Product Description
You can capture the average and maximum power, speed, heart rate, and cadence as well as total time, distance, and energy expenditure.
The Power-Tap Standard system includes:
Computer
Hub (or pre-built wheel)
Heart rate monitor chest strap
Receiver
Downloading memory for ride data storage
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Reviews 1 - 5 (19 Reviews Total)
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User Reviews
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Submitted by
Mike
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: June 30, 2010
Strengths: -Easy to set up and use
-Decent, free software for analyzing the data
-Will change how you train and understand performance on the bikeWeaknesses: -Speed and cadence data come from the rear hub and don't seem as perfectly accurate as what a normal sensor would provide.Bottom Line: It's interesting to see such mixed reviews for the PowerTap when my experience so far has been largely positive. This may have something to do with the fact that the product is still relatively new and the company seems to have been working out the bugs over the last few years.
I bought the PowerTap Plus+ recently and it is already transforming how I train. Instead of just trying to ride farther/faster when I go out, I am able to put together targeted workouts that focus on steadily improving what I'm actually doing on the bike vs. simply increasing speed and cadence, which can change from ride to ride without any change in my fitness.
My hub is mounted to a Mavic Open Pro, which has also been a nice change from the OEM wheels that came with my Cannondale.
Only complaint is that the speed and cadence gauges in the hub, while close enough, don't seem to be as accurate as what you would get with the mounted sensors (which are another $100).
Favorite Ride: Munger Trail
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: Cannondale CAAD9 R6
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Submitted by
knull9
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: June 29, 2010
Strengths: Calorie count is useful, power is fun.Weaknesses: Maintainance nightmare. Training with power is really only useful for pro's and even than only in special cases
Buy a high end wheel set instead!Bottom Line: After a year I think for 99% of riders a power readout is fun but does nothing to improve the quality of training - if anything it distracts.
The hub worked fine but has infuriating problems - removing the plastic cap to change the batteries can be a nightmare.
Price Paid:
$800.00
Similar Products Used: kurt kinesis trainer - same information in a useful environment. On a trainer, power readings are great (and costs 60$).
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Submitted by
greg
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: May 17, 2010
Strengths: power readingWeaknesses: quality, workmanship, dependability, safetyBottom Line: The Power Tap is a huge disappointment; frustrating and dangerous! I bought mine along with a build on a brand new 2008 BMC SLC 01. I train with power indoors on computrainers at an excellent gym in Mill Valley CA called Endurance PTC and so wanted to add power outdoors as well. I had been using an iBike which was fine but not the "gold standard". Within the first few hundred miles the rear wheel went way out of true. The rear wheel needed work almost constantly...like every few rides. Then in October 2009 while riding Levi Leipheimer's Gran Fondo the rear axle broke while climbing King Ridge. I didnt know what was wrong with the rear wheel...it kept rubbing and I assumed it was out of true again. After about 30 miles up and down, the rear tire blew on a descent...luckily it was the rear and I was going straight or it would have been a disaster. The tire had rubbed so much the sidewall had a hole! When I took off the wheel to change the tire I noticed the cassette disengage and saw the axle was broken. LBS got a replacement for me at no cost though I did have to pay for their labor. A few weeks ago, while descending Mt. Tam the rear wheel had a frighening amount of play on the turns. I stopped and grabbed the rim....which was very floppy in my hands. I took the bike again for a spring tuning and the LBS told me that the PowerTap was all messed up...again...loose. They sent it back and I havent heard the verdict but meanwhile I bought a new set of Fulcrum Racing Zero Tubeless....goodbye PowerTap. While I enjoyed having the power data outside, I cannot ride anything I dont trust from a safety standpoint. Also I cant believe that something that cost $1500 or more could be so poorly manufactured. What garbage!
Favorite Ride: alpine dam/seven sisters marin, ca
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: iBike
Bike Setup: '08 BMC SLC 01 with Campy Record grupo...had the power tap/DT swiss wheels but have replaced them with Fulcrum Racing Zero 2 ways
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Submitted by
Kris Flatlander
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: February 1, 2008
Strengths: Training with power!
Most value/use of any power meter imho
Ease of useWeaknesses: A little heavy
Steel axle on the Pro (aluminum on SL)
Bottom Line: This product has been the most revolutionary change in the way I train. There is absolutely no hiding from power data, either you're working hard enough or you aren't. The ability to download and analyze data is also a huge plus. Cycling Peaks WKO+ is essential for this. The wheel itself is a little heavy (Deep-V with Powertap Pro) but it's worth it and I both train and race with it. Soon I'll be building up an Aeolus race wheel with a powertap as well.
Favorite Ride: Levi Loop
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At: Privately
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: 2007 Trek Madone 5.2 SL
Crank Brothers Quattros
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kris Flatlander
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: February 1, 2008
Strengths: Training with power!
Most value/use of any power meter imho
Ease of useWeaknesses: A little heavy
Steel axle on the Pro (aluminum on SL)
Bottom Line: This product has been the most revolutionary change in the way I train. There is absolutely no hiding from power data, either you're working hard enough or you aren't. The ability to download and analyze data is also a huge plus. Cycling Peaks WKO+ is essential for this. The wheel itself is a little heavy (Deep-V with Powertap Pro) but it's worth it and I both train and race with it. Soon I'll be building up an Aeolus race wheel with a powertap as well.
Favorite Ride: Levi Loop
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At: Privately
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: 2007 Trek Madone 5.2 SL
Crank Brothers Quattros
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