Might be worth keeping an eye on 4iiii Precision 2 power meter prices, the Precision 3 appears to have been released. Apparently a little shallower, making it now fit some frames previous editions couldn't, plus claimed 800 hours per cr2032 battery.
Really quite tempted... With a dead Precision 1 and now my Stages starting to go a bit erratic...! Especially if 4iiii (still going through troubleshooting) give me a discount or an 'upgrade' option to it...! The S/H 4iiii did a couple of years with me through all weathers, very reliable unit and I'd easily recommend them (and the Stages for that matter).
He'll have his work cut out with me
Probably better to send you to the knackers yard and get a new one!
With the shoe/toe issues you have, while working in a shop, I'd have thought you'd have a local fitter known/customer who'd do you a deal?!
Yeah, I do get your point. If you have issues, why wouldn't you go see someone!? A blanket statement of it's weird people don't spend £400 on something that might not benefit them though...
I think availability of them might be a barrier and quality. With your Doctor, there's structure to his training and he passes exams and then gains experience etc. If I wanted a bike fit, I'm not sure where I would start looking... how would I be sure I'm seeing someone that actually knows his stuff etc.
There's structure, training and exams/certifications etc for Fitters too. Not to mention really expensive equipment they need to be able to do the job. It's quite a bit 'more' than just sitting on a turbo and having a guy squint at you. But it very much used to be that traditionally - technology and certifications have backed up the science behind it and given it all numbers. But that's nothing to say 'Bob in his garage' can't do a quality fit on someone for £20 as a massive part of it is experience. The same way that Fred with a £5000 RETUL machine charging £500 a hour can't. Certainly the equipment, measuring and 'sports science' around it now it's 'easier' to scientifically measure, quantify and monitor. But it is still fundamentally fitting various variable bodies to fixed 'known' frame sizes and interfaces.
The availability and barrier is a very good point. Go back 10-15 years and unknown Fred with 'all the gear no idea' wouldn't be able to charge £400 for a fit. He just wouldn't get any customers. So many fitters rely on their qualification and name to get enough customers to charge the prices they do, not to mention the equipment and certifications needed. So much of it is 'known' fit methods like RETUL alongside massive amount of 'spreading their name' through the right clubs, channels and shops to get enough customers.
In yet they benefit me every single ride...
Debatable, but that's a different argument not worth going into! But it equally could be the same argument over riding Di2 and Discs...
We got Alice her bike yesterday. Was just about to pull the trigger on the Ribble and we thought we'd just check ebay for any second hand bikes. Immediately saw one she much preferred (cause pretty colours) and decided to go and pick it up.
Barely been used. She's really happy with it. The wheels are a bit heavy compared to the rest of the bike so when i get my Zipps later in the year, she can have my old ones. She's a few months away from using it as about to drop the baby in the next week or so but once Bambino is here, we can set her up on the turbo trainer and do some gentle riding to get back into things.
Tried Alpe d'zwift on Saturday. That was a painful and humbling experience. took me 88 minutes and 24 seconds. I think I took the first half a bit too
easy and spent too much time in the saddle on the whole ride. I wanted to do it under 90 minutes and I suppose I'm happy that I just about beat it but I'm quite disappointed at how long it took me. Can only get faster from here on in though!
Looks a great setup for that money - congrats on getting a deal! Don't know my Cube's but seen them around a while so think it's a brand I'd generally trust as reliable and although those bright colours are a complete rip of Bianchi Celeste - it still looks AWESOME! (
but I would say that).
Good work enabling her to have a great 'target' and something to look forward to. Especially after everything she's going/gone/about to go through - good luck to you both!
Good work with AdZ, it's tough and always a good measure of fitness. Even better if you finished it within your target time and still think you went too easy somewhere! It's something I always liked to do as a 'complete' FTP test as a ~60 min effort. But it's so brutal it's not something I've ridden much recently (only done it 6 times total lol) as not really doing any FTP specific training...