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Watteam universal crankarm power meter finally goes on sale, $499 for both sides

Written by Tyler Benedict
12 Comments
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watteam universal crank arm pwoermeter for left and right leg power measurement

First introduced more than a year ago, the Watteam power meter system was updated earlier this year to use a slimmer, rechargeable battery pack and transmitter with a shorter cable reaching to the stick-on strain gauge. Until now, though, they’ve only teased the promise of professional-grade left/right power measurement for just $499. Today, that promise gets a little closer to real – the product opens up for online registration to order, giving you first crack at actually placing an order on August 31.

Those who don’t register will have to wait until September 2nd to place an order and hoping there’s still inventory left. All pre-ordered units should ship by year’s end.

The version up for grabs is designed specifically for hollow alloy crank arms only, despite these promo pics they sent showing it on carbon. For the truly universally universal version that’ll work on both carbon and alloy cranks, you’ll have to wait a bit longer into 2016. More pics of the system below…

watteam universal crank arm pwoermeter for left and right leg power measurement

watteam universal crank arm pwoermeter for left and right leg power measurement

Watteam.com
Tyler Benedict
11,187 articles

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com. He has been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel to killer riding locations throughout North America.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler loves family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part to make his bikes faster and lighter.

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12 Comments
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come on...
come on...
8 years ago

this will be nice if it comes to market as hopefully these guys (gals) and the 4iiiiiiiiiiiii peeps will be able to pressure the known people into lowering prices – and in the case of stages, produce something dual-sided AND affordable.

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xc-fr
xc-fr
8 years ago

and hopefully with a reasonable battery life.

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Mc
Mc
8 years ago

Or in other words, I don’t personally want to buy it, but merely its existence will make the products I want to buy become cheaper.

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WV Cycling
WV Cycling
8 years ago

This is what is typically called a “Game Changer,” no?

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John
John
8 years ago

DCRainmaker has a pretty comprehensive preview on his website: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/08/preview-watteam-powerbeat.html

TL;DR: Supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart, and for far less money if you’re willing to go the self-install route.

Quarq, Pioneer, etc could learn a LOT from these guys.

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LesMcLuffAlot
LesMcLuffAlot
8 years ago

We are getting closer. I want a reasonably priced system I can move easily from bike to bike. I have 6 bikes that all get regular use…

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Pillz
Pillz
8 years ago

Glad I got a quarq three years ago instead of waiting for this type of solution. All those parts!

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Myke
Myke
8 years ago

Wires = No. 4iiii is a great concept on paper but no carbon support takes too many crank options off the table. We’ll see how accurate they are. Certainly not a option for mtb

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John
John
8 years ago

@Pillz: The vast majority of parts in that second picture are for the initial installation.

@Myke: The cables allow mounting the low cost sensors on several cranks, so the more expensive pods can be easily moved between bikes. The jacks on the pods also double as charging ports.

I admit I haven’t decided where I come down on the idea of a DIY install, but I do like the idea of being able to easily move a power meter between various bikes without being locked into Look pedals (i.e. Vector, P1).

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alvis
alvis
8 years ago

Externally bonded gauges in a separate housing will never give the fidelity of measurement of fully integrated system. This is where most of their cost savings will come from over professionally installed devices, (Stages/SRM/Quarq/Infocrank etc). That process is time consuming and labour intensive. Also any accuracy they do manage to achieve will be dependent on the integrity of that DIY bond. Discrepancy left to right could lead to some misleading balance numbers and subsequent injury correcting l/R issues that aren’t actually there. Maybe that doesn’t bother most people. It makes it an interesting entry level guestimator but if you get serious on power training you’ll be moving up to, (and paying out for), a serious device pretty quickly.

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myke
myke
8 years ago

@John . i don’t think my comment was clear. exposed cabling that doesn’t last more then two maybe one year without some failure in the casing. additionally because these are externally mounted surface gauges which are also externally bonded they will never be as accurate as a closed system.

the comment i made earlier is more focused on pod based power meters which usually just double the watts generated by one leg. the pod systems are only available and alu crank arms because measuring strain on carbon is extremely difficult to maintain accuracy over time.

these will not compete against the likes of PowerTap, SRM, Quarq and will not force customers away from them.

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Richard
Richard
8 years ago

@alvis: “Externally bonded gauges in a separate housing will never give the fidelity of measurement of fully integrated system.”

Why not? The housing has no bearing on the quality of the measurements. If the strain gauges are accurate and well adhered (and DCR among others seems to think that this will be the case), whether or not the transmitters are enclosed in a case or attached with wires is irrelevant, so long as the wires aren’t broken. It might go towards longevity, but it certainly won’t affect accuracy.

Remember also that your average “professionally installed” device is often installed by someone without much more experience installing that particular device than anyone else who can turn a wrench – especially when something first comes out.

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