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Post by Radchenister on Aug 6, 2015 10:15:42 GMT
If it's any consolation, now my events for 2015 are done, I'm left wondering what the heck to train for now LOL ! May start cross training for Iron Man next year, in which case I may need a multisport HRM, a PM being pretty pointless ...
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Post by robertsims on Aug 6, 2015 10:23:26 GMT
Agree but I'd go further, I look at a lot of Strava accounts and very few are showing a level of commitment and discipline for regular training that warrants the purchase. It's also definitely a question of your cycling level and your resources. If purchasing one goes hand in hand with more committed training ... and you can afford it ... as well as keeping your bike/s in order for consistent year round training, then that works out fine IMO. If purchasing one doesn't allow you to achieve longevity at the various levels, then it won't be money well spent and is probably justified in being described as folly. A dedicated training plan is possible / can be productive with or without a PM - that's the crux and backbone of it all, sort out your life / diary to do your cycling the justice that your genetics allow and where you take it from there is the next issue, not dependent on owning a PM; get the ducks in line when owning the gizmo and then I won't be knocking the purchase. Totally agree! By all reports a power meter can really help focus and target your training...but it won't magically make you train! If you are not putting the hours in (due to busy life, family, just don't want too - all of which are fine!) then a power meter I don't see making much difference. If however you have the time and inclination to follow set training plans and program then I have no doubt a PM would be very useful. I personally would love to have one, especially for TT training and racing - however the cost puts me off (basically not a chance!) and also feel I would benefit from just training a bit more and with more focus so until I did that then I can't justify it anyway to myself.
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Post by robertsims on Aug 6, 2015 10:24:09 GMT
If it's any consolation, now my events for 2015 are done, I'm left wondering what the heck to train for now LOL ! May start cross training for Iron Man next year, in which case I may need a multisport HRM, a PM being pretty pointless ... You realise you have to run on those don't you! Yuck!!!
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 6, 2015 10:29:10 GMT
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Post by william39 on Aug 6, 2015 12:56:39 GMT
I would like to have one but I'm not sure whether they are better than HRM for climbing. Altitude has a big impact. Strava power seems to be fairly accurate for longish climbs as there is little effect from the wind. I seem to have a consistently higher power and VAM on the Col du Mont Cenis which starts at 1400m climbing to 2083m than the Col de l'Iseran which on the steep bit climbs from 1850m to 2770m.
Yesterday on the Iseran I used the HRM for the first time to stop going into the red. My max HR is 190 so I tried to keep around 175 for the majority of the climb. In order to keep the heart lower I was going slower on similar gradients compared to the Col du Mont Cenis so putting out less power. Previously I have gone faster on the Iseran but been forced to stop a few times during the climb to get the heart down so yesterday although I was cycling slower my time was quicker.
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Post by ChrisD on Aug 7, 2015 11:04:07 GMT
As someone who does not tick the seriously on it box by any means, but has had the chance to ride with HR and power both indoors and outdoors, I would say, IMHO, this is about as sound a summary as I have read, and that's a fair few. Thanks for the link Rad.
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 7, 2015 11:26:39 GMT
Personally, on the road I am still OK with simply pushing a designated average speed, following drills via a program, mixing perceived effort, speed and time assessments. I have occasionally used a HRM to gauge FTHR and tally my perceived effort to HR zones, for the purpose of being able to judge effort levels when following my program drills. Off the road I find more data useful, I do hook up HRM and speed / cadence for turbo. My HR is of interest here but mainly I use speed and cadence when sat in a certain gear, this is essentially the same as holding a target power level. I'm not knocking PMs, or use of the data, but do wonder how effective it all is for your typical intermediate level cyclist; however, if someone offered me a cheap one then I'd probably buy it, but given my best bike is currently out of action with burned out bearings, my priority would be keeping the bike running slick and riding often, over loads of data I don't really use.
