iBike Newton +

[heyyall]

Has anyone tried an iBike Netwon + on a MTB? I'm mainly thinking about it for a "cheap" power meter to use on my road bike on the trainer over the winter. I would like to be able to use it on my mountain bike some too.

[DavidR1]

For a cheap power meter, I have been using a PowerCal. It is consistently 40 watts or so lower the a real power meter, but it has been consistent for me. I mainly bought it as a toy to use on the trainer this winter, trying it out on the Mtb now.

[heyyall]

Thanks, that might make a sensible option.

[chomxxo]

I have looked into the iBike Newton+ and bought the iBike Dash+Power, which is pretty much the same functionality but it uses an iPhone for more features. I wish I'd bought the Newton+ just because it's a simpler and lighter device. It really works and is probably more accurate than the Powercal.

There are several other options about to come out that should lower the price of real stress-metered power meters significantly.

[DavidR1]

It really works and is probably more accurate than the PowerCal.

Are you basing this assumption on something or just guessing?

[chomxxo]

Are you basing this assumption on something or just guessing?

Based upon detailed evaluations of the product, check it out. The Newton+ is a third-generation product, not brand new. They have probably more info on iBike on their site and forums than most would care to read. It's significantly closer than 40w to a stress-based power meter.

[heyyall]

I've read a lot on the iBike website and the Newton seems great. Then you look at the Kurt Kinetics device for a fraction of the cost and it makes you wonder if the difference is worth it. I've just had a hard time finding good information on the Newton. Even places like slowtwitch are slow in sharing the information.

[hjan]

If I correctly understood not all trainer work with the newton
They map the trainer power output / speed ratio in software, on the forum they talk about a list of compatible trainer, unfortunately I wasn't able to found it out.

[chomxxo]

If I correctly understood not all trainer work with the newton
They map the trainer power output / speed ratio in software, on the forum they talk about a list of compatible trainer, unfortunately I wasn't able to found it out.

I don't think the iBike Newton will work with a trainer. You have to be in motion for it to work.

[heyyall]

The website says it does. It is not GPS-based so it reads cadence and speed from sensors.

[chomxxo]

The website says it does. It is not GPS-based so it reads cadence and speed from sensors.

You're right, I was incorrect about that.

iBike doesn't spend much money on marketing, it's kind of a one-man show. They still have pretty great products and prices. This is the best place to find very detailed information about how it works and its features:

iBike Forum • Index page

[hjan]

There is a software update that ibike sell for netwon and indoor use...Read the ibikeforum and you'll find that not all trainer are supported. They map in software the dynamic model of trainer

Inviato dal mio GT-I9100 con Tapatalk 2

[Walt Disney's Frozen Head]

You can do this for "free" assuming you have a garmin speed/cadence sensor and an ant+ stick if you use Golden Cheetah v3. You might ahve to do some google magic as I haven't used this feature since maybe May? essentially there is a "workout" tab in golden cheetah and as long as your trainer is relatively current, you'll be able to synch your ant+ items, watch your workout in real time and create a power file to analyze in GC or upload to training peaks.

wife and I have moved over to TrainerRoad.com which is very similar to the functionality in GC but it allows you to do specific workouts. Monthly subscription is $10 but I think the 1st month is free.

[heyyall]

After looking it the product more, I'm not sure I'm impressed enough. The technology looks good, but there is a fair amount of nickle and dimeing that goes on to get a full system. I think I'll probably wait a little while and see how much the strain based devices come down. I like the idea of the Brim Brother shoe based device a lot.

Brim Brothers - Sports power meters