If you’re looking to improve as a cyclist, then having the correct data goes a very long way. Gadgets such as heart rate monitors and cadence sensors tell you where you might be going wrong and can improve to give you an edge over the competition.
One of the best tools you will get when it comes to improving your cycling ability is a power meter.
They are amazing and can tell you so much about where you excel as a rider, your current level of fitness, the progress you are making, and where you need to improve. In this article, we will be telling you why power meters are so beneficial and also about some of the best!
What Is A Power Meter?
A power meter is a device that can tell you the amount of watts you are creating. In technical terms, it’s known as a strain gauge. It takes the current torque going through the pedal and then multiplies it by the cadence to produce your power figure.
Torque x Cadence = Power
This means it’s not about how much pressure you can apply to the pedals, but it also is about how quickly you can turn them at the same time.
Power meters come in many forms. They can be pedal-based, crank-arm-based, or even sit in the center of the crank itself.
What Are The Benefits Of A Power Meter?
Power meters come with a huge amount of benefits, and if you can afford to invest in a unit, then you are going to have an edge over your competitors that don’t. Here are our top benefits:
Easy Testing And Progression
Power meters are vital when it comes to testing. With such accurate data, it can tell you exactly your fitness level and if the training you’re doing is helping you improve.
Pacing
Power meters give you real-time data. That means when you’re riding, you can see your power figure.
With this information, you can perfectly pace and ensure you have all the energy you need for the final sprint or big miles days out.
Zone Establishing
With a power meter, it’s much easier to establish proper training zones. With these zones, you can train more accurately and give your body the correct amount of load to make the right adaptations.
Improve Efficiency
With a power meter, you can see where you excel and where you need improvement. Riding at different cadences and in different positions, you will be able to see where you are most efficient or where you need to work on.
Easier To Maintain A Constant Effort
When you use power meter pedals, it’s much easier to ensure a constant effort. Many cyclists struggle when they come to hills and descents to keep the optimal power in for their training.
With a power meter, you can always see the power you produce and know when you need to work harder and let off.
Our Recommended Power Meters
Now for the exciting part, our recommended cycling power meters. We have chosen some different types of power meters but mainly focused on crank and pedal.
Wahoo Fitness POWRLINK Zero Dual-Sided
- Battery Life 75h+ (Rechargeable Battery)
- 99% Accurate
- Bluetooth And ANT+
- Automatic Calibration
- Dual Meters
- $1000
Wahoo is a big name in cycling and makes some unbelievable products. One of their most popular components is their Speedplay pedals. If you are looking for the absolute best version of those pedals, consider the POWRLINK Zero.
These dual-sided pedals can track up to 99% accuracy, which is up there with the best of brands. You get a battery life of up to 75 hours, and the set has the ability to calibrate automatically on both sides, making it very self-sufficient.
Coming in at $1000, they are not the cheapest, but they’re built to last and offer amazing accuracy. Being Wahoo, you can expect the highest quality, and if you ever come to sell, hold their value nicely.
Garmin Rally RS200
- Battery Life 120h+
- 99% Accurate
- Bluetooth And ANT+
- Replaceable Pedal Connection
- Dual Meters
- $1100
When you think of cycling technology, one of the first names that springs to mind is Garmin. Not only do they make great GPS computers, but they have been making power meters for many years, including one of the most popular, the Vector.
Like the Wahoo pedals, these are dual-sided. It is not just taking measurements from one pedal but both, so you can see which side is stronger.
It’s over 99% accurate, which is going to give you excellent data, and you get a mega 120 hours and more of battery life.
What makes these pedals quite special is that you can swap the case from SPD-SL to SPD cleats with a conversion kit. They are the most expensive power meter pedals on this list at $1100, but they are amazing.
Stages Cycling Shimano Dura Ace Crankset
- Battery Life 200h+ (CR2032)
- 5% Accurate
- Bluetooth And ANT+
- Full Crank Fitment
- Dual Sided
- $1225
Stages is a company that creates like-for-like products and components but with power meters installed into them. This could be a crank or even a crank arm. This not only means you take very little extra weight, but you can sell the old components, getting your money back.
Dura-Ace is the highest level of Shimano road cycling, and the Stages power meter is often seen on pro bikes. It’s 98.5% accurate and, like others on this list, takes readings from both the left and the right. It completely replaces the crank, and you get a 200-hour and more battery life on a replaceable battery.
Although it is expensive, coming in at $1225, you are getting a Dura Ace crank, which has the value of $600 alone. It’s an amazing way to get your power figures and probably the lightest way to go about it in weight terms, as it only adds 15g. They make cranks in Ultegra, 105, and many more Shimano levels.
Quarq DFOUR DUB Road Power Meter Crankset
- Battery Life 200h+ (CR2032)
- 5% Accurate
- Bluetooth And ANT+
- Full Crank Fitment
- Spider Fitment
- $839
Next, we have the DOFUR DUB from Quarq. They are specialists when it comes to power meters and not only offer great specifications but also they are incredible value for money. The DFOUR DUB is their 2X road crankset and comes made of aluminum and carbon.
It’s a solid 98.5% accurate, which is on par with the stages. It uses a spider-style fitment, which sits on the inside of the crank and also just measures from one point. This is a wide area and offers amazing results.
Like the stages, this has a replaceable battery. It uses a CR2032, which in turn gives a solid 200 hours and more battery life. Coming in at $839, it’s excellent value for money. Not only are you getting a full crankset, but it also has that power meter inside, ready to go.
Favero Assioma Duo Pedal Based
- Battery Life 50h+ (Rechargeable Battery)
- 99% Accurate
- Bluetooth And ANT+
- Dual Sided Pedals
- $759
Last but not least, we have the Favero Assioma Duo pedal-based power meter. These are the cheapest on our list and one of the most popular power meter pedal sets available.
They come in both single and double options. We personally think the double dual-sided is the best way to go.
They are 99% accurate, easy to install, and come with rechargeable batteries, giving you 50 hours each charge. What’s great about these pedals is they even come with cleats ready to throw on the bike and get straight out on the roads.
Coming in at $759, they are much cheaper than the Stages and the Garmin pedals. Don’t let that put you off. They are pretty amazing. The only big difference is that they have a shorter battery life and stick out slightly further than others.
A Final Note
Power meter pedals are an excellent upgrade for your bike. Not only do they offer you the data to help you improve, but they also help you track your progress and properly test out on the roads.
We highly recommend each of these power meter pedals on the list, and although a bit of an investment, they are completely worth it.
Robbie Ferri has spent years working in a bike shop, has worked with industry leading brands on product creation, has been a semi pro athlete, and is a fully qualified strength and conditioning coach. He has broken World Records, bikepacked all over the World and raced ultra distance at a top-level.
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