Cycling and bicycle racing discussion forums.   View New Forum Topics
Today's Forum Topics

Set as homepage


Go Back   Cycling Forums > Tech Corner > Power Training
User Name
Password
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Welcome to CyclingForums.com

You are currently viewing our website as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions. You will have to register before you can post to this thread.

By joining our free online community you will have access to post new topics, communicate privately with other cyclingforums.com members (PM), respond to polls, upload photos and access other special features like product reviews and classifieds.


Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 17-08.-2007, 02:36 PM   #1
jsull14
Registered User
 
jsull14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 243
Default Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

My new PT SL on Mavic Open Pro will be here tomorrow. I'm sure there are a bunch of instructions included and stuff, but in a nutshell will I be able to ride tomorrow or will I be installing this device all weekend you think?
jsull14 is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 17-08.-2007, 04:20 PM   #2
ric_stern/RST
Community Team
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Newport, South Wales
Posts: 3,830
Default Re: Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jsull14
My new PT SL on Mavic Open Pro will be here tomorrow. I'm sure there are a bunch of instructions included and stuff, but in a nutshell will I be able to ride tomorrow or will I be installing this device all weekend you think?


providing you know how to put a tyre and a cassette on your wheel, and you can neatly install the receiver kit on your bike, that should take about 15-mins to do at the very most. You then need to read the manual and set the computer up (probably do this in 30-mins; reading and set up). Then check it downloads correctly (spin the cranks/wheels for 30-secs to collect some dummy data). Set up the programme (WKO or Power Tuned) and download data - that's another 10-mins.

ZERO THE TORQUE - then go for a ride.

The Power Tap is the easiest of all the power meters to get started with

Ric
__________________
http://www.cyclecoach.com
ric_stern/RST is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 17-08.-2007, 08:53 PM   #3
Thom_y
Registered User
 
Thom_y's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 126
Default Re: Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

and the PT SL 2.4 (wireless) is even easier !!!!!!!!!
Thom_y is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 17-08.-2007, 10:25 PM   #4
Pelotonium
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 14
Default Re: Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jsull14
My new PT SL on Mavic Open Pro will be here tomorrow. I'm sure there are a bunch of instructions included and stuff, but in a nutshell will I be able to ride tomorrow or will I be installing this device all weekend you think?
It took me 15minutes for the initial hub-only installation. And another 30 minutes to reroute the cables to incorporate the crank sensor when I found out that it was more accurate that way.

Use the crank sensor and turn off the hub cadence -- you'll get more stable power readings.
Pelotonium is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 17-08.-2007, 11:27 PM   #5
ric_stern/RST
Community Team
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Newport, South Wales
Posts: 3,830
Default Re: Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelotonium
It took me 15minutes for the initial hub-only installation. And another 30 minutes to reroute the cables to incorporate the crank sensor when I found out that it was more accurate that way.

Use the crank sensor and turn off the hub cadence -- you'll get more stable power readings.


the cadence/crank sensor has no bearing whatsoever on the power readings.

ric
__________________
http://www.cyclecoach.com
ric_stern/RST is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 17-08.-2007, 11:33 PM   #6
Pelotonium
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 14
Default Re: Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ric_stern/RST
the cadence/crank sensor has no bearing whatsoever on the power readings.
ric
With all due respect, how could that be, Ric? Power = Torque x Cadence. If cadence goes noise-crazy, it can't help but affect the power reading.

I saw a posting that definitively showed the difference in cadence between a hub-only set-up and a crank-only set-up. The hub cadence sensor seemed very very noisy and unstable.
Pelotonium is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 17-08.-2007, 11:36 PM   #7
ric_stern/RST
Community Team
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Newport, South Wales
Posts: 3,830
Default Re: Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelotonium
With all due respect, how could that be, Ric? Power = Torque x Cadence. If cadence goes noise-crazy, it can't help but affect the power reading.

I saw a posting that definitively showed the difference in cadence between a hub-only set-up and a crank-only set-up. The hub cadence sensor seemed very very noisy and unstable.


Power = angular wheel velocity x torque inside hub

Ric
__________________
http://www.cyclecoach.com
ric_stern/RST is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 17-08.-2007, 11:41 PM   #8
Pelotonium
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 14
Default Re: Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ric_stern/RST
Power = angular wheel velocity x torque inside hub
Ric
I see. The sharkfin senses the wheel angular velocity and the hub senses the torque. The two values get multiplied independently of crank cadence.

Got it. My mistake.

In that case, what I should have said is that you'll get much better cadence readings if you use the crank-mounted cadence sensor, and turn off the hub cadence sensor.
Pelotonium is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 18-08.-2007, 12:28 AM   #9
fleshbroiler
Registered User
 
fleshbroiler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 85
Default Re: Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

I went through this process last weekend installing a PT Pro. Ran into one problem here ->http://www.cyclingforums.com/t419279.html. I suspect that my CPU is getting cadence data from the hub and not from the sensor for the same reason listed. I think it's worth noting for new PowerTap users that Cycling Peaks WKO+ is a really great tool for analyzing your ride data.

-fb
fleshbroiler is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 19-08.-2007, 08:13 AM   #10
jsull14
Registered User
 
jsull14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 243
Default Re: Powertap coming tomorrow. Easy to install?

Thanks for the help. I got it working. It's a pretty neat device. The wheel is a bit out of true and I am having trouble installing the included software but not a big deal as I plan on buying software from Cycling Peaks anyway. The device confirmed why I get dropped a lot in centuries. I averaged 271w for 15 minutes on a steady 4-5% grade and I was in a world of hurt. But at least now I know I have to work harder.
jsull14 is offline  
Reply With Quote

Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT +10. The time now is 03:12 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin Copyright © 2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2001 - 2006 cyclingforums.com

Links to websites we like:
Pezcyclingnews | Cyclingnews.com | Wine Zone | iinet