Yes BT only, running Zwift on iOS app. I could go AMT with a laptop too. I just like the fact they are a mature technology now. Garmin 3s are such a big update, it's almost first gen. And we all know about Garmin first generation products. Public beta testing!
Still looking at my own app for derived power. What have you started!!!!
I have a Stages and a Pioneer single side already. So its going to be difficult to get a direct/exact comparison, but think I should be able to tell by heart rate on a steady tempo or sweet spot session if they're in the right ball park.
They're either going on a 105 chainset or Ultegra. I really want to put them on the TT or road race bike, but I think the dual sided data will be more useful on the turbo, initially at least.
They come with two stiff plastic bags which you fill with water and then calibrate at various points in the pedal stroke from what I've read.
They were £270, almost wish I'd bought two sets - would then have been less than £250 per set! If they're accurate and reliable then I think that's pretty bargainous! 🙂
You could probably get a pretty good comparison from the turbo. Pick a gear/cadence combinations speeds and see what power you need for that on one crankset, then swap for the others and compare data.
Garmin 3s are such a big update, it's almost first gen.
I wonder if much has actually changed other than the placing of electronics and pedal body? Must check out a review. I’d assume spindle, strain gaugues are all as they were (ah other than the port to connect to the pods!) Probably not a big s/w change either. My 1st gen Vectors have been fine for 3 years until a pod died last week, which was easy and fairly cheap to replace (considering I got a full service kit and two upgraded pods.)
Good idea Mr Blobby, I've got a pretty good idea on gear/cadence for a given power on the Stages, so will definitely tell if it's out by a lot.
Well, that was one scary experience!
I'm fine doing absolutely any bike maintenance myself but when it's "sh1t or bust" on the gluing the sensors, that was stressful!
First thought was it's hard to make sure the sensor is perfectly parallel to the crank arm, when they are covered by the larger "holding piece" for gluing. And is it perfectly aligned with my pencil marks???? Did I put enough glue on the sensors? Did I put too much??? Had the alcohol wipe evaporated completely? Oh and it's funny how 10minutes which is LOADS of time once you've mixed the glue, just disappears like the sanda of time before your eyes...
There is no going back.
24 hours of waiting now.....
Funnily enough that’s the installation experience I had in mind 🙂 I get a bit nervous even torquing up bolts around PM’s.
So, I'm done! Powerbeats fitted!
I gave the glue 48hours to cure whilst worrying whether i'd glued them straight enough or prepared the surface well enough.
Anyway, as soon as I removed the elastic bands the sensor holders fell away leaving the sensors securely fixed on the crank arms. All good!
This morning I went through the calibration process. Filled the water bags and used the app to calibrate with the pedals in the different positions. Took three attempts before it passed, the early attempts failed on the last reading but I think it was possibly because the water bags may have still been swaying slightly.
For some reason my Garmin wouldn't pair with them but I've had that problem with my Garmin before when I don't have the heart rate monitor on too.
Eventually I got it and did 20minutes easy pedalling in the easiest gear I had. It was interesting to get dual side/balance readings but I wasn't totally sure the power was comparable to my Stages. Maybe within 10percent based on cadence.
Thought I'd just check the weight of the "full" water bags....turns out I'd calibrated with the bags not totally full. You have to be careful that you hold the bag right at the bag neck.
So I'm going to recalibrate tonight.
Other thoughts are - the connectors to the pods are a very tight fit, which is good from a waterproofness perspective but then they're difficult to remove (say for charging) carefully without tugging the wire. I was a bit worried the pod might be a bit vulnerable if you're not careful when you clip in, but I guess if you clip in normally without stamping on the edge of the crank arm then it's a fairly unfounded thought.
I almost wish I'd bought a double pack and they would have been even cheaper, but it assumes this set proves reliable over the next few weeks and months.
Good stuff. The gluing does look a bit diy 😉 but then for the price you really can't complain. Be good to see if you can get some comparisons done.
