So, according to their testing and feedback with Team Sky (who’s won two Tours de France on this setup), Stages says you may not actually need independent left-right power measurement. But now they’re offering it, because we want it anyway.
The new Stages Power LR puts separate sensors on both crank arms, starting with the latest Shimano Dura-Ace 9100 and Ultegra R8000 cranksets. The two sensors provide independent measurements of positive and negative forces on each crank arm, and when paired via ANT+ provides real time pedaling dynamics info. That means Pedaling Smoothness (what percentage of your pedal stroke is actually applying power to the pedals) and Torque Effectiveness (how much of your power is being used for forward propulsion) figures.
Like the original single-sided unit they launched with, these are waterproof, have a built-in cadence sensor, and transmit via ANT+ and Bluetooth. It’ll work with their Dash cycling computer and Link app, which handles wireless updates, or any other ANT+/BTLE compatible head unit. The Dura-Ace model will ship preinstalled on the crankset for $1,299 (€1,399) and the Ultegra crankset is $999 (€1,099). Both available this fall. Weight for the power meter parts is a mere 35g.
Stages says for most riders, seeing left-leg-only power data is enough to provide an accurate picture of their total output. But, for riders that have a known imbalance, are recovering from injury, or just really want to see the full picture, now they have an option to compete with Pioneer and everyone else.
