Comments on: On the right road

By: SAM

SAM — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:29:38 +0000

I rely on the HAC4 power readout at the moment and would be very keen to take part in field testing of this new innovation. I’m based in the mid-West of Ireland so there is varied terrain within day rides to get some feedback.

By: Rhys Davies

Rhys Davies — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:45:16 +0000

Im looking at getting a power meter for 2010. If you want somone to test it in the inhopsitable environment that is Wales then let me know!

By: RV

RV — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:17:07 +0000

With the force sensors under the cyclist’s shoes – will that be an issue for triathletes – if we are running through transition with shoes on over a variety of surfaces?

My Ergomo crapped out – need something good – hope this will be it!

By: David McCann

David McCann — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:57:55 +0000

Hey!
The idea sounds brilliant.
I am just hoping that your system might be able to measure the WASTED force being applied to stretch / compress the crank. And by the sound of your method, this shouldnt be too hard to add – although the software presentation of this could be done in a number of more or less useful ways.
I think this would be a considerable advantage over the other systems allowing measuring of / training to improve efficiency.

Second idea – How difficult would it be to add a sensor to measure the HORIZONTAL forces being wastefully applied?
Few people apply force vertically.
Many people ride a far from biomechanically ideal stance width (or q-factor) applying force at a considerable angle away from vertical.
Looking at the growing popularity of cleat wedges / orthotics and bike fit – an objective measure of how these things effect lateral forces/increase ‘% useful force’ if readily available would be a huge tool that almost no serious bike fitter / biomechanist / physio lab would be without.

I would really love the opportunity to contribute ideas in any way that might help you.
I’ve been using power to train for over 10 years now.
Excited to see what will come out – and hoping you can get it out fast enough not to lose out to a quarq boom in the next year.
David McCann

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:00:41 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement. I understand everyone’s curiosity about our power meter, but I hope you’ll understand why we can’t give away too much detail at this stage. It’s going to be a while before we have a product, and we need to make sure that we will be able to make the most of our opportunity when we eventually get there. Also, we don’t want to promise detailed performance or specifications until we’re certain we will be able to meet them.

I can give you some general responses to some of your questions: Weight will be minimal. Extra stack height will be tiny or zero. It will measure forces doing real work, not affected by other foot movements. It will put up with immersion in water and mud.

I’d love to be able to tell you more – we’re genuinely very excited about what we’re doing. It’s very difficult to keep quiet about it, but we would be stupid to give away the details when we’re still so far from a product.

By: Tony Salazar

Tony Salazar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:33:33 +0000

Great idea guys. I wish you the best of lucks, and success. Keep us posted.

By: Francisco

Francisco — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:53:27 +0000

Question: 1-sometimes we move our feet to relax them, does it will be read as power or not? 2- it will resist water and mud? Think about Paris-Roubaix. 3- when at a rough surface like cobblestones, how will be the readings? because ther’s bumps of the surface acting against the feet when pedaling.
It will be very good to see a powermetter like this working as good as the others in the market, I want to see them

By: Dirk

Dirk — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:04:18 +0000

Not sure you want to share this, but is your concept also an in-sole device similar to what Microsport had (pressure sensor embedded in some kind of flex/plastic substrate)?

For quite a while I’ve been wanting and thinking about a pedal-based power sensor myself (for road and mtb). But I think to succeed it has to be very accurate (I’m thinking powertap grade), in particular it shouldn’t fudge during hard, irregular out-of-the-saddle type efforts… there are already enough affordable, cheap alternatives of the ‘non-accurate’ type.

I personally would be happier with something built into a pedal than something into the shoe or cleat, if it improves accuracy. Pedals are pretty portable.

Anyways, if you need more testers I’d be more than eager to volunteer…

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:56:11 +0000

I hope you guys can pull it off because it sounds great. A few questions: Will it work with all pedal systems? What kind of weight do you anticipate? Will it affect stack height?

I would also volunteer as a tester as a road racer in the warm climate of Georgia and could give you comparisons to a powertap.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:27:04 +0000

I use my iBike in doors too. I’ve had a tremendous amount of trouble with the meter in general though (through no fault of the company’s, just keep getting one with intermittent problems – something I’ve experienced with more than just this one item).