Garmin or Power Tap?

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Okay, first of all, I know this is comparing apples to oranges in a sense. I honestly have just run out of steam in checking prices on this and that and still not having made a decision, I figure I'll get on here and see what you guys think.

I have decided that I want to get much more serious about my cycling training. I am currently a Cat 4 racer with some points, and will hopefully be moving up to Cat 3 very early next season. I have decided that since I want to become more serious about my road racing, and I don't ride it anyways, I am parting out my mountain bike. Part of this process is underway now with most of the bike on ebay. I know that Training with Watts is a very effective way to train, and know it would probably help me a lot. I also know that training based on heartrate can be effective, although I'm sure it's not nearly effective as training with watts. I have narrowed my choices down to two computers, both of which can log into cyclingpeaks. I guess I'm basically asking for advice/ideas on what I should get. If I get the garmin, I will also upgrade my TT bike some, and put a down payment on my new bike for next season. If I get the Power Tap, that will be it. I want to become a competitive 3 next season if that helps your explanation of your opinion on what I should do.

Fire away! Let me know your ideas and such!

Fire away! Let me know your ideas and such!
A GPS is a Cateye Astrale8 that gives more information. You can't change your training based on the information you receive from it (unless you're not already using heart rate).

If a powertap is in your budget, it's hands down the best investment you can make if you are going to remain self-coached. No other upgrade will provide you with a better training tool.

only one person has advice? and i got a garmin btw...i don't have enough understanding of "coaching" myself to go all out yet...i may upgrade this time next year to an srm or something...we'll see...

only one person has advice? and i got a garmin btw...i don't have enough understanding of "coaching" myself to go all out yet...i may upgrade this time next year to an srm or something...we'll see...Well maybe not many of us have both devices to speak with any confidence. Training with power is a new paradigm and if the tool is used intelligently, you will get better, faster than not having one.

Well maybe not many of us have both devices to speak with any confidence.

I happen to have both, and hands down - get the power tap! If you like the GPS then get that second. If you're a datahead like me, you'll regret the gap in power data far more than the gap in GPS data.

BTW: Get Cycling Peaks software with the PT.

Dave

I happen to have both, and hands down - get the power tap! If you like the GPS then get that second. If you're a datahead like me, you'll regret the gap in power data far more than the gap in GPS data.

BTW: Get Cycling Peaks software with the PT.

Davei got the garmin, but will also be getting cycling peaks...

i got the garmin, but will also be getting cycling peaks...FYI: Cycling peaks will be good for charting time, cadence, HR, etc. But it sucks for the actual GPS parts. Esp sucks for elevation gain metrics.
The free MotionBased.com subscription may be good enough for what you want plus it does very good Elevation and GPS correction.

CyclingPeaks is only really leveraged with a PM... imo

Happy training!
Dave

If you want to improve your fitness/get faster then get a coach.

If you want to improve your fitness/get faster and reach your potential in a time targetted manner then get a coach and a Power Tap (or another power meter)

In a straight choice between a power meter and a GPS unit, get a power meter.

Ric