Buying a Crankset-Based Power Meter These Days
09-27-20, 01:50 PM
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Buying a Crankset-Based Power Meter These Days
So, for various reasons, I'm in the market for a crankset-based, dual-sided, PM (Shimano compatible). I've looked for
I'm looking for dual power and Shimano compatible. The bike is a 2020 Domane (with the newer style BB).
Thanks!
- Pioneer - They shut down their op and sold to Shimano earlier this year apparently. ("out of stock. Discontinued")
- 4iiii - Every option is "out of stock"
- Stages - You guessed it; "out of stock"
- Shimano - I've heard there are some issues (from GP Llama specifically).
I'm looking for dual power and Shimano compatible. The bike is a 2020 Domane (with the newer style BB).
Thanks!
09-27-20, 01:57 PM
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09-27-20, 02:13 PM
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I have a pile (ok, trio) of Quarq DZeros and DFour91s that have been flawless, and apparently available in DUB format through Competitive Cyclist at least. You'd need the spider and arms, and make sure to get a compatible bottom bracket if you go that way, but it's my first choice in PMs.
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09-27-20, 05:15 PM
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Power2Max or Quarq. You don't really need dual-sided so much as you want full power (as opposed to the double of one side). P2M (and Quarq, I assume) can give you quasi-dual-sided (it costs a little extra coin for P2M) but I don't see much value in it.
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09-27-20, 06:00 PM
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I'll third Power2max. Not from personal experience, I went with pedals for reasons that don't apply to you. But I did my homework and P2M was a better choice in several ways that probably do apply to you.
And @WhyFi is right about total power being measured vs dual sided. I'll cosign that advice too.
And @WhyFi is right about total power being measured vs dual sided. I'll cosign that advice too.
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09-27-20, 06:55 PM
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Quarq can give pseudo-balance, yes. But also yes, you don't actually care. Unless you're rehabbing a serious injury, it's a non-factor. You do care about total power, and I do think a single spider PM is better than two crankarms for that purpose.
09-28-20, 08:30 AM
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Is the Easton Cinch any good? I have one, and it seems fine, but I don't really know anything about powermeters.
09-28-20, 08:48 AM
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May I be your friend? I love mine too. They are Shimano compatible, multiply configurable (4 and 5 bolt) relatively cheap, and available.
09-28-20, 08:55 AM
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09-28-20, 09:01 AM
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I'll third Power2max. Not from personal experience, I went with pedals for reasons that don't apply to you. But I did my homework and P2M was a better choice in several ways that probably do apply to you.
And @WhyFi is right about total power being measured vs dual sided. I'll cosign that advice too.
And @WhyFi is right about total power being measured vs dual sided. I'll cosign that advice too.
09-28-20, 09:05 AM
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Shimano needs to get on that ASAP. Especially since they pretty much ruined any crank-based powermeter used on their 4 arm designs.
09-28-20, 09:09 AM
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Apparently there is a hack/bodge you can do with Assiomas to retrofit onto SPD, I imagine there is a YouTube video that shows you how. I don't think anyone has an off-the-shelf version yet though.
09-28-20, 09:10 AM
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09-28-20, 09:11 AM
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09-28-20, 09:25 AM
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I've never understood how one would use that information even if rehabbing from a serious injury. I've had to rehab from two semi-serious injuries over the years that I've had a (total power measuring) power meter and I'm not sure how that information would have helped. Can you explain? I also have a friend who had to have one leg amputated slightly above the knee. How could he have used specfiic sided information to aid his rehab?
[Edited to add:] Both injuries left me with obvious bilateral asymmetries. One involved sciatica, which weakened my entire right leg and foot. The other involved a bike accident, where I received brain trauma and significant losses on my left side (but, unhappily, also broke my right ankle). I had power data prior to each incident, so I could see a huge loss in my total power (in addition to the obvious difficulty walking up stairs or being able to control my bad leg and foot). In each case, when I was able to get back on the bike, I just worked on returning my total power to where it was, and walking up and down stairs without dragging the bad foot.