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 7, 2015 11:42:56 GMT
I would like to have one but I'm not sure whether they are better than HRM for climbing. Altitude has a big impact. Strava power seems to be fairly accurate for longish climbs as there is little effect from the wind. I seem to have a consistently higher power and VAM on the Col du Mont Cenis which starts at 1400m climbing to 2083m than the Col de l'Iseran which on the steep bit climbs from 1850m to 2770m. Yesterday on the Iseran I used the HRM for the first time to stop going into the red. My max HR is 190 so I tried to keep around 175 for the majority of the climb. In order to keep the heart lower I was going slower on similar gradients compared to the Col du Mont Cenis so putting out less power. Previously I have gone faster on the Iseran but been forced to stop a few times during the climb to get the heart down so yesterday although I was cycling slower my time was quicker. Picking up on this, my Iron Man buddies are mainly interested in the state of their system, in relation to longevity and performance, plus avoiding going pop at an event. One of them is seriously into HR stat's, using the Training Peaks website to continually gauge his FTHR, form and freshness; as well as sticking to zone training like a robot when in the serious stages of event preparation. This is all about endurance, so he will debate that what his power is doing isn't really important to him. Different slant / game plan to a cyclist, although the more elite triathletes will likely also use power to manage their longevity.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2015 21:17:57 GMT
Personally, on the road I am still OK with simply pushing a designated average speed, following drills via a program, mixing perceived effort, speed and time assessments. I have occasionally used a HRM to gauge FTHR and tally my perceived effort to HR zones, for the purpose of being able to judge effort levels when following my program drills. Off the road I find more data useful, I do hook up HRM and speed / cadence for turbo. My HR is of interest here but mainly I use speed and cadence when sat in a certain gear, this is essentially the same as holding a target power level. I'm not knocking PMs, or use of the data, but do wonder how effective it all is for your typical intermediate level cyclist; however, if someone offered me a cheap one then I'd probably buy it, but given my best bike is currently out of action with burned out bearings, my priority would be keeping the bike running slick and riding often, over loads of data I don't really use. The only problem with pushing speed on the road is that there's too many variables that come into play - wind speed, direction, weather, traffic, gradient etc that can skew that result - you can go out on a crap day & average 15mph but get more benefit training wise out of that as you've averaged 310w the entire ride than a good day pushing 21mph average, but most of the ride was with a tailwind and so you only pushed 240w. That's all well & fine if you're an intermediate cyclist like you say, but if you're training then you shouldn't really care about speed - HR and perceived effort (if you don't own a power meter) are lot better metrics to follow, although I'm sure you know that Rad and I don't want to teach you to suck eggs (just think others in the forums might not and think speed is the be all and end all). Adam Duggleby for example (an elite cyclist who rides for Team GB) is slower than me on a few segments on Strava and some of his published rides he doesn't push that high an average, same with a cat 2 I follow called Simon West & a fast local TTer called Steve Ayres but one thing I've noticed is they all stick to their HR zones pretty rigidly. There's a few guys in the club who are Strava addicts and have many a KoM, but in any TTs we've entered together I've beaten them by a good few minutes on my winter bike with full mudguards sans aero helmet/skinsuit/bars. I'd also like to add that a power meter is totally unnecessary if you're not training or following a coached plan (having one makes it a lot easier for a coach to set you your training and track progress, but again even then it's not a necessity). Although that doesn't mean you shouldn't own one if you have the money then fair enough! But bear in mind most recreational riders don't even use their HR monitors properly, let alone a power meter - it takes a lot of will power to stick within a certain zone when some old guy on a sit up and beg flies past you!
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 10, 2015 21:43:37 GMT
Yep, buy power meter for TT's or hill climbs, need to be the total package for varied terrain over long rides though, HR will suffice for that, Power and HR even better, being fully trained still the base premise for endurance, doubt Froomey would struggle without either for a day or two, or several, against any non pro .
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 10, 2015 22:12:10 GMT
... oh and just one query, how do you get to ride 'most of the ride ... with a tailwind' then? Wherever that place is (Valhalla?), then it's the Holy Grail of cycling and it's time to share with the brethren surely (?!) ... spill the beans ...
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Post by kenny1972 on Sept 5, 2015 17:53:18 GMT
Very tempted to get one Merlin are doing a Stages SRAM Rival for Β£375 which will work with my SRAM Force 22, which I feel is a great price.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 23:24:47 GMT
This event might be of interest to some members on here. I received this info from Paul Hewitt via email. Verve InfoCrankDo you have the need for power? Do you understand Watts? Want to know more? The Verve InfoCrank is the Power Meter Device of choice for British Cycling, and MooreLarge are proud to be introducing it to the UK. About InfoCrankInfoCrank is a bilateral (true Left and Right) power meter crankset. With electronics robustly designed into a stealth black crank, the power meter has been tested in all weather extremes and proven in the lab and has performed far beyond any other power meter. Over the last year, it has been the power meter of choice for Dame Sarah Storey, Magnus Backstedt, and many others. There will also be an opportunity to test out other Power meter brands on our turbo trainers where you will be able to see your outputs displayed on the large screen. It also gives us great pleasure to announce that George Galbraith and Rodney Rouse from Moore Large will be on site to answer any questions that you may have on InfoCrank Power meters and training to Watts The new InfoCrankNumbers will be limited to 20 per session, so if you would like to secure your place for the evening please email info@hewittcycles.co.uk stating your name and a contact number or alternatively call Hewitt Cycles on 01772 424773 to book your place. Everyone who attends the evening will receive a discount voucher for 10% off selected Power Meters. (in store only valid for one month)
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Post by Rocket on Dec 1, 2015 23:37:34 GMT
Only Β£1,149
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 23:44:24 GMT
Only Β£1,149 That's alright then. Get one for your n+1 as well, roysters.
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