Polar Power Meter

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Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

Well, it's about time I jumped to a power meter. I have the Polar S710i - no cadence meter. I was thinking about adding the power meter, but, but ... What's the scoop on it???

The power meter is relatively inexpensive and I hear it's accurate if set up properly. But set-up is supposed to be tough and it is a wired unit.

Any one have more insight to share?? Other manufacturers and prices?? Wireless?????

Thanks, JP

Anonymous's picture
John Z (not verified)
I Have Two

JP;

Being an intelligent rider, you will greatly appreciate the feedback a power meter provides. Since you already have an S710, investing in the power attachment will not be expensive. It is somewhat tedious to install, but when done correctly provides surprisingly accurate power measurements. Is it the absolute best power meter? No. Is the best power meter value providing the best flexibility? Yes. It also seems that the reliability problems have been solved. I had problems with my first one, sent it back twice, Polar replaced it with a new one and I have had no problems since.

Of the other options, I would consider an Ergomo power meter, which replaces your bottom bracket. I would buy an Ergomo power meter tomorrow, but it is not compatible with my integrated bottom bracket; fortunately, they are considering adaptor flanges; http://www.ergomo-usa.com for more information.

Anonymous's picture
JP (not verified)
OK!

OK, I'm leaning towards Polar even more. Esp. since it means I still have only one clutter on my bars.

Thanks Mr. Z!!

Is the wire itself a pain? In the way? Also, I've heard the wired power meter connects with 2 tiny pins to the back of the receiver - is this a stable connection or one that falls out alot?

Rgds, JP

Anonymous's picture
John Z (not verified)
More Info

JP;

You will find much useful information in the links below:

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/rechung/wattage/

http://www.biketechreview.com/archive/pm_review.htm

Regarding the Polar, yes there is a lot of wiring; fortunately, my bicycle is black, so the wiring is not very noticeable. One warning: make certain there is enough slack in the chain speed sensor wire over the entire gear range. in addition, don't go too tight with the tie wraps; this can damage wire insulation. It is true the watch connects to the power meter harness via two pins. I have not found this to be too much of a problem.

Again, none of the options offer a obvious decision. In summary:

Polar - best value, especially if you already have the watch; most flexible, can go on any bicycle; best software; least weight penalty. Not easy to install; accuracy is installation and set-up dependent but can be calibrated.

Power Tap - second best value, if you can build it into an existing wheel, but cannot be used with all wheels (i.e. Ksyriums); accuracy can be calibrated.

Ergomo - may be best overall choice if starting from scratch; however, its not yet compatible with integrated bottom brackets.

SRM - the original; most expensive. Replaces your crankset, which may not be the best option if you like your expensive Campy carbon fiber or Cannondale Hollowgram cranks.

I was very interested in an Ergomo but it currently won't work with my bicycle. Then I gave careful reconsideration to Polar's pluses and minuses. Is the Ergomo so much better that its worth a $1300 investment? I don't think so. Maybe in a year the price will come down a bit and Ergomo will offer adaptors for integrated bottom backets. So, for 2004, I am sticking with Polar.

Anonymous's picture
JP (not verified)
OK!!!

John, thank-you for your expertise. You da man!!!

Anonymous's picture
Albert E (not verified)
What?

John Z.,

How does one equate intelligence to Power Meter usage?

Albert E.

Anonymous's picture
JP (not verified)
Alfred E.

"
John Z. wrote to me:

""Being an intelligent rider, you will greatly appreciate the feedback a power meter provides.""

Perhaps, ""Albert,"" you should re-think your post, as well as your nom-de-plume - use something more befitting of missing the point."

Anonymous's picture
Albert E (not verified)
It's clear to ME, but...

"So, lad, what is the point I'm missing? That improvement can be achieved by buying more gizmos? That outfitting your bicycle with more sensors than Sputnik is ""intelligent"" cycling?

Want to upgrade your CYCLING, instead of just your equipment? Two words - Fixed Gear. You'll get smoother, stronger, more versatile, and become a much better rider. Guaranteed.

