Do You Really Need A Power Meter?

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[@josephruby2981]

There's a 1978 novel by the Dutch amateur Tim Krabbé, which is an account of the fictional Tour de Mont Aigoual from a rider's point of view. One of the most astonishing things is the absence of data - not only no power meters, but no computers or radios, and not even speedometers and odometers. The only measurement tool the riders have is a watch. They estimate speed and distance by memorizing meters per 10 revolutions for each gear ratio and then counting the cadence for a timed minute.

[@photomotor]

what a great book! thanks for reminding me

[@wjlasloThe2nd]

What's the novel called?

[@lokerola]

The Rider@@wjlasloThe2nd

[@pauloteixeirafilho]

​@@wjlasloThe2ndThe Rider

[@jonathanrobinson2628]

-3c and snow is lovely. I'm in SE Sweden, and that's pretty much the sweet spot for winter riding. Cold enough that everything's frozen, warm enough that you don't ever get cold. Just to add to the discussion, but studded tyres are a must. They are slow, but are vital for sub zero riding. And yes, -1 to +4c is difficult, though studs do help mitigate the freeze thaw.

[@thejeffinvade]

I have been riding road bikes since the pandemic. Started with the decathlon RC520 bike, then upgraded to a 2nd hand cannondale synapse, now on my third bike, Bianchi Oltre. Finally brought a single left crank power meter from 4iiiii for CAD$320 last week, just put it on yesterday. Can’t wait to try it but it’s snowing outside. Maybe I am too poor, but IMO unless you ride more than 200K per week, you don’t need a power meter.

[@samteenoise]

Pretty much the same, I began (road) cycling on 2021, but I started big with a Canyon Endurace Cf Sl 7 (long story) - but only now I upgraded to an Ultimate with a Powermeter on the left crank and I'm very curious how this new info input will influence my riding, or better said planning my rides

[@thejeffinvade]

@@samteenoise I am mainly a runner and basketball player, I bike to stop me from getting injured from running. Now with the 4iiii precision 3+ 105 (the cheapest power meter I can find and it's on sale), I can do proper interval/threshold bike training now.

[@samteenoise]

Tried my Rimbrake roadbike with 25mm GrandPrix 5000 on icy/snowy weather last winter and it was definitely an experience but I wouldn't do it again. I tried again with my gravel bike (over 40mm and disc brakes) and it was actually pretty nice, but nothing beats the first time I tried it with my Marlin 5 on -8° at arround 700 mamsl, although my brakes began freezing, it was still amazing

[@thejeffinvade]

My tires are 28mm GP5000, much better in winter. lol. My 25mm gatorskin wet traction is even worse than GP5000.

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Power meters are great if: 1. You are training for racing. 2. You want to seriously improve fitness. Other than those two, a heart monitor with the ability to detect irregular heartbeat will suffice. Many folks feel they need a power meter. Not so. Improvements can and are measured by lower heart rate for a given effort or longer times for heat rate to increase.

[@lokerola]

The older I get, the colder I get. At 55 years old, if it's below 50 degrees, I stay inside and ride on the trainer.

[@Thetoad738]

The only thing you need is food, water, shelter, sleep. You want a power meter.

[@RunsFarRidesFar]

Mo powah baby

[@NowtDaftTonyFawcett]

Everyone needs to be more Pete. Hard as nails.

[@MarcDebenham]

Power meters are great less for trying to reach a target but more keeping you in check - not overcooking it which is especially likely to happen for young/new riders.

[@scottf3456]

Power meters are great for training. I consider it like the numbers on the side of weight plates. You don't need to be training for mr olympia to use numbered weight plates just like you don't need to be training to be a racer to use a power meter. I got my single sided for 125 bucks. At that price it's a no brainer.

[@emilvaradi9393]

Riding in near zero conditions is nuts. Even -3 Celsius is somewhere there because micro climates around roads can and do change and you can run into icy, slippery areas. So definitely no.

[@roadcyclist1]

Going outside is scary. Best to stay in your house forever.

[@emilvaradi9393]

I will not. You can make remarks but we do not live in similar climates, similar environments. If you do not get it, I'm sorry. Not everyone lives in mild British climate.

[@roadcyclist1]

@@emilvaradi9393 I live in northern upper peninsula of Michigan. I see more snow in 1 winter than you do in 5 years.

[@zhuyufan1186]

Cadence meter and heart rate monitor are all you need if you are not racing or training for racing. Cadence meter is somewhat similiar to car's rpm gauge, making sure you do not over rev yourself. While heart rate monitor is there to make sure you don't push yourself to far....

[@Andy_ATB]

Yeah, skills are massively under rated; no point having a big engine if you keep crashing because you're rubbish technically.

[@keith_cottongim]

Skills…. Always interesting to see a road biker go to mountain biking.

[@diegoeleazar9154]

I love power meter but I prefer HR more.

[@amnaturephotography]

You should be able to recover the footage from the HD, lots of software out there. I want to see the video :-)

[@humanvoicemail5059]

0:35 jelly babies? You mean jelly beans?

[@jaredlash5002]

I really like riding in the cold, but my nose doesn't. Nothing but snot the entire time.

[@akatgif]

Candy bars cost more than gels these days

[@sayno4137]

Use an MTB if its icy.

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Use studded tires on that MTB in really icy/snowy conditions (and they do exist in both 650 and 700).

[@davidcawthorne7115]

No 😂

[@thompson9451]

Please make bike fit james do underrated overrated

[@davidrock3959]

Mars and Snickers is literally cheapest junk products mixed with sugar in a fancy package and lots of advertising on tv, this poor guy has no real understanding of the human body and nutrition, he will find out 🎉

[@richarddiaz2226]

I have power meters on my bikes but I don’t even notice it on my races or fast group rides