The iBike may be limited, but it's an exciting development for folks like me who are convinced of the benefits of training with power, but underwhelmed by the value proposition of available power meters. They really cost a lot. The PowerTap is somewhat cheaper, but I can think of no finickier bike technology in existence, given how few people actually own them and how many internet posts you see about them not working whenever you look at them sideways. Even if the iBike is a bust technologically, I hope it will make the market more competitive, and bring down the price of some of the higher end units.
As I understand it, the strain gauge based meters have all been pricy because the components into which they're embedded are made of nifty aerospace alloys that are expensive to work with. So, on my ride home today, I had an idea: what about the sole of a cycling shoe? Strain information could be collected there. Perfectly acceptable shoe soles can be constructed out of relatively cheap nylon. Why not embed some strain gauges in the sole of each shoe, and stick a wireless transmitter on the outside of the shoe upper? It might look a little dorky, and be somewhat heavier than a regular shoe. But, if it got me a power measurement system that was much cheaper than the current market leaders, I for one would at least think hard about it.
As I understand it, the strain gauge based meters have all been pricy because the components into which they're embedded are made of nifty aerospace alloys that are expensive to work with. So, on my ride home today, I had an idea: what about the sole of a cycling shoe? Strain information could be collected there. Perfectly acceptable shoe soles can be constructed out of relatively cheap nylon. Why not embed some strain gauges in the sole of each shoe, and stick a wireless transmitter on the outside of the shoe upper? It might look a little dorky, and be somewhat heavier than a regular shoe. But, if it got me a power measurement system that was much cheaper than the current market leaders, I for one would at least think hard about it.