Tested: Stages Cycling power meter

Power is now indisputably the most significant metric for cyclists looking to assess and improve performance. Technology that was once confined to sports science laboratories is now readily available, but price and the relative complexity of systems has prevented an explosion of power measuring devices from entering the mainstream.

Stages Cycling aims to broaden the scope for power measurement with Stages Power, a left hand crank-based design, offering multidisciplinary and multilevel potential with strain gauge accuracy at realistic prices.

Stages Cycling’s Matt Pacocha says, ‘We believe power meters should be simple, robust and not force cyclists to make major concessions in terms of weight, aesthetics or component choice.’

Located in Boulder, Colorado, Stages Cycling is no newbie to power measurement, with thousands of its products successfully implemented for the high demands of indoor cycling programmes in gyms and health clubs across the US.

The system measures force directly (claimed accuracy +/- 2%) by using a bending beam strain gauge attached to the crank arm. This means it’s not invasive to the drive side of the bike and hence gearing choices (compacts, triples etc) are unaffected, and it also takes bottom bracket complications or any wheel/pedal restrictions out of the equation too.

The unit, housed in ABS polycarbonate, is well out of harm’s way, mounted almost invisibly behind the crank, and adds a meager 20g. An accelerometer calculates cadence, so no further sensors are required either.

Simple fitment, and tool-free, user-changeable battery (CR2032; estimated 200 hours) plus no need for constant recalibration (once the initial settling period has passed) indicate that Stages Cycling has really prioritised convenience for the user.

Stages Power is available in Shimano, SRAM, Cannondale and FSA models in an array of lengths and colours, covering seven cycling disciplines, including MTB and BMX.

Stages_XTR9000

Claiming to be compatible with 90% of frames and data transmission via both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart means you should have little or no problems suiting your preferences. However, there are some restrictions to its application. It can’t be applied to carbon cranks – ruling out top-end offerings from SRAM, Campag and the likes of FSA – because testing has shown carbon constructions/resin mixtures do not bend in a predictable enough way to provide consistently reliable power readings. It’s hardly the end of the world, as you could still fit an alloy left-hand crank regardless, but it certainly lends itself best to Shimano applications.

From $799

($999, XTR model pictured)

For more info head to FeSports.com






Cyclist Australia/NZ