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TDU 2016 Tech: 4iiii Power Meters gain dual leg measurement, pop up on Etixx Quick-Step team bikes

Written by Jayson O'Mahoney
4iiii dual leg power measurement prototype
21 Comments
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4iiiPowerMeter2016-2

4iiii Innovations, Inc., is one of a handful of startups bringing more affordable power meters to market, and it looks like their the first of the bunch to make it to the top levels of our sport. This isn’t the first time we’ve featured 4iiii’s power meter. First spotted at 2014 Interbike and again at 2015 Sea Otter, the 4iiii’s power meter has made leaps in bounds during that time. The latest variant is now officially in the WorldTour, with several Ettix Quick-Step Specialized team bikes fitted with a version that measures both left-and-right power. Click on through for more details…

4iiiPowerMeter2016-1

Complete with ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity, the latest version weighs a claimed 25 grams, making it the lightest power meter option yet. The original left-side only version tips the scales at nine grams, and has been available for some time. Currently, 4iiii require the buyer to mail in their left side crankset, who then install the meter for $US 399.

4iiiPowerMeter2016-6

According to the Ettix Quick-Step team mechanic we spoke with, the right-side meter mounts to the Dura-Ace crank spider with three bolts. Not counting the bolts holding the cover in place, we couldn’t see evidence of any fixing bolts, and speculate the device is bonded to the right-side of the crankset, much like the left-side.

4iiiPowerMeter2016-7

The image above demonstrates a birds-eye view of the rear of right-side measuring device.

4iiiPowerMeter2016-5

The left-side measurement device is vastly reduced in size, with a claimed battery life of over 100 hours, utilizing CR-2032 coin cell batteries.

4iiiPowerMeter2016-4

Ettix Quick-Step is still in the early days of testing with 4iiii’s new dual-sided power meter, with availability and pricing still an unknown.

Photos and article by Gravel Cyclist.
Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.

4iiii Innovations Inc.
Jayson O'Mahoney
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John
John
8 years ago

L/R power, both ANT+ and BLE, not tied to a head unit or Windows for firmware updates, reasonable pricing, really looking forward to these!

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huroncrusher
huroncrusher
8 years ago

The price quoted is for the left side only option. I think DC Rainmaker had them at $749 for dual, which is still decent I think.

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John
John
8 years ago
Reply to  huroncrusher

$749 with factory install would be very competitive.

At least until @jj’s powermeter comes to market. 😉

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jj
jj
8 years ago

Just a comment on costs (there’s another website discussing the huge prices, but no comments enabled).

It all seems highly extortionate.
I’d like to see some of these startups push for open source software and auto calibration methods, and I’m having a hard time understanding the device costs when the parts from a $20 electronic scale can easily provide the necessary data, they run using a packet of gel that when bent changes resistance, they are highly accurate at measuring even the slightest touch, you can blow on the panel and it will register pressure. it seems that is what they must be using, although the costs do not add up.

Given the open source and that method costs in general could and should be slammed to under $100

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Necromancer
Necromancer
8 years ago
Reply to  jj

There’s a lot more in costs than just pure material costs. Plus your talking about the market that will pay $30 for a plastic injection molded computer mount

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Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago
Reply to  jj

Is that including R&D, advertising, sponsorship, margins for retailers, covering potential losses for warranties, paying people to build/install them, maybe even giving health insurance to their employees.

This goes for so many products. If you can build a bike frame yourself, go ahead and spend $200+ on a good tubeset. You can sell it to your friends for $200. Hopefully it doesn’t ride like crap.

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Myke
Myke
8 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

I was going to be pretty rude but @Veganpotter hit it on the head! @jj if you can’t afford it don’t buy it or complain about it.

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PsiSquared
PsiSquared
8 years ago
Reply to  jj

Good luck with that sub $100 power meter. Sure, it’s not too difficult produce a power meter that is pretty accurate, but you seriously underestimate what it takes to produce a power meter whose accuracy and precision is competitive with todays power meters, whose form is as sleek and/or polished as those on the market, and whose reliability competes with the best out there.

Of course everything is easy when you’re not invested in or part of the process.

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paul
paul
8 years ago

^^ Make the JJ powermeter then and sell it to us all cheap..

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Brian
Brian
8 years ago

@jj what

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Dave
Dave
8 years ago
Reply to  Brian

I love these people who think every business should be run as a charity. Do they give away their labor the same way?

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Cheese
Cheese
8 years ago

*they’re the first

“using a packet of gel.” Erm, these use strain gauges, but feel free to start your own Packet of Gel Kickstarter, JJ.

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Greg
Greg
8 years ago

PowerTap has the C1 which has dual measurement and I found it for $700 with a quick search plus you don’t have to mail in your crankarm. Another good option assuming your cranks are compatible, of course.

Does the 4iiii require separate batteries for each crank arm?

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Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago
Reply to  Greg

Those pedals are terrible. While pedal strikes aren’t typical, they will be with those pedals if you’re even a remotely aggressive bike handler. I’ve only struck a couple times in my life but if I had these pedals, it would probably happen in every crit I’ve done and I’m not very aggressive. Who wants to change riding style for a power meter? Plus they’re stupid heavy.

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PsiSquared
PsiSquared
8 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

And that weight is going to make a huge difference. Huge. Huuuuuge.

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STS
STS
8 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

He’s talking about the C1 power meter not the P1 pedals.

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John
John
8 years ago
Reply to  Greg

I like that PowerTap’s C1 chainring powermeters now support simultaneous ANT+ and BLE (previously PowerTap was either/or) and that their firmware updates are done with a smartphone over Bluetooth, but there are still a metric crapton of cranks they don’t support, including Shimano 9000/6800/5800, SRAM Red 22/Force 22/Rival 22 and really anything from Campy.

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Greg
Greg
8 years ago

Veganpotter, the PowerTap C1 is a chainring based system, not pedals…

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elvis
elvis
8 years ago
Reply to  Greg

good thing the replacement chainrings are only $200. yikes

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Greg
Greg
8 years ago
Reply to  Greg

Yeah, that’s about $120-130 more than regular chainrings..

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matthew moseley
matthew moseley
8 years ago

i have two. the COO has not been responsive in addressing concerns. the second one i ordered recently was hastily bonded on, with the edges of the unit hanging off the side of the crank arm. It looks like a homespun job, and he refuses to address the issue. Im ashamed to show it to people on my otherwise perfectly tuned rig. Temp compensation still isn’t available yet either. you get what you pay for. This is a chevy vette to Stages’ Porsche.

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