Looking at the pod position, it's the same as the vectors, which mean they are under the pedal at the 3 o clock position, so generally out the way when you are clipping in. I've not heard of any problems with the vector pods in that regard so expect those will be ok too.
It does look a bit DIY in the photo, but unless you crouch down and look at it closely, then it doesn't detract that much.... definitely won't see it when you're pedalling anyway! 8)
Good point about the pods being shielded as you clip in!
Just recalibrated, took about 5minutes and worked first time. 5minutes spin on the turbo and getting the water bags filled correctly has dropped the watts a small amount (just a few percent perhaps) and it seems more comparable to what I would expect on my stages.
Got some fairly long sweet spot sessions this week so that will be a fairly good indicator as to where they're at.
Has anyone tried a Stages Dash Head Unit yet? I'm interested to know if it resolves any of the known issues with the Stages PMs.
My Stages keeps having the same old issues which I've learnt to cope with but more recently, it's started dropping out and/or spiking on my Garmin 520. It won't hold a connection at all to my Garmin Fenix 5 watch. Despite this, it connects perfectly to the Stages app on my phone which hints towards this particular issue being with Garmin rather than Stages.
And yes, all firmware updates are the most recent versions etc
Sounds more like an ANT+ issue with the Stages.
Now that crossed my mind... But I cant figure out how to connect to my Garmin 520 via Bluetooth rather than ANT+
You can't do it. I think the 1030 is the first Garmin to support BLE connectivity for sensors.
If Kryton57 reads this I might be interested in the powerpod from the previous page if it’s still for sale. He has no contact details on his profile. Mine is in my profile.
So...new battery installed...followed the instructions for pairing with a 520 on the Stages Support page to the letter including changing the reading time settings from 'smart' to '1 sec'.
Tested with an hour on the rollers and everything worked perfectly
Vector 2 for £644 over at Winstanley's...
https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/79702/Garmin_Vector_2_DualPedal_Power_Meter
teamslug - Member
If Kryton57 reads this I might be interested in the powerpod from the previous page if it’s still for sale. He has no contact details on his profile. Mine is in my profile.
Sorry teamslug but it sold to the first buyer. Thanks for the heads up on the contact details, I'll go an fix that.
Changed the battery in my 4iiii last weekend. According to my riding logs I had 162hrs out of it.
Looks like a Specialized PM on the way...
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/sagan-debuts-specialized-power-meter-at-tour-down-under-51525/
And dual sided Stages now available...
What's the current view on the PowerTap P1? Been offered some as a warranty replacement. All good with them?
I like my P1S, it’s a bit chunky but that’s about it. They say you need specific pedal cleats (which they supply) but I’ve used my keos with no issues
Vector 3 would be my choice if you don’t have to pay
Is anyone actually selling the Stages right side yet?? In the UK?? Cos whilst they announced it, it doesn't look like anyone is selling it yet
Vector 3 would be my choice if you don’t have to pay
I don't have to pay but it's what's been offered as warranty replacement for my discontinued C1 (which was fine for a year on the turbo but only lasted a few weeks on winter roads.) I'm assuming it needs to be another PowerTap product but I might ask about that.
mtbtomo - MemberIs anyone actually selling the Stages right side yet?? In the UK?? Cos whilst they announced it, it doesn't look like anyone is selling it yet
No, I have been in contact with Stages (US) a few times recently because I am getting the usual winter power drain issues on my (3) stages PMs and they said they should be in the UK in around a month or so.
They are no longer replacing my units (must have had about 10 in total over the last couple of years) which have battery drain problems.
Their latest take on it is that it is a problem with the batteries.
The solution is now to send out spare battery doors and O-rings. When the PM reports low, replace with a battery door that is preloaded with a battery that has been stored inside and then take the removed door and battery inside. They are telling me that the battery recovers when warm and can then be used next time the battery goes flat.
