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IB15: Pioneer adds single-leg crank arm power meter, lowering entry price to just $749 (UPDATED)

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Pioneer single-leg crank arm power meter

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.

Pioneer single-leg crank arm power meter

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.

Pioneer single-leg crank arm power meter

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.

Pioneer single-leg crank arm power meter

It uses their zero point calibration for super quick setup and pairing, and automatically compensates for temperature swings, altitude, etc.

Pioneer single-leg crank arm power meter

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.

PowerIsKing.com

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14 Comments
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Grammarnazi
Grammarnazi
8 years ago

DA Di2, parlee frame, SPD pedals. One of these is not like the other.

FoolCyclist
FoolCyclist
8 years ago

But looking at the tire its a CX or gravel bike…. hence the SPDs.

MaraudingWalrus
MaraudingWalrus
8 years ago

I bet those are Maxxis tires, yknow, how it says it’s been sponsor tested on the Maxxis Shimano cross team…

Dude
Dude
8 years ago

Stages has known this day would come for a while now. The next power meter price drop comes in 3… 2… 1… .

JNizzle
JNizzle
8 years ago

Stages has dropped, now $579 for Ultegra, let the price wars continue………….

Sam
Sam
8 years ago

@Dude, why would stages drop their price? They are already a lot cheaper and have a lower profile and sleeker form factor than this.

JP
JP
8 years ago

@grammarnazi I have a propel advanced sl 0 and I use spds, couldn’t see the point in getting a road set up when I have several pairs of xtr spds lying around

dontcoast
8 years ago

upgradeabilty to two arm? nice!

But…can I have my praxis zayante and sram rival retrofitted?

xc-fr
xc-fr
8 years ago

here again: mtb ? carbon cranks ? I hope the future will bring more options.
I’m sure that these will be much better in quality (software & hardware) vs. stages, cause pioneer is for many years in the electronic game & knows what they do.

Choco
Choco
8 years ago

@Sam, because they don’t work.
Have you used both? I have, and can tell you that the Pioneer just works!

Richard
Richard
8 years ago

@choco, not wishing to start a flame war, but I had a Stages PM myself for nearly 2 years without issues. I also know of two people with Pioneer ones that have had issues. Like all electronic gizmos nowadays, not everything works every time for everyone.

I’m not posting this to bash pioneer either, since I’m now thinking of actually switching to it due to wanting dual side power support, but I just don’t think its fair to bash Stages when I know there are scores of people happy with it, as well as some that have also had issues.

ktula
ktula
8 years ago

Let’s see. $579 for Stages Ultegra 6800 versus $799 for Pioneer Ultegra 6800. They both measure only single leg power. It’s a no brainer which one to choose. The only thing going for Pioneer is the possibility to upgrade the single leg power meter to dual leg, but it’s going to cost another $749 and you have to send in your existing right side crank. I don’t have a problem with Pioneer’s single leg PM. I have a problem with their pricing of it. It costs $999 to put their dual leg PM on your existing crank set, which is only $200 more than their single leg PM. Why would anyone spend $799 (or $899 for the Dura-Ace model) on a single leg PM when they could get a dual leg PM for $999?

Allan
Allan
8 years ago

4iiii’s single arm PM is $399.

John
John
8 years ago

The Pioneer is also missing Bluetooth support, which IMO is a pretty big deal.

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