Buying a powermeter in the next 2 weeks. I’m 99% sure I want a Quarq Elsa but I value your opinons. What are your thoughts on Vectors vs Elsa? I know the Riken is cheaper, I can afford the Elsa, and I want the lower weight and more options for crank arm length. I don’t want a Powertap and have to deal with swapping wheelsets and Stages won’t work with my Cervelo P2 since it has the FSA crank with a pinch-bolt.
For what it’s worth, the number of people who have broken one or more pods while installing their Vectors has really made me sit back to see how things go in the future. Check over at the Garmin Vector Forum.
Hugh
That has been a fear of mine. Not only that, what happens if I crash. Speedplay pedals are my favorite and are nearly indestructible. I know why Garmin didn’t pick Speedplay and it sucks. I think the whole pod design hanging off the pedal is a terrible idea but it seems to work well.
Is it the “new” P2 (BBright) or the older P2 (English threaded / GXP)? If new, you’ll have to glue the cadence magnet to your frame.
That is a good question. I am fortunate enough to have both (for now).
I guess it would depend on what type of crank I already had on my bike. If, for example, I had a cheaper crank then I may be more inclined to get the Quarq. If I had a nice crank then I may be more inclined to get the Vectors.
Ultimately, the most important question is: are you happy with your current fit and, as a follow up, your crank length? (generally, not to YOU specifically).
I have done a couple of bike races with the Vectors and had no issues. Installation is not difficult. If following instructions properly and aware of what “needs” to be done you shouldn’t have any issues.
A crash would be almost as likely to damage a Quarq, depending. Any hard impact would probably warrant checking calibration. You’d just not be sure. The pods, if I’m not mistaken, can be replaced independently of the pedals. The pedal bodies themselves can also be replaced
I really like my Quarq, but I also really like the Vectors.
#firstworldproblems
Old P2 with english/GXP
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That is a good question. I am fortunate enough to have both (for now).
I guess it would depend on what type of crank I already had on my bike. If, for example, I had a cheaper crank then I may be more inclined to get the Quarq. If I had a nice crank then I may be more inclined to get the Vectors.
Ultimately, the most important question is: are you happy with your current fit and, as a follow up, your crank length? (generally, not to YOU specifically).
I have done a couple of bike races with the Vectors and had no issues. Installation is not difficult. If following instructions properly and aware of what “needs” to be done you shouldn’t have any issues.
A crash would be almost as likely to damage a Quarq, depending. Any hard impact would probably warrant checking calibration. You’d just not be sure. The pods, if I’m not mistaken, can be replaced independently of the pedals. The pedal bodies themselves can also be replaced
I really like my Quarq, but I also really like the Vectors.
#firstworldproblems
Yes the pods can be replaced for I believe $60 each. That said, some owners have broken as many as 4 pods just during installation and swear the’re doing the procedure perfectly.
Can’t argue with that…can you?
I just sent in my Cinqo Quarq for the “trade in” upgrade deal. I chose to go with the Riken for my TT bike. Most of us agree on ST that extra money should buy extra speed. 100 grams at the crank will have no measurable effect on AVG speed on any course even the Alps D’uez Tri lol. I use 170mm cranks . . . .so no motivation to go Elsa there either.
The power distribution analysis of the Elsa, due to it’s 0-180 180-360 protocol, is probably no more than entertainment. On the other hand, the Vector, though finicky/fragile?, would be useful in that regard. That is, of course, providing we figure out how to implement that new data effectively.
If it were my money I’d get the Quarq assuming no issues fitting it to the bike. One PM is enough to deal with and I don’t see the practical benefit of having two. Then there are the reported Vector installation issues. The Elsa ain’t Quarq’s first rodeo.
Is there any reason than to get an Elsa over a Riken?
Money wasn’t a huge deal to me either, but I don’t like flushing it down the toilet. For me it would only come down to crank length. Had I wanted to go shorter than 170 I would have opted for Elsa. Fortunately, 170 is my number 
That is a good question. I am fortunate enough to have both (for now).
I guess it would depend on what type of crank I already had on my bike. If, for example, I had a cheaper crank then I may be more inclined to get the Quarq. If I had a nice crank then I may be more inclined to get the Vectors.
Ultimately, the most important question is: are you happy with your current fit and, as a follow up, your crank length? (generally, not to YOU specifically).
I have done a couple of bike races with the Vectors and had no issues. Installation is not difficult. If following instructions properly and aware of what “needs” to be done you shouldn’t have any issues.
A crash would be almost as likely to damage a Quarq, depending. Any hard impact would probably warrant checking calibration. You’d just not be sure. The pods, if I’m not mistaken, can be replaced independently of the pedals. The pedal bodies themselves can also be replaced
I really like my Quarq, but I also really like the Vectors.
#firstworldproblems
Yes the pods can be replaced for I believe $60 each. That said, some owners have broken as many as 4 pods just during installation and swear the’re doing the procedure perfectly.
so i have work for 4 year for Garmin representing the warranty and technical service for canada. I have recently left this position. So i can speak in full honesty.
out of the first 1000s pair of vector in canada, 12 cases of broken pods… that is around 1% issue on a powermeter. That is right there in a class of it s own in the powermeter market.
out of this 12 cases, right away, 4 shop have said they didnt follow properly the installation. so far, i would love to see someone break a pods when following installation. i have install 100s and still havent broke anything. i m not saying it s not possible, but i have talk with many owner over the phone and most of them reconize they where very excited to install the pedals on there bike and didnt bother to read the installation procedure…
The garmin forum is a awesome tool to provide some support and have the community share there experience…good and bad. But for someone to break 4 pods…when following instruction??? i would recommend him to move to canada where pods simply dont break…
I’ve had my Vectors on and off my bike half a dozen times - and if you break a pedal pod during installation, it’s either dumb back luck or just not paying attention to instructions. That being said, you do need a torque wrench and a proper crowfoot wrench.
I picked the Vectors over the Quarq due to swappability (all my bikes have different bottom brackets), and by the time you take a Quarq and add in a new set of peddles, you are in the same ballpark as the Vectors - my shop actually suggested the Vectors since they were cheaper than a Quarq plus Speedplay stainless pedals.
Left/Right power is cool, but irrelevant to me - I’m usually 51/49, +/-2 at any given time, and a lot of that depends on cadence and power output. I have had some battery issues that resulted in pods going back to Garmin, but Garmin has been cool about it and I think i got some really early sets (serial # <800).
Why would you need to get new pedals when getting a quarq??
Buying a powermeter in the next 2 weeks. I’m 99% sure I want a Quarq Elsa but I value your opinons. What are your thoughts on Vectors vs Elsa? I know the Riken is cheaper, I can afford the Elsa, and I want the lower weight and more options for crank arm length. I don’t want a Powertap and have to deal with swapping wheelsets and Stages won’t work with my Cervelo P2 since it has the FSA crank with a pinch-bolt.
Vectors every time if you have multiple bikes. I even loan mine to my partner sometimes to use on her bike and as for breaking the pods I would pay to watch someone do that! I’m the least technical person on the planet and I can pull the pod onto the spindle, add a washer or two and hand tighten into the crank then nip up to the recommended torque which is not that tight actually. I know it happens I’m just not sure how. I have used mine on several bikes and it only takes a few minutes.
He is assuming you want new pedals
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What’s the best price out there for the Garmin vectors?
$1700 at my local shop
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I know DC Rainmaker has a 10% discount code for the Clever Training website over on his site. That might take the Vectors down to $1,530 (assuming the Vectors aren’t excluded for whatever reason). Other sites might have similar deals.