Power meter comparison (powerpod?) - what is best/easiest without spending a fortune?
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Would you agree that a bathroom scale measures your weight? Because it's using the same proxy a direct force power meter uses.
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I have multiple bikes so a single dual-sided pedal PM is cheaper that multiple PMs for every bike I want.
The conundrum of dual-sided vs single is that one won't know for sure whether a single-sided PM is sufficient without seeing what the dual-sided reports first.
I suspected I had a leg strength imbalance, which my pedals first confirmed and then a later bike fitting also showed, but interestingly after that bike fitting the imbalance switched over. So now I know that saddle height, along with fatigue, cadence, and torque, all have an effect on L/R balance. In turn, I can tell if my fit's gone too extreme after making changes to my saddle position, cleats, or other equipment by seeing if that balance changes noticeably. The PM isn't the only thing I use to gauge fit, since I can now estimate the numbers by feel from experience, but it's better than relying solely on subjective judgment.
The conundrum of dual-sided vs single is that one won't know for sure whether a single-sided PM is sufficient without seeing what the dual-sided reports first.
I suspected I had a leg strength imbalance, which my pedals first confirmed and then a later bike fitting also showed, but interestingly after that bike fitting the imbalance switched over. So now I know that saddle height, along with fatigue, cadence, and torque, all have an effect on L/R balance. In turn, I can tell if my fit's gone too extreme after making changes to my saddle position, cleats, or other equipment by seeing if that balance changes noticeably. The PM isn't the only thing I use to gauge fit, since I can now estimate the numbers by feel from experience, but it's better than relying solely on subjective judgment.
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my assumption is that when I working hard, I fully recruit both legs, but below a close to maximal effort I favor a dominant leg.
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My sample of one, my power is virtually 50/50 when I’m working hard. Just cruising along I can see as much as a 6% difference (47-53).
my assumption is that when I working hard, I fully recruit both legs, but below a close to maximal effort I favor a dominant leg.
my assumption is that when I working hard, I fully recruit both legs, but below a close to maximal effort I favor a dominant leg.
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I used machine oil and that helped reduce the issues, but she still reported an occasional "low battery warning" that would then go away. In the end, it just wasnt worth the drama. But a couple of other friends - including one who rides 20k km a year - have not had issues either, so i suspect its a bit hit-or-miss. Glad to know yours are working well.
I got a single sided Stages PM - back when they first came out - to put on my rain bike, thinking i didnt really need an expensive power meter on a beater bike. The numbers were around 20% off. I sold it and got another Quarq.
I got a single sided Stages PM - back when they first came out - to put on my rain bike, thinking i didnt really need an expensive power meter on a beater bike. The numbers were around 20% off. I sold it and got another Quarq.
The V3's issues stemmed from the design of the battery door. They re-designed the door 2 times and I thought all the bugs may have been worked out. Apparently, in May of this year, they did another redesign, however they are back ordered on the new door.
I had power spikes and dropouts on mine. I removed the batteries that they came with and replaced them with the 1 battery type and that has helped some. It constantly reads higher than my Tacx Neo 2T (however that could mean that the Tacx is wrong or both are wrong)... I would however tend to believe the Tacx over the V3 based on my experiences with the V3. For example, the Tacx registered 597 kj of work on yesterday's ride vs. 672 kj on the V3.
Hopefully Garmin is able to restock the new doors soon and I'll be able to get them replaced. They call it the "Vector 3 Small Parts Kit"

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here is something i just found, (most) everybody likes garmin...
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear...ctor-air-news/
-scott
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not really getting the hate. the typical power meter measures force at the cranks (as an aside, not sure how a hub meter works) and converts that to power. this other meter measures the force of air and uses speed/cadence/weight/math to convert to power. just different. it ft really works i think it is pretty cool to be able to accomplish the same thing cheaper. bringing the price point down would open up to more users. just wonder if it is really reliable. here is something i just found, (most) everybody likes garmin... https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a29788744/garmin-vector-air-news/ -scott
Bathroom scales can't actually measure weight. They measure deflection, caused by weight. Most people would say that's a distinction without a difference, I bet you're one of them. Power meters measure deflection caused by force, and they measure how quickly and often that force is being applied. Know those things, and you know power with absolute certainty. That's why a lot of PMs can deliver accuracy and precision with with a maximum 1% error.
