Powertap wheels

[Deleted]

This thread may belong in the General forum, but I figure more people reading the Training section would likely to have Powertaps.

I've recently fitted one of my bikes with some Rotor Power cranks which have given me quite an insight into the workings of my cycling and where my flaws lie, it's a great training tool.

However, the bike it's fitted onto doesn't get out during the week, and will go into hibernation in a few months, which leaves me looking for an alternative solution for my other two bikes (commuter, "spare" light bike). I can't justify buying another set of power cranks for a relatively cheap commuter, but figured a powertap wheel would be a cheaper solution, and at the same time quite a flexible one considering my other two bikes are both Shimano freehubs.

I have looked around at Powertap hubs, and have noted that a lot of people don't rate the ready-built wheels that are on sale for retail. To those of you that ride with Powertaps, what choices have you made when buying the wheel? Did you buy it off the shelf, or was it custom built? Any recommendations on someone who could put together a reliable wheel for this?

Many thanks in advance!


Alvaro

[Deleted]

I can't offer advice on pre-built vs custom but Powertap have just announced a drop in their prices significantly so if you're looking to buy you may want to wait until the price reductions filter through:

www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/powertap-power-meter-prices-drop-38034/

(in case you weren't already aware)

[Ben Knapp]

I sourced the Powertap Hub and Chris King front hub online then got Pete at Rat Race to build a wheel set on A23s. I love them and Pete offers a life-truing service incorporated in the wheel build.

Nick W has had some issues with his A23's but there are quite a few sets on Dulwich club member bikes.

Total cost for me was (October 2012):

- 2x Strada Velocity A23 RIms @ £45 each (Rat Race Cycles) = £90.00
- 56 x Sapim CX-Ray (BLACK) @£1.50 extra each (Rat Race Cycles) = £84.00
- build cost (Rat Race Cycles) = £80.00
- Cyclops G3 Power Tap (Wiggle) = £730.00
- Chris King R45 Front Hub (TotalCycling.com) = £130.00
Total = £1114.00

Thread link: dulwichparagon.proboards.com/thread/5637/wheels-power-tap-advice

[Deleted]

Cheers both, I'll look into it, many thanks!



Alvaro

[Chi Cheung]

Hi,

Can someone recommend a tubeless rim (24/28) for a Powertap build besides Stans?

[Deleted]

Thanks all for the advice, I've found the newly-priced G3 hubs on their official UK distributor (http://www.paligap.cc/Powertap-G3-Hub-Only_5517_p) for £700, put in a pre-order, and have spoken to Rat Race cycles which came out with identical costs to yours Ben (but for a single wheel), so I'll probably go with them for building.


Alvaro

[Alex Ioannides]

Never mind PowerTap - Garmin have finally released their Vector (pedal-based) system!

[Chi Cheung]

Super pricey tho and not for Speedplay

[Deleted]

A Power2max isn't that more expensive and takes about 2 mins to swap between bikes if needed.

[Ben Knapp]

May be worth a look:

dhague ‏@dhague 8 Aug
For sale: Powertap wheelset. New G3 internals, 30mm aero rims (brand new rear), 20/24 CX-Ray spokes, 1750g. £1100 new, looking for £750.
Retweeted by Rob Sharland
Expand

[Alex Ioannides]

Chi - I hear what you're saying re Speedplay. If they make a Speedplay version then I'm selling my PowerTaps.

The price relative to a G3 PowerTap is comparable I think.

[Deleted]

The wheel built will weigh in at £850, Looking at the Power2Max cranks, they weigh in at about £950 including delivery, and presumably to "swap" it out, you need to have similar Rotor cranks on the other bikes? Or how does the swapping of it work?

You'd also have to factor in £100 for chainrings I guess.

[Deleted]

You can just undo 3 allen key bolts and then swap the whole crankset in go, super quick and easy

[Deleted]

Swapping cranks is nearly as easy as swapping wheels. I do it regularly with my quarq (just one bolt, for the record). Just need to have same bb / cups on both bikes (a £25 problem for quarq).

Which begs the question - why can't you so this with your rotor power cranks?

[Deleted]

James.. there was talk of power drift from the Power2Max unit. Maybe this was in the early days and has since been sorted out. Have you had any experience of this?