A power meter for under $100

davidof
davidof Posts: 3,124
edited January 2017 in Training, fitness and health
Power meter for under $100?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9M6tp ... jd0s4/view

Don't know why they don't have a clipless pedal version.

It has been developed by Leti in Grenoble, who are sensor specialists from the French Atomic Energy authority.
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Comments

  • Quins
    Quins Posts: 239
    Very interesting. I've just emailed to ask if, when it will be available in clipless for road and mtb... Let's see. Anyone else got views on this, seems to good to be true? Usually is then....
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    Probably developing it further to actually being used on a bike i.e a pedal system rather than a block of plastic, will boost the price well above what it is
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,124
    JGSI wrote:
    Probably developing it further to actually being used on a bike i.e a pedal system rather than a block of plastic, will boost the price well above what it is

    You are thinking the mechanical properties of a large block of plastic are going to be different?

    I wonder why they've designed something for what looks like it will work for a Boris Bike?
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  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    or is that the weatherproofing?
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,124
    JGSI wrote:
    or is that the weatherproofing?

    Well it is being presented at the big tech gig in ... Vegas is it? Maybe DC Rainmaker is over there? It doesn't seem to be something he is aware of.
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  • Quins
    Quins Posts: 239
    He's away in the states on a business trip ( related?) with limited access to emails. I've asked the question , let's see what reply I get.
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    Looks like it's just a pressure pad on a pedal? That's going to be a nightmare to get to work clipless if that's the case.

    Also, 8% accuracy on a single sided system means it's basically junk doesn't it?
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,124
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    Looks like it's just a pressure pad on a pedal? That's going to be a nightmare to get to work clipless if that's the case.

    Also, 8% accuracy on a single sided system means it's basically junk doesn't it?

    Probably better than the Limits power meter :-)
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  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    davidof wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    Looks like it's just a pressure pad on a pedal? That's going to be a nightmare to get to work clipless if that's the case.

    Also, 8% accuracy on a single sided system means it's basically junk doesn't it?

    Probably better than the Limits power meter :-)


    From what I've read about Limits that wouldn't be hard!
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,124
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:


    From what I've read about Limits that wouldn't be hard!

    but I agree 8% is a lot but I was more interested in where they might go with what they've developed, and why they've developed it in the first place. I'm told by people who work with them that they really know a lot about sensors so maybe they can develop this while keeping the price reasonable?
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  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    davidof wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:


    From what I've read about Limits that wouldn't be hard!

    but I agree 8% is a lot but I was more interested in where they might go with what they've developed, and why they've developed it in the first place. I'm told by people who work with them that they really know a lot about sensors so maybe they can develop this while keeping the price reasonable?

    Possibly, but it seems a silly place to measure power. I would have there is a reason the vast majority of PM measure power at the most rigid point they can. Crank arms, spiders (and spindles?), pedal axles, hubs, etc. I seem to remember a shoe insert PM, but maybe I'm making that up? Either way, I think if it were a viable option then one of the big players would be looking at it.

    This system looks like it will be fine for recreational bikes, gym bikes etc. where some, approximate power measurement is all that's really required, but it'd be useless for training.
  • AK_jnr
    AK_jnr Posts: 717
    8% so potentially 50 watts (or would it be 100 if its single sided?) fluctuation for a pro doing an FTP effort. Or 30 for a mere mortal. Pretty shocking they advertise that!
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    AK_jnr wrote:
    8% so potentially 50 watts (or would it be 100 if its single sided?) fluctuation for a pro doing an FTP effort. Or 30 for a mere mortal. Pretty shocking they advertise that!

    100, you need to double it for single sided systems.

    To be fair to them though it's a $100 flat pedal power meter, I don't think they're really aiming it at anyone who is reasonably interested in training.
  • pastryboy
    pastryboy Posts: 1,385
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    davidof wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    I seem to remember a shoe insert PM, but maybe I'm making that up?

    You're not. It failed:

    http://www.brimbrothers.com/
  • AK_jnr
    AK_jnr Posts: 717
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    AK_jnr wrote:
    8% so potentially 50 watts (or would it be 100 if its single sided?) fluctuation for a pro doing an FTP effort. Or 30 for a mere mortal. Pretty shocking they advertise that!

    100, you need to double it for single sided systems.

    To be fair to them though it's a $100 flat pedal power meter, I don't think they're really aiming it at anyone who is reasonably interested in training.

    Yeah true. If it was on a decent flat pedal it could be of some use for MTB'ing in the future.
  • Alex_Simmons/RST
    Alex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    Also, 8% accuracy on a single sided system means it's basically junk doesn't it?
    Yes. Add in the unknown error due to variable asymmetry in power output and you have a meter that has an error larger than the typical difference in power for a rider between off-season and peak form.
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    AK_jnr wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    AK_jnr wrote:
    8% so potentially 50 watts (or would it be 100 if its single sided?) fluctuation for a pro doing an FTP effort. Or 30 for a mere mortal. Pretty shocking they advertise that!

    100, you need to double it for single sided systems.

    To be fair to them though it's a $100 flat pedal power meter, I don't think they're really aiming it at anyone who is reasonably interested in training.

    Yeah true. If it was on a decent flat pedal it could be of some use for MTB'ing in the future.

    Yep, although again I'm not sure it'll work as it would need pins and that completely alters the pedal contact. I can see it on fitness bikes, gym bikes etc. to replace heart-rate, it'd likely work great for that.
    Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    Also, 8% accuracy on a single sided system means it's basically junk doesn't it?
    Yes. Add in the unknown error due to variable asymmetry in power output and you have a meter that has an error larger than the typical difference in power for a rider between off-season and peak form.

    I didn't know you posted here Alex. I defer all PM comments to whatever Alex says :)

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