SRAM Rival Stages Cycling Powermeter Review

Part way through this past cyclocross season I purchased a SRAM rival stages powermeter that I can use on both my Ridley X-fire CX bike and my old aluminum Cervelo P3 TT bike.  So far I've been pretty pleased, that is to say, I've had no issues and it works the way they advertise.

First of all it's super easy to install, just like installing the left crank arm.  Second it's easy to communicate with.  My Iphone talks to it in Bluetooth mode, and allows me to update its firmware.  The Garmin edge talks to it using the ANT+ protocols.  Just zero out the powermeter by leaving the crank pointing down and then hitting the calibrate button.

I raced with it during CX season and had no issues and now it's on the TT bike.  No big deal.  Below are some pictures of my rival cranks.  I moved it from my compact 110 rival CX chain rings to the standard 130 TT chain rings with no recalibration or anything.  Just moved it.... easy.

I ran some tests to compare the readings of the stages powermeter with that from my G3 Powertap.  I put them both on my TT bike and did an easy endurance ride and the two powermeters read within 10 watts of each other.  They're not exactly the same but they're close.  The difference isn't enough to be in different power zones or anything.  The one draw back is the stages only reads the left leg and I know my left leg is stronger/more efficient than my right.  I don't know if it's 10 watts better, but maybe.

Either way, with the low cost of the stages powermeter and the simplicity of its operation.  I'm happy with it and would think it would make an outstanding powermeter for just about anyone.  You're not locked to a wheel nor is it expensive like a full crankset (quarq or SRM).  I see Sky cycling is even using them.  It will be interesting to see if the Tour champ(s) have an issue with only getting data from his left leg.

I just moved the stages powermeter to the old Cervelo P3 TT bike

I had the stages powermeter on the Ridely CX bike for half the 2013 CX season

This is a WKO+ comparison between the PT and Stages powermeters on the same ride, on the trainer.  The top graph shows the power.  It looks like there's a little offset in time (my fault for not cropping the data correctly).  As you can see the power numbers on the yellow/Stages line appears to be slightly higher than the red/PT line.  The heart rate data in the second graph should line up perfectly as I was only wearing on HR strap, the offset is do the slight difference in data crop.  The average difference between the Stages and PT powermeters was about 10 watts.

Starting Season Statistics

Ok, weekend goals completed.

To determine my season starting threshold power (FTP) I used the TrainerRoad.com 8-minute test workout.  It's pretty simple, two 8 minute all out efforts.  You take the average power from the two efforts and 90% of that number is your estimated FTP.  The TrainerRoad system calculates everything for you.  On a side note, the TrainerRoad program has been really helpful for me.  I've enjoyed it and find it useful.  I have a couple of screen shots of the test below.

During the first 8 minutes I averaged 309W and the second 312W.  I feel like I paced my efforts pretty well and I was happy about that.  At some point I'll do the twenty minute test and see how it compares.  The test results are that my FTP is currently at 279W.  It could be a little higher if I'd done this outdoors but I'm just looking for a reproducible test result and this should be close enough.

Also, my body weight was 180 lbs.  Again, not too bad.  Races that I've performed well at have been when my weight was closer to 175 or a little lower.  Hopefully this base season will allow me time to burn some of those calories and shed a few pounds.

Tis the Season

Ok, it’s time to get a little more serious and start mapping out and preparing for the 2014 season.  It’s time to begin getting in some longer base miles, not that I haven’t been riding a little, but now it’s time to get a little more formal about it.  Time to analyze those workouts to a greater degree and make sure things are progressing.

This is the latest I’ve ever started my season, I typically try to start those base miles in early January.  With the cold weather and snow we've had this year, I’m glad I haven’t been on the trainer as much as that would have required.  My plan is to kick everything off with a power test this weekend and a body weight measurement.  I can’t say I’m look forward to either of these but it needs to be done.  This will be my starting point.

Once my power numbers are identified I’ll use them to target my endurance power zones and begin ticking off the miles.  The goal will be getting to body adapted to consistently riding and building up my aerobic engine to get it ready for the season.  I'll post on the results this weekend.

The ‘Off’ Season

Towards the end of this past CX season I was “looking forward to the off season.”  I felt a little burned out.  But what does that mean?  I’ve reached a point were not exercising really isn’t an option.  After a day or two of resting I really don’t feel all that good, I literally start feeling like I’m getting sick.  Once you develop a level of consistently exercising, stopping is almost as difficult as getting started.

