A power meter – what to choose?

A power meter on a bike allows us to set intensity of our trainings precisely and enables to plan them in order to achieve particular goals. At present we can distinguish power meters located in a crank spider, a crank arm, pedals, a hub or it can be integrated with chainrings. There are also devices which can measure the parameters from one or both legs. Which power meter should we choose to monitor our training the most effectively ? Which option will allow us to get precise measurement and running monitoring of training progress? Which power meter will be the best if we modify our training concept to gain the best results at the start?

What are the advantages of power meter on a bike ?

The power meter shows us the power output of the rider. Effective cycling or triathlon training without power measurement is history. The power shows us how intense our training is and the intensity is given in watts. The advantage of this mechanism is that the power is a constant indicator. It’s independent from our fatigue, blowing wind or condition of a bike. An appropriate use of power meters allows us to do a fast modification of training plan and lets maximize our training performance. A training with power meter reflects real effort and skill value, which is crucial to fulfill training arrangements. The power gives us the most information about our efficiency during training.

What to take into consideration while choosing a power meter ?

There are various parameters that have an influence on our choice. To read data collected by the power meter we need a bike computer or a watch connected with the device by ant+ protocols or Bluetooth Smart. It is very important, because if our equipment is not compatible with particular protocol, it will not work with the power meter. We can get the device taking measures from one or both legs. One-leg measurement is definitely cheaper than both-legs option. However, it’s not good choice for people suffering from recent leg injury because as this leg is weaker, the measure is not effective. In such cases both-legs power meter is recommended. The last criterion of choice is a type of bike and power meter placement. For example, pedals-based power meter is used in a road bike and the one integrated with chainrings will be suitable for a BMX bike. That’s the basic division of power meters you should be aware of.

Zdjęcie: crank-based power meter

How to choose power meter for your bike ?

Power meters can be installed in various places, such as: pedals, crank mechanisms, crank-arm, back hub or chainrings-integrated ones. What are the differences between them? What are their pros and cons? And last but not least – are they expensive? If you ride a BMX bike, choose a power meter integrated with chainrings. Pedals-based power meters are dedicated for road bikes. Those crank-based are offered for all types of bikes. Power meters located in a crank arm are used for road and MTB bikes. Devices located in a hub are available for road, mountain and track bikes. The type of our bike is one of key elements to take into consideration while choosing a power meter. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, which will influence your choice.

Types of power meters

The first type is integrated with pedals and it is for example PowerTap P1. These pedals are universal and easy to install, so you can forget about problems with calibration or planting sensor angles. After installation they are ready to use during cycling training and compatible with Bluetooth Smart and ant+, so you can easily manage them with your smart phone. 8 load cells on one pedal ensure excellence of measurements. Resistance, ease of installation and excellence of measurements are the strongest points of this power meter.

How about power meter located on a hub of back wheel? The main advantages of this solution are price and resistance. A bad point is that we can install it only on one wheel which is not good solution taking into consideration that after changing the bike measurement will be not always possible.

It’s worth mentioning about another power meter – crank-based Quarq. The advantages of this type are simple construction, easy installation and resistance. It allows double-sided power measurement and also shows cadence and torque. Unfortunately, such powers meters have disadvantages too – exchange of crank requires exchange of bearing. It’s also not compatible with accessory of other producers.

Another option is arm crank-based power meter. The device is installed in right and left arm of the crank and it enables measurements of power of both legs. One of the most popular makes of this type of power meters is Stages. They are easy to use and to install. They are also very functional and provide excellence of the measurements. The disadvantage is that they are not compatible with every bike make.

Choose your power meter

Remember that the power meter can have positive influence on efficiency of Your training and proper training plan. Check if the power meter you plan to choose is compatible with Your training equipment, such as computer or watch. Decide whether one-leg measurement is enough, or maybe both-legs one is better. Remember that the second option is always more expensive. When it comes to price, plan your budget which will help you narrow your search. You know the best what kind of environment – road or MTB – is the most comfortable for you. Check which power meter will be the best for your activity. Take into consideration installation position and type of the bike as well. Select power meter that will help you make Your cycling goals and dreams come true.