3 Reasons why bike power meters help improve cycling performance.
1. Improved MotivationDon’t underestimate the power of measuring your performance, it's motivating in itself. The famous 19th century statistician, Karl Pearson, once said:
"That which is measured, improves. That which is measured and reported, improves exponentially". |
Karl Pearson, 1857-1936
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2. Consistent Information
Traditionally, emphasis has been on measuring physical effort through speed, time and heart rate. These results can be inconsistent due to adverse wind, traffic conditions and heart rates that vary from day to day. Now, it is possible to get accurate, objective and repeatable data measuring physical exertion in watts, with a bike power meter.
3. Optimised Training
Bike power meters, working together with heart rate monitors and cadence sensors provide a wealth of information about past and present performances. The bike power meter tracks power in real-time and provides post-ride data for more in-depth analysis of performance. By using apps such as Golden Cheetah, Training Peaks or Cycling Analytics, you obtain a detailed mathematical breakdown of your rides over time that is useful for:
Get the most out of your valuable training time.
- Tracking your fitness objectively and accurately.
- Preparing structured training programs, pinpointing your strengths and weaknesses.
- Collaborating with your coach or sports scientist.
- Planning race strategies and pacing guidelines.
- Determining rest and recovery periods.
- Allowing for experimentation in training.
Get the most out of your valuable training time.
Choosing a bike power meter right for you.
Cyclists considering the use of a bike power meter to measure performance have a extensive range of products to choose from. Bike power meters come in two distinct forms, Direct Force Power Meters and Opposing Force Power Meters. They both have pro's and con's and choosing the right unit for your situation can be daunting.
Direct Force Power Meters have traditionally been the choice of elite cyclists, coaches and sports scientists. They measure power using electro-mechanical sensors built into a variety of cycle components, such as:
These bike power meters have several issues:
Opposing Force Power Meters are gaining in popularity as they are light and easy to install and remove. They measure power by reading the opposing forces due to rate of climb, wind speed and direction, and acceleration of the cycle. Opposing Force Power Meters do not need recalibration and are as effective as Direct Force Power Meters. They also don't suffer drop-outs and spikes in readings. The competitive pricing ($400 to $800), and ease of use makes Opposing Force Power Meters an appealing alternative for road cyclists.
Direct Force Power Meters have traditionally been the choice of elite cyclists, coaches and sports scientists. They measure power using electro-mechanical sensors built into a variety of cycle components, such as:
- Rear wheel hub.
- Bottom bracket.
- Ring gear/spider.
- Crank arm.
- Pedal.
These bike power meters have several issues:
- They are expensive, ranging in price from $800 to $4000.
- They can be difficult to install and choosing the right unit for your bike setup can be a minefield.
- They need regular recalibration, and some units need factory recalibration.
- They suffer from drop-outs and spikes in readings.
Opposing Force Power Meters are gaining in popularity as they are light and easy to install and remove. They measure power by reading the opposing forces due to rate of climb, wind speed and direction, and acceleration of the cycle. Opposing Force Power Meters do not need recalibration and are as effective as Direct Force Power Meters. They also don't suffer drop-outs and spikes in readings. The competitive pricing ($400 to $800), and ease of use makes Opposing Force Power Meters an appealing alternative for road cyclists.
Why buy a Wasp Smart Power Meter?
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Wind is the predominant force affecting performance of a road cyclist. Our innovative sensor reads wind speed to within ±5%, and direction to within ±5° allowing more precise calculation of power attributed to wind. Not only that, the Wasp Smart Power Meter has a GPS sensor that accurately measures ground speed and direction along with a barometric pressure sensor that measures altitude, all of which enhances the accuracy of the power meter.
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Each unit is tested and calibrated in our specially designed wind tunnel, so you’ll be assured of the best performing units available. Our research shows that the Wasp Smart Power Meter is as effective as mechanical power meters for measuring cyclist power output. The figures below compare the Wasp Smart Power Meter to a reference Direct Force Power Meter. The differences in the power-interval readings (1) for this one-hour ride are negligible, as is the power distribution (2).
Fig. 1: Comparison of power-interval for the Wasp (Cyan), and reference (Blue) power meter.
Fig. 2: Power distribution of Wasp (Cyan), and reference (Blue) power meter.
'Even though the two units measure power in two totally different ways, the results are the same.'
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