Pioneer showed offer several improvements to both the system and the packaging to make them a more viable option among all manner of cyclists.
For starters, you can now add their dual-sided power meter to your existing crankset. Originally, the sold a complete Dura-Ace 9000 or Ultegra 6800 crankset with power meter preinstalled for $1,850 or $1,550 respectively. Now, you can purchase the components on their own for $1,299. They come with a return shipping box, a “birth certificate” that you fill in with your information and they complete with the full installation procedure details. You send it in, they clean and prep the cranks, install it in their California-based clean room, and return it. The process will be facilitated by your local bike shop, and Pioneer will keep them posted on progress. Return time is estimated at 7-10 business days depending on how far you are from California.
The power meter is compatible with any ANT+ cycling computer, but to display all of Pioneer’s advanced metrics, you’ll still need to buy the SGX-CA500 computer for $300. Or, you could get the new bundle…
For $379, you’ll get the head unit plus a speed/cadence sensor and heart rate monitor. Or, you could start with this bundle, then add the power meter later. Or just pair it with your current power meter – any ANT+ model should work. The computer has a touchscreen interface that allows for on the fly customization and zero-cal.
And starting later this fall, it’ll also show gearing (top left of screen) and gear ratio (top right) when paired with Shimano’s D-Fly wireless transmitter for Di2 drivetrains.
Pioneer’s cycling computers have built in WiFi, letting them instantly and automatically connect to their Cyclo-Sphere training software in the cloud. Now, that data can automatically post to Strava. Just go to your settings, then click “Web Link” on the top tabs, then “Link” and allow it to connect. Once done, the check box to transfer data to Strava should be checked, but best to make sure. By the end of September, they’ll add Training Peaks auto uploads, too. I set mine up and it worked immediately, sending my last ride straight to Strava in a matter of seconds.
Check our first impressions and tech run down of the whole system here.