Air pod meters are not doing the same thing. They're measuring one of many things needed to derive ("back into") power, asking a couple other, and using standard assumptions about the rest. It's more like trying to guess what a person weighs from their clothes size, except even less accurate. What's the maximum error spec for a PowerPod?
A bike example. You can use a power meter to do aerodynamic testing. A PowerPod doesn't know if you're sitting upright in parachute pants or wearing a skin suit riding on the aerobars.
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I got the Vector 3s last month. Wanted the Assiomas, but they were sold out and a 60 day delay on their website (they are available now).
The V3's issues stemmed from the design of the battery door. They re-designed the door 2 times and I thought all the bugs may have been worked out. Apparently, in May of this year, they did another redesign, however they are back ordered on the new door.
I had power spikes and dropouts on mine. I removed the batteries that they came with and replaced them with the 1 battery type and that has helped some. It constantly reads higher than my Tacx Neo 2T (however that could mean that the Tacx is wrong or both are wrong)... I would however tend to believe the Tacx over the V3 based on my experiences with the V3. For example, the Tacx registered 597 kj of work on yesterday's ride vs. 672 kj on the V3.
Hopefully Garmin is able to restock the new doors soon and I'll be able to get them replaced. They call it the "Vector 3 Small Parts Kit"

The V3's issues stemmed from the design of the battery door. They re-designed the door 2 times and I thought all the bugs may have been worked out. Apparently, in May of this year, they did another redesign, however they are back ordered on the new door.
I had power spikes and dropouts on mine. I removed the batteries that they came with and replaced them with the 1 battery type and that has helped some. It constantly reads higher than my Tacx Neo 2T (however that could mean that the Tacx is wrong or both are wrong)... I would however tend to believe the Tacx over the V3 based on my experiences with the V3. For example, the Tacx registered 597 kj of work on yesterday's ride vs. 672 kj on the V3.
Hopefully Garmin is able to restock the new doors soon and I'll be able to get them replaced. They call it the "Vector 3 Small Parts Kit"


A pedal power meter should read a couple % higher than a hub meter because of drive train losses, but what you saw is crazy!
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Bathroom scales can't actually measure weight. They measure deflection, caused by weight. Most people would say that's a distinction without a difference, I bet you're one of them. Power meters measure deflection caused by force, and they measure how quickly and often that force is being applied. Know those things, and you know power with absolute certainty. That's why a lot of PMs can deliver accuracy and precision with with a maximum 1% error.
Air pod meters are not doing the same thing. They're measuring one of many things needed to derive ("back into") power, asking a couple other, and using standard assumptions about the rest. It's more like trying to guess what a person weighs from their clothes size, except even less accurate. What's the maximum error spec for a PowerPod?
A bike example. You can use a power meter to do aerodynamic testing. A PowerPod doesn't know if you're sitting upright in parachute pants or wearing a skin suit riding on the aerobars.
Air pod meters are not doing the same thing. They're measuring one of many things needed to derive ("back into") power, asking a couple other, and using standard assumptions about the rest. It's more like trying to guess what a person weighs from their clothes size, except even less accurate. What's the maximum error spec for a PowerPod?
A bike example. You can use a power meter to do aerodynamic testing. A PowerPod doesn't know if you're sitting upright in parachute pants or wearing a skin suit riding on the aerobars.
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Even better, if you read through the aeropod information , Velocomp even states this outright.

What's In The Box
- AeroPod sensor and pitot tube
- Handlebar mount
- USB cable
- Link to Isaac software for Mac/PC
- Link to Comprehensive Instructions
- 1 year warranty
Items Not included
- ANT+ bike computer, required
- ANT+ speed sensor, required
- Direct Force Power Meter, required for CdA measurement
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Drop it from the roof and measure the time it takes to fall to the ground.


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Power meters measure deflection caused by force, and they measure how quickly and often that force is being applied. Know those things, and you know power with absolute certainty. That's why a lot of PMs can deliver accuracy and precision with with a maximum 1% error.
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We tried doing some comparison aero testing of the Power Pod, the Notio Konect, and the Alphamantis Aerostick in the wind tunnel and the road (with a Power Tap wheel). The Power Pod was hobbled by its software (this was in 2018 -- maybe the s/w is better now).
