Training with power has traditionally been the exclusive realm of the well-supported or well-off athlete due to equipment costs and gear limitations. While costs of equipment have been coming down as power meter companies have recognized a greater market in less-resourced amateurs, the technology remains prohibitively expensive to many and continues to be limited by component integration.
LIMITS was designed to address the challenges of existing power meters by remaining non-integrated into existing components, being compact and inexpensive ($249 on the Indiegogo), and by being easy to install onto any bike with pedals. It almost sounds too good to be true.
Meet the power meter to rule them all after the jump…
Rather than integrating into an existing component system, which can be limited to certain disciplines depending on the component, LIMITS is a completely independent unit. Riders simply install the LIMITS unit between their pedal and crank arm, sync it up… and that’s it (there is a dummy LIMITS unit for the drive side). No need to build a wheel or install a new crank set.
The unit is waterproof and shock resistant. It also measures cadence via inclinometer (so additional magnets are unnecessary) and compensates for temperature in readings from strain gauges inside the unit. It is compatible with both Bluetooth and ANT+ readers. While it appears that installing LIMITS increases your Q-Factor 15-20mm, that really seems to be the only effect on performance- and that seems like a small price to pay to not be limited in training by wheel set, crank type, or pedals.
Available in black or silver, LIMITS power meters start at $249 for the Indiegogo campaign, though the early bird offer will get you in at $190. You have just over a month left to pledge, and finished products should be shipped in December. For more information, check out LIMITS on Indiegogo.