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Look & SRM partner on low-profile, highly-accurate Exakt power meter pedals

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New Exakt pedal-based power meters combine the best of Look road pedals & SRM direct power measurement, in a light & compact pedal body, easily swappable from bike-to-bike. After a co-produced carbon crankset power meter last year, SRM & Look are back together to build the almost invisible Exakt power meter pedals.

Look+SRM Exakt two-sided power meter road bike pedals

The two relatively small companies who manufacture all of their products in-house came together a year and a half ago, with the French bike & component maker producing a premium European-made SRM Origin carbon crankset with SRM’s spider-based power meter. Now the partnership deepens with the co-branded Look & SRM Exakt pedals, promising the accuracy of SRM’s premium power meters in a more accessible package.

Accessibility for the two brands isn’t just about lowering the cost of direct power metering, but also making it easier for customers to use, to buy, and easier to move accurate & repeatable power measurement from one bike to the next.

The pedals are compact too. From the outside they don’t even look much different from the Look Keo Max pedals whose retention system the Exakt pedals employ. Look & SRM wanted to be sure that all the electronics fit inside the carbon pedal body so that they would be robust, easier to use, and easily swapped from one bike to the next.

Tech Details

To fit everything inside without increasing pedal stack at all, Look & SRM developed a new pedal axle and bearing system that places all of the direct measuring & transmitting electronics on the unique squared-off pedal spindle. Two pairs of strain gauges sit on opposite flat sides, beneath a pair of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

On the other two sides sit the controlling circuits & microprocessor, plus an antenna that wraps around next to the inboard seals.

Then power wiring goes inside the hollowed steel axle to reach external charging contacts set inside the 8mm pedal, where a small micro-USB dongle permits easy charging (of both pedals at the same time with a paired setup).

The Exact pedals communicate via both Bluetooth LE & ANT+ making it possible to connect to most cycle computers. They can even communicate direct to web connected Zwift devices without a need for a conventional head unit.

SRM rates the Exakt pedals for 100 hours of operation, which their engineering team promises with deliver at least 80 hours of real world conditions metering out on the road.

Now packing all those electronics onto the spindle meant rethinking how to keep the pedals spinning smoothly, with a longer than typical cantilevered section of spindle.

The unique Exakt pedals layout places a large needle bearing directly under the center of the pedal body, plus an oversized (for road pedals) ball bearing on the outside end of the spindle.

The last key bit of internal tech in the pedals is a dual set of internal & external labyrinth seals on the inboard side of each pedal, plus a blue-anodized sealed alloy cap on the outside of the pedals. Together they deliver IPX7-level waterproofing (1m submersion for 30min) that Look & SRM say makes the power meter pedals able to withstand riding in the wettest of conditions (but you won’t see pro mechanics pressure washing these pedals.)

The 155g per side carbon bodied pedals use a typical for Look 64mm wide/400mm2 stainless steel platform interface for long-wearing & stability. They use a Keo Max-style adjustable spring retention system and maintain the same Keo 11.9mm stack height. While the expensive electronics are housed on the unique axle, the pedal body is replaceable. Pro rider André Greipel crashed hard in Milan San Remo while riding the Exakt pedals, he broke his collar-bone, destroyed the  carbon pedal body. But the power metering spindle was undamaged, and the team was able to rebuild the power meter with a new body in less than 10 minutes.

Direct Power Measurement & Dual-sided Accuracy

Look stressed the fact that when they decided to develop a power metering pedal, they needed to match SRM’s benchmark accuracy performance. So SRM developed the paired bridge strain gauge configuration for the square axle faces to isolate torque delivered into the pedals from all other forces. Then an external magnet on each pedal collects real measured cadence to turn torque data into Watts.

courtesy Look, photo by Guido Rubino

SRM assures us that the Exakt pedals measure power as accurately as the SRM crankset power meters +/- 2% and they can transmit that data up to 200 measurements per second via Bluetooth. Pre-production pedals have been raced in and used for training with Greipel, Adam Hansen & Warren Barguil starting with the spring classics up to now, who rely on their accurate power reporting.

App-based Setup, Install & Initial Calibration

courtesy Guido Rubino

The pedals use a mobile app for easy setup & initial calibration. To make the power metering work, you need to align the crank arms and the square spindle.

courtesy Guido Rubino

So you actually thread the pedals into your cranks with an 8mm hex key until they are tight, and then back them out until the mark on the pedal end is aligned with the cranks. Holding them aligned in place, the nut on the pedal side of the crank is then tightened with a 19mm cone wrench. It is a simple process actually (and there’s a decent amount of room for error), but the smartphone app then confirms that they are installed properly. The resulting Q-factor for the pedals works out to be 54.6mm, although it can change slightly for up to one half rotation of the spindle to align with the crank’s threading.

