Power Meters
 

Any Clydes or Athenas using power meters?


If you are what you got and do you like it?
I am going to get one this year just because I really want one.

I use a Stages power meter that replaced the left crank arm. I like it a lot.

Stages now had dual power meters (reads both sides of the crank).

By using this option I can change my rear wheel to the trainer wheel and still have a power meter; whereas with a rear hub based power meter like Power Tap you would have to have two wheels that have power meters.

Stages has sales throughout the year to liquidate prior year's models.

Thanks!

I am down to a few power meters actually.

1. Stages crank arm version. very good reviews more than stages, but maybe better?
2. 4iii crank arm version. Also good and a bit cheaper than stages
3. Powertap pedals. I like because it can go on any bike and good reviews as well
4. Powertap chain ring version....limited to one bike is the downside, but good value

Its a big decision.

Also check into power2max-- if you have a compatible crankset, you can get an NGeco meter (which does L/R) for about the same money as Stages, and the battery lasts 7-8x as long.

The pedals route sounds good, but if you don't already have them, you are going to need shoes that can take three-bolt cleats.

That is why it didn’t make the final list. I don’t have a comparable cranks. I would have to upgrade. Not out of the question but not something I want to do.

I do already ride clipless so this is not an issue. They are my front runner right now actually because they are bike universal.

I have given this out before but if you have some time, check out DC Rainmaker's website. He has product reviews of a lot of stuff including power meters. He is a cyclist and the reviews tend to get pretty technical, but it is a good place to go to get reviews on many different options of cycling electronics.

Some folks may have issues with him or his site, but I have found it very useful to at least read up on stuff from someone that is actually using the equipment. It is not the all to end all, but I've found his site very useful. After all the reviews there is a comment section and you can scroll thru the comments to see the latest comments on people using the devices and their issues since some of the reviews can lag behind by 6-12 months.

john

thanks John!

I have a powertap wheel and a quarq crank... can use the wheel on any of my bikes, whereas I can use any wheels on the bike with the quarq. Crank (double sided at least) and pedal power meters can give you left/right balance measurements and also do some fancy analysis on your pedal stroke if you're into that sort of thing. Also, you can get cadence from the crank/pedals, so you don't need an extra sensor.

If I were buying a new power meter today, I'd probably get powertap pedals. 1 meter for all your bike/wheel combos is handy sounding. You have to like Look cleats though (I do)

Oh, in the interest of budget, I really wouldn't obsess about double sided measurement either. It really isn't critical for anything.

Thanks!!!


I am actually down to 2:


1. Powertap pedals the one sided version. I like this because they can go from any bike to bike.


2. Powertap C1 chain rings are the second option. They will fit my bike and they are on sale cheap right now. $350 for a ring set up.....great deal actually. Makes me want to get this just because of the price. Seems crazy cheap. 1/2 the price of normal and 1/2 the price of pedals.

Have you considered the Pioneer? I am a dyed-in-the-wool Campy Look Delta pattern pedal guy and all of the pedal based systems seem to have weight limits. The Pioneer can be fitted to the Campy Potenza crankset....

I looked at Pioneer but I think I ruled them out because of price.


the P1 pedals from PowerTap have no weight limit. I called them and asked and they said no issues with weight.

Stages here. I had an early model I got on eBay that failed eventually. They were helpful even though I wasn't the original purchaser, but it ended up cheaper to get a new closeout one instead of their refurb or swap out.

A friend had all kinds of issues with his early models and they kept sending crappy refurbs. It didn't get fixed until he got a new one.

Anyway, watch the weight rating on the power pedals. Pedals seem sensitive to weight, at least for me as I seem to kill them off pretty regularly.

DaveW

Well I pulled the trigger today. Got the Powertap C1 chain ring power meter. I hope it all is as great as I think its going to be!