I did point out to them that I have about 7 Garmin GSC-10 speed and cadence sensors with CR2032 batteries and they last for 18 months +.
I have only just received my battery doors, so will report back!
I did point out to them that I have about 7 Garmin GSC-10 speed and cadence sensors with CR2032 batteries and they last for 18 months +.
Point out to them that Vectors also use CR2032 but have no such reported issues.
I don't have to pay but it's what's been offered as warranty replacement for my discontinued C1 (which was fine for a year on the turbo but only lasted a few weeks on winter roads.) I'm assuming it needs to be another PowerTap product but I might ask about that.
I'm only suggesting as it's a cleaner looking pedal. The P1 still supports Bluetooth as well as ANT etc.
dcrainmakers comparison is worth a read.
Not much in it, it seems.
Been offered the single sided P1 in exchange for my C1, which is pretty fair. They're seeing if they can do me a deal on dual sided. Or I guess I could sell the single sided P1 and get something else. Think I'll probably go dual sided P1.
*wrong thread
No P1 single sided upgrade available yet, although they are talking about it. (and have been for a while) but bear that in mind
I was thinking of getting the Assimoa for my TT bike ^^ seems much of a muchness according to the review. Then again a BB swap / 105 cranked us cheaper, and I could use my 4iiii
Thanks, I did not know that. Assumed you could (I think the DCR summary says you can with all too.) I wouldn't go single sided anyway, but good to know for options if they don't offer me a deal on dual sided.
Well it looks like I either get a replacement of a single sided P1 or a credit note for 420 quid for the broken C1.
I don't want single sided and I can't upgrade the P1, so that's out. I could get the Quarq DZERO crankset for another 100 quid, but would need to find some rings and a new BB. Or for the same price an FSA PowerBox (basically a rebadged Power2Max) which would need a new BB. Or I could spend another 400 quid and get maybe a pair of Vector 3. If they stocked the Assioma I might well have gone for those. Hmmm.
So what would STW do?
So what would STW do?
Buy a 4iiii.
Dual sided ultegra 4iiii is more expensive than Vector 3. I don’t really see a good reason to consider the 4iiii.
It was tongue in cheek. You asked what STW would do, which in the main is to recommended what you've got... 😀
get a vector 3s and upgrade it later
recommended what you've got...
🙂
get a vector 3s and upgrade it later
I want dual sided. If I got the 3S and upgraded I'd just end up spending an extra [s]100[/s] 50 quid.
I don't actually need a replacement for a few months so may just get a credit note and see what deals come up. Maybe wait for the Vector's to be discounted a little.
can't imagine the vector will get discount for a while, maybe the powertap P1.
I'd go with the FSA, assuming that it's to directly replace the C1 on a turbo bike. Otherwise either Vector 3 or P1 dual for max flexibility.
@mrblobby
Give up on power meters as they all seem to fail and need to go back under warranty. Spend the credit note on a lifetime supply of bar tape.
I'd go with the FSA, assuming that it's to directly replace the C1 on a turbo bike. Otherwise either Vector 3 or P1 dual for max flexibility.
It’s for outdoor training bike now i’m convinced the Neo is good for power. Already have one set of Vectors which I can use when I need to swap stuff about. Leaning towards the FSA or the Quarq.
Give up on power meters as they all seem to fail and need to go back under warranty. Spend the credit note on a lifetime supply of bar tape.
🙂 I did wonder that but it’d be depressing to see it all not last that long on bar tape, tubes, tyres, chains, cassettes...
Mr B - if you want something to tide you over while you choose or while stocks replenish, my pedals are sitting here unloved (for various reasons I'm not even zwifting currently and a meaningful road ride where a power reading would be useful seems a long way off 🙁 )
Scaredy, that is very kind of you. I’m not sure i’d want to borrow someone’s PM given my recent habit of breaking kit! I’ve still got the Vectors and the P2M so really not a problem. Hope you’re back riding soon 🙂
