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Power Meter Advice
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I'm purchasing my first power meter. I'm looking at the Garmin Vector and Quark DZero (with Sram eTap Red). I like Garmin because I'm very familiar with their products (forerunner, garmin connect, edge, etc). But measuring power in the pedals seems somehow less accurate to me. I'm not at all familiar with Quark but I like the idea of measuring power at the hub/bracket. Feedback would be welcome.
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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Spend a bunch of time here with this reviewer.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/...ide2016-edition.html
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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I've had a Quarq Riken for about 2 years and it has been flawless and has never missed a beat. There are advantages to a pedal based system if you want to move from bike to bike but if that is not part of your plan, I highly recommend Quarq. 10000+ miles and zero issues.
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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If you don't need to swap between bikes, I'd say pedal based systems are probably going to be more expensive than necessary. I've also heard a good bit of complaints regarding the Garmin pedals compared to Powertap P1's. Ultimately why I went with P1's (I switch between bikes, so I went with pedals). I don't see how measuring at the pedals would be less accurate. It's a strain gauge measuring force and cadence to calculate a power number. The closer to your foot, the less chance off power losses in the system (i.e. if you measure at the wheel, it's actually the power you put out minus the power loss in the drivetrain). Not that it matters, if you train with one system and base everything off of that, you still have all the power info you need. It just may be 5 watts different than if you measured at a different part of the bike.

I do agree, that if not switching between bikes, you can probably get a "better" device that is crank based for the money. I know for my road bike, I sacrificed weight to go with the pedals. If I was buying just for that bike, I would have gone a different direction.
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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I would wait until the new Garmin v3 pedals come out here in a few months, maybe even sooner than that.

blog
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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Pedals suck. They require special cleats. You also need a torque wrench if you want to swap them between bikes. Quarks are top end PMs.
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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From that short list I would pick the Quarq
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Re: Power Meter Advice [jmjtri] [ In reply to ]
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You also need a torque wrench if you want to swap them between bikes

P1's don't. And if you are switching between bikes, you will always use the same cleats. Plus, you "could" use keo cleats if you wanted to. They do work.
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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Here is the list of super quick major decisions to make to guide you to the best options. Then, after you decide what type best fits your needs, look at the individual products that match the type of PM.

  • Lower cost (PT hub, single-sided crank, single-sided pedals, chain rings, some spiders)
  • Total power (spiders, hub, dual-sided pedals, dual-sided crank arms)
  • Dual-sided power (dual-sided cranks, dual-sided pedals)
  • Move between bikes (pedals, hub, maybe cranks if compatible)

I love Garmin, and I have lots of Garmin stuff. But, I would not get the current crop of Vector 2 pedals. I have the PowerTap P1 pedals, and I would buy them again if they died. No brainer.

If you need to move the PM between bikes, then the Quarq is not a great choice. However, if you do not need to move between bikes, then the Quarq is a great choice. The only major difference in function between pedals and crank PM is that a crank PM estimates left & right power. Both give you total power.

As a broad generalization, accuracy between the major brand PMs is not a differentiator. Some will argue that SRM is the gold standard for accuracy, but after you get past that specific religious debate, the rest are all generally considered the same in the marketplace.
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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I have a quarq on my road bike and Garmin Vectors on my TT bike so have experience with both. If would buy the Quarq FOR SURE. In fact i am going to replace my Garmins with a Quarq this year.
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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If you are stuck on pedals, I would at least wait for the next vector version (coming soon) or go with powertap.


I know a lot of people with quarqs. They all love them, but they have all had to warranty them at least once. Maybe the new dzero units are better, but I'm not willing to take that chance. I don't know anyone with a power2max that has had a single issue.
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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I would include PowerTap, Power2Max, and Rotor in your assessment.

Also, here is a good resource for some basic power meter info:
https://powermetercity.com/power-central/

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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Used quarq from the classifieds is the way to go.
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Re: Power Meter Advice [KG6] [ In reply to ]
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KG6 wrote:
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You also need a torque wrench if you want to swap them between bikes


P1's don't. And if you are switching between bikes, you will always use the same cleats. Plus, you "could" use keo cleats if you wanted to. They do work.

Yea, Garmin Vectors are the only ones that need a torque wrench (both the PowerTaps and Faveros install just like a normal set of pedals). Most people report a tiny bit of play when using Look Keo original cleats with the P1s...but awesome if it works for you.

Power Meter City
Your Power Meter Specialists
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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Quarq d zero is my choice. I have the red etap version and changed from stages. Soooooo much better and more accurate. I got the quarq d4 for my dura ace di2 Tri bike too. Power is pretty much spot on with my Neo as well. Price was about the same as stages, too. I ride speed play so didn't want to change my pedals. Wouldn't go stages though.
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Re: Power Meter Advice [PM City] [ In reply to ]
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I use the P1 cleats, but have clipped in with others and it's not the end of the world. I was more focusing on the fact that if you're swapping the same pedals between bikes (this takes me 2 minutes), who cares if it uses special cleats. you're always using the same pedals, so it's not like you need multiple pairs of shoes or anything.

I'd probably lean quarq if one bike, but p1s if two. Or a power tap wheel if I just rode my race wheels all the time (even on trainer).
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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I have p1, g3 and p2max

P1 are the best i have ever bought. Can switch them between every bike in less than 5 mins

Can not do that with the cranks or hub as i have threaded to different standards and i have QR and thru axles on different bikes but i can use p1 on all
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Re: Power Meter Advice [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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FYI, Power2Max has a summer sale going on right now as well.

Brian
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