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Cadel rides powertap

Cyclingnews published this photo of Cadel Evans clearly showing his using the full powertap system this year in preperation for the Tour and Giro. He was racing in the 7th Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi-Bartali - 2.1, Italy, March 27-31, 2007.

Powertap Geeks in Bronze

Brad Huff - Powertap user- earned a bronze medal at the World Championships. Would love to know his wattage figures.

Brad is the founding member of the 1500 watt club!

Great job Brad - good luck stayg strong and kick some ass in Beijing next year.

Watt Millar Wants

Still wondering where the motivation from David Millar to sign with Slipstream comes from? And if you did not know, Millar's influence on the team started this last year with the suggestion of one of the new foreigners, Ben Johnson to the team - Reported by Velonews. So Millar and Vaughters have a good relationship with the team so I see some more weight to the signing.

The other big singing should either confirm or go elsewhere in the next few days.

 

Watt are the talking about?

I spoke with Jesse from Powertap yesterday. He mentioned he was going to be in my neck of the woods this weekend - Ash-vegas. He is attending a CTS camp. So i did some research. Here is Chris -I sort of trained Lance Armstrong- website info:

Spin into top shape this winter and make 2007 your most powerful cycling year ever. Carmichael Training Systems brings PowerTap power training to Asheville. At our 8 week high voltage indoor training classes, you'll learn how to train with the PowerTap power meter, a proven training tool that can boost your cycling strength by12%. Keep yourself in top shape during the holidays or get a jump on next year's cycling season by signing up today.

Class Requirements: Bring your own bike to the first class and we'll install a brand-new CycleOps PowerTap rear wheel that's yours to keep for the duration of the two-month class session.

Classes held twice-a-week, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 6:00 to 7:00pm at Carmichael Training Systems—Asheville,NC.

WHAT 12% are the talking about? If it were that easy to raise your level 12%, then I think most of us would know about it. 12% one day? Or new plateau?

IF you have gone to one of these camps  please shoot me an email.

Saul Report

Saul's trying to make his comeback at the US Pro Cycling Championships. Here is a photo from a recent Computrainer race he did in New York City. Look at his freaking wattage numbers. They guy is a stud. Now granted he could do 440 for 30 minutes before the accident. But still 348 indoors on a trainer - imagine the boredom! Doing it all with a Powertap!  His ride is this weekend. Go if you can.

"I just want to test myself. I feel like I never got the chance to fire on all cylinders. Credit Agricole planned to ride for me in the Giro (in 2006), and there was talk of me being the team leader in the ’07 Tour."

Good report from some of my old team mates on Saul Raisin and the special call he got during the Tour de France last year. Thor giving props to Saul. Enjoy the story it is a good one.

WATTS in store?

I have opened a store for the site for all of you powertap geeks. Wear the shirts on the podium when you smoke your buddies who still train with a heart rate monitor...

Doug O rides a PTap

Saw this photo on Cyclingnews.com. Seems Doug Ollerenshaw is now a powertap geek. I had heard and read that he was into the wattage thing since he has a Master degree in engineering and very successful racaer. He saw it is a practical way to train.

Funny thing is how guys like this spread the power tap usage. My good friend raced with Doug O years ago, and he never trained with a PT. I got a call last week asking me to hook him up with one since he needs to train smater. The guy is a superstar, multi-state and national champion. But never wanted to train with power before.

Maybe old team mate Monniger was the one that turned Dougie O onto the powertap?

New poll - Watt do you use your powertap for...

Thanks to all of you who responded to our first poll on which model. Overwhelmingly you are an SL audience. With a few old school and no wire riders. So you're either serious about training or rich...

New Poll - how do use your powertap?

                                                                                                             

What is your Powertap Model?               Powertap SL   48% (74 votes)               Powertap Pro   31% (47 votes)               Powertap SL 2.4  15% (23 votes)               Powertap (original)  6% (9 votes) Total voters for this poll: 152

                                                       

WATTS UP MATE?

Great photo from the French AP service of Cadel using a Powertap during a race. I like the fact that it is right there for us to see. I have not seen too many Lotto-Pedictor team riders usig it in the Belgium Classics.

They were becoming Slipstream part II in the fact that they were sponsored but no product use in races.

Go to his site and he talks a little about using an SRM and his training and coach.

How to mount a powertap SL

New bike arrived from Bianchi. 928 SL to replace the FG Lite cracker jack. See post below to find out why. Took 8 days to get a new frameset from them. So Thanks to Russy and Juan for making sure I had a new ride to keep training and racing.

I mounted the powertap different this time to hide the wires even more. And since you like videos I taped the mounting so I could show you some tips from of the trade. I will edit the videos and post by the weekend.

For now notice the "shark-fin" inside the rear triangle. This protects it, doesn't tear  zip-ties when you pull wheels out or expose the wires to the outside of the frame to be pinched, cut or crushed.

I used black electrical tape to hide the wires. I like to use the clear ties that Saris puts in the kits, on a color frame since it hides well against most colors. Since this bike is all carbon the tape doesn't show.

I see a lot of people mount their unit down the top chain stay and "wrap" it around the tube which is ugly and exposes the wire to possible damage. I hope you can see that even a "wired" Powertap system can be hidden and not distract from the beauty of a bike.

Send in your tips or pictures for readers to enjoy....