Power meter question
 

I just bought a new bike and will need a new power meter. I currently run quarqs (one compact and one standard). I've been looking into some of these less expensive alternatives. Specifically, 4iiii and stages. I understand the left-right issue, but generally speaking do you think there is a strong benefit to staying with one manufacturer and using the data from both for training and comparison purposes?

Does the 4iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii meter exist yet?

if you're comfortable with what you have…

I don't see how one would reliably compare numbers from a quarq to a stages, except by PE.

Vaporware right now, but DC Rainmaker and their website seem to imply that it is imminent.

Yes, but what I am currently comfortable with is 2-3x the cost of others. The reliable comparison is the real point, right, but when I run an LT test on someone else's PM and then the numbers translate directly to my quarq there is no issue. Would you be less concerned between a Quarq, P2M and Pioneer?

What I would love to do is a DCRainmaker type test on my own equipment. Run a stages or 4iiii on one arm of my quarq and see what the difference is. Anyone want to subsidize that?

I don't see how that's possible, or how that's repeatable PM to PM. I calibrate my meters so they read the same. There's nothing to indicate your quarq will read the same as any given stages in all situations. Only you can decide if you can accept whatever limits exist there.

I think another factor is what you're going to do with the bike. If I were to throw a PM on my winter/rain bike that I only did LSD and JRA rides I'd probably go stages as I'd mainly be looking to track TSS.

cant you just use the quarq you already have on your new bike? I've been pushing forward the same 1st gen quarq for like 3 bikes already (using a BB adaptor)

To try and get Ant+ I've thought about getting a 4iiii Precision and using it on my (compatible) SRM equipped crank arms. If I have both then I'll have data to compare/etc. Ultimately I'd use a Precision elsewhere but if they work well then at $400 it's worth it to buy a couple for various bikes.

I go to my coach's shop, they put my bike on a trainer and tell me to maintain 18mph as the resistance increases. They prick my ear and take blood. I get disappointed by my results. That's all I know. I suppose they could be taking the feed from my PM, but I never thought to ask.

That's kind of where I am with this. Use the PM I have on the new bike, but keep something on the old bike not so much for intervals, etc. but more for guidelines on endurance rides and unstructured group rides.

See above. But the other issue is compatibility between Quarq Elsa and Ultegra 11, although I suppose I should be able to get new chainrings to make the whole thing work.