PT SL or PT 2.4 ?

giannip said:

Hi

So I'm deciding between the 2. My main concenrs with the wireless option is that it is new so relatively untested.

Any suggestions ?

It's worth looking at what's new and different in the SL2.4. The hub and o-ring seals are the same as the SL. Same for the way the strain gauges are attached to the hub (which is really the heart of the PT system). What is different are the wireless strain gauges. They use a different frequency (2.4GHz) and more powerful batteries, enabling transmission signal strength sufficient to reach the computer mounted on the handlebar. What is also different is that the SL2.4 electronics are completely sealed with a brush-on sealant (looks like candle wax after it's brushed on) for waterproofing. And, there's a wireless cadence transmitter, but there are plenty of successful wireless cadence transmitters (e.g., Polar), so that shouldn't be a source of problems. So, they have not changed the basic design or implementation of the system. The system's faults in the past have been moisture problems with the hub (which was a problem for the SL2.4 until they began sealing the electronics) and vibration problems for the SL's early receivers. Saris is now shipping the SL2.4. I will have direct experience with the SL2.4 by the end of this month and I'll let you know my thoughts after some direct experience.

one negative for me is that the 2.4 cpu is incompatible with the other systems.

so you'll have to mount the wired harness to use a Pro or SL backup wheel .

RapDaddyo said:

What is also different is that the SL2.4 electronics are completely sealed with a brush-on sealant (looks like candle wax after it's brushed on) for waterproofing.

If I'm not mistaken, this is also true of the SL - providing the particular unit in question is one of those produced after their redesign this past June.

peterpen said:

If I'm not mistaken, this is also true of the SL - providing the particular unit in question is one of those produced after their redesign this past June.

I haven't talked with Saris about this, but it would certainly be logical that they would use this same modified manufacturing procedure with all the units.

RapDaddyo said:

I haven't talked with Saris about this, but it would certainly be logical that they would use this same modified manufacturing procedure with all the units.

If that's the case, there's one less, actually zero, reason for me to buy SL 2.4 right now.

Because I already own a SL and plan to continue to use it even if I buy another PT hub, it finantially makes more sense to buy another SL hub only (or a PT wheel only) than to buy a complete set of SL2.4 (hub, computer, cadence sensor/transmitter, HR strap, etc).

If the new hub works with the current wired receiver, technically I could buy a 2.4 hub only, but it would defeat the whole notion of "going wireless" with the 2.4.

Had I experienced vibration problems with the receiver like RD, I would have considered to auction my SL off to make some money for a 2.4 or something, but personally I've never experienced any receiver or harness problem even though I've used my PT SL on three different bikes (two aluminum frames and one carbon frame), so I'm not really motivated to go that route just yet.

Ken

sugaken said:

If the new hub works with the current wired receiver, technically I could buy a 2.4 hub only

It doesn't. No components of the 2.4 work with the older units and vice versa.

sugaken said:

Had I experienced vibration problems with the receiver like RD, I would have considered to auction my SL off to make some money for a 2.4 or something, but personally I've never experienced any receiver or harness problem even though I've used my PT SL on three different bikes (two aluminum frames and one carbon frame), so I'm not really motivated to go that route just yet.

I completely solved the vibration problem about 9 months ago and have experienced no transmission dropouts since. There's really no reason for anyone to have the vibration problem now.

sugaken said:

If that's the case, there's one less, actually zero, reason for me to buy SL 2.4 right now.

Unless the person was especially fond of wireless, I think that'd be true for anyone. This whole poll has me confused. 😕

Is the HR receiver improved at all?

Spunout said:

Is the HR receiver improved at all?

It's completely new, also 2.4GHz and coded. It should be improved as they were well aware that the HR receiver was a weak point of the SL.

Spunout said:

Is the HR receiver improved at all?

i *think* it's now coded, but hey who cares.

ric "burning HR straps for fun"

RapDaddyo said:

It's completely new, also 2.4GHz and coded. It should be improved as they were well aware that the HR receiver was a weak point of the SL.

any info/claims available for hub battery life? Or CPU for that matter? With the new 2.4 system I mean ...

SLightly OT: Anyone know of a cheap(er) online source for PT Pro harnesses? I'm out of spares.

rmur

rmur17 said:

SLightly OT: Anyone know of a cheap(er) online source for PT Pro harnesses? I'm out of spares.

Uggh, just lost the one on my trainer bike yesterday as well. 🙁

rmur17 said:

any info/claims available for hub battery life? Or CPU for that matter? With the new 2.4 system I mean ...

I'll have some direct experience by the end of the month. But, I probably won't know about battery life until near year-end. Other than Saris claims, I doubt there is any good info yet since they just started shipping final production units.

RapDaddyo said:

I'll have some direct experience by the end of the month. But, I probably won't know about battery life until near year-end. Other than Saris claims, I doubt there is any good info yet since they just started shipping final production units.

well losing the dodgy harnesses is the main reason I'd consider one. I've had no trouble with hubs (occasional cone servicing of course) or computers but have had 3-4 harnesses fail over the past three years.

That's one area where the SRM is much better IME.

rmur

ric_stern/RST said:

i *think* it's now coded, but hey who cares.

ric "burning HR straps for fun"

😄😄😄
I had to search high and low for mine the other day - so someone else could borrow it!

Since there's no compatability either way - it would mean a whole change over of several wheels for me - and so far only the PT Pro hub is convertable to fixed gear use for my track bike, so I'm unlikely to upgrade for some time. I've also had each of my SL hubs replaced by Saris so hoping that means I am now past the early production units trouble.