Power for All: Why Your Cycling Training Isn’t Complete without a Power Meter

July 2021

Ok, so buying a cycling power meter might not give you as big a dopamine hit as a nice pair of Oakly’s or that new-shiny-object feel-good factor from a set of new wheels, but we can guarantee it’ll have a bigger impact on your riding!

Cycling power meters used to be just for the pros, but not anymore. In fact, cycling power meters offer so many benefits to amateur and novice riders that it’s easy to see why they should be in use across the board.

Cycling power meters provide real-time feedback on cycling intensity, which is incredibly useful for all levels of cycling! They don’t suffer from external factors like wind, how hot a day it is or that extra coffee you had at breakfast and can help you make your training more efficient with perfect pacing. You can also measure your progress using cycling analytics software, plan your training schedule and workouts with precision, monitor your power profile and find areas for improvement. Even track your FTP and Weight changes!

So what are the pros and cons of using a cycling power meter?

Let’s look at the pros first!

Real-time feedback

A cyclist might not realize they’re going too hard until their form starts breaking down due to excessive effort and they burn out! A smart cyclist knows when to ease off and when to push harder. With a power meter, you know exactly how hard you’re riding, from the first pedal stroke to the last.

Cycling power meters are not affected by external factors

Factors such as wind, what you had for breakfast or how warm it is can affect your performance. Unlike heart rate monitors, what you see with a power meter is accurate wattage power that is absolute, real-time and without any of those effects.

They make your training more efficient with perfect pacing

Cycling is often considered an aerobic sport – but it also requires short bursts of high-intensity activity (anaerobic) to push through challenging sections of terrain or break free from a group on the road. A smart rider will know when they need to go hard and where to save their energy when possible; this means working at a level just below what would cause excessive fatigue so you have reserves for when it’s really needed. The cycling power meter you use will help guide your training so you’re always working at a pace just right to suit your fitness level – and never overdoing the effort, leading to burnout.

Power data will give you deep insights to help your training

It may sound like geeky cycling talk, but understanding and using power data is spurring a revolution among cyclists. The analytics really help riders monitor their progress, train in the correct training zones, and plan their training schedule and workouts with precision.

And the cons?!

Cost!

For most, the biggest disadvantage is the cost. Yes, some power meters cost a lot (sometimes more than your bike!), but we’d suggest that, as a power meter has a bigger benefit to your training than buying almost any other component for your bike, then it’s worth the investment! That’s why we founded Limits Power Meters! [shameless plug coming up!] The advantage of the Limits Bia Power Meter is its affordability. And because you can easily transfer it to any of your bikes, you only need to buy one. [ok, plug over]

It doesn’t tell you everything

While heart rate monitors track your relative effort (your ride’s impact on your body) and speedometers quantify your effort’s results, power meters simply measure the actual work itself. The same power output might feel easier or harder to produce in different situations, but 250 watts is 250 watts, no matter the setting.

We’ll leave you with this quote, from Nikalas Cook, former Masters Team Pursuit World Champion and leading cycling journalist:

“A power meter provides a shortcut to pro perfect pacing”