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Watteam pushes back delivery of Powerbeat stick-on power meter due to battery QC

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While they’re not likely to cause fires and explosions like hover boards, Watteam’s battery supplier apparently had a few QC issues that led the brand to postpone delivery of the Powerbeat power meter.

The design uses a stick-on strain gauge coupled with a transmitter that mounts around the pedal’s spindle. It started life using a replaceable battery, but they switched the design to a slimmer, sleeker body holding a rechargeable battery in the summer.

Originally promising to deliver just before the end of the year, Product Manager Omri Zerach told us the units were packaged and all ready to ship until they discovered a fault during production line testing. They traced it back to the battery supplier and are working to resolve it as quickly as possible. As a thanks for everyone’s patience, anyone who pre-ordered and is affected by the delay will receive a $150 credit to their online store for future purchases and an extended two year warranty, among other little treats. Click through for a copy of the letter sent out to their customers…

watteam-powerbeat-customer-letter

Watteam.com

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Durianrider
Durianrider
8 years ago

Good to see another lightweight product come to market.

My issues are that it looks easy to crash damage, changes your Q factor and isnt carbon compatible despite the company using Sram Red cranks in the promo vid.

Watteam
8 years ago

Durian: We had test riders taking road prototypes through XC World Cups, crashes and wipeouts and have yet to see a unit damaged this way. Q-factor is admittedly changed but it’s less than 2mm, and would be within the cleat adjustment range for many riders. As for carbon – we’re open about the fact that we’re still working on it, and selected carbon cranks could be added to the compatibility list within the coming months.

Tony Ho
8 years ago

Quality control is important.
Great public affair job from Ofir. This letter shows Watteam is great for quality control and customer service.

tony
8 years ago

Good to see Watteam action about quality control and aftersales service.
Ofir’s team is great

TimB
TimB
8 years ago

took Stages 2.5years to get a carbon compatible unit. Since I’m on DA right now the current unit makes sense for me. Hopefully by the time I switch to Ready-tap the carbon compatible unit will be sorted.
Nice work Wattteam

PsiSquared
PsiSquared
8 years ago

If Watteam gets the battery issue sorted, brings out a model for CF cranks, and has accuracy and precision comparable to Stages, the downward pressure on power meter pricing is only going to increase. Given all that’s happened in the power meter market in the last 5 or so years, it’ll be interesting what comes out of the next 5 years.

Rixter
8 years ago

Would the CF compatibility be brand specific? I’m using LOOK ZED2 cranks with Keo 2 Blade pedals. If this product eventually works for CF cranks, I’m in!

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