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I got the Vector 3s last month. Wanted the Assiomas, but they were sold out and a 60 day delay on their website (they are available now).
The V3's issues stemmed from the design of the battery door. They re-designed the door 2 times and I thought all the bugs may have been worked out. Apparently, in May of this year, they did another redesign, however they are back ordered on the new door.
I had power spikes and dropouts on mine. I removed the batteries that they came with and replaced them with the 1 battery type and that has helped some. It constantly reads higher than my Tacx Neo 2T (however that could mean that the Tacx is wrong or both are wrong)... I would however tend to believe the Tacx over the V3 based on my experiences with the V3. For example, the Tacx registered 597 kj of work on yesterday's ride vs. 672 kj on the V3.
The V3's issues stemmed from the design of the battery door. They re-designed the door 2 times and I thought all the bugs may have been worked out. Apparently, in May of this year, they did another redesign, however they are back ordered on the new door.
I had power spikes and dropouts on mine. I removed the batteries that they came with and replaced them with the 1 battery type and that has helped some. It constantly reads higher than my Tacx Neo 2T (however that could mean that the Tacx is wrong or both are wrong)... I would however tend to believe the Tacx over the V3 based on my experiences with the V3. For example, the Tacx registered 597 kj of work on yesterday's ride vs. 672 kj on the V3.
I do know with the Assiomas is it's super important to only pair with the left pedal, whereas pairing with the right pedal leads to extremely erratic readings.
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not really getting the hate. the typical power meter measures force at the cranks (as an aside, not sure how a hub meter works) and converts that to power. this other meter measures the force of air and uses speed/cadence/weight/math to convert to power. just different. it ft really works i think it is pretty cool to be able to accomplish the same thing cheaper. bringing the price point down would open up to more users. just wonder if it is really reliable.
here is something i just found, (most) everybody likes garmin...
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear...ctor-air-news/
-scott
here is something i just found, (most) everybody likes garmin...
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear...ctor-air-news/
-scott
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Nobody hates you, or your opinion. People disagree, that's very different than hate.
Bathroom scales can't actually measure weight. They measure deflection, caused by weight. Most people would say that's a distinction without a difference, I bet you're one of them. Power meters measure deflection caused by force, and they measure how quickly and often that force is being applied. Know those things, and you know power with absolute certainty. That's why a lot of PMs can deliver accuracy and precision with with a maximum 1% error.
Air pod meters are not doing the same thing. They're measuring one of many things needed to derive ("back into") power, asking a couple other, and using standard assumptions about the rest. It's more like trying to guess what a person weighs from their clothes size, except even less accurate. What's the maximum error spec for a PowerPod?
A bike example. You can use a power meter to do aerodynamic testing. A PowerPod doesn't know if you're sitting upright in parachute pants or wearing a skin suit riding on the aerobars.
Bathroom scales can't actually measure weight. They measure deflection, caused by weight. Most people would say that's a distinction without a difference, I bet you're one of them. Power meters measure deflection caused by force, and they measure how quickly and often that force is being applied. Know those things, and you know power with absolute certainty. That's why a lot of PMs can deliver accuracy and precision with with a maximum 1% error.
Air pod meters are not doing the same thing. They're measuring one of many things needed to derive ("back into") power, asking a couple other, and using standard assumptions about the rest. It's more like trying to guess what a person weighs from their clothes size, except even less accurate. What's the maximum error spec for a PowerPod?
A bike example. You can use a power meter to do aerodynamic testing. A PowerPod doesn't know if you're sitting upright in parachute pants or wearing a skin suit riding on the aerobars.
the Cda thing is a little weird. Fitness Equipment supports this too but who tells the trainer in the drops now, on the hoods now, back in the drops...don't know why they bothered with that.
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In this day and age, there's absolutely no reason to get garbage like a powerpod instead of getting a used crankarm based power-meter. You can get a used one for 200-250 with some searching.
Don't waste your time or money. Unless you don't care about accuracy or precision in which case you may as well get a random number generator app for your phone and run that instead.
Don't waste your time or money. Unless you don't care about accuracy or precision in which case you may as well get a random number generator app for your phone and run that instead.
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take autonomous vehicles
Boom, tish. Thanks folks, I'll be here all week.
