If there was ever any doubt as to electronic giant Pioneer’s commitment to cycling, it should be about wiped out by now. Last week, they showed us their new flush mount transmitter design that opens up their top level systems to fit any frame on the market. Then they licensed power data metrics from TrainingPeaks for anyone using their meters. Now, they’ve added a single-sided option to bring the price of admission as low as $749 (UPDATE: They originally listed it at $699 but made a last minute change).
And it’s not a watered down system, either. It’ll still send their high def data in ANT if you buy their cycling computer, or standard power data in ANT+ to any modern head unit.
Like the full version, there are versions for Dura-Ace and Ultegra in a wide range of arm lengths, or you can buy the kit and send in your existing arm and have it installed. Then, down the road, you’ll be able to upgrade to a dual leg version whenever you want.
When paired to Pioneer’s head unit, the computer will know that you’ve only paired one leg and will automatically average the data to give you a total power figure. You’ll still getting 12 points of measurement around the pedal stroke, so it’s still able to show the force vectors, but those will only really be for the left leg.
It’s aimed more at the weekend warrior that wasn’t going to spend more than $1,000 for the dual leg model. But, they’re testing it with a new sponsorship of Team Maxxis Shimano, so it’s ready for serious cyclocross and road abuse.
It uses their zero point calibration for super quick setup and pairing, and automatically compensates for temperature swings, altitude, etc.
The unit is 9mm thick, runs on a CR3032 battery to get about 180 hours of riding, is waterproof and claims +/-2% accuracy. Weight is 22g. At $799 for Ultegra and $899 for Dura-Ace, it’s on par or just under what similar high end single leg systems. If you send in your own crank arm (still needs to be Ultegra 6800 or DA 9000), it’s just $749…when that becomes available.
At the moment, US, Canada and Europe will only be able to get it on a new crank arm, they’re not offering the send-in-your-own-arm deal like they do on the complete system yet. Japan and Australia will only have the kit and consumers can send in their existing crank and have it installed for them (pricing dependent on local markets), and European riders will only. So, whichever system your market gets, they’ll start shipping end of Sept.
It’s worth mentioning that if you already own one of the compatible cranksets, you can get the dual leg kit put on it for just $999.
Like those orange versions on the team bikes? Color caps and skins will be available in October, too.
