul 30, 2015 10:10:16 GMT
Bike is irrelevant.
Engine is more relevant. If you are a big fat bloke like me who just needs to gets some exercise then I can't see the point. If you are a finely tuned athlete, then thats different.
Power meters are expensive. Have you exhausted all the cheaper options? If you have, you are a 'serious' cyclist and have the disposable income, then why not.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2015 11:15:11 GMT
Bike is irrelevant. Engine is more relevant. If you are a big fat bloke like me who just needs to gets some exercise then I can't see the point. If you are a finely tuned athlete, then thats different. Power meters are expensive. Have you exhausted all the cheaper options? If you have, you are a 'serious' cyclist and have the disposable income, then why not. I'm not fat nor an athlete. Just a normal bloke trying to improve training. What cheaper options other than HRM are there?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2015 11:32:41 GMT
If you are likely to put the effort in with structured training then I say go for it. I have a list as long as my arm of other items to buy before I would even consider a power meter but I would still like one eventually.
If the cash is burning a hole in your pocket then go get it.
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Post by r0b1et on Jul 30, 2015 11:33:47 GMT
Bike is irrelevant. Engine is more relevant. If you are a big fat bloke like me who just needs to gets some exercise then I can't see the point. If you are a finely tuned athlete, then thats different. Power meters are expensive. Have you exhausted all the cheaper options? If you have, you are a 'serious' cyclist and have the disposable income, then why not. I'm not fat nor an athlete. Just a normal bloke trying to improve training. What cheaper options other than HRM are there? The old school perception of effort. if you heart rate isn't reliable, perception of effort might be where it's at. I'm told it can be better than power at times.
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Post by goffski on Jul 30, 2015 11:47:06 GMT
I'd say go for it...but would look at options of moving it to a new bike in the future as i don't think you'd get your money back selling it along with a T3.
I'm currently thinking about getting a Stages Ultegra Crank Arm, not cheap at about £600 tho, plus i've just dropped £250 on new bits this morning.
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Post by Paulinblack on Jul 30, 2015 14:59:44 GMT
Bike is irrelevant. Engine is more relevant. If you are a big fat bloke like me who just needs to gets some exercise then I can't see the point. If you are a finely tuned athlete, then thats different. Power meters are expensive. Have you exhausted all the cheaper options? If you have, you are a 'serious' cyclist and have the disposable income, then why not. I'm not fat nor an athlete. Just a normal bloke trying to improve training. What cheaper options other than HRM are there? Strava, a spreadsheet, a gps and a cadence monitor. Measure the time you take on segments of favourite courses. Race against yourself. Try to do parts of the course in an un-natural gear and see the results. Try to increase your cadence in your normal gear and then in a harder gear. Choose more challenging courses. I'm no expert, but that's the type of thing I do.
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Post by denkfaul on Jul 30, 2015 16:59:36 GMT
What @germcevoy said.
I know people who train with a power meter, and others who don't. The results of those with PMs vastly overshadow the others. Whether the PM is something that makes a difference is anyone's guess, but to me it makes sense. A power meter gives you a truthful representation of your effort, not affected by wind or temperature or fatigue - you can't lie to a power meter.
I would probably jump on board if they were priced a little closer to the £250 mark, or if I was going to take up racing.
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Post by Radchenister on Jul 30, 2015 17:18:23 GMT
Can't agree with that, I know old school racers who don't even use a HRM (my buddy who just came second in a recent national level Olympic distance triathlon for instance after a few years off, who tells me he's surprised to have done so well, as not training as much as he once did); power meters are nice but it's probably more factual to say that it's usually keen cyclists who own them, it doesn't always equate to improvements in performance though - there is an old member on here who doesn't post much but I still keep an eye on their rides via Strava, they don't appear to be progressing (as much as say Paul above) from owning one . ... so generally, it's more likely the fact that those training a lot also just like to own them, they're going to assist with assessing efforts and perhaps even staying motivated, I'd agree with that but they're not the be all and end all - my view is that yep they're good kit but not essential; however, if you've got the dosh doing nothing and fancy one, then why not.
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