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In Depth Product Reviews
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Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
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I don’t think think you should totally ignore the iBike. They are about to release a completely re-designed model (link to ibikeforum.com) in May 2012, the iBike Newton. While it may not be the PM for serious techno-weenies, it does a pretty good job if one uses it within its limitations. Also no one can beat its price, weight, and portability.
This totally didn’t make my day… I have been holding out on a power meter for almost a year… I really like the ability to easily move the vector pedals from one bike to another, especially in the winter, like moving it to my spin bike. Grrr….
What are your thoughts on the Brim Brothers pedals that look like they are working on. They have a functional test pair they had at a bike show.
Bummer. Where can I find a power tap for $600-$700 including the wheel set? Haven’t been able to find one priced that low.
Like Russell said, I haven’t found a wheel set that cheap anywhere. If so, sign me up. I would have taken that over the $1500 Vector that seems like it will never come to market. Also interested to know if you’ve heard any updates about the Zone
Very nice summary of current available options out there, specially your point about SRM accuracy and calibration. Do you have any information regarding the MTB version of the PowerTap ? I going towards them but specific information is sparse. Thank you!
I’m with Russell and Bert. Can’t find anything that cheap.
January 2012 I got a powertap pro+ laced to a mavic open pro wheel for $660 on competitive cyclist.com. I don’t see them there now but those deals are around.
The 600-700 for a PT wheel set seems a bit low, but you can buy a PT wheelset based on Velocity A23s for 1100 direct from PT. It might be less with a LBS if they should discount a bit. Avialable NOW.
I’d take exception to your point about SRM accuracy and whether or not it is necessary. The reality is that all power meters *should* be calibrated regularly, and zero offset should be checked every ride. This is true for Quarq, SRM, Powertap, etc.
I think one key issue that you failed to consider is how stable the various options are. This is particularly important for those who are least likely to check calibration and/or zero offset.
Most athletes never check calibration (true sense of the word, not the Garmin head unit “calibration” which is zero offset). A higher percentage DO properly check zero offset, but perhaps do not do so manually before each ride.
Consider that stated accuracy may not be the only relevant item here. Holding the factory value for longer could have big benefit.
You forgot the polar chain sensor. It’s about half your quoted powertap price.
I guess we can forget NP for Edge500 too, since they seem to have been putting that off until the Vector release :(
Too bad about the Vector, so glad I went with Powertaps. Up to 4 now…
I purchased my PT last year for just a little over $600.00. I think both Wheelbuilder and Competitive Cyclist had them at a blowout price around the same time last year (Aug/Sept’ish). For those of you looking, it might pay off to keep an eye on those two sites.
Hey Ray-
What were the minor issues with the Power2Max? I’m seriously considering them right now as I think they are trying to make some headway into the market and so price is looking better than some of the others out there. PT is not really an option for me ….. two many wheels interchanging.
Any word on the Edge 500 firmware update with TSS/NP? Or has that been shelved along with the Vector?
I’m disappointed but not entirely surprised. I’m guessing they’ve got themselves into a QA nightmare. Lets hope there is not some fundamental issue that has come up in testing. My issue now is whether garmin will go ahead and release the edge 500 update to support TSS and NP. I hope so and soon.
Not happy about the delays, but happier than if they pushed out junk on time. More time to save my money for Cycleops’ new Joule and wait for Vector’s Speedplay version – unless the Power2Max is the way to go instead…
Hoping the Brim Brothers can pull off their cleat-based power measurement. If it works, it could prove to be the most elegant solution of all.
So, I’m not sure how much weight I’d put in your evaluation, since you don’t seem to know much about SRM’s.
You’re discounting the premier power measurement system. I would argue that most people set the zero-offset at the beginning of every ride, because they’re training with power and obviously care about the accuracy of their data. That said, the SRM has auto-set the offset for about 3+ years now.
Cool story bro
I have a SRM and Garmin 500 – each ride I do the calibration as described in the manual(0 offset). Reading this it implies this is not the proper way to calibrate. If so what is?
Hi All-
Thanks for the comments, I’ve updated the post with additional info regarding the Edge/910XT firmware updates, as well as a few other updates/comments.
RE: Power2Max
There’s some issues with power drift. I’ll be doing some testing (primarily against a CompuTrainer), but I’ve been talking with some folks that have better access to do some tests – some of which is already published.
RE: Brim Brothers
I’ll give those guys a poke, and see how the world is treating them.
Hi Brian-
Nope, you’re misreading what I’m saying. I’m not at all discounting SRM – it’s a great platform, and there’s nothing wrong with it.
What I’m discounting is that people actually bother to calibrate their PM’s in any way/shape/form, or, even do it correctly. Meaning, that if you’re not bothering to do so, then paying even more is futile since you’re not going to gain any additional accuracy if you’re not doing baseline tasks. Which, is exactly what folks do across all power meter types – SRM or not. And with the rise of non-SRM head units, the number of users that may be using incorrect offsets in their head units only increases.
Now, if you have folks like you’ve noted which do care about the data at the detailed level, then yes, paying for additional accuracy can make sense.
