Stages Power Meter

[Krank]

http://www.stagescycling.com/stagespower-tech-specs

Your thoughts on this unit and it's limitations (if any) for measuring true power output?

Byte

[winstonw]

cons

- less accurate with significant asymmetrical pedaling technique. nevertheless, I suppose it depends on what a cyclist wants to use power data for. If he wants to train to improve output, then asymmetry error won't be an issue. It's only when someone wants to compare their power output to someone else that it might be an issue.

- doesn't work on carbon cranks.

[Krank]

interesting - thanks

how to the expensive high end units differ?

Krank

[Matt_Matt]

Thank you for your interest in the Stages Power meter. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to those outside of the US and Canada at this time. As a new company, and US based manufacturer, we've made the decision to only sell to North America until we're comfortable growing to support the demand and product outside of that area. We want to ensure we can support our customers in the highest quality manner and we cannot do this until we have our systems in place in other countries

[Krank]

i have a contact in usa - so no probs in mail..


krank

[Alex Simmons/RST]

- less accurate with significant asymmetrical pedaling technique. nevertheless, I suppose it depends on what a cyclist wants to use power data for. If he wants to train to improve output, then asymmetry error won't be an issue. It's only when someone wants to compare their power output to someone else that it might be an issue.

Comparing with others isn't the primary issue, although it helps if a power meter is accurate as usually people do change meters at some stage and inaccurate meters can make season on season tracking problematic.

Asymmetry in left side-right side power output is:
- normal
- variable from person to person (meaning that even if two people have the same total power output, this unit may not report them as the same)
- variable for the same person depending on cadence, absolute and relative power output, fatigue level, bike fit, type of riding, changes in fitness etc.

e.g. you can be 46:54 at one power level and 49:51 at another (and this would be completely normal). Which means the accuracy will vary somewhat as the unit assumes you are always 50:50 (which would be pretty unusual). In other words it might be accurate at one power level and much less so at another power level.

I'd say it has potential to be a good intro product into training with power, provided one recognises the limitations of the data and what it can be sensibly used for (and what it shouldn't be used for), similar to how other such products in the past, like the Polar chain based power meter, provided a cheaper entry to the power meter club.

Keep in mind that for a regular trained cyclist, threshold power will only vary by ~ 10% from under trained to peak fitness, and that often we are seeking to assess changes in power of only a percent or two when fitness is at personal best levels.

I can't comment on things like ability to validate calibration, durability, consistency, warranty, service and support etc

[jules21]

ematchizit?

[winstonw]

ematchizit?

USD700
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/int ... ower-meter

[Xplora]

No Campy options is pretty disappointing, but I can understand that it would be too hard if they are invading the crank volume to fit all the electronics onboard.

[Krank]

No Campy options is pretty disappointing, but I can understand that it would be too hard if they are invading the crank volume to fit all the electronics onboard.

agree!

[Xplora]

It's due to the carbon. Hysterisis or something like that. Reason to go DA9000?

I really have to question the wisdom of putting a power meter on a 105 crank. If you are throwing around 1250 bucks at a power meter and Garmin, perhaps you have money to pony up for a new crankset as well?

[dale79]

not much cheaper than the tried and proven powertap hubs..

[skull]

you can get quarqs for less than $2k brand new from O/S

[Alex Simmons/RST]

you can get quarqs for less than $2k brand new from O/S

Don't need to go O/S to get them for less then $2k.
I sell complete Quarq SRAM crank sets from $1869, and much less for Specialized/Cannondale Quarq spiders.

[skull]

There you go, you can get them from a reputable Australian distributor for less than $2k.

I take it you are supplying Quarq power meters again.

[Xplora]

In fairness to the Stages system, it's MUCH simpler than the powertap, and I am guessing the "elite" systems are much cheaper to implement because the expense is from the crank (which you are unlikely to swap) and you don't need to build the crank into a wheel etc which I am guessing is going to extend the cost enormously. The cheap powertap system is a similar price, but I'm thinking that it would be cheaper for the Stages system. Just seems a shame that you can either swap wheels, or swap bikes... most dudes sinking dollars have more than one bike lol

[Alex Simmons/RST]

There you go, you can get them from a reputable Australian distributor for less than $2k.

I take it you are supplying Quarq power meters again.

Yes, Quarq were keen to ensure I could still supply their product here in Australia via SRAM's distribution network.

[guyc]

It's launched, reviews are starting to appear:

http://lavamagazine.com/gear/tested-sta ... z2JJnLDyfG

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/01/stag ... eview.html

[Xplora]

It's launched, reviews are starting to appear:

http://lavamagazine.com/gear/tested-sta ... z2JJnLDyfG

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/01/stag ... eview.html

ta!

Edit: both reviews basically back up what Alex Simmons said. Sounds like I will have to look at a power tap.