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not really getting the hate. the typical power meter measures force at the cranks (as an aside, not sure how a hub meter works) and converts that to power. this other meter measures the force of air and uses speed/cadence/weight/math to convert to power. just different. it ft really works i think it is pretty cool to be able to accomplish the same thing cheaper. bringing the price point down would open up to more users. just wonder if it is really reliable.
The other is a *calculation* of force, which cannot factor in things like rolling resistance and only estimates things like wind resistance. This may be directionally accurate but it is not even close to being precise enough to do structured power-based training: you might as well just stick to HR, in that case.
What I am waiting for is one of these wind speed sensors that can be paired with a power meter to do A/B drag. Would be a great way to tune my TT position and set up on the fly. I know that some of them are starting to offer this, but from what i gather, it is still not quite ready for primetime and requires far more analysis than my lazy ass could be bothered (if i was winning races, it is one thing - but as mid-pack bantha fodder, there are limits to how far i go for my geekery)
Last edited by guadzilla; 06-26-20 at 09:29 PM.
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Nobody hates you, or your opinion. People disagree, that's very different than hate.
Bathroom scales can't actually measure weight. They measure deflection, caused by weight. Most people would say that's a distinction without a difference, I bet you're one of them. Power meters measure deflection caused by force, and they measure how quickly and often that force is being applied. Know those things, and you know power with absolute certainty. That's why a lot of PMs can deliver accuracy and precision with with a maximum 1% error.
Air pod meters are not doing the same thing. They're measuring one of many things needed to derive ("back into") power, asking a couple other, and using standard assumptions about the rest. It's more like trying to guess what a person weighs from their clothes size, except even less accurate. What's the maximum error spec for a PowerPod?
A bike example. You can use a power meter to do aerodynamic testing. A PowerPod doesn't know if you're sitting upright in parachute pants or wearing a skin suit riding on the aerobars.
Bathroom scales can't actually measure weight. They measure deflection, caused by weight. Most people would say that's a distinction without a difference, I bet you're one of them. Power meters measure deflection caused by force, and they measure how quickly and often that force is being applied. Know those things, and you know power with absolute certainty. That's why a lot of PMs can deliver accuracy and precision with with a maximum 1% error.
Air pod meters are not doing the same thing. They're measuring one of many things needed to derive ("back into") power, asking a couple other, and using standard assumptions about the rest. It's more like trying to guess what a person weighs from their clothes size, except even less accurate. What's the maximum error spec for a PowerPod?
A bike example. You can use a power meter to do aerodynamic testing. A PowerPod doesn't know if you're sitting upright in parachute pants or wearing a skin suit riding on the aerobars.
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Nobody hates you, or your opinion. People disagree, that's very different than hate.
Bathroom scales can't actually measure weight. They measure deflection, caused by weight. Most people would say that's a distinction without a difference, I bet you're one of them. Power meters measure deflection caused by force, and they measure how quickly and often that force is being applied. Know those things, and you know power with absolute certainty. That's why a lot of PMs can deliver accuracy and precision with with a maximum 1% error.
Air pod meters are not doing the same thing. They're measuring one of many things needed to derive ("back into") power, asking a couple other, and using standard assumptions about the rest. It's more like trying to guess what a person weighs from their clothes size, except even less accurate. What's the maximum error spec for a PowerPod?
A bike example. You can use a power meter to do aerodynamic testing. A PowerPod doesn't know if you're sitting upright in parachute pants or wearing a skin suit riding on the aerobars.
Bathroom scales can't actually measure weight. They measure deflection, caused by weight. Most people would say that's a distinction without a difference, I bet you're one of them. Power meters measure deflection caused by force, and they measure how quickly and often that force is being applied. Know those things, and you know power with absolute certainty. That's why a lot of PMs can deliver accuracy and precision with with a maximum 1% error.
Air pod meters are not doing the same thing. They're measuring one of many things needed to derive ("back into") power, asking a couple other, and using standard assumptions about the rest. It's more like trying to guess what a person weighs from their clothes size, except even less accurate. What's the maximum error spec for a PowerPod?
A bike example. You can use a power meter to do aerodynamic testing. A PowerPod doesn't know if you're sitting upright in parachute pants or wearing a skin suit riding on the aerobars.
#75
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I'm not quite sure which "YouTube guy" you're talking about but "steady pace riding" is the lowest bar. For steady state riding all you really need is a speedometer.