New Wheels or Power Meter??

Walnutsink

So I've got together some cash for an upgrade to the bike but I'm torn between new wheels and a power meter, both similarly priced.

General consensus is wheels will make me immediately faster but structured training with a power meter will be better in the long run - is it so bad to do this training based on heart rate? What do people think, mixed reviews online as to which would be the most beneficial.

Zyzz

Wheels won't make you immediately faster, and with the winter season on your doorstep, in what aspect are you looking to get faster in? Racing season is finished, sportives are few and far between, a power meter would be a far superior investment if you want to train harder and more effectively..so come next season, you're a better cyclist!

If you're hell bent on getting some new wheels, look into getting TrainerRoad and using that to improve yourself as a cyclist (power increase, weight loss, FTP etc etc)

(Disclaimer - this is coming from an aesthetic whore where wheels trump everything, but I've decided to work up some funds and get a power meter for the winter)

JohnBee

Because the optimum number of bikes is governed by the formula n+1, the only solution is to buy a new bike with new wheels and a powermeter.

Walnutsink

Zyzz wrote: »

Wheels won't make you immediately faster, and with the winter season on your doorstep, in what aspect are you looking to get faster in? Racing season is finished, sportives are few and far between, a power meter would be a far superior investment if you want to train harder and more effectively..so come next season, you're a better cyclist!

If you're hell bent on getting some new wheels, look into getting TrainerRoad and using that to improve yourself as a cyclist (power increase, weight loss, FTP etc etc)

(Disclaimer - this is coming from an aesthetic whore where wheels trump everything, but I've decided to work up some funds and get a power meter for the winter)

I'm in NZ, so the season is just starting here I do agree that wheels do look awesome, been looking at the Dura Ace C35s

JohnBee wrote: »

Because the optimum number of bikes is governed by the formula n+1, the only solution is to buy a new bike with new wheels and a powermeter.

I'm also governed by s-1, the number of bikes resulting in me living alone, albeit with many more bikes!

Beasty

Walnutsink wrote: »

General consensus is wheels will make me immediately faster but structured training with a power meter will be better in the long run - is it so bad to do this training based on heart rate? What do people think, mixed reviews online as to which would be the most beneficial.

No harm in using HR, but power is a much more relevant measure and if you spend time understanding the theory you can get much more out of a PM

Of course wheels do wear out, generally quicker than PMs, and equally having spares means you have a ready replacement in case of damage.

If you think about it though - a wheel delivers a one-off benefit. A PM provides information that, if used correctly, can deliver continuing improvements.

Leroy42

You need to look at the potential increase in equipment for the €s spent.

Given that we can assume you already have wheels then the quickest answer is the pm will give you something you currently don't have.

New wheels are nice, but nice doesn't win races. Are c35s that much better than your current wheels and could an investment in top of the range tyres and tubes deliver performance improvement.

Imo, hr is fine for training, depending on how focused you are. Sure HR does fluctuate based on temperature, stress etc but if you are doing focused training then it won't make too much difference.

I would go with the pm.

lennymc

id also opt for the PM and a copy of racing and training with power. Then once you have bought those, find some excuse to justify new wheels.

Pawlie

Walnutsink wrote: »

So I've got together some cash for an upgrade to the bike but I'm torn between new wheels and a power meter, both similarly priced.

General consensus is wheels will make me immediately faster but structured training with a power meter will be better in the long run - is it so bad to do this training based on heart rate? What do people think, mixed reviews online as to which would be the most beneficial.

Ill sell you a power meter, and its wheels based,

you get a wheel and power meter in one....happy days

DirkVoodoo

Pawlie wrote: »

Ill sell you a power meter, and its wheels based,

you get a wheel and power meter in one....happy days

Who will be paying the shipping cost to NZ??? :eek:

Lusk_Doyle

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Who will be paying the shipping cost to NZ??? :eek:

Send it over with the All Blacks after the RWC.

Leroy42

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

Send it over with the All Blacks after the RWC.

Yeah, they'll have plenty of space with the void of not having the trophy to carry home!

Walnutsink

Ended up buying a stages power meter, half the price of the pedal based ones I was looking at meaning less time saving for new wheels, win win!