The power meter has been around in the pro peloton for over 30 years but has only recently become de rigueur among amateur riders wanting to train more clinically and race more effectively.
The made-to-measure nature of the power meter takes the guesswork out of your training and allows you to accurately track fatigue and fitness – valuable parameters for monitoring training load and consistency.
Over the past several years, power meters have become more affordable thanks to advances in technology and the introduction of a host of new competitors to the fray. There are several types of power meter configurations available, namely those of the hub, spider, crank, pedal and bottom bracket variety, but choosing the right one comes down to four factors: price, compatibility, accuracy and weight.
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What are power meters?
As the name suggests a power meter is a compact electronic device that calculates power by way of a strain gauge. The strain gauge transduces flex into electrical resistance based on how much strain or torque is applied and multiplies it by the angular velocity (cadence) to calculate power, which is measured in watts. Sounds complicated, right? Thankfully, your cycling computer does all the maths for you, processing the data it receives from the power meter via an ANT+ or Bluetooth connection. That said, not all power meters are created equal – the accuracy and reliability of each unit hinge around a number of complex parameters, the most pertinent being the quality of the materials used in its construction and number of strain gauges fitted. As you can imagine, manufacturing such a device is an intricate process which explains why these components cost as much as they do.
Scroll down to see Cyclingnews’ 5 best power meters available to buy for 2019.
Power meter types and what to look for
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the marketing jargon and complex specification sheets when shopping for a power meter. There are five distinct power meter types based on where it’s fitted to the bicycle, so it’s important to factor in compatibility before making a decision. (Most manufacturers have compatibility charts on their website).
5 of the best power meters you can buy today
1. PowerTap P2 Pedals
- Price: Starting at US$899 / £799/ AU$1314
- Weight: 400g (pair)
- Battery life: 80 hours
- Battery type: AAA
- Power measurement: Dual-sided
- Type: Pedal
- Rivals: Garmin Vector 3, Favero Assioma
- Buy PowerTap P2 Pedals in the UK
- Buy PowerTap P2 Pedals in the USA
- Buy PowerTap P2 Pedals in Australia
2. Stages Power LR Ultegra R8000
- Price: Starting at US$999.99 / £949/ AU$1399
- Weight: 35g
- Battery life: 175+ hours
- Battery type: CR2032
- Power measurement: Dual-sided
- Type: Crank, 165mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm
- Rivals: 4iiii Precision Pro
- Buy Stages Power LR Ultegra R8000 in the UK
- Buy Stages Power LR Ultegra R8000 in the USA
- Buy Stages Power LR Ultegra R8000 in Australia
3. 4iiii Precision
- Price: Starting at US$349/ £339/ AU$497
- Weight: 9g
- Battery life: 100+ hours
- Battery type: CR2032
- Power measurement: Single-sided
- Type: Crank, 165mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm
- Rivals: Stages Power
4. Power2Max NGeco
- Price: Starting at US$490/ £435/ AU$1199
- Weight: 172g 130BCD (spider only)
- Battery life: 300 hours
- Battery type: CR2032
- Power measurement: Dual-sided
- Type: Spider/chainring
- Rivals: Quarq, SRM
5. Quarq DZero
- Price: Starting at US$679/ £517/ AU$1099.95
- Weight: 142g, 130BCD (spider only)
- Battery life: 200 hours
- Battery type: CR2032
- Power measurement: Dual-sided
- Type: Spider/chainring
- Rivals: Power2Max, SRM
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/5-best-power-meters-for-cycling-2019
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