I saw a valuable question on the reddit forum:
"I have gotten permission from my wife to buy new carbon wheels or a power meter on Black Friday this year. I am not sure which one to go for.
I am not a racer but I like to ride hard and fast. I like to review my performance data and a techy person but am running shallow narrow aluminium wheels that have 15k+ miles on them.
Any thoughts?"
I believe that many cyclists face the same problem when faced with the choice of power meter or carbon wheels
For more replies to this post, you can check it here. Maybe it can help you make better decisions.
The question about carbon wheels and power also caused me to think, when cyclists are faced with a choice, if they can only choose one, do they prefer Power meter or Carbon wheels? What will your answer be?
I've research many info and sources, and this post will try to explain the differences between power meters and carbon wheels, but it's not about decision making, the purpose is to help you understand them better. Of course, if you have the budget, having all the carbon wheels and power meter is better for your cycling experience.
If you don't have enough concentration to read the entire article, there are also many guides on the youtube channel about the power meter and carbon wheels. I found two videos that might help you in your decision making.
Power Meters
Power meters have two types. The single-sided power meter helps measure the power of the left leg and then estimates the power output of the right leg. The dual-sided power meter calculates the power of the right leg and measures it.
Power meters can provide you valuable input on a host of other vital cycling metrics, such as leg balance, pedaling smoothness, standing-seated time comparison, etc.
Power meters have proven to be game-changers for cyclists focused on improving their performance and looking to get more from their training efforts. but power meters help a little for the professional cyclists who have undergone extensive formal training.
Carbon Wheels
Carbon wheels are more aerodynamic. They can be fitted into any rim profile because of their low density without adding to the bike’s overall weight. Nearly all carbon wheels have a deeper rim to control airflow better. This makes the bike perfect for road racing.
The low density of carbon makes the carbon wheels lighter than the more commonly used alloy wheels. You can lighten your bike by as much as 300 grams when you use carbon wheels instead of alloy wheels. Your bike will be better equipped for a ride on steep terrains. They will also provide a better response to your peddling efforts on plain roads.
Another reason to invest in carbon wheels is the amazing transformation it brings to your bike. You can have fun modifying the bike using a sleek set of deep carbon with a stealthy set of graphics. It is guaranteed to turn heads and elicit positive nods.
Then, let’s look at the Pros and Cons of power meters and carbon wheels.
The power meters
Pros:
- Provides high-quality, reliable, and accurate data
- Gives you a fair insight into your strengths and weaknesses
- Allows you to track your progress consistently
- Helps you understand and apply the all-important pacing factor
- Assists in taking indoor cycling to the next level,more scientific.
Cons:
- Make your ride boring,
- Get away from free feeling, make your brain full of data
- No substantial improvement in bike speed
Carbon Wheels
Pros:
- Boost your bike's speed and give it a good look
- More aerodynamics and lighten up your ride
- Bring more freedom to outdoor riding,
Cons:
- Inability to accurately record your data to provide precise training recommendations
- More expensive
- In the event of a collision, it is easy to cause damage
The buyer's suggestions to power meters
Choosing the right power meter is vital as various types are available on the market. The key aspects to consider are accuracy, data consistency, transferability, and compatibility with your bike. The price to value ratio is also vital.
Basic models are available for $300. They are designed to measure your overall power based on your left leg. The advanced models, such as the dual-sided ones, cost around $800. They are more accurate and reliable and come with a rechargeable battery and other features.
If you are a beginner to use power meter,Read the BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO POWER METERS.
The buyer's suggestions to carbon wheels
It will be more complicated to choose the carbon wheels,which depends on many factors. If durability and braking performance matter to you, stick to what you have right now. If you are looking to enhance your performance on all terrains, you can achieve it quickly with the right set of carbon wheels.
Read the guide to help you choose the right carbon wheels.
Conclusion:
Power Meter or Carbon Wheels,Which One? There is no standard answer to this question.
If you are focused on getting better and committed to training, you need a power meter. You can get valuable data that can be utilized to improve the outcome of training sessions and make you a faster biker in the long term.
If you want to become a speed sensation overnight, carbon wheels are the way to do it. You can impress your friends in the biking circles instantly, brag about your speed, and show off your racy biking capabilities in style.
As a rider, of course I want to get all of them,right？
