Cycling Review » computers

Best Power Meters for Cycling

tejvan — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:07:02 +0000

One of the most important development is cycle training has been the greater use of power metres to help regulate training, measure performance and compare the efficiency of different positions.

Once the preserve of professional cycling teams, power metres are now being increasingly used by amateur cyclists. There are many benefits of using power metres when cycling

Help maintain constant power – useful for time trials and for pacing a cyclo sportive.
Measure how power can be influenced by aerodynamics and additional equipment. If you can find a good track, a power metre can be a very effective way of trying different positions on the bike.
Improve training. Helps give a target effort for training, which is more effective than using heart rate (where there is often a time delay and can vary due to temperature factors)
Gives indications of overtraining / undertraining. If power is inexplicably low, this may be an indication of overtraining. Needs to be used in conjuction with other factors such as sleep, general feelings e.t.c
Look at How Fitness is changing over time. By looking at power output for a set time frame, you can see where you are in terms of general fitness and compare your fitness to previous years.
Something to Boast About. A race may be very windy and tough, but, if you can maintain a higher output, then you know you are doing well, even if time is disappointing.

Cycle Ops Power Meter Elite

At £700 the cycle ops power meter elite comes with hub, and bar display. It’s not light, but, it is an inexpensive way to get a reasonable power meter and see how it works for you. The hub comes in different sizes for both Shimano and Campagnolo and needs fitting, which is fairly easy given right tools.

Power Meters at Wiggle

SRAM Power Meter Chainset SRM.

A partnership between groupset manufacturer SRAM and power meter specialists SRM. This is a high end power meter using a chainset. It is not cheap at over £2,000 but comes with a high degree of accuracy for measuring power output. With bottom bracket it weighs 922 grams. The chainset arm is unidirectional carbon fibre.

The SRAM Power Meter Quarq is about £700 cheaper and weighs less than the SRM version

Note SRAM power meter chainsets need a compatible Head Unit such as the Garmin Edge 500, Garmin Edge 705 and Garmin Forerunner 310xt (must be purchased separately)

SRAM Power Meters at Evans Cycles

See also

Cateye Strada Wireless Computer

tejvan — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:36:32 +0000

I used the Cateye Strada Wireless computer for 3-4 years. I’ve found that cycle computers can be temperamental and prone to breaking down, but, this proved one of the more resilient computers.

The wireless mount makes it easier for altering handlebars, stems and cleaning the bike. I don’t find any interference with other equipment like heart rate.

It has all the functions you are likely to need

# Current speed
# Maximum speed
# Average speed
# Total distance (odometer)
# Trip distance
# Auto start/stop
# Trip time (elapsed time)
# 12/24 hour clock

It has some nice features like converting Kph into Mph, but, to be honest the most important thing when choosing a cycle computer is ease of use (so easy you don’t have to read a manual…) Also it is easy to fit.

The only slight weaknesses are a tendency to be less effective in rain and the clock was somewhat unreliable. But, that may have been improved in later models.

Cycle Computers for Cadence

tejvan — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:51:41 +0000

If you are wanting to train for a specific cadence or you are training on an indoor turbo trainer, you will need to look for a cycle computer which offers rear wheel fitting or at a specific cadence mount.

These are some of the computer accessories that can work for rear wheel fitting.

Taxc Cadence sensors for Turbo Trainers

Polar S Series

Best Value Cycling Computers

tejvan — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:40:05 +0000

I tend to find when using cycle computers I don’t make use of all the extravagant features. I am basically interested in distance, time elapsed, average speed and occasionally max speed. My main criteria for buying a computer is therefore simplicity and ease of use. Often the easiest to use are also the cheapest. So don’t feel bad about choosing the cheapest cycle computer. Sometimes spending more doesn’t give better value.

Cateye Velo 5 Cycle Computer

This was one of my favourite cycle computers, it offers a clear easy to read display. There are only 5 functions, but these are the ones you will use most of the time. Having said that, I later regretted not having a time function to be able to measure length of ride or riding up hills, so I came to regret having spent the money on the velo. If you really don’t want the ability to time your rides and know average speed it is fine. But, otherwise don’t buy it. However, at £11.99 it is very cheap.

Cateye Velo 5 Only £11.99 at Wiggle

Sigma Sport BC906L Topline

The sigma sport topline computer comes with 9 functions for only £13.99. It represents pretty good value for someone looking for more functions at a lower price.

Sigma sport £13.99

Cateye Mitty 8.

The Cateye Mitty 8 has a clear updated design with one touch button for changing function. It includes dual tyre size, programmable front display and main functions used by cyclists.

Catey Mitty 8 £15.99

Cateye Enduro 8

Aimed at the mountain bike section, the Cateye Enduro 8 is a heavy duty reliable computer with 8 functions for under £20. It is also fine for a winter training road bike. It is one of the better value Cateye products at giving most functions under £20. Cateye Enduro 8 at Wiggle

Cateye Strada Wireless Computer

The Cateye Strada is not cheap. At £44.99 it is more expensive than cheaper models with the same function. But, it is still the model I often buy. You can see how nicely it fits onto my Trek Madone 6.9. The most recent version is a big improvement as it is fully waterproof and has a very nice simple elegant design. If you want to get the best cycle Computer, you can’t go wrong with Cateye’s very popular Strada Wireless

Other Cycle computers at Wiggle
Best Cycle computers – for those looking for better features

Best Wireless Cycle Computers

tejvan — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:30:47 +0000

Wireless cycle computers have a distinct advantage of the wired variety.

Wires can scrap away at the paint on the bike.
Wires can make it awkward if you need to make adjustments to handlebars e.t.c
They are more prone to breaking.

There are an increasing number of wireless computers. Some of the best include:

Cateye Strada Wireless Cycle Computer

The 8 function cycle computer includes these functions
# Current speed
# Maximum speed
# Average speed
# Total distance (odometer)
# Trip distance
# Auto start/stop
# Trip time (elapsed time)
# 12/24 hour clock

Cateye Strada wireless at £44.99

The Wireless Cateye Strada has recently been increased in price quite a bit. However, the latest model is really quite a big improvement on previous model. Cateye have made a computer that is genuinely waterproof (they keep buttons underneath computer in a clever design). Also, the sleek and slender design of both computer and magnet detector make it more visually appealing and more aerodynamic. I have been very pleased with my Cateye Strada (especially as you can choose colours to fit your own road bike)

Cateye Vectra Wireless

The cateye vectra comes with basic functions at a good value price of £19.99

* Current speed
* Trip distance
* Odometer
* Clock
* Maximum speed
* Auto start/stop
* Universal Mount
* Auto power saving
* Sleep mode
* Cordless transmission
* Odometer set

Cateye Vectra wireless at £19.99

Polar CS100 Wireless Heart Rate and Cycle Computer

The Polar computer combines its heart rate monitor technology with traditional cycle computer. Enabling you to combine the heart rate monitor and computer in one, saves space on your handlebars and integrates the two functions.

Polar Heart Rate Monitor at £63.99

Ciclosport CM 8.2

offers 32 functions with just 3 buttons

Topeak 150 Wireless Computer wireless heart rate monitor at £31.99

Best value cycling computers
Computers at Chain Reaction Cycles