SRAM Axes PowerTap... other hub-based power meter alternatives?
02-28-21, 10:37 PM
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SRAM Axes PowerTap... other hub-based power meter alternatives?
Saw an article, SRAM has ended the PowerTap brand.
I have a G3 hub and like it. Got it used, great bargain. It's ANT+ only, the 2032 battery needs changing every 90 days or so, it was a bit of a hassle to upgrade the firmware, but it works well and does power, speed, and cadence all in one package. Are there other hub-based alternatives?
HERE’S WHAT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF POWERTAP MIGHT MEAN
BY RONAN MC LAUGHLIN
FEBRUARY 17, 2021
[...]
That was until last week when SRAM dropped the entire PowerTap range from its website and confirmed it would no longer offer the current range. Fear not PowerTap product users: SRAM has assured customers it will fulfil existing orders and honour the full warranty period on all devices.
Dropping the G3 and P2 ranges will come as little surprise given the pedals are now nearly three years old, while the G3 hub is fast approaching its 10th birthday. However, SRAM has stated previously that it did not acquire PowerTap to kill off a market competitor. So what does this mean for the PowerTap and SRAM? Can we expect any new offerings from the brand this spring?
[...]
BY RONAN MC LAUGHLIN
FEBRUARY 17, 2021
[...]
That was until last week when SRAM dropped the entire PowerTap range from its website and confirmed it would no longer offer the current range. Fear not PowerTap product users: SRAM has assured customers it will fulfil existing orders and honour the full warranty period on all devices.
Dropping the G3 and P2 ranges will come as little surprise given the pedals are now nearly three years old, while the G3 hub is fast approaching its 10th birthday. However, SRAM has stated previously that it did not acquire PowerTap to kill off a market competitor. So what does this mean for the PowerTap and SRAM? Can we expect any new offerings from the brand this spring?
[...]
03-01-21, 11:57 AM
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Hub meters are dead. Long live pedal- and crank-based power meters.
Do you want a hub meter for some particular reason?
Do you want a hub meter for some particular reason?
03-01-21, 07:18 PM
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the disadvantage to hub meters is that it measures your power minus the inefficiency of your drivetrain. I don't need to lose any power, and I don't feel like cleaning my chain.
But really, it's just a lot more involved mechanically than a crank/pedal based system, so nobody is going to be making them from now on.
But really, it's just a lot more involved mechanically than a crank/pedal based system, so nobody is going to be making them from now on.
03-02-21, 04:17 PM
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As the owner of Wheelbuilders.com put it, hub-based are "not sexy," but as I mentioned, speed, cadence, power all-in-one, that is good from my perspective. Accurate to within +/-1.5% too. Not to mention, I use Speedplay pedals.
03-02-21, 11:10 PM
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03-04-21, 11:46 AM
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There are occasionally decent deals found on eBay, when one is patient.
Somewhat related, the radio on my G3 talks ANT+, how much life is left in that protocol? There are still G3 powercaps with ANT+ and Bluetooth radios available. Current Garmin units still do ANT+, but for how much longer?
Somewhat related, the radio on my G3 talks ANT+, how much life is left in that protocol? There are still G3 powercaps with ANT+ and Bluetooth radios available. Current Garmin units still do ANT+, but for how much longer?
03-04-21, 07:16 PM
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AFAIK, there is no move to replace Ant+. Support for bluetooth is growing though.
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