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Power meters can be purchased for as little as £300, however most power meters feature a price tag that shifts more towards the £1,000 mark. Cost – Purchasing a power meter is costly to most (unless you are Bill Gates).Power meters can be used when riding outside and inside – Smart trainers are confined to the indoors.Greater indication of the true intensity of effort than RPE (Rated Perceived Exertion) and figures form a heart rate monitor, as less factors influence readings projected from a power meter.The data can also be utilised to produce specific training sessions that will improve performance at a greater rate than other products, such as a heart rate monitor.In a race, you know that if you constantly exceed 400 watts, you will not be able to continue riding for 5 minutes. For example, in training, you are able to hold 400 watts for 5 minutes (before blowing up and collapsing to the floor in an explosion). Provides insightful knowledge that will help to maintain (pace) an effort during an event.Provides quantitative data, that alongside a heart rate trace, can exhibit an increase or decrease in fitness, form and fatigue.I personally use a Garmin Vector power meter, and they are fantastic :)
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From these two figures, the power output can be calculated.
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A power meter works by multiplying force by velocity (power = force x velocity) – The force is calculated from strain gauges within the power meter, and the angular velocity is taken into account. Illustrating the power (presented in watts) you exert, most power meters will be located in the pedals, rear hub or cranks of a bike. A heart rate monitor can tell you a little more, but this piece of technology itself can be influenced by factors such as illness, outdoor temperature, and levels of fatigue.Ī power meter is a quantitative, reliable and repeatable way to analyse the intensity of a ride. Observing your average speed can only tell you so much about a ride. Both are expensive, and so you must think greatly before making a final decision. Nevertheless, there are two desirable products that will assist training, and create more-satisfying results: A power meter, and a smart trainer. From purchasing a heart rate monitor, to a more aerodynamic helmet, the list of marginal gains from products is large. In most cases, a purchase has been made to improve performance.
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Cycling is undoubtedly one of the more expensive sports out there – The idea of owning n+1 bikes is instinctive for most cycling enthusiasts. For more articles, please visit my blog: Training for many sports requires expensive kit – A kayak for a kayaker, a set of golf clubs for a golfer.
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