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Subject: Power-Tap SL

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Posted:12/15/2005 4:16:54 PM
Hi all Well I’m thinking of getting a Power-tap SL next season, are any of you using one and what do you think of them? Any info would be appreciated. Thanx Dan…

ChrisLaTraille
Posts:14

Posted:12/16/2005 3:48:40 PM

Hey Dan. I use the Powertap Pro ("PT") and love it. The PT really allows you to be focused in your training, i.e. intervals of varying length, etc., as well as tracking your progress throughout the seasons.
My 20min climbing TT course for example...Using the PT, I can visually see how changing my cadence by any rpm effects my average power, average speed and average HR. I also like to be able to see new highs in power output for sprints. The PT also allows you to track how many calories you burn during workouts, which helps you determine your dietary needs.
There's also a story on the homepage for this site concerning PT's.

ChrisLaTraille
Posts:14

Posted:12/16/2005 11:17:16 PM
http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2004/power1

gtingley
Posts:63

Posted:12/17/2005 12:36:49 AM
This should answer most of your questions: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/pdf/power_v1.pdf Remember, it is a tool, not the answer to speed. Although they use it in training, many riders prefer RPE for pacing. Focusing on numbers while racing does not work very well for some riders.

robstar
Posts:1

Posted:1/1/2006 9:23:28 PM

I've been training using a PT Pro for over a year and a PT SL to race on for six months. Training with power has it's advantages and it has worked well for me. As you've likely found out already there's ample information online about the advantages. My coach prefers that I race with a PowerTap for the data we get out of it, however, he also prefers that I tape over the display and race based on PE not the numbers.

The product itself has a well documented history of problems and the QC has in the past been a problem. Of the 20 +/- riders on our team who have PowerTaps most have been back to the manufacturer one or more times in the last season; whether it's the wheel/hub or the computer or the harness there have been problems. However, I have found the service of the manufacturer to be excellent and without question. One of my PT computer heads quit working two weeks ago and all it took was a simple phone call and I had a replacement within a few days; basically no questions asked. Luckily I had an extra head, hub and harness to test against as sometimes you never know if it's the hub, head or harness that is the problem.

Rich Sawiris at Wheelbuilder.com, aside from being one of the best wheelbuilders in the business is the #1 dealer and builder of PowerTaps in the country; he builds a great wheel and he knows PowerTap as good or better than anyone and he has very reasonable prices.

Best of luck!

Robert Starling
Las Vegas

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