CycleOps Joule 2.0 Review

To write a little bit back I CycleOps Powertap SL + mountain bike of. Raved about when you work how, how valuable data downloaded to your PC. Mentioned had to agree to be honest, and that is when someone given Cervo display unit up especially the system cost. Well guess what?. They must have heard from people who are good CycleOps to improve it. Yeah, Powertap SL + now Joule 2.0's head units with standard equipment. These guys are to use an already existing system can also buy a Joule 2.0 Powertap.

Joule 2.0 represents a breakthrough performance and user interface improvements. Old 2 sets buttons Cervo bits, was a pain. You must remember the correct order of how much time using and press the button to go to specific data and functionality. New Jules, on the other hand, most steps don't-play menu was able to find the most are all must be. Joule 2.0 also ANT + to use it, and many heart rate monitor and Cadence sensor, power meter with speedometer is compatible meaning from other manufacturers.

Six different along the main screen of all user-configurable two additional data field in real time statistical information is displayed. Readily obtainable to all buttons and joystick control, and easy-to-understand, according to the intuitive menu. Compared to Cervo, you also get new input not included in the previous two: altitude and temperature. What they're saying now is! know climbing amount when clearly, riding training is important, even temperature performance effect a complete picture of the individual training gives.

Is not alone a fancy display upgrade Joule 2.0; included with PowerAgent software training takes on another level. Believe it or not, saves, and analysis of training data first in the many races and is first loser. Are more able to track and respond more quickly and better.

Good for easy comparison of earlier contains basic information about ride PowerAgent overview report per vehicle. Power consumption is normalized to a detailed report of power, strength looks riding, such as the zero Watts per watt 1 kg weight (entirely), other riders to compare myself to hours. (Quantifies the complete tasks such as working papers, training peaks calculates stress training TTS) score and each exercise intensity (of you).

PowerAgent on the front of physiological markers of the spectral peak power data key performances compared to the current fitness strength indicating the peak power report also generates. Heart, lungs and legs to work day in other words, how to keep track of. To show the type of workout that gets power and heart rate data, and negative zone each time plotted against time. Includes climbing report covering advanced finally got the surge and vertical rise and grade calculations PowerAgent. The cool for those who want to do and quite accurately what you're doing it much. Additional features include software that allows Twitter, 2Peak.com, and training of other Web sites can share your information with trainers and others.

Trail of my bike and my training bike (until I CycleOps Super magnetic Pro mounts are basically my XC bike) of both using the Joule cake has been part. Mount provided Jules is much more robust than previous models (may break but you always worry about) and easily mount round-ish stems most enough. You must ????? is the better of the two short machining stem is not round some small problems and that enable the adapter. In addition, a little double sided tape I retaining wall tools in addition to security uses to protect.

In the course screen looks very quickly updated and easy to use even a gloved finger, read real-time metrics. I was a little worried about the only thing that was on the back of the mini USB connector, Jules body. You are not may have water in port, I didn't have any problems in my tests, but the unit is in is covered to instill sense. You might do the trick on rides at if you are really worried that only a small portion of the tape deep stream crossings and rain conditions. From time to time, not staring at a whole way in Jules seen sidewalk remember - 1 during ride tree almost smacked! synchronous transmission fiddling with a heart monitor included many even without works.

Do you think so, what my Jules? if you're on the fence about buying a Powertap is well, this update Powertap travel SL + ($ 2499 MSRP complete MTB power system) decision easily should be. I think even if they are existing Powertap travel SL + new Joule 2.0 (MSRP$ 449) upgrade for a valuable old Cervo head unit over. If you do not track the complete progress is not just mountain biking training enough; Fortunately the Joule 2.0 are just tools to help you achieve competitive new year's goals.

I want to submit reviews of Jules CycleOps people to thank.

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CycleOps Joule 2.0 Review

A little while back I did a write up on the CycleOps Powertap SL+ for mountain bikes. At the time I raved about how well it worked and how useful the data was when downloaded to the PC. At the time someone mentioned that the Cervo display unit wasn’t the greatest, especially given the cost of the system and honestly I had to agree. Well guess what? The good folks at CycleOps must have been listening because they gone and improved it. Yup, the Powertap SL+ now comes standard with the Joule 2.0 display head unit. For those who already have a Powertap you can also purchase the Joule 2.0 to work with your existing system.

The Joule 2.0 represents a quantum leap in both performance and user interface improvement. The old two-button Cervo was a bit of a pain to set up. You needed to remember the right sequence of  buttons to press and how many times to press them to access specific data and functions. The new Joule, on the other hand, almost doesn’t need instructions – by playing around with the menu I was able to find almost everything I needed. The Joule 2.0 is also ANT+ compatible meaning you can use it with many heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, power meters, and speedometers from other manufacturers.

The main screen displays six different metrics in real time along with two additional data fields, all of which are user-configurable. Two buttons and a joystick control allow you to get to everything quickly and the intuitive menu is easy to follow and understand. Compared to the Cervo, you also get two new inputs that previously were not included: altitude and temperature. Now that’s what I’m talking about! Obviously the amount of climbing during a training ride is important to know but temperature also has an impact on performance and gives a more complete picture of individual workouts.

The Joule 2.0 isn’t just a fancy display upgrade; the included PowerAgent software takes your training to another level.  Believe it or not, saving and analyzing training data is often the difference between first and the first loser in many races. The more detail you’re able to track and respond to, the more quickly you will improve.

The PowerAgent summary report contains basic info about each ride and is good for a quick comparisons between previous rides. The power detail report looks at your ride intensity, including normalized power, watts per kilogram of body weight (perfect for comparing yourself to other riders), and time spent at zero watts. The work report quantifies work completed, including training peaks and calculates a training stress score (TSS) and intensity factor (IF) for each workout.

PowerAgent also produces a peak power report showing a spectrum of peak power data indicating ride intensity at key physiological markers of current fitness compared to previous performances. In other words, you can track how well your heart, lungs, and legs are working from day to day. Power and heart rate data is slotted into zones and plotted against time to show the type of workout you’re getting each time. Finally, PowerAgent includes a surge and climbing report covering all the altitude gained along with a calculation of vertical ascent and grade. Pretty cool stuff for those who want to know exactly what they are doing and how well they are doing it. There are even extra features within the software that allow you to share your info with trainers and others on Twitter, 2Peak.com, and other training websites.

Using the Joule on both my trail bike and my training bike (essentially my XC bike mounted up on my CycleOps Super Magneto Pro) has been a piece of cake. The mount supplied with the Joule is far more rugged than previous models (I always worried it might break, though it never did) and mounts easy enough to most round-ish stems. Some of the shorter machined stems that are not round may have a small issue and need an adapter to allow better placement for the two tie wraps. I also used a little double sided tape to secure my mount in addition to the tie wraps.

On the trails the screen is easy to read and easy to use even with gloved fingers and the real time metrics seem to update very quickly. The only thing that had me slightly concerned was the mini-USB connector on the back of the Joule head unit. The port isn’t covered which means water could potentially penetrate the unit, though I didn’t have any problems in my tests. If you’re really worried, a small piece of tape just might do the trick on rides with deep stream crossings or in rainy conditions. And remember to look up at the trail from time to time instead of staring at the Joule the whole way – I nearly smacked a tree during one ride! The included heart monitor works well without a lot of fiddling to get the transmission synced up.

So, what do I think of the Joule? Well, if you’re on the fence about purchasing a Powertap, this update to the Powertap SL+ ($1,699 MSRP for the complete MTB power system) should make the decision much easier. Even if you have an existing Powertap SL+, I think the new Joule 2.0 ($449 MSRP) is a valuable for upgrade over the older Cervo head unit. Mountain bike training alone isn’t enough if you aren’t tracking your complete progress; fortunately the Joule 2.0 is just the tool to help you reach your competitive goals for the new year.

I would like to thank the folks at CycleOps for sending down the Joule for a review.

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