I think with these technologies, reliability is always going to be less than perfect, so perhaps pick the one where back up and service is good/convenient for you. I think all the systems (Polar, PT, SRM, ergomo) are all great if set up and used properly. If you are using 1 bike only, then ergomo sounds like a good choice but if you need to ride more bikes, then an extra PT harness and swapping a wheel over is probably the go rather than having to replace a 2nd BB. Depends on your budget I suppose.tmctguer said:i'm considering switching from a Polar power unit to either an Ergomo or a Power tap. any feedback on which is the better system, particularly the one with the LEAST amount of problems?
Alex Simmons said:I think with these technologies, reliability is always going to be less than perfect, so perhaps pick the one where back up and service is good/convenient for you. I think all the systems (Polar, PT, SRM, ergomo) are all great if set up and used properly. If you are using 1 bike only, then ergomo sounds like a good choice but if you need to ride more bikes, then an extra PT harness and swapping a wheel over is probably the go rather than having to replace a 2nd BB. Depends on your budget I suppose.
I use PT, have buddies using PTs, polar and SRM. I have one PT SL in for repair now, my other one has been getting plenty of wet weather riding this last fortnight (some big downpours lately) and has been working perfectly. My track Pro hub has been fine so far.
Way back when I was first looking into it, I couldn't even get a response from a local distributor, so I just assumed there wasn't one. BI never returned calls so I let Saris know. The first time I had a problem I had to send it back to Saris anyway. If there was an effective local distributor perhaps they may have supplied an interim replacement.Roadie_scum said:Sorry, very OT:
Alex Simmons: Noting that you're in Australia, I'm interested to know did you buy the powertap gear from British International (the distributor), or a local bike shop, or did you get it shipped from overseas or buy it while you were there yourself?
Cheers,
RS
I agree with these comments. I find BI unresponsive with very poor customer service.Alex Simmons said:Way back when I was first looking into it, I couldn't even get a response from a local distributor, so I just assumed there wasn't one. BI never returned calls so I let Saris know. The first time I had a problem I had to send it back to Saris anyway. If there was an effective local distributor perhaps they may have supplied an interim replacement.
I had shipped to me 1 x full SL kit from one supplier in the UK (at the time there was a waitlist for many months and he came up with some before the suppliers in the US had them - we had a deal for him to give me an early option when they came in). My 2nd (PT SL hub only) came from a US supplier, my 3rd (the PT Pro track wheel) came via Wheelbuilder.com. I had the road wheels built by my LBS (I've had 6-7 bikes through them). I also have a 2nd CPU I got from Ric S and have extra harness from someone in the US. For me it was a matter of availability. Generally the exchange rate makes purchases of PT equipment from the US a better deal than from the UK.
The only local PT contact back then I got a response from was the Zipp dealer as I enquired about their wheels with PT hub - but they were quoting 2.5 times the price of either an identical wheel from the US - or getting the parts and having a local wheelbuilder put it together. It was ridiculous. I want to support my LBSs but not at 2.5 times the price!
TamMan said:Get the Ergomo - The product has many more features and seems to be more reliable than the PT. Just having the altitude feature makes it so much more easy to analyze the file after the ride (if you happen to live in a hilly area). I have used my unit for almost 1/2 year and L O V E it. There is only one wire going up to the handlebars.
The Ergomo is very consistent which is important. My power values are fully in line with my computrainer. Never had any issues. And does it really matter if one device shows higher or lower power values? Not really from my point of view. As long as the values are consistent and enable me to train effectively, I am cool with that.ric_stern/RST said:but don't people on (e.g.) the wattage list keep complaining they're not accurate compared to an SRM or PT?
ric
TamMan said:The Ergomo is very consistent which is important.
TamMan said:Not really from my point of view. As long as the values are consistent and enable me to train effectively, I am cool with that.
I too have been riding an ergomo for almost 6 months and love it. I haven't had any problems with the unit except for some weirdness in the head unit when it gets REALLY low on batteries. It kind of goes into a defensive mode where you can't do anything... not even charge it! It is pretty easy to fix though, but it does require a reset which will trash any data you haven't downloaded yet.wilmar13 said:I am in the same boat as you tmct... polar power on my TT and road bike... but thinking of upgrading... I too vacillate back and forth, but for me it is between Ptap or SRM, a couple of guys locally have ergomo's around here, and they are always creaky but I admit I have not asked them about it. Why not consider the SRM amateur just to confuse things more?
tmctguer said:TamMan didn't start the thread, and owns an Ergomo already,.
Neither is perfect.tmctguer said:i'm considering switching from a Polar power unit to either an Ergomo or a Power tap. any feedback on which is the better system, particularly the one with the LEAST amount of problems?
I keep hearing how great the altitude feature is on the Ergomo.TamMan said:Get the Ergomo - The product has many more features and seems to be more reliable than the PT. Just having the altitude feature makes it so much more easy to analyze the file after the ride (if you happen to live in a hilly area). I have used my unit for almost 1/2 year and L O V E it. There is only one wire going up to the handlebars.
Sprint2Win said:I keep hearing how great the altitude feature is on the Ergomo.
Just curious, but how does knowing how much climbing you did fit into a training program? I'm not familiar with a plan that tells me to climb a certain amount of elevation per effort.
Makes more sense now.peterpen said:The benefit of the altitude feature is in post-ride analysis and the ability to "see" your ride more easily. You look at the file and can see the climbs and descents (vs. having to infer them via speed/cadence/wattage changes.)
I really miss this from using the Polar 720, where I found it particularly useful for analyzing courses, eg look at a race file, determine the length and % grade of key climbs, go train on similiar climbs.
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