equipment
Power Meter
A complete overview of power meters, how they work, and why they’re the gold standard for measuring cycling performance.
What It Is
A power meter is a device that measures the actual force you apply to the pedals, crank, or rear hub and calculates your output in watts. Unlike speed or heart rate, power provides a direct, objective measure of effort, making it the most precise tool for training and racing.
ELI5 Version
A power meter is like a lie detector for your legs. It tells you exactly how hard you're pushing, no matter the wind, terrain, or slope.
Why It Matters
- Most accurate measure of effort, watts don’t lie.
- Enables precise training especially for intervals and pacing.
- Essential for setting training zones (Zone 2, Sweet Spot, Threshold, etc.).
- Improves pacing for time trials, climbing, and long events.
- Allows deep analysis of performance, fatigue, and progress.
- Pairs perfectly with bike computers for structured workouts.
Practical Use
- Pair your power meter with a bike computer to view real-time watts.
- Use power to execute structured intervals in the correct training zones.
- Monitor changes in FTP and LT2 over time.
- Track power curves to understand strengths (sprints, climbs, endurance).
- Use dual-sided meters for balanced left/right pedal analysis.
Other Reading
DC Rainmaker has the comprehensive guide to buying a power meter if you want to <a href="https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/04/power-meter-buyers.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">check it out</a>.