Lets say for the point of argument someone invented a $68 power meter. Do you think a lot of people would buy this, or are power meters just for fanatics.

Depends on accuracy and durability. Having worked in the power-meter industry....Both of those would be difficult to come by at $68.

Seeing how much $200 Rapha I see on club riders, I'd say yes, yes they would.

Would a company be able to achieve $68 (why $68 I ask, why not $65 or $75)? Probably not.

Knowing what I know, I would be highly skeptical of a $68 meter.

If somebody made a $68 power meter that was legit, it would start being included with most bikes. The data can be useful to just about anyone. Dieters would love it. Bike companies would have another selling point at first, and then not want to fall behind.

Realistically, if it's inaccurate, bulky, or heavy, there's already a dozen phone apps and connect IQ apps that estimate power probably to a better degree then a $68 device would. Even Strava has a fairly decent estimate option that I'm sure most of you are aware of.

However, if your argument is "If there's a new power meter that is essentially a Quarq in terms of accuracy, reliability, battery, and so forth, but it's only $68 dollars, would you buy it?" then the answer is prettty obvious.

You know what would be even better? Let's say for the point of argument someone invented a free power meter. That would be better.

As expensive as these units currently are, I'm 100% certain there will be cheap knockoffs at some point, as happened with GoPro cameras.

A physicist, a mathematician, and a biologist are enjoying a beer after work. They watch two people go into a building across the street, and a little while later three come out.

The biologist says "how cute, they're reproducing!"

The physicist replies "you idiot, we probably miscounted."

Under his breath, the mathematician says "if one more person goes in that building, it'll be empty again."

The IQ2 power meter is listed at €129 for one foot.

https://www.iqsquare.com/

They aren't shipping yet, but assuming they get their current issues resolved, they could be shipping by mid-summer.

I think there was a crank strain gauge kit that also came out cheap initially, but has now become a more commercial product, and more expensive. Was that Stages?

But, no doubt, more will enter the market, especially if production can be simplified (which is what IQ2 was trying to do).

XPedo had done some initial development on a power meter, but seems to have not released it yet.

How about a power meter they paid you to use? Plus, a pony.

That's what brought the joke to mind. OP said $68, you said $0, the only option now is to go negative!

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So, only fanatics would pay more than $68?

I bought a used PowerTap wheel, wires, head unit etc for $150.
Works fine.
If it breaks, I still have a usable wheel.

Cannondale Bikes Now Sold w/PowerMeters
https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bi...1-f1376487398f

Buy certain Cannondale bikes, and get a FREE power meter.

Just one catch. The thing won't work unless you pay an extra 490 €.

One has to wonder, though, what percent of buyers are actually forking out that extra dough. 50%?

For the program to be effective, the actual wholesale cost of the power meters would have to be awfully cheap. $100?

I purchased a Powertap C1 chain ring power meter for the same reason. $350 and a bolt on application. If it would ever fail I will just run it till the rings are shot and move on. I have had no issues though after 2 years. Great product!

Id get one, if it worked. To be honest I have wondered for some time why powermeters are expensive items. Its "just" one or more strain gauges, like you find in an electronic kitchen scale.