powertap hub works fine and is a very effective training tool. Your power output in races is mainly a vanity thing.

The Joule GPS is a very capable computer that I happened to get for free as a replacement for my  broken Joule 2.0. I was very happy to discover that it would use GPS to track my ride and give me all data except power and cadence (route, speed, elevation, HR etc) in the absence of the powertap (i.e. on a rental bike).

If they do in fact come out with a crank based system, I'm sure it will be substantially more expensive, if for no other reason than market forces. I think this amazing price drop should be celebrated and taken advantage of by those without power meters and with limited financial resources (or just innately cheap).

Or just buy a Powercal....as power output in training is also a vanity thing.  

twoyacks said:

whooo....someone is getting their market share threatened by Stages....sorry power tap......but I have 3 sets of wheels and I use them all....BUT I am still enjoying your Powercal.

I doubt it.  Stages still isn't consistent enough.  And won't be for some time.  I likewise have a hard time believing that the Vector is going to turn into a real product anytime soon.

mugwump said:

twoyacks said:

whooo....someone is getting their market share threatened by Stages....sorry power tap......but I have 3 sets of wheels and I use them all....BUT I am still enjoying your Powercal.

I doubt it.  Stages still isn't consistent enough.  And won't be for some time.  I likewise have a hard time believing that the Vector is going to turn into a real product anytime soon.

PT is really more for people with one set of wheels

I think PT is for people with one set of wheels and they're getting killed because most "serious" racers have multiple sets of wheels...

Neuvation has a complete G3 pt wheel for $845

I'm just annoyed that they can cut $520 off the price like it aint no thang. I wonder what other parts we're getting gouged on?

Everybody gouges on everything. Who are you kidding?
I heard a talk from a company that makes X-ray generators. They had new, apparently cheaper technology that increased the output ten-fold. When they indicated that the price was much higher than the current stuff, the audience objected, but the company justified an increased cost by saying that you pay market value, which is not directly linked to manufacturing costs. i.e., more X-rays should cost more $$. All you need is a competitor to come in with a cheaper price point to break this cycle. And on that point, computer manufacturers have been known to sell their products at a loss in order to boost their market share and increase perceived value of the brand. Of course, there are development costs for a new product that diminish over time, such that the price of making a  product actually falls over time.

It's gonna work this time, right?

http://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2013/08/01/garmin-power-meter-mass-production#.Ufu4KFNQ1Lp

I think what's amazing about the Power Meter market, is how long the biggies have been able to charge us +40% on product without threat of losing market share. In the field of computers and technology, they might as well have had a lock on prices since roughly the Iron Age.

Just a day or two before the big announcement, Competitive Cyclist sent out an email blowing out their PT stuff, at, wait for it, 40% off! Coincidence?

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/sc/cycleops-powertap-g3-sale.3050.html?cmp_id=EM_CC_1015544_M1&mv_pc=r105

Marc Bertucco said:

Just a day or two before the big announcement, Competitive Cyclist sent out an email blowing out their PT stuff, at, wait for it, 40% off! Coincidence?

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/sc/cycleops-powertap-g3-sale.3050.html?cmp_id=EM_CC_1015544_M1&mv_pc=r105

Ouch.  Broken model I tell you.

A friend of mine had a gig doing surveys and crunching numbers for a big ad agency.  He worked on some big accounts, including a car manufacturer that was interested in bringing a SUV to market.  The manufacturer priced it out and was pretty sure it could bring said SUV to market for X.   The ad agency did some surveys and found that people expected that such a car should cost X+$10,000.  The SUV went to market for the second price.  And sold well.

this seems like a decent offer considering the wheels retailed at over $2k.  i'd be tempted myself if it didn't mean that karlee would murder me.

http://nycc.org/message-board/reynolds-stratus-clincher-carbon-wheels-michelin-ironman-tires-625-obo/65338

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/3975329697.html

I'm not sure this goes under 'Deals & Steals', but I am excited by this development. I don't think I care about the new technology, nor the convenience of switching bikes (it is no good for 'cross). But I think it means that prices of power meters will be falling and lots of the old fashioned models will appear on the used market. The $1700 entry price for this Garmin model reminds me of the discussion we were having about price gouging, though I suppose they have to recoup the development costs. But it will give a boost to their computer sales, which I gather have been a bit flat lately with the competition starting to make inroads on their market share. Specifically, the ability to independently record power from right and left pedals is not a standard feature of the current ANT+ computers.

@Stokes there was a Powertap/Garmin thread just above it; I'll cross post it to the gear thread.

Hey all,

60cm track bike going for $359 at PS Ride Brooklyn, reduced from $600 I think. Any giants among you who want to give track a serious (or not so serious) go, that is a steal.

the khs?

Don't outbid me on these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rapha-Merino-Wool-Arm-Warmers-Mens-Large-Excellent-Condition-/190885881189?pt=US_Cycling_Clothing&hash=item2c71af6565 "As you'll know if you own any Rapha wool clothing, they use only sheep that are washed and conditioned every morning, groomed twice daily and fed on a diet of nourishing, green-leafed vegetables. All the while, the sheep are watching newsreels of epic Tour de France stages from the 1950s."

I'm tempted. I have had a pair of wool arm warmers for donkey's years and I dread the day when they are no longer usable. Not Rapha-wear, and the sheep were buggered, but whatever.

dstokes said:

I'm tempted. I have had a pair of wool arm warmers for donkey's years and I dread the day when they are no longer usable. Not Rapha-wear, and the sheep were buggered, but whatever.

I don't understand the appeal of donkey-hair arm warmers, but hey, there is no accounting for fashion...

Good wool is the best. As expensive as rapha's and icebreaker's stuff is, I've had some of it for 7 years and it's held up pretty well. And you're too skinny for Large, Stokes. You need small extra long.

I have Smartwool arm warmers and think they are great. Only problem so far is that moths like em too so there are a couple small holes.

Some people's skin is more sensitive to the wool itch.
For years I used wool shorts and wool jersey (and arm and leg warmers, even shoes with leather soles!).so I've developed some itch immunity. Though I have to say that wool simply isn't as comfortable on the east coast as it was descending through a redwood grove along the left coast.

if anyone is buying on amazon, the seller "BikeZilla Bike Shop (Roys Bike Shop)" usually doesn't charge shipping for smaller items.  they ship quickly (my order just shipped same day) and it only takes a day or two to get to you since they are in sheepshead bay.  it's a nice compromise between supporting local vendors and recognizing your wallet is not bottomless.

Hey, it's opposite day, so I thought I'd post this link here. For the low, low price of $150, you too can watch a handful of cross races you care about this year, plus I assume some MTB stuff you don't care about at all.

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/251033-2013-CrossVegas/article/22279-CrossVegas-Live-Stream-Information?ref=ourflashcrossvegaslivestreaminfo

I'm sort of flabbergasted that someone thought this is a business model/pricing structure that might work. It won't work will it?

Marc,