So the off season isn’t really time off, it’s just unstructured time where I can do whatever I want.  Honestly, one of the reasons I enjoy riding my bike so much isn’t the races.  It’s the training.  Since my last race, Jan 11^th, I’ve been in the ‘off season’.  I’ve kept my training time unstructured, aka not scheduled.  I’ve focusing on spending time with the family which has limited my workouts to an hour or less each day.  I’ve made the family the priority so I fit my workout in without interfering with their plans.  It’s easy to find the time but difficult to make plans or attend any classes.  There’ll be enough time in the future when I’m asking for a pass to go ride, it’s my payback time now.

This off season has been about refocusing.  I have to remember what a normal person should eat, and bringing the caloric intake back to normal.  I’ve been going to the gym and lifting weights to shift the body composition back to the muscular side.  I’ve continued running, brining my long runs up to miles I haven’t seen in years (which isn’t much, 6-7 miles in a single run).  I’ve also been hitting the trainer for some work on my pedal stroke; high spin efforts, isolated leg interval and stands.  None of these efforts have been overly intense; they serve to rejuvenate the body and mind.

With the upcoming 2014 season and my planned races and goals, the most difficult part of the off season is patience; the patience to wait, to not overdo it, to take it slowly and get back to the basics so that I’ll be ready when the time comes.  Fortunately the weather has been helping; the thought of base miles in the snow and ice have greatly enhanced my ability to be patient.

2014 Cross Nationals

This past cyclocross season culminated in my participation in CX Nationals which were held in Boulder this year.  It was awesome to have the race near home, which honestly, is why I participated.  Of course just fitting the race into my weekly, post holiday crush ensured I wouldn't have time to enjoy and participate in the 'extra curricular' activities.  First lesson learned, it would be better to travel to the race so I could fully immerse myself in the joy that is the National Championships.

My races were, fun but not overly spectacular.  My goal was to simply finish on the lead lap and have fun.  That's it, no other expectations.  I was able to race in two races, the championship race and a non-championship race for my age group 40-44.

The first race was the non-championship race on Wednesday morning.  The weather was finally warming up and melting the snow that had fallen during the previous weekend.  The number of racers was huge, like 115.  I didn't have a terrible starting location, there were a lot of riders behind me.  Unfortunately, and to keep a long story short, on the second lap I was passing the pit and took a 180 turn.  As I slid across the snow in the corner, my rear tire hit a rut and the tire was dislodged from the rim.  I was running mud clinchers.  As I came out of the turn, I made it to the sand pit before the tire blew off the rim bringing my race to a sudden stop.  There was still some time and I didn't want it to end that way so I threw the bike on my shoulder and ran to the pit.  Once at the pit the nice Shimano man put the bike on the stand and gave me a rear wheel.  I jumped back out to finish the race but ended up a lap down on the finisher.  I wasn't DFL, but I wasn't real happy with my finish either.  Fortunately, I still had my championship race on Saturday.

My championship race was the first race of the day, early Saturday morning.  The course was a lot drier and there were only a few icy spots left.  There were about 130 starters this time and I was starting way at the back.  That first lap was crazy, stupid chaotic, but amazingly I got through pretty well.  A video form one of my teammates shows the first lap below.  He had it worse than I did. In the end, the day was not to be mine.  Sometimes your the hammer and sometimes your the nail.  I gave it what I had but it really wasn't what I had envisioned my race would be.  Fortunately I didn't have a mechanical but I just didn't have the legs.  In the end, I was pulled as the leader came by, shortening my race by 2 laps. 

In the end I didn't reach my goals but I certainly learned a lot and had fun.  I'd definitely be interested in racing nationals again.  I'd even be willing to travel so I could immerse myself in the event.  It made me hungry to improve my cyclocross skills and fitness.  We'll have to see if I can do that.  I'm a little worried all the easy gains are gone and I've just hit my 'genetic speed limit,' requiring me to commit to more training hours than the work, life, hobby balance can withstand.

Time to Go Somewhere New

I've been wanting to get back to this blog for a while, but I've felt like I haven't had time or a story people would be interested in.  So, I've held back.  While that may still be the case, I'm going to try and renew this site.  Don't worry, it will still be cycling related.  For this season I think I have a journey that I think people might be interested in.

In 2014, I'm planning to make some changes in my normal cycling routine.  The past few years I've primarily stayed on the road bike, raced an early spring season then had a short break before cyclocross season in the fall. This year I'm planning to make some changes, I'm going to target some races I've never attempted and frankly have been a little worried about trying.  I'm going to focus on some endurance mountain biking races this summer.  I've already signed up for the Bailey HUNDO and I'm thinking I should have a run at the Leadville 100 by way of the Silver Rush 50.  So look for stories and details about my journey towards these goals in the coming months.  Hopefully it will prove to be an insightful and fun ride.