Just pushed the button on a power meter, probably the most expensive way of grabbing cadence data ever as the stupid wee bands keep snapping and losing the magnet
Still, the numbers will hopefully come in handy during the training I need to do to last a week in Majorca and doing the Cavendish Sportive again in 16
They're nice to have, Brian - if you use them properly. Always remember, numbers without understanding is just Data, Numbers and Understanding is INFORMATION. Power meter data is only useful IF you have the knowledge to read it, interpret it, and use it to move toward your goals... Without the knowledge, it's just expensive bike jewellery.
My standard advice to anyone who's contemplating buying a power meter is this... Grab a copy of
"the power meter handbook" by Joe Friel, and
"Training and Racing with a Power Meter" by Allen and Coggan from the library, read them, read them a second time, then decide if power meter data is likely to be of any use to you. As you've already done the buying bit, the I'd suggest you treat yourself to the books asap... Oh, and while you're at it, unless you're completely minted and can afford the "industry standard" analysis software (
WKO+ from TrainingPeaks) I'd suggest grabbing a copy of
GoldenCheetah as your ride-analysis companion. Strava and all the online stuff is okay, as far as it goes, but if you're really committed to training with power, you'll need something a little more detailed in it's analysis capabilities...
ETA: so, which one did you go for ?
Mk2 Stages Ultegra (so it looks all nice and "stock" with the rest of the groupset ?