Cycling Power Metres Buying Guide

So how tough of a cyclist  are you?  With a cycling power metre you can measure your power output to find out if you're the next Lance Armstrong, or if you still have a bit of work to do before you're crowned a cycling champ.  Cycling power metres come in a variety of designs, although most use strain gauges  that are mounted in the bottom bracket, the rear freehub or crankset.  Newer products go one step further, using handlebar computer units that measure a cyclist's velocity against all the opposing forces out there on the road, from wind resistance to plain old gravity.  To help make the decision a little easier, we've put together a guide that lays out the basics.  Check it out:

The Different Models

Freehub  A freehub power metre uses the same strain gauges that cranksets do, but they are located in the rear wheel hub.  They measure the power after the drive chain, and are usually easy