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IQ² power meter promises affordable, universal single or dual sided use

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Even with all the options out there for power meters, there’s still room for improvement. For upstart iQ², that means an opening for them to launch their first product – a crank/pedal based power meter. Universal to fit any crank with 9/16″ threaded pedals, we’ve seen similar concepts before, but the iQ² builds functionality into a clean, compact design that seems like it will certainly compete on price.

IQ² powermeter promises affordable, universal single or dual sided use

Obviously, adding a power meter to your crank arm, then threading a pedal into the power meter will increase your q-factor – in this case 16mm per side. While the Watteam universal power meter gets around this by using a very thin mounting plate with the power meter on the side of the crank arm, iQ² suggests using pedals with shorter axles which would bring the Q-factor back to normal. They mention more info on the pedals shown on their kickstarter prototype gallery will be coming soon.

If you’re only using one side, you’ll need to use the included spacer for the opposite side to keep the Q-factor symmetrical.

IQ² powermeter promises affordable, universal single or dual sided use

Offering independent left and right power outputs, the iQ² is powered by a replaceable coin cell battery that promises 200-300 hours of life out of a charge. Both Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible, the power meter weighs 29.7g for a single unit.

IQ² powermeter promises affordable, universal single or dual sided use

Currently offered only through Kickstarter, a single power meter starts out at $180, with a set of two running about $300. Retail price is expected to run around $430 for the set, and delivery of Kickstarter pledges is claimed to be September of 2018. Already fully funded with over 2,300 backers and five times their funding goal, we hope that iQ² won’t be a victim of their own success and can deliver a ton of power meters on time!

kickstarter.com

iqsquare.com

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21 Comments
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elvis
elvis
5 years ago

1% accuracy claim…. that’s fairly bold but at least they’re not dealing with the different crank materials. curious to see how this plays out

Dolan Halbrook
Dolan Halbrook
5 years ago

Maybe they can accomplish what Limits seems unable to? If so, and they work as advertised, this will be a huge disruptor. Under $500 for true dual sided power is amazing.

Chader
Chader
5 years ago
Reply to  Dolan Halbrook

Watteam already offers a dual setup at $400. However, that does require the effort of installing the power meter, which is a bit more involved when compared to this potential option.

But the Powerbeat is live and functions well for the price based on the reviews I have seen (with a few notable issues that my be resolved via firmware updates).

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago
Reply to  Chader

Too me the difference between pedal based PM and crank/crank arm e.g. watteam based power is swapability which is worth some $$. Pedals are much like a powertap wheel where you can swap every day so if you train half the week with every other day tt bike than its not really a big deal crank or arm based is a bit more of a PITA. I had a stages left side ultegra as my only PM and only swapped to my tt bike for two -three weeks prior to a TT and left the meter on because even with a room dedicated to bikes in our house, a work stand, that super cool park HT2 preload tool, and good torque wrenches it was too much effort at 4:55AM before knocking out some intervals. This is also more aesthetically pleasing than the watteam

Chader
Chader
5 years ago
Reply to  Chader

Discussing the pros/cons between power meter locations is it’s own discussion.

I was simply pointing out a low price, dual-sided option that is currently available and under the $500 mentioned by Dolan.

Dolan Halbrook
Dolan Halbrook
5 years ago
Reply to  Chader

Fair point… I forgot about WattTeam.

elvis
elvis
5 years ago
Reply to  Dolan Halbrook

power2max ng eco – shipped from the Great White North to ‘Merica for $515

John
John
5 years ago

This is the powermeter version of vaporware. These pictures are just mockups of what the prototypes might eventually look like.

FFM
FFM
5 years ago

Go ahead and make the power meter and replacement spindle one piece. I’ll hit you up for the check later.

ed
ed
5 years ago
Reply to  FFM

THAT is the smarter way to do it!

Edzoba
Edzoba
5 years ago

32mm addition to Q-factor seems steep. Longer axle pedals (eg Ultegra) adds 8mm.

ed
ed
5 years ago

Not sure how I would feel about the Q-factor. Would have to try it. As fort heir response of buying shorter pedal spindles, that is the most flippant response ever. As if pedals are marketed by q-factor. I have only heard of speedplay selling spare spindles and I believe they are only longer not shorter than standard. The reason nobody sells short spindle is that your shoes would hit the cranks arms.

Stephen Poole
Stephen Poole
5 years ago
Reply to  ed

Speedplay do in fact sell shorter spindles – I got some Syzrs with them recently. Whether your feet might hit the cranks depends on several factors, but mine do not. Adding 32mm to Q is a bit scary, IMHO. If you’re comfortable with effectively 178mm versus 146mm with Shimano road cranks, fine, but my old Hollowgram cranks are 141mm, then minus another 10mm for the shorter spindles.

Volsung
Volsung
5 years ago

GCN had more info than Bikerumor. Apparently they’re going to sell titanium replacement spindles that offset the weight of the power meter and bring the Q factor back down to normal.

Edzoba
Edzoba
5 years ago
Reply to  Volsung

With speedplay-OK, all others-no.

Robin
Robin
5 years ago

It’s not encouraging that the company has shared any data. With that said, the printing of a strain gauge directly onto the structure to be loaded is interesting. I would think it would be something that could be applied to pedal axles/pedal power meters. I guess the questions would be how much does that method cost, and what is the quality of such a strain gauge?

Doug
Doug
5 years ago

Q-factor changes are severely felt by my knees and I’m in my 30s. Also, what if you only use one side and not the other. I assume that mean’s the q factor is off on one side only? That’s gotta feel awkward, like leaning sideways while pedaling.

Robin
Robin
5 years ago
Reply to  Doug

The company intends to offer a spacer-for the non power side– for those only opting for one sided power measurement.

Edzoba
Edzoba
5 years ago
Reply to  Robin

it’s ok to be simmetric but not affecting that Q-factor increases significantly

Edzoba
Edzoba
5 years ago
Reply to  Edzoba

symmetric

John
John
5 years ago

It’s official September 2018 with no announcement from IQ2.

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