[Edited to add:] Both injuries left me with obvious bilateral asymmetries. One involved sciatica, which weakened my entire right leg and foot. The other involved a bike accident, where I received brain trauma and significant losses on my left side (but, unhappily, also broke my right ankle). I had power data prior to each incident, so I could see a huge loss in my total power (in addition to the obvious difficulty walking up stairs or being able to control my bad leg and foot). In each case, when I was able to get back on the bike, I just worked on returning my total power to where it was, and walking up and down stairs without dragging the bad foot.
Last edited by RChung; 09-28-20 at 09:36 AM.
09-28-20, 09:50 AM
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I've never understood how one would use that information even if rehabbing from a serious injury. I've had to rehab from two semi-serious injuries over the years that I've had a (total power measuring) power meter and I'm not sure how that information would have helped. Can you explain? I also have a friend who had to have one leg amputated slightly above the knee. How could he have used specfiic sided information to aid his rehab?
Anecdotally, Im a neurologist with a research background in neurorehabilitation and partial atrophy of the left quad from an old disc herniation. All I do is force myself to use that leg hard on the bike and in the gym and watch the bulk come slowly back over the years.
09-28-20, 10:23 AM
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This is a good point. Presumably, riders with two legs would set progressive targets for the weak side and monitor progress.
Anecdotally, Im a neurologist with a research background in neurorehabilitation and partial atrophy of the left quad from an old disc herniation. All I do is force myself to use that leg hard on the bike and in the gym and watch the bulk come slowly back over the years.
Anecdotally, Im a neurologist with a research background in neurorehabilitation and partial atrophy of the left quad from an old disc herniation. All I do is force myself to use that leg hard on the bike and in the gym and watch the bulk come slowly back over the years.
Back on topic, I agree that the dual sided data is probably not actionable so of very little value other than "knowing" your efficiencies. It won't change anything. I know someone who works for a certain company that rhymes with "ages" and he admits that they sell double-sided meters purely for customer satisfaction, and that single sided are all anyone really needs.
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09-28-20, 10:39 AM
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How about, your genetics are associated with other, more real-world-fitness-promoting, traits and you'll dance on all of the fast peoples' graves?
Actually, at >7000 mi/yr, you don't need many excuses.
Last edited by MoAlpha; 09-28-20 at 10:42 AM.
09-28-20, 11:02 AM
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09-28-20, 11:07 AM
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I've never understood how one would use that information even if rehabbing from a serious injury. I've had to rehab from two semi-serious injuries over the years that I've had a (total power measuring) power meter and I'm not sure how that information would have helped. Can you explain? I also have a friend who had to have one leg amputated slightly above the knee. How could he have used specfiic sided information to aid his rehab?
[Edited to add:] Both injuries left me with obvious bilateral asymmetries. One involved sciatica, which weakened my entire right leg and foot. The other involved a bike accident, where I received brain trauma and significant losses on my left side (but, unhappily, also broke my right ankle). I had power data prior to each incident, so I could see a huge loss in my total power (in addition to the obvious difficulty walking up stairs or being able to control my bad leg and foot). In each case, when I was able to get back on the bike, I just worked on returning my total power to where it was, and walking up and down stairs without dragging the bad foot.
[Edited to add:] Both injuries left me with obvious bilateral asymmetries. One involved sciatica, which weakened my entire right leg and foot. The other involved a bike accident, where I received brain trauma and significant losses on my left side (but, unhappily, also broke my right ankle). I had power data prior to each incident, so I could see a huge loss in my total power (in addition to the obvious difficulty walking up stairs or being able to control my bad leg and foot). In each case, when I was able to get back on the bike, I just worked on returning my total power to where it was, and walking up and down stairs without dragging the bad foot.