Ray, did Garmin give any indication if they would be fixing the Instant Pace parameter on the 910xt? It needs some data averaging to address the constant +/-1 min/mile variation it currently displays.
Yea I thought the last update was going to fizz that and man is it frustrating to see such huge swings in pace. I like to glance down to see if I am on target and sometimes it is a wtf moment. I want to setup pace alerts but figure they would be almost worthless
What’s the point of having power data if you don’t care about its accuracy?
Cheers, Alex
thanks for this post (and your blog in general). i appreciate it.
ray, since you posted twice saying essentially the same thing (paraphrasing: “the SRM is not worth the money as most people do not calibrate their device”), i’m inclined to post a second reply.
above, i made the point that there are 2 points here: a unit’s accuracy AND how long it holds the settings from the factory. ironically, for someone who does NOT calibrate their device (either using garmin’s incorrect usage of the term ‘calibrate’ to mean zero offset or the proper use of the term), it is perhaps MORE important that a device holds it’s settings for the long-term.
this alone can justify a premium.
of course, there are benefits for all users, but the argument you make that the uninformed (or lazy) users that do not calibrate and/or set ZO before each ride are the ones who would least benefit from a more accurate system is, i think, backwards.
in my opinion, accuracy is nice but for most people, precision is more important.
Can you say, “vaporware?” While I’m sure the technology is really tricky, it sounds like creating a solid, pedal-based PM at this price point may be beyond Garmin’s (or anyone’s) capability. Too bad, I’m sure Garmin has a lot of money invested in acquiring MetriGear and R&D. I just don’t think Vector is ever going to be “soup” and will now consider PT. Sorry, Garmin.
Well, I ordered a quarq. I just can’t see putting that much money into two sets of wheels. I have a new set of training wheels and a low mileage set of race wheels. I would think a lot more people just jumped ship on waiting for these things.
Hi Ray, did Garmin indicate if the 910 SW update will address the watch power down issues on the bike? (there’s a popular post on Garmin forum for the 910). If not can you please question them next time you speaking to those guys. Really appreciate it.
I gave up on Vector when they announced that they weren’t going to support Speedplay.
I ordered a Quarq too when I heard this news. No new release date? Give me a break. I have been waiting for Vector for nearly a year. I am fed up.
Garmin lost another customer. Just ordered a Powertap…..
Yeah…trial the ibike again. Except see if it will pair up with the Power2max. My ibike dash would not. Garmin 800 paired first try. Not sure why but I’d like to know from a gizmo guy why this might be. For that matter, I couldn’t get Wahoo to do it either but I heard they have a test crank and are looking into it. On a side note if you could get the Casio G-shock people to add bluetooth and/or Ant+ receiver to their new phone plus some type of app. that would be a killer combo phone/head unit.
Hi Ray, love your blog – an avid follower of your tests.
I have had my P2M for about a month and I am extremely satisfied with the product as well as their services. Works great and looks even greater, really a no hassle installation.
-Thought I would just point you to this one: link to o-synce.com
At one point I contacted them for a price tag and ETA and it was due spring 2012 at around 1500 EUR. Seems, though, that that did not work out. But I still really like the fact that it has no connections to be made and the electronics is tucked away neatly.
Ulf (Denmark)
Any info on the Edge 500 TSS update?
RE: O-Synce
Yeah, I’m in contact with those guys. At present, they aren’t ready yet for any testing (external).
RE: Edge 500 update
I’ve been trading e-mails with them over the past few days, nothing concrete on that topic yet. :(
I am somewhat new to all of this and am interested in purchasing a power meter. I noticed on the Garmin site about the Vector meter but it sounded like you had to have Look pedals. I have a Trek speed concept 9.9 with speed play pedals….any suggestions on a meter that would work with my bike and current pedals? Thanks
Yup, try out any of the Quarq or PowerTap lineups. Alternatively, a bit cheaper is the Power2Max – I’ve used the first two without issue, and the Power2Max is sitting at home waiting for me to install it (a BB replacement just came in today). Enjoy!
Hey Ray, have you inside sources given you any idea on how the “fix” is coming?
Nuttin but the sound of silence.
just came across this blog, and just an FYI: Keep an eye our for the ROTOR Power Meter, they are claiming to have R/L power balance with electronics in the crank.
Indeed. They semi-announced them at last Interbike (kinda funny actually, they announced them, and then announced that nobody would know anything about them.
At any rate, it’ll be interesting to see. The announcement noted that they would be including both ANT+ and BTLE (Bluetooth Smart), as well as utilizing a higher data rate option.
Hopefully, the Left/Right power will be legit left/right power, as opposed to the updated Quarq system, which is a guesstimate based on measuring the upstroke/downstroke of the right side and doing a math guess of the left.
I’m sure we’ll see more at Eurobike in just under two months.
News from Garmin concerning the vector release date:
link to bicycleretailer.com
Hi have hoy heard anything further on the vector? Really want to start training with a Power meter!
Any chance that you will do a test of Ibike Newton? Is it a reliable PM?
It’s possible at some point, but things are pretty jammed up right now in the product review queue. :(
The earliest I’d see would be early 2013 right now.