Has anybody tried the Stages (crank) power meter?
02-06-13, 07:18 AM
#1
Maximus
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Has anybody tried the Stages (crank) power meter?
I think the pre-ordered units were suppossed to be available for shipping about 2 weeks ago.
Has anyone used it? Any comments/opinions?
Has anyone used it? Any comments/opinions?
02-06-13, 07:29 AM
#2
Throw the stick!!!!
Looking forward to some reviews, I'm planning on getting one for my TT bike. That will have me using three different pt's on three bikes.
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02-06-13, 07:39 AM
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The DC Rainmaker review was fairly disappointing. I am waiting for a bit more information before I decide yea/nay.
02-06-13, 10:42 AM
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It's going to be difficult to determine if this powermeter is suitable for you unless you already own a powermeter. Without knowing whether you put out balanced L/R power on a consistent basis the power output from the stages meter could vary significantly even though your overall power doesn't change.
02-06-13, 12:02 PM
#5
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For me, based on the Power Balance data I get on my Quarq, the overall power from a ride would likely be off a bit, but the power for intervals and hard efforts wouldn't be thrown off much by the one sided power.
What I've found with Power Balance for me is that for moderately hard effort, (anything from a bit below tempo on up) my power balance is close to 50%-50% and is rarely off by more than .5%
However, just crusining around it can vary 3-4%, sometimes more, with the left half of the pedal stroke being lower, but not always. So in some files, I'll see for the whole ride a power split like 49-51, but other rides 46-54, and it appears to vary on how hard I'm riding.
One caveot here is that the Quarq power balance data is not truly independent; it takes a revolution and divides in half, so the left half is measuring the left down stroke, and the right up stroke.
For me at least, it would appear that measuring only one side would create some distortion in the data, particularly at lower outputs. YMMV.
What I've found with Power Balance for me is that for moderately hard effort, (anything from a bit below tempo on up) my power balance is close to 50%-50% and is rarely off by more than .5%
However, just crusining around it can vary 3-4%, sometimes more, with the left half of the pedal stroke being lower, but not always. So in some files, I'll see for the whole ride a power split like 49-51, but other rides 46-54, and it appears to vary on how hard I'm riding.
One caveot here is that the Quarq power balance data is not truly independent; it takes a revolution and divides in half, so the left half is measuring the left down stroke, and the right up stroke.
For me at least, it would appear that measuring only one side would create some distortion in the data, particularly at lower outputs. YMMV.
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You could hit a tree and die.
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02-06-13, 12:50 PM
#6
Throw the stick!!!!
If I do get one I'm looking forward to removing the left crank arm from my quarq and trying both cranksets at the same time. I look forward to seeing the difference.
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02-06-13, 01:03 PM
#8
Making a kilometer blurry
Yeah, it sounds like it's a quarter step better than an iBike.
--note that I'd still like to use an iBike as a head unit for a real PM though, for the mobile wind tunnel stuff.
--note that I'd still like to use an iBike as a head unit for a real PM though, for the mobile wind tunnel stuff.
02-06-13, 01:15 PM
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The balance thing is 100% expected from the design -- what disappointed me most was the apparent failure to accurately measure the dynamics. I don't want to see a power spike where there isn't one. Maybe they just need to dial in their algorithms a bit more to damp those out.
02-06-13, 02:25 PM
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The in-depth review is here: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/01/s...th-review.html
if you haven't seen it already. Basically the price point is attractive but there are some accuracy issues likely due to being left crank only multiplied by 2.
if you haven't seen it already. Basically the price point is attractive but there are some accuracy issues likely due to being left crank only multiplied by 2.
02-06-13, 04:04 PM
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02-07-13, 09:06 PM
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Im hoping the problems in the initial reviews turn out to be something that can be fixed. I cant afford the quarq or srm and I dont really want the powertap due to having to change out my wheels. The $600 price points looks real good
02-07-13, 10:19 PM
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What I've found with Power Balance for me is that for moderately hard effort, (anything from a bit below tempo on up) my power balance is close to 50%-50% and is rarely off by more than .5%
However, just crusining around it can vary 3-4%, sometimes more, with the left half of the pedal stroke being lower, but not always. So in some files, I'll see for the whole ride a power split like 49-51, but other rides 46-54, and it appears to vary on how hard I'm riding.
For me at least, it would appear that measuring only one side would create some distortion in the data, particularly at lower outputs. YMMV.
02-21-13, 11:51 PM
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I know that lots of reviews are in the pipeline, and that Stages has released another firmware update since the Rainmaker review was written. I don't know for sure but I hope that part of the reason the reviews have been slow to come out is because the bar was set pretty high and reviewers have been looking carefully at the oddities identified in Ray's piece.
02-22-13, 12:42 PM
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^ you can use DA cranks with a Campy drivetrain.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
02-22-13, 03:55 PM
#20
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Still have not ruled out this option. Even with the "pulse" in power, still may meet my needs,
03-19-13, 05:28 PM
#21
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I just got mine this weekend. I installed it Sunday and for my purposes and the price...I think it was a worthwhile investment in my training.
Here it is installed:
My first ride with it properly calibrated (My fault with the screw up on calibrating initially):
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/286403000
Note: I am a female, athena, non-racer that is going to use this to help me train for events (centuries, metrics)
Here it is installed:
My first ride with it properly calibrated (My fault with the screw up on calibrating initially):
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/286403000
Note: I am a female, athena, non-racer that is going to use this to help me train for events (centuries, metrics)
03-19-13, 06:45 PM
#23
Throw the stick!!!!
No kidding. Going by her numbers she is one very strong woman. I weigh 215ish and I haven't had a sprint that high yet this year and she ties my highest wattage last year. 
Looking at her average wattage, average speed, and amount of climbing I would have to say that the average wattage is way off as well unless she was carrying a parachute behind her.
In my (useless) opinion if she is a female non-racer then it really makes me doubt the accuracy of the Stage and pushes me even further away from purchasing one.
Looking at her average wattage, average speed, and amount of climbing I would have to say that the average wattage is way off as well unless she was carrying a parachute behind her.
In my (useless) opinion if she is a female non-racer then it really makes me doubt the accuracy of the Stage and pushes me even further away from purchasing one.
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Last edited by LowCel; 03-19-13 at 06:59 PM.
03-19-13, 06:58 PM
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Thanks for sharing, Beachgrad. Darned good to do a .96 IF ride for one hour with that stable a power output and have your heart rate drop for the second half of the ride. Might be time to reassess the FTP 
The spikes do look pretty suspect -- huge spikes like those with (often associated with a quick change of cadence) were one of the problems in DC Rainmaker's test if memory serves.
The spikes do look pretty suspect -- huge spikes like those with (often associated with a quick change of cadence) were one of the problems in DC Rainmaker's test if memory serves.
03-19-13, 07:16 PM
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Thanks for sharing, Beachgrad. Darned good to do a .96 IF ride for one hour with that stable a power output and have your heart rate drop for the second half of the ride. Might be time to reassess the FTP
The spikes do look pretty suspect -- huge spikes like those with (often associated with a quick change of cadence) were one of the problems in DC Rainmaker's test if memory serves.
The spikes do look pretty suspect -- huge spikes like those with (often associated with a quick change of cadence) were one of the problems in DC Rainmaker's test if memory serves.
The erroneous power and cadence spikes would be annoying. It appears they haven't fixed the issue with cadence measurements yet. Presumably they'll be able to fix that with updated firmware.