And you'll get respect - something not often bestowed on overequipped recreational riders on starship bikes."

Anonymous's picture
Hank Schiffman (not verified)
What purpose does publicly airing your cynicism serve?

What purpose does publicly airing your cynicism serve?

Your posting is neither witty nor insightful.

Do you want to live in a society where people don't take themselves seriously? Would you want to go to a doctor with this attitude?

The bottom line: this is a bicycle club online forum. If members can't dicuss technical issues here where do you propose they do it?

And you are a strawman by not even adding your real name. I have no illusions of educating barbarians but this issue of annonymously acting out online is so cowardly and pointless, I think that memebers of the community ought to point out the ruffians and hold them accountable for disrupting our landscape.

Anonymous's picture
don montalvo (not verified)
.

.

Anonymous's picture
shymember (not verified)

w

Anonymous's picture
JP (not verified)
ENDORPHINS!!

Alfred E.,

You seem to know your cycling. But you also seem to be assuming either I do not, or that I’m a poseur. You seem to think the same of John Z.

The point you are missing is that John Z. said that as I was an intelligent rider (a compliment), I would appreciate the data of a power meter. Period. The DATA! No one equated intelligence with a power meter.

To input data, I would have to hop on my bike and turn the pedals. THAT is what counts, as you realize. Any bicycle gizmo is nothing, nicht, nada, rien, zilch without my blood, sweat and tears. A fixed gear rig, too, requires input – a rider turning the pedals. The gearing means nothing without the rider. When we hop on our bikes, we give the machine a soul!

The fact that I chose to use contemporary technology to monitor my riding is nice. I can record each ride, each mile, heart beat, stroke (no puns, please;-), cadence, power, altitude and ascent. Will it help me improve??? No, not in and of itself. It is how I use the recorded data and adjust my technique that will help me improve. The gizmo does not replace a good, solid, hard workout. The gizmo is merely a tool to become more efficient – or at least to know where/when/how I am weak. To work on improving – well, that’s up to me, my legs, lungs and determination.

The fact that I turned to this message board for help, knowing John Z and a few others are rather expert at power meters, is a wonderful aspect of cycling, the NYCC, this board and of rider camaraderie in general.

The fact that you want to through a bucket of water on our discussion makes me wonder about your motivation. I know you’re at least fairly bright – because you are anonymous. Only a fool would put a real name on such an off-the-mark, contentious post that only serves to degrade the board – and yourself. Bright, but pointless. So, I conclude you are just trolling. Playing around simply because you can. Masturbate on your own time!!! And don’t go blind!!!!!!

Now, let me enjoy my … uh … what are they … endolfins ;-)

Anonymous's picture
Your Pal Al (not verified)
SCHMORPHINS!

"What I assume, friend, is that you're a relatively new, and (typically) very enthusiastic cyclist who's looking to get better. And I think that's a pretty good assumption.

And my point, unfortuately proscribed with some note of sarcasm, is that riding fixed gear will deliver far more tangible results, far more quickly, than will a few megs of data. It's like comparing USMC boot camp to Jenny Craig. One literally forces you to get fit and strong; the other... well, you plot and analyze, and plan and execute, and analyze some more; and if you make some effort to stick with the program, you'll eventually get somewhere. But at your (and my) point on the curve, improvement is pretty much a given, no matter what approach you take, as long as you're out there on the bike. It's only when you're in the stratosphere of the top five percentile that you NEED to train scientifically to eek out those few precious basis points that separate the Stars and Watercarriers.

I suppose there's nothing wrong with the ""Train Like The Pros!"" approach. People in the bike industry gotta eat, too, and if selling High Technology to weekend warriors is putting food on their tables, well OK - no buckets of cold water from me. Sorry.

And as for your accusation of, um... self-gratification, I will simply point out that you began this thread with the bold proclamation: ""Well, it's about time I jumped to a power meter.""

OK, but be careful where you jump!

