Bicycle Power Meters - How to Choose the Right One For You

If you are reading this then you probably have a basicThe drawback is that if you swap your wheels to a
understanding of the benefits of training with powerrace set that doesn't have a Power Tap hub you no
measurement. While not cheap, a power meter can belonger have power measurement. Because the Power
one of the most effective training tools you can getTap is wireless and used ANT+ data transmission you
besides your bike.can use either their computer or any ANT+ compatible
While everyone talks wattage, a power meter will alsocomputer. The hubs are a little heavier than high end
give you other useful data like heartrate, speed,models but by only a few hundred grams so you can
cadence and distance. If you use a GPS like thestill build up a light race bike with a power meter.
Garmin 705 or 500 as your bike computer you will alsoSRM crank based system
have mapping data and elevation.These are the pioneers of the power meter. Originally
There are two main power meter types: hub basedonly available to pros due to the cost, SRM makes
and crank mountmodels that while not cheap are at least within the
Saris PowerTap Hubprice range of the high end serious cyclist. The nice
These are the industry standard for hub powerthing with the crank mounted systems is that you can
meters. You replace your rear hub with the Powerrun any wheels. The system is accurate and can be
Tap and have computer on the handlebar that displaysused to help with pedal stroke as it measure each legs
and records the information. Power Taps are popularpressure on the pedals. The system comes mounted
because they are easy to swap between bikes andon a crank.
are well priced compared to crank based systems.