The app then guides you through a one-time calibration process, after which the zero offset should not change over time. The power metering is temperature independent, and so they do not need to be recalibrated with each ride.

Pricing & Availability

courtesy Look, photo by Guido Rubino

The Look+SRM partnership brings with it a new multi-channel delivery method for the Exakt pedals. From July 1 buyers can order the power meter pedals on a co-branded Look & SRM website, and have them shipped direct to the consumer or to be picked up in partner bike shops. Or buyers can get the pedals direct from Look or SRM dealers.

No matter which avenue you choose to buy the pedals, the pricing remains the same. The most affordable option is Exakt Single, a single-sided power measurement setup that ships a single right power metering pedal with a dummy left pedal using the same Keo Max based cleat retention, but without the internals for 800€. To get dual-sided measurement with left/right balance, the 1400€ Exakt Double includes two power metering pedals (the left talks to the right, the right talks to paired devices.)

Lastly, a premium 2180€ Exakt Double Bundle is available that also includes an Exakt-branded SRM PC8 head unit & a heart rate monitor. All use standard Look pedals, available with 0°, 4.5°, or 9° of float.

The new Exakt pedals are then both a made-in-France carbon Look road bike pedal & an accurate SRM power meter, with German-made electronics.

ExaktPower.com

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Collin S
5 years ago

I can see why these are Look pedals, but it’s pretty weird how all the other brands (Garmin, Assimo, Powertap) are all look based. I ride shimano so I could go with Garmin and pay an extra fee for the conversion kit for shimano’s but other than that you’re stuck with a cleat that wears out super fast.

Robin
Robin
5 years ago
Reply to  Collin S

I believe the new Vector 3 pedals no longer have a conversion kit for Shimano SPD-SL.

Zach
Zach
5 years ago
Reply to  Robin

This is correct. I have the Vector 2 and 3. The 3 is Look compatible though.

Sergio Calmon
5 years ago
Reply to  Robin

Vector 2 too

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago
Reply to  Collin S

Could be a licensing issue with Speedplay/Shimano? Would just love someone to come out with a universal spindle based PM that had support for all the major road and MTB players.

O. Tan
5 years ago

Check out https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1468298434/cycling-power-meter-at-a-breakthrough-price/comments

But the downside is it’ll increase your Q-Factor by 16mm per side unless you buy the custom spindles which will increase it only by 6mm. And if you use other then SPD/SPD-SL pedals, you’ll need to get someone to make a custom spindle for you to reduce the Q-Factor (I guess it needs to be by 10mm as that’s probably the length of the thread)

So it’s not perfect, but this is the closest we’ll get to a universal based spindle PM as each pedal system has their own unique spindle

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago
Reply to  O. Tan

Yeah I’ve seen this but really don’t want to be a beta tester for such an investment which seems to be my experience with Kickstarter. Truth is there is no substitute for having a PM on every bike so looks like I’ll be hunting old powertap mtb hubs. Would also kill for a Dual legged pedal based PM added the option to work as two single legged meters.

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago

No doubt SRM is an aspirational brand but pricing on this is way out of line with the market, ok you get top notch customer service but powertap will do the same for half of the price. These days its very difficult to compete in the powermeter market, PM’s are more logical buy’s than say groupsets, wheels, or frames which tend to be more emotional purchases as long as the warranty and customer service is good its really hard to get away from a price war. Good luck but appears it will be Assioma for me when my ancient SL+ finally dies.

Sevo
Sevo
5 years ago

You get what you pay for. Every lower priced power meter is riddled with problems, high warranty rate, and while some claim to be as accurate as an SRM they base their numbers off an SRM which still on it’s own has a +/- 3-5 watts. So then if your product is off by that you actually could be off 7-10 watts. At that rate you’re better off with a HRM.

Dad always said, it’s cheaper to buy once. When it comes to powermeters that’s very much true. You can go budget on a lot of things these days on a bike and still be on a damn good bike. Better off building new bike with Powermeter as the base cost, and seeing what you can afford from there vs going off an expensive frame or top end shiftting bits.

Robin
Robin
5 years ago
Reply to  Sevo

Cool. You have links to stories/studies supporting your claims?

Robin
Robin
5 years ago
Reply to  Robin

Sorry, Sevo. I replied to the wrong post.

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago
Reply to  Sevo

As a former SRM owner I can’t disagree with this enough. Not that their units are far from bad but the accuracy and precision of other units I have used have mirrored my SRM and have yet to fail me with my miserable cat 3 #’s and demands. I Can’t believe all those world tour riders with 400+ watt ftps are really struggling with the accuracy of units costing half as much as SRM.

Loki
Loki
5 years ago
Reply to  Sevo

This is an entirely meaningless truism – “you get what you pay for” – it is merely an excuse for lazy thinking. There are countless instances that make this untrue or at best trite. Further, the belief that price point = quality (very different to cost) and that historical leaders are somehow representative of a gold standard is also mistaken.

PM manufacturers don’t base their accuracy off SRM, they base their accuracy off the deviance from an assumed standard value, just like SRM does. There have also been countless tests that have shown that SRM is not ahead of any competitors in accuracy
Use parameters and individual ability to utilize power training have as much, if not more relevance to current PMs than inaccurate claims about accuracy.

Lastly, the claim that SRM is more accurate and more reliable than any other cheaper PM and therefore garbage is just incorrect.

jasonmiles31
5 years ago

That is a impressively small electronics package. Still seems like it pushes the inboard bearing really far outward.

John
John
5 years ago

This SRM/Look power meter is no more or less accurate (+/- 2%) than the competition, however they are ~ $300/400€ more expensive…

Mr Pink
Mr Pink
5 years ago
Reply to  John

Can you post a link to the study you did that proves that or you just reading marketing materials off a site?

Also you may want to see which with such claims actually can last a season under a pro tour team. Or anyone. Many lesser brands have 20-30% return rates.

Hey I wish an srm was cheaper too. We all do. But we all wish we coukd buy last year’s porsche for $15k craigslist too.

Americans are too focused on the false economy of lower priced goods vs long term value. My srm is 10 years old and only thing I changed was chainrings and one or two batteries. And I got it off an ex pro who raced/train with it for 4 years.

Robin
Robin
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Pink

Cool. You have links to stories/studies supporting your claims, Mr. Pink?

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Pink

Didn’t realize that every single world tour team was running SRM.

John
John
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Pink

@MrPink:

Head over to DCRainmaker.com if you’re looking for objective powermeter reviews. SRM may have been the gold standard in the past, but that ship has long since sailed. There are two dozen powermeters currently on the market with the same measured +/-2% accuracy as SRM for a fraction of the cost.

I’d bet your friend the ex-pro stopped buying SRM power meters out of his own pocket once the sponsorship money dried up.

boom
boom
5 years ago

You had me until I saw the pricing.
The single sided models here are (roughly) the same price as the Garmin Vector 3 Dual sided. I just wish Garmin would ramp up production again and get them back in stock. They’ve been backordered for a few months now.

Shafty
Shafty
5 years ago
Reply to  boom

It doesn’t seem many people will be picky on price once they’re above $1500 for a pair of pedals. What’s another few hundred dollars at that point, right? Either go cheap to get by with single stuffed or go for the best. The middling dual sided options are a toss up.

Rixter
5 years ago

Its really too bad the pedals aren’t based on the current (and lighter) blade platform from LOOK. The web is full of people complaining about their Vector 3 (DCR has commented multiple times as well). I’ll probably get a set of these once they’ve been on the market for a few months.

VeloFreak
VeloFreak
5 years ago

Info-Cranks is the current standard for power metering precision. SRM not the bees knees anymore, at all. That’s why they are realising this overpriced thing. Also, if that sealing is water tight, I´m the queen of England. Use a jet washer with these and you can kiss them goodbye.

Robin
Robin
5 years ago
Reply to  VeloFreak

They’re IXP7 waterproof, meaning they withstand water immersion down to a meter for 30 min. Anyone using a jet washer on these would be an idiot.

GDA
GDA
5 years ago

Why not a powermeter in the shoe itself? Less prone to damage in crashes. More flexible in use when switching to one of my three road bikes.

TheKaiser
5 years ago
Reply to  GDA

Look up Brim Brothers failed launch. !0yrs in the making, but couldn’t pull it off in the end due to the variability of shoe flex patterns and sole curvatures. They used a power meter cleat, that could affix to any shoe…in theory.

I think DMT and someone else have shown power meter shoes at trade shows, but not sure if it is vaporware or not. That requires you to like the actual shoe though, both in features and fit, and your PM would only last as long as the shoe itself.

There are power meter insoles that are currently being offered, although they are more directed at the running market and have an even more limited lifespan.

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago
Reply to  GDA

Shoes are more likely to be damaged in a crash than a spindle (sure the pedal body might get ruined, however that looks replaceable. I’ve unfortunately had quite a few crashes over 7 years of racing and I’ve never broken a pedal.

FFM
FFM
5 years ago

0.6mm variability in q-factor? No deal.

Bill
Bill
5 years ago
Reply to  FFM

because you’re going to notice .6MM or 1/50 of an inch, haha right.

Flahute
5 years ago

“SRM rates the Exakt pedals for 100 hours of operation, which their engineering team promises with deliver at least 80 hours of real world conditions metering out on the road.”

I really hope that sentence is referring to battery life.

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