Training With Power

Note to commenter Brendan who followed-up on an, ahem, rather negative review of my Cateye Double Wireless bike computer (see the archives for June, 2005.) To be fair, the folks at Cateye did authorize me to return the computer for repair or refund, a step which I skipped in despair that a fix actually existed. I rode most of 2005's races in a decidedly low-tech mode - computer turned off entirely, relying only on RPE as a guide to effort and performance.

In early 2006, at CoachKaryn's recommendation, I upgraded to a CycleOps PowerTap system. Now, staring up at me from between the aerobars is an embarassment of quantitative riches and all kinds of cool numbers: power output in watts (current, average, max) and the routine stuff that the Cateye couldn't deliver like speed, cadence, heart rate, etc. If I was so inclined (which I'm not) I could download the entire ride to my computer and run all sorts of analyses - power correlated with cadence, speed, heart rate, beer consumption...just kidding on the last one.

I had the hub built into a new set of Mavic wheels and, yes, it was ruinously expensive and, yes, I now have wires running up my down tube or whatever, but it's working great after several seasons, a crash or two and multiple Gatorade showers. The only downside so far is its damnable message that I have NO POWER!

My advice for what it's worth: go with a "wired" computer. Sometimes low-tech is better. BTW, the good folks at the Glen Ellyn Bike Shop in Glen Ellyn, IL fixed me up with the PowerTap. Nice folks, cool gear and great bike fitters. I'm goin' back one day to take a Scott Plasma off their hands.