Hacking a CycleOps 100 Pro Part 2…Now With Power

In my previous post, I wrote about my unofficial CycleOps model 100 to 200 upgrade from parts procured from eBay. Well, it’s been taken a step further, almost to a model 300 for a relatively paltry sum.

For the uninitiated, the various models of CycleOps indoor bikes are described here.

The Model 300 adds the ability to track power by building their PowerTap technology into the trainer freewheel. Thus, it commands a large (some $1500) premium over the base 100 model.

But CycleOps offers another product as an alterative to their PowerTap power meters. Billed as the “Worlds Most Inexpensive Power Meter”, the PowerCal  uses a proprietary algorithm to determine power from heart rate. And for around $100, it’s a good deal to boot.

Determining power from heat rate is nothing new. People familiar with Garmin or Polar monitors and software have long seen the estimated calories or energy expenditure calculated after a workout. So is it accurate ? Yes and No. While there is no way that the PowerCal can determine power with the same accuracy of a dedicated power meter for instantaneous changes of short durations (sprints, climbs),  importantly for this exercise (no pun intended), reviewers have concluded that the PowerCal is surprisingly accurate enough when used to determine power expenditure over a full workout. Which pretty much sums up a trainer workout, particularly when there are no environmental factors to influence the results.

Yesterday was my first workout with the PowerCal. Setup couldn’t have been easier. 2 minutes to pair with the Joule 2.0 computer and I was off.

Antidotally, I’m pretty sure the power  measured is in the ballpark. I’ve often noted that my Garmin Forerunner overestimates calories by as much as 40% when compared to the data from my iBike for the same interval. When comparing the workout data from the PowerCal to a previous training ride of similar intensity, the PowerCal estimated the work approximately 38% less than the Garmin. Which is what I would have expected.

So there we go. As good as a Model 300 with PowerTap. No. But certainly a worthy upgrade over just measuring speed and heart-rate for indoor rides for me. Call it a Model 250. Or Model 200b. Or.. ?

Hacking a CycleOps 100 Pro, Part 1

After riding a Kurt Kinetic Fluid trainer for close to three years, I decided to take the plunge and upgrade to a real indoor cycle. My rationelle spending the money on a $1500 trainer was multifold. One, it would save wear and tear on my primary bikes drivetrain. Two, it would allow me the flexibility to be able to get a ride in on those early season “off days” when the proposition having to re-setup my Kurt and bike was simply too much to deal with, and, three, the compactness and quietness of the CycleOps would allow me to set up rather discreetly in a corner of my office where the Kurt simply didn’t fit. After logging more than 1500km indoors since last January, I don’t regret the purchase. Personally, I do prefer the feel of the Kurt, and it’s not just adspeak when Kurt claims their trainer as having the most realistic road feel. It does. But the compactness, quietness and sturdiness of the CycleOps indoor bikes trump the Kurt, hands down.

I opted for the new 100 Pro model, with road bar. The bar, along with the fact you can freewheel, are the two principal advantages of the CycleOps Pro indoor cycles over a less expensive spin bike. Being able to dial in your postion exactly to mirror the fit of your road bike (minus the bar width) makes switching between the trainer and road bike seamless. Being able to freewheel after a hard effort makes for a more pleasant training experience. After all, I don’t ride a fixed gear on the road, why would I want the hassle indoors as well ? And it’s quiet, particularly compared to the Kurt fluid trainer that was noisy as hell.

The main differences between the 100 and 200 model is that the 200 model adds the Joule 2.0 cycling computer with cadence and speed sensors and can interface with a ANT+ heart rate monitor. At the time of purchase, I opted for the basic model, figuring I could kludge something together, or at least ride with my Garmin Forerunner to track my heart rate. As it turns out, the Garmin speed and cadence sensor (GSC10) fits on the chain-stay perfectly, and by taping a magnet to the flywheel and setting a custom wheel diameter (1465mm) speed and distance along with heart rate during indoor workouts can be tracked.

What I didn’t realize until recently is that CycleOps offers a dealer “upgrade” kit to turn the basic 100 into the more advanced 200 model, and offers the installation instructions available for joe public to see.

The Garmin GSC10 fits the chain-stay of the CycleOps Pro frames perfectly. The magnet (located above) is secured with double sided tape

A quick browse of the manual revealed that the parts necessary were standard CycleOps bits and easily procured from either your local cycling dealer, or, in my case, eBay. A quick “buy it now” and I was the owner of a new Joule 2.0 computer with heart-rate strap for less than $125 dollars. The only real difference seems to be in the handlebar mount, but the standard Joule 2.0 computer mount still fits perfectly on the road style bar (I can’t comment on the tri-style bar).

The included multi-mount fits the CycleOps road bar with the included zip ties as shown.

The Joule 2.0 computer is a marvel of engineering, and unlike the Garmin units, doesn’t discriminate when it comes to non CycleOps ANT+ accessories. It paired with the GSC10 perfectly, and although I don’t have a cadence sensor, it’s a great upgrade over using the Forerunner indoors.

So there you go. Unofficial 100 to 200 upgrade (minus cadence). Over 400 dollar savings in my pocket…cha-ching.