Training and racing with a power meter is all about the principle of specificity. Whether you are doing intense intervals or out for a light spin, a power meter allows you to generate and record actionable data about every second you spend on the bike.

Once you know the demands of a race or ride in which you wish to excel, the fun begins. Constructing a training plan using power as a metric allows you to replicate the demands of your event with exact precision. Greater precision, means greater specificity, which means improved performance.

There is a reason why most professional and elite cyclists train with power. Quite simply, it is the “gold standard” by which the intensity of training and racing can be quantified.

Power Meters

Currently the power meter market is dominated by 3 companies, SRM, CycleOps, and the newest player to the game Quarq. All three companies make a great product that has been proven in the field and all three companies seem to offer solid customer support for their product.

So which power meter is right for you? The short answer to that question is “it depends”. You can research the different power meter systems ad nauseam online, or you’re welcome to contact me and we can discuss the different options available. Another great resource is the book Training and Racing with a Power Meter which provides a detailed comparison of the different power meters on the market today. I also have a detailed blog post that you can check out to aid in your research.

Coaching clients receive a substantial discount on Quarq and Powertap power meter systems.