Power/Crank Question

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2016-06-14 9:09 AM

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Subject: Power/Crank Question
I'm starting to look at options for adding a power meter to my 2010 Cervello P2. I'm leaning toward a stages power meter, followed by powetap or Vector2S pedals.

1) Do you love or hate any of these options? Why?

2) If I go with the stages meter, I may consider dropping an additional $150 or so to upgrade to an Ultegra Crank from the FSA Mega EXO that came on the bike. The current crank isn't in bad shape, but it is 5-6 years old. Would you do the upgrade or just stick with the FSA crank?


2016-06-14 9:14 AM
in reply to: marti038

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Subject: RE: Power/Crank Question

and I thought we were going to have a powercranks thread, darnit.

2016-06-14 11:20 AM
in reply to: marti038

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Subject: RE: Power/Crank Question
Originally posted by marti038

I'm starting to look at options for adding a power meter to my 2010 Cervello P2. I'm leaning toward a stages power meter, followed by powetap or Vector2S pedals.

1) Do you love or hate any of these options? Why?

2) If I go with the stages meter, I may consider dropping an additional $150 or so to upgrade to an Ultegra Crank from the FSA Mega EXO that came on the bike. The current crank isn't in bad shape, but it is 5-6 years old. Would you do the upgrade or just stick with the FSA crank?



Single sided PMs are less expensive but can be both imprecise and inaccurate. This applies to the Stages and single sided Vector. Several threads on this recently.
The stages is known to have communication issues with some Garmin watches. Less problems (but still some) with head units like the Garmin 500
The Vector has a reputation of being a little more finicky for installation although personally I have never had issues. You have to properly torque things.
The Powertap pedals are the best of those 3 options because they are dual sided and seem reliable.
The Vector is at least upgradeable to dual side for a true power meter vs a power estimator which is what a single sided mechanism is.
It would probably be cheaper to get a Power2max than a Vector and then upgrade to dual side.

2016-06-14 12:57 PM
in reply to: marcag

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Subject: RE: Power/Crank Question

Originally posted by marcag
Originally posted by marti038 I'm starting to look at options for adding a power meter to my 2010 Cervello P2. I'm leaning toward a stages power meter, followed by powetap or Vector2S pedals. 1) Do you love or hate any of these options? Why? 2) If I go with the stages meter, I may consider dropping an additional $150 or so to upgrade to an Ultegra Crank from the FSA Mega EXO that came on the bike. The current crank isn't in bad shape, but it is 5-6 years old. Would you do the upgrade or just stick with the FSA crank?
Single sided PMs are less expensive but can be both imprecise and inaccurate. This applies to the Stages and single sided Vector. Several threads on this recently. The stages is known to have communication issues with some Garmin watches. Less problems (but still some) with head units like the Garmin 500 The Vector has a reputation of being a little more finicky for installation although personally I have never had issues. You have to properly torque things. The Powertap pedals are the best of those 3 options because they are dual sided and seem reliable. The Vector is at least upgradeable to dual side for a true power meter vs a power estimator which is what a single sided mechanism is. It would probably be cheaper to get a Power2max than a Vector and then upgrade to dual side.

I would also vote P2M if I were starting over and wanted to limit my budget.  Single sided is just not for me as there is very difficult to know if it is accurate and/or precise as most people have no clue what their L/R imbalance is and how it can possible change through various effort levels, cadence levels, or levels of fatigue.

2016-07-03 9:53 PM
in reply to: #5186818

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Subject: RE: Power/Crank Question
I just got the stages for my road bike and paid the extra to upgrade the cranks as well.

Have had the stages XTR on the mountainbike for a year now. Only issue was the communication others have mentioned but pulling out the battery tabs a bit corrected the issue. No other issues after that!
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