2014 holiday gift guide: High-tech
The Polar V650 bike computer uses a barometer to get altitude data, which is more accurate than GPS. You can match this head unit with Kéo Power pedals to keep track of the watts you are pushing on the right and left cranks.
The Polar V650 bike computer ($300, polar.com) uses a barometer to get altitude data, which is more accurate than GPS. You can match this head unit with Kéo Power pedals to keep track of the watts you are pushing on the right and left cranks.
The second generation of Pioneer’s power meter is leaner and cleaner than the first. The computer ($330, pioneerelectronics.ca) is a bit smaller, has a black-and-white screen and is Wi-Fi enabled. The sensors in the cranks (Dura-Ace, $2,000; Ultegra, $1,700) are lighter than the previous ones, 66 g instead of 72 g. They give you left and right power information so you can work on making your stroke smoother.
If you have a Kinetic trainer, such as the Road Machine, the Rock and Roll and the Pro Trainer, you can turn it into a power meter. The Kinetic inRide unit ($145, kurtkinetic.com) attaches to the above trainers and works in conjunction with an app on an Apple device. Because of the precise tolerances of the components of Kinetic trainers, the extrapolated power data is quite accurate. The inRide app was recently redesigned and has new features, such as programmable displays and customizable workouts.
The Garmin Edge 1000 ($670, $780 with speed sensor, cadence sensor and heart-rate monitor, garmin.com) is both a training and navigation aid. It can patch into a variety of sensors, including power meters and Shimano Di2, via ANT+ and Bluetooth. It can also give you turn-by-turn instructions to get you home. For the competitive types, the Edge works with Garmin’s revamped Connect, which has Strava-like segments.
For more gift ideas, see the full 2014 holiday gift guide.
