If you haven’t noticed by now, with products from companies like 4iiii, Stages, Garmin, and more, power meters are currently in a race to affordability, usability, and compatibility. As far as we know, to this point power meters have always been mounted somehow to the bike. Whether it is the hub, the crank, the pedals, one way or another it’s mounted to the machine rather than the man.
Brim Brothers looks to change that with their Zone DPMX shoe based power meter. Sandwiching the force sensor between the cleat and the shoe, the Zone sets the control pod on top of the toe for a rider based solution to power. Clip in after the break for more…
Currently limited to Speedplay Zero pedal systems, the Zone DPMX plate replaces the current base plate one Speedplay cleats. Considering we just saw the new cleats from Speedplay we double checked, and the Zone system is compatible with the new walkable cleats. The pods on the toes are USB rechargeable and easily twist off to charge in the provided cradle. Battery life is expected to be around 15 hours per charge.
Key to the design is their piezo ceramic sensor that is thin enough to fit between the cleat and the shoe without increasing the stack height. Measuring over 100 times a second, the system basically measures the squeeze on the sensor from the force you are putting to the pedals. The Zone DPMX is a true right left power system with total power, power balance, and right and left power, with the two sides talking to each other much like the Garmin Vector system and are ANT+ compatible. Conceived, developed, and tested in Ireland, the system is fully waterproof. Accuracy is listed at +/- 2%. Calibration is extremely simple – just tap on the sensor 3 times once it is installed on the shoe. Everything else is dialed in automatically.
Since the sensor is very sensitive to bending or improper torque, part of the install process involves a sticker that is placed on the sole and a tube of Sugru. Once the Sugru is applied you install the cleat and tighten it gently to compress the Sugru and form a perfect curvature for the sensor plate. Once it’s cured, you’re good to ride.
The Kit includes everything needed to install, use, and recharge the system and will retail for $999. Brim Brothers will be shipping the Zone DPMX in October and pedal systems based around other popular pedals are in development.
Coming in at 50g per side, the true weight addition is around 35g since the system replaces the 15g Speedplay base.