"

Anonymous's picture
don montalvo (not verified)
centerfolds

"albert, you posed for the nycc bulletin cover back in january 2000. have you considered posing for another cover? this time we can dress you up in lycra and outfit your bike with all kinds of state of the art techno-weenie bike gadgets and doodads, maybe even a few porn magazines sticking out of a set of paniers.

we can make it a centerfold so the geeks in the club can hang it on the wall next to their plots and graphs (not to mention their other centerfolds).

:)
don





Albert E. wrote:

What I assume, friend, is that you're a relatively new, and (typically) very enthusiastic cyclist who's looking to get better. And I think that's a pretty good assumption.

[snip]

And as for your accusation of, um... self-gratification, I will simply point out that you began this thread with the bold proclamation: ""Well, it's about time I jumped to a power meter.""

OK, but be careful where you jump!
"

Anonymous's picture
JP (not verified)
Apples and bananas

All-Fred,

My turn!

Firstly, cannot a cyclist ride a fix and have a power meter? Either on the same bike or with the meter on a different bike?

Secondly, these items that you think require so much analyzation and so forth do not. I simply turn it on, start to pedal and I am recording the info I want. After a ride, I simply put the thing near my computer’s IR port and it’s all there.

Next, apples and oranges. Having a techno gizmo does not prevent or interfere with working out, boot camp style as you say. How would it?

And me, I’ve been mtb/ing since 1990. I’ve been a roadie since 2000, but more into 2001. If that and the nearly 25,000 road miles I estimate I have since 2000 make me a newbie, OK. I know others have lots more under their belts, so to speak - miles, experience and years. But I am pretty fast and endurant by most standards.

And lastly, don’t judge me by my enthusiasm – as if you think enthusiasm is a negative or betrays inexperience. Passion and concern and involvement are good things. I hope I never become one of those roadies who affects coolness and detachment, never greeting anyone unless he/she is at least a cat 3 and is wearing Assos or some other $$ outfit or team colors. I learned early on that it’s a social sport too and you are much more aerodynamic when you nose is not stuck up in the air.

As I cycle more and more, as I continue to learn, as I age, wrinkle, slow and reduce my annual mileages, I hope to always preserve my youthful enthusiasm. Think I’ll make it to 80 – years that is, not miles for the week?? ;-)

So let me spin early in the season, get some lsd base mileage, work on my inervals, etc. The gizmo I have (or shall add to) will tell me how far, how fast, how steep, how much power, how much energy, my rpms, hr, .... How does that at all make me less of a cyclist.

I know, All-Fred (big pun;-), What you worry ....

Anonymous's picture
Hank Schiffman (not verified)
Al, are you afraid of a little data?

Al,

Reproduciblity of data is the hallmark of science. If people like Galilleo didn't come up with a device to measure the time of pendulum swings chances are you wouldn't be riding a bike today. More than likely you would be toiling in some muddy field for roots. Remember that a bike with a derailleur gives a person the option of using the gear you are using and others. I would venture to say that when one philosophy encompasses another it proves to be the more general theory.

Don't get me wrong. I'd love to have a fixed gear machine. It's just that I can't afford a divorce.

Anonymous's picture
Mordecai Silver (not verified)
Power meters

"Kraig Willett has written a very good article on power meters. He compares Polar, Power Tap, and SRM. Polar looks very difficult to install.

(Just being helpful -- I've never used a power meter or even HRM.)"

Anonymous's picture
John Z (not verified)
More Useful Websites

"www.bicyclewattage.com

While new, this website appears to be a promising resource. Of interest was the following poll:

Ergomo 9.92% (13)
PowerTap 16.03% (21)
PowerTap Pro 28.24% (37)
Polar 25.19% (33)
SRM Amatuer 6.87% (9)
SRM Pro 13.74% (18)

While the sample size is somewhat small (113), Power Tap and Polar appear to be the most popular power meters.

www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com

Their software is promoted as the best analytical software for power-based training."

cycling trips