+1 Oak

I just got a powermeter - which I do think has made a difference in the way I ride. I shift more, I don't go into the hills too hot just to get my hr up to the zone I'm supposed to be training in, I don't slack in between climbs. Overall I think I'm steadier with my efforts.

I chose to get an Edge 500 because it did more than the Powertap head for the same or maybe even a bit less $$ and I have to admit I love it.... a little data overload, but oh boy its fun. I even like being able to see the gradient of the hills. Mostly because I'm sometimes surprised by what isn't actually a hill (though it looks like it) and by how steep something really is (when it doesn't seem steep at all...) But - knowing how steep something is doesn't make any difference in how I climb it. It's all about that steady power......