Vector 3 or Favero
Comments
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Alex222 wrote:I have got a pair of Vector 3 on order. Probably would have gone for the Favero option but shop I am getting them through on bike 2 work don't stock the Favero pedals. So for me the Vectors work out cheaper.
They're for a new bike so ultimately net net it costs me an extra £400 on top of what I would have spent on normal pedals.
There has been a long delay getting them in, which I understand is related to Garmin moving onto the third version of the battery doors. Just hoping I avoid all the well known issues with them.
Putting mineral oil (as Garmin suggest) between the batteries has totally fixed it for me. It’s a bit of a pain but at least they work properly now0 -
I'm wrestling with this choice too. Bought a Tacx neo last year to open my eyes to training with power data using TrainerRoad and now want to get set up for the open road. Have waaay too many bikes to consider crank based systems.
On one hand you have DC Rainmaker estimating the returns rate for Vector 3s as being 10 - 20%, and then you get individuals who've had to return three units! Something doesn't stack up. It also doesn't take long before you find people who aren't happy with the Garmin 1030 head units. Despite this, it's the combo I am thinking about, as I want L-R balance data and the pedalling dynamics.0 -
Captain Fagor wrote:I'm wrestling with this choice too. Bought a Tacx neo last year to open my eyes to training with power data using TrainerRoad and now want to get set up for the open road. Have waaay too many bikes to consider crank based systems.
On one hand you have DC Rainmaker estimating the returns rate for Vector 3s as being 10 - 20%, and then you get individuals who've had to return three units! Something doesn't stack up. It also doesn't take long before you find people who aren't happy with the Garmin 1030 head units. Despite this, it's the combo I am thinking about, as I want L-R balance data and the pedalling dynamics.
The vectors 3's should be the best or at least on a par with the faveros but, speaking as someone who gave up and got a refund after numerous issues with several sets of vector 3, they are let down by terrible reliability and clearly a design floor - no matter what the defenders of garmin products argue, having to coat the battery in oil during installation is ridiculous.
The faveros just work and are imo the best pedal power meter on the market, although personally I hate the cleats they use.
However, garmin are expected to be refreshing several of their cycling products this spring/ summer, most likely the products currently discounted, and so it is possible this could include an updated version of the vector 3.0 -
The Faveros seem to get generally good reviews, but no pedalling dynamics (so far) and there's also the cleats and general fugliness.
I've been interested in power pedals since Metric Gear were publishing details of their product testing back c. 2008 on a machine (was it Crankenstein, I can't recall). Then they went quiet for a while then they were bought by Garmin, then it went quiet for even longer until Vector (v1) was released. It has been over 10 years of watching this unfold from the sidelines. If I wait another for a new product release and then the "settling in" time to see if customers are happy, I may be waiting forever!0 -
i see from the comments section the Faveros are faultless https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dcrain ... w.html/amp0
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Got a set of vector 3s, changed batteries in them for the first time last weekend. Now dropping out constantly, power spikes, taking an age to reconnect after a stop. These replaced P1s that I ended up getting a refund on after issues with them.0
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jimmurray wrote:Got a set of vector 3s, changed batteries in them for the first time last weekend. Now dropping out constantly, power spikes, taking an age to reconnect after a stop. These replaced P1s that I ended up getting a refund on after issues with them.thegreatdivide wrote:i see from the comments section the Faveros are faultless https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dcrain ... w.html/amp
I've had a set of Favero BePro's for 30,000 miles, and they have been faultless.
I have just had to replace the bearings a couple of times, which is very easy to do.0 -
jimmurray wrote:Got a set of vector 3s, changed batteries in them for the first time last weekend. Now dropping out constantly, power spikes, taking an age to reconnect after a stop. These replaced P1s that I ended up getting a refund on after issues with them.
Have a look at the batteries that are in there and see if they have tiny abrasions on the surface. If they are then you'll need a new battery door/start using mineral oil. Garmin sent the new door within a couple of days in their defence, but it still sucks for pedals this expensive to have such issues.0 -
I put oil on them when I replaced them. Apparently you need new battery doors and battery pcb according to Garmin support. I'm going to send them back for retailer to repair or replace as they are less than three months old. If they don't work after that then I'll go for a refund. Ludicrous situation, thought I'd be pretty safe waiting over a year since they released them.0
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I’ve got Assimoa Uno’s That Ive had since launch, as I pre ordered them, with them arriving Sept 2017. I’ve ridden them pretty much daily since, probably 10,000 miles, without any major issues.
The batteries drained really quickly once, but think that might have been due to them not going to sleep on a flight.
I swapped the bearings a few weeks ago as they had got rough but that was easy enough and to be fair I’d given them zero maintenance.
No issues with spikes etc.
Meanwhile, friends with other systems seem to have endless issues.
I’ve never really understood why people get the dual sided versions, unless they are minted and the cost isnt a consideration.0 -
Milese wrote:I’ve got Assimoa Uno’s That Ive had since launch, as I pre ordered them, with them arriving Sept 2017. I’ve ridden them pretty much daily since, probably 10,000 miles, without any major issues.
The batteries drained really quickly once, but think that might have been due to them not going to sleep on a flight.
I swapped the bearings a few weeks ago as they had got rough but that was easy enough and to be fair I’d given them zero maintenance.
No issues with spikes etc.
Meanwhile, friends with other systems seem to have endless issues.
I’ve never really understood why people get the dual sided versions, unless they are minted and the cost isnt a consideration.
I've just bought the duo's
They were only like £100 more than the Uno and in total just over £500.0 -
On balance, maybe I'll just stick with my existing head unit (Garmin 800) and try a set of Assioma Duos. Have had hip issues since an incident in 2012, so my first priority is reliable two-sided power data, and Favero seem to have nailed that. Have gotten over what I perceived as fugliness, so the only question is where to buy from?
Sigma Sports are very good in my experience, but they don't seem to be in stock. Could "Pre-order estimated despatch in 1-2 working days" be a disingenious of saying they'll despatch them within 1-2 working days, but have no idea when they'll be in stock? Sigma Sports are also more expensive than buying directly from Favero. Any thoughts?0 -
Captain Fagor wrote:On balance, maybe I'll just stick with my existing head unit (Garmin 800) and try a set of Assioma Duos. Have had hip issues since an incident in 2012, so my first priority is reliable two-sided power data, and Favero seem to have nailed that. Have gotten over what I perceived as fugliness, so the only question is where to buy from?
Sigma Sports are very good in my experience, but they don't seem to be in stock. Could "Pre-order estimated despatch in 1-2 working days" be a disingenious of saying they'll despatch them within 1-2 working days, but have no idea when they'll be in stock? Sigma Sports are also more expensive than buying directly from Favero. Any thoughts?
I've been hovering over the trigger on a pair of these myself for ages!
They are now showing as in stock at Sigma (previously said expected 31/5 so guess they just had a delivery in).
Downside of using Sigma is that they are asking £699, and they are advertised as low as £625 elsewhere, albeit with a wait. Sigma were previously about £630 but jacked up the price for some reason.
Other options I've seen...
Vanilla Bikes £624 with £25 discount code (never used before, appear to be a normal LBS with premises)
Cycle Power Meters £630 (again never used them before but seem well regarded)
Edit...
Just had a scan of the rest of this thread. Made me smile as we seem to be quite similar in our power meter procrastination! I've quite fancied one since the early SRMs but never quite been able to justify the cost (I'm sure they were upwards of about £2K in the 2000s). I also remember the Speedplay based MetriGear and just found this video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em3vwGKlna80 -
Try clever training.
https://www.clevertraining.co.uk/assiom ... ower-meter
They currently have a 5-7 day shipping wait though but you can use the discount code DCR10BTF to reduce the price down to 557.99.0 -
redvision wrote:Try clever training.
https://www.clevertraining.co.uk/assiom ... ower-meter
They currently have a 5-7 day shipping wait though but you can use the discount code DCR10BTF to reduce the price down to 557.99.
Good spot that one, by far the best price - I thought that CT were just in the USA.0 -
Grahamcp wrote:redvision wrote:Try clever training.
https://www.clevertraining.co.uk/assiom ... ower-meter
They currently have a 5-7 day shipping wait though but you can use the discount code DCR10BTF to reduce the price down to 557.99.
Good spot that one, by far the best price - I thought that CT were just in the USA.
I got mine from CT but paid for express delivery on top.
Bought on 3rd of the month and delivered on the 11th, and that's including a weekend.
They don't actually carry them as stock. Mine had a shipping label on to CT from Favero, dated a couple of days earlier to when I actually received them0 -
Captain Fagor wrote:On balance, maybe I'll just stick with my existing head unit (Garmin 800) and try a set of Assioma Duos. Have had hip issues since an incident in 2012, so my first priority is reliable two-sided power data, and Favero seem to have nailed that. Have gotten over what I perceived as fugliness, so the only question is where to buy from?
Sigma Sports are very good in my experience, but they don't seem to be in stock. Could "Pre-order estimated despatch in 1-2 working days" be a disingenious of saying they'll despatch them within 1-2 working days, but have no idea when they'll be in stock? Sigma Sports are also more expensive than buying directly from Favero. Any thoughts?
The assiomas aren't that fugly.
It's not liek you stare at your feet when cycling.
My biggest issue is the crappy Keo cleats they use. Literally no grip, made from cheese and stupidly difficult to get located in the pedal compared to shim.0 -
I saw CT, but their prices were so good I thought they might be in the category as PowerMeter24, who seem to have a LOT of issues by the looks of it.
Grahamcp - thanks for highlighting that Sigma are in stock again. I might take the plunge, or perhaps treat myself to a Garmin 520+ so I can get the "green jersey" 5% discount on the Assioma Duos. One of those options or just buy direct from Favero (who take Paypal if their T&Cs are accurate).
I'll fully retract my previous fugiliness comment. Not bothered by the sensor block, and the pedals look quite nicely built. The tightness issue is a bit of a concern. Do users think they ease with time and/or adjustment?0 -
Captain Fagor wrote:I saw CT, but their prices were so good I thought they might be in the category as PowerMeter24, who seem to have a LOT of issues by the looks of it.
Grahamcp - thanks for highlighting that Sigma are in stock again. I might take the plunge, or perhaps treat myself to a Garmin 520+ so I can get the "green jersey" 5% discount on the Assioma Duos. One of those options or just buy direct from Favero (who take Paypal if their T&Cs are accurate).
I'll fully retract my previous fugiliness comment. Not bothered by the sensor block, and the pedals look quite nicely built. The tightness issue is a bit of a concern. Do users think they ease with time and/or adjustment?
It's not the tightness (it's no different to my previous 105 pedals) it's the cleat shape and I find the nose harder to get into the pedal body.0 -
Yes, well I can sympathise with that. My brain seems to be hard wired for Look Deltas, depite the fact that I switched to Keos years ago! Like you, I find it's the front end of the cleat into the pedal that's the trouble-maker.0
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Couple of bits of extra info to add to this on the Assiomas..............
I read a recent (very positive) long term review here:-
https://the5krunner.com/2019/05/18/assi ... rm-report/
In the cons I noticed the remark:- "Can be hard to unclip (although reports suggest this was changed on newer units by Favero)"
I couldn't find any such reports so I asked Favero. This is their response:-
"Dear Graham,
thank you first of all for your kind request and interest towards our power meter Assioma.
We confirm you that we have recently updated our power meter with a new springs model; they allow a further major regulation range of the tension. In this way we have been able to satisfy even those small part of the users preferring a softer tension.
Only in rare cases, upon request of the customer, we can assemble on the pedal bodies even softer springs; please consider that to proceed in this way, the purchase has to be directly done through our website cycling.favero.com and requested while sending the order."
Not sure how to guarantee getting the new spring model but hopefully there won't be many of the old version left in the supply chain.0 -
Thanks for the information, Graham. My mind is firmly set on the Faveros now, it's just a question of whether to buy direct or via Sigma. I think I'll probably go direct, as they are cheaper and I shouldn't ever have to call upon their returns service. It's reassuring that you have been able to correspond with them and that updated spring models are available.
The clevertraining link and discount codes still work, giving you a price lower than even Favero can sell to the public at. I'm guessing the reseller must get lower prices (even if they don't buy in bulk and hold stock) and can afford to reduce their price via discount codes. That whole mechanism doesn't really fill me with happiness or confidence though. I think I'd rather reward Favero (who have developed and manufactured a quality product) with a direct purchase than feed a reseller who does little for the money. I realise I'm probably in the minority with that view though.0 -
Grahamcp wrote:Couple of bits of extra info to add to this on the Assiomas..............
I read a recent (very positive) long term review here:-
https://the5krunner.com/2019/05/18/assi ... rm-report/
In the cons I noticed the remark:- "Can be hard to unclip (although reports suggest this was changed on newer units by Favero)"
I couldn't find any such reports so I asked Favero. This is their response:-
"Dear Graham,
thank you first of all for your kind request and interest towards our power meter Assioma.
We confirm you that we have recently updated our power meter with a new springs model; they allow a further major regulation range of the tension. In this way we have been able to satisfy even those small part of the users preferring a softer tension.
Only in rare cases, upon request of the customer, we can assemble on the pedal bodies even softer springs; please consider that to proceed in this way, the purchase has to be directly done through our website cycling.favero.com and requested while sending the order."
Not sure how to guarantee getting the new spring model but hopefully there won't be many of the old version left in the supply chain.
Here's a 4 year review of Favero BePros:
Power meter: 30,000 miles, no issues, quality product.
Pedals: I've had to change the pedal bearings a few times, but that is an easy-to-do job. No problems with spring tension for me, I use regular Look Keo black cleats.
If my BePros ever let me down I will order an Assioma the same day.0 -
^same story for me after similar timeline and about half the distance.0
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Grahamcp - thanks for the heads-up regarding the springs. I took the plunge last night, placing an order direct with Favero. I contacted them immediately afterwards with the order number, requesting that they send the version with the latest springs. They emailed me back saying:
"It is into production and it will be shipped within 4 working days. With reference to your kind request, I confirm you that your Assioma will be shipped with the latest version of springs."0 -
Great stuff. I have gone cheapskate and ordered through CT with the DCR discount earlier today. Fingers crossed I'll also get the latest springs (I'm assuming I will as I don't think CT hold stock and they'll come via Favero). Worst case I can always return them if not.
We'll have to compare notes once we are kitted up and riding with power - can't wait personally :-)
Might order this as well, latest edition came out recently...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1937715930/ ... _lig_dp_it0 -
Another good shout. I have that in my wishlist, but didn't realise the paperback was now in stock. You're keeping me right here, thanks!0
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I went through 4 pairs of P1's all had the same issue after a while of just stopping working and dropping out. All replaced under warranty and swapped for Vectors in the end.0
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Grahamcp wrote:Great stuff. I have gone cheapskate and ordered through CT with the DCR discount earlier today.
We'll have to compare notes once we are kitted up and riding with power - can't wait personally :-)
Did your Assiomas arrive okay then? Mine arrived on the 10th and used them for the first time today with a Garmin 1030 I treated myself to. Didn't realise I had to switch my ftp value on the headunit (thought that info would come across from Garmin Connect, but evidently not). 3 hours in the rain, so they pass the waterproofing test for sure. Might actually buy a second pair to minimise transfers between bikes!0 -
Captain Fagor wrote:3 hours in the rain, so they pass the waterproofing test for sure. Might actually buy a second pair to minimise transfers between bikes!
You'll have no trouble with Favero, great choice of power meter.0
