Power Meter on the Bike

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2009-01-06 12:52 PM

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Veteran
219
100100
metro Detroit, MI
Subject: Power Meter on the Bike

Ok, I want a power meter for the bike that is not tied to any given wheel. What do people think of the Polar Power Meter? I know it is not as good as a PowerTap or other hub unit, but is it ‘good enough’?

Anyone have a Polar Power Meter? How do you like it?

I want to be able to get power while racing, training, indoors, outdoors, without having to always use the same wheel. I have several sets of wheels (race, spare, junk, and good enough wheels).

2009-01-06 1:00 PM
in reply to: #1889692

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2009-01-06 1:19 PM
in reply to: #1889692

Coach
10487
50005000100100100100252525
Boston, MA
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike

http://www.peakscoachinggroup.com/freeinfo/Power_Tools.html

I had it for a while and while it work ok, the readings were off and I lost connection in a few races due to the watch bike mounting thingy.

2009-01-06 1:40 PM
in reply to: #1889692

Expert
1027
100025
Zürich, Switzerland
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike
I just ordered Elite indoor trainer which measures power in a cheap and accurate way. Of course you will not have it outside but here in Switzerland, indoor training is most of the preparation on the bike.
2009-01-06 1:47 PM
in reply to: #1889692

Champion
8540
50002000100050025
the colony texas
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike

is there a reason that you are only asking about the Polar?/  there is the Quarq Cinqo that is out now that is a crank based on.. and less expensive then the SRM

2009-01-06 1:54 PM
in reply to: #1889884

Expert
1394
1000100100100252525
Wilmington, NC
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike
I would love one, but it is still going to set you back about 2k if you need to get one of the compatible cranksets and a Garmin to read it. so still in the PT price range, but you can use any wheelsset.

2009-01-06 2:41 PM
in reply to: #1889692

Extreme Veteran
662
5001002525
Sunny San Diego
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike
From what I've seen online in reviews and discussions the Polar PM tends to lose signal or stop working altogether a lot. Not many positive reviews on it.

If your looking for an economical alternative check out the ibike power meter.



.
2009-01-06 2:45 PM
in reply to: #1889692

Elite
3779
20001000500100100252525
Ontario
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike

Maybe consider the new Gen III ibike.  They seem to have made improvements over the first couple of versions, and what I like is that they give people the opportunity to upgrade when they come out with a newer version.

They have some nice marketing stuff on the website showing a comparative ride with a Powertap, Quark, and iBike, which seems to dispell some of the poor results they had with the previous versions.  For the price I may go this route in the future.

I was typing while Joker was posting. Surprised



Edited by GoFaster 2009-01-06 2:46 PM
2009-01-06 3:32 PM
in reply to: #1889692

Master
1420
1000100100100100
Reston, VA
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike
I just bought the polar CS600 a few weeks ago and really like it. Previous polar PM models had a number of issues but these seem to be corrected in the CS600 w/power. You can find new ones on ebay for $500ish so it is comparatively cheaper than other PM. Reviews on the newer CS600 have generally been very positive - the first 500 or so made had a problem with a wire coming loose but this has been corrected for a while now.

Setup is not hard but does involve a number of steps and takes around 2 hours.

The only negative thing I have to say about it is it does not read your power effectively on the trainer as it needs the road vibration you get from riding outdoors to accurately read power. I have not had it out in the rain yet, but everything I have read says it works well in the rain or snow.

In addition to power it also does the standard (speed, cadence, distance, hr, etc) and has a few extra's I like (left vs. right foot power, pedaling effeciency, etc). Plus I can still use my racewheels.

Overall I thought it was the best value powermeter on the market, which is why I bought it. Nothing in my use of it has changed my mind.
2009-01-06 3:47 PM
in reply to: #1889692

Veteran
219
100100
metro Detroit, MI
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike
I thought the Ibike was just plan junk?????

And don't you have to be moving to use the IBike (i.e. can not use it on the trainer)?

Anyone have an IBike????????????
2009-01-06 5:51 PM
in reply to: #1890241

Extreme Veteran
662
5001002525
Sunny San Diego
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike
That's great... just when I decided the Polar PM was out of consideration for power meters.
One question, how do we know a Polar PM is a new and improved model or an old one that was getting bad reviews?


docswim24 - 2009-01-06 12:32 PM

I just bought the polar CS600 a few weeks ago and really like it. Previous polar PM models had a number of issues but these seem to be corrected in the CS600 w/power. You can find new ones on ebay for $500ish so it is comparatively cheaper than other PM. Reviews on the newer CS600 have generally been very positive - the first 500 or so made had a problem with a wire coming loose but this has been corrected for a while now.

Setup is not hard but does involve a number of steps and takes around 2 hours.

The only negative thing I have to say about it is it does not read your power effectively on the trainer as it needs the road vibration you get from riding outdoors to accurately read power. I have not had it out in the rain yet, but everything I have read says it works well in the rain or snow.

In addition to power it also does the standard (speed, cadence, distance, hr, etc) and has a few extra's I like (left vs. right foot power, pedaling effeciency, etc). Plus I can still use my racewheels.

Overall I thought it was the best value powermeter on the market, which is why I bought it. Nothing in my use of it has changed my mind.

2009-01-06 5:56 PM
in reply to: #1890649

Veteran
219
100100
metro Detroit, MI
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike
joker70 - 2009-01-06 6:51 PM

That's great... just when I decided the Polar PM was out of consideration for power meters.
One question, how do we know a Polar PM is a new and improved model or an old one that was getting bad reviews?


Yeah, good point!

I was looking around Polar's web site and the CS600 w/power looks like it might be a place to start. The CS600 w/power does cost a bit, but it is no where near the $1200 for a PowerTap, and I can use it on different wheels .

I am mainly after a 'good enough' solution.
2009-01-07 8:09 AM
in reply to: #1890296

Elite
3779
20001000500100100252525
Ontario
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike

lexington476 - 2009-01-06 4:47 PM I thought the Ibike was just plan junk????? And don't you have to be moving to use the IBike (i.e. can not use it on the trainer)? Anyone have an IBike????????????

Like I said - have a look at the website.  I have no first hand knowledge, but have been considering one.  They also offer an optional firmware upgrade to allow you to use it on a trainer. 

2009-01-07 9:10 AM
in reply to: #1889692

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike

I wouldn't get one of the pseudo power meters as you'll always wish you had a better quality. I don't know anyone that has had polar power meter for a few years and been happy with it.

PT you can get less than $1200 and you can always use your front race wheel and put on a cover over your training wheel. 

I have two PT systems..training one and got a great deal on Zipp 404s with PT hub on ebay. 

Sell your race wheels and buy a SRM or PT and you'll have accurate power data to train and race with.

Unless you are willing to put the time in to learn how to train and race with power, the power meter becomes a very expensive bike computer.

2009-01-07 10:10 AM
in reply to: #1891756

Champion
7233
5000200010010025
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike
this is one area i would not skimp on, if you are going to do it, do it right. i have NO extra chas to spend on stuff, if you cant fork over thecash, save a bit longer.
you will wish you had something that worked better a little down the road.

the PT ones are also not wildly expensive, you can find wired ones in the 500 price range if you look aruond. if you are really worried about race wheels, you would be much better off training with the data to get the most out of your training and then racing without it rather than training and racing with one that does not work well.

if you really want to race and train on the same wheel, maybe have it built into something like jet or flashpoint that you can train on as well, or put a cover on it. just as fast as a disk and under 100$.

2009-01-07 10:13 AM
in reply to: #1890649

Master
1420
1000100100100100
Reston, VA
Subject: RE: Power Meter on the Bike
joker70 - 2009-01-06 6:51 PM

That's great... just when I decided the Polar PM was out of consideration for power meters.
One question, how do we know a Polar PM is a new and improved model or an old one that was getting bad reviews?


docswim24 - 2009-01-06 12:32 PM

I just bought the polar CS600 a few weeks ago and really like it. Previous polar PM models had a number of issues but these seem to be corrected in the CS600 w/power. You can find new ones on ebay for $500ish so it is comparatively cheaper than other PM. Reviews on the newer CS600 have generally been very positive - the first 500 or so made had a problem with a wire coming loose but this has been corrected for a while now.

Setup is not hard but does involve a number of steps and takes around 2 hours.

The only negative thing I have to say about it is it does not read your power effectively on the trainer as it needs the road vibration you get from riding outdoors to accurately read power. I have not had it out in the rain yet, but everything I have read says it works well in the rain or snow.

In addition to power it also does the standard (speed, cadence, distance, hr, etc) and has a few extra's I like (left vs. right foot power, pedaling effeciency, etc). Plus I can still use my racewheels.

Overall I thought it was the best value powermeter on the market, which is why I bought it. Nothing in my use of it has changed my mind.



Buy the Polar CS600 w/wind and you will be fine. The previous generation Polar 710 was the tool that had the problems/bad reviews and the first 500 cs600's were sold in Europe and not the US from what I have been able to find.

Read the reviews on it. When used with a computrainer, PT, etc the power numbers are within a percent or two. This is not a tool that estimates power like some other tools. It calculates it based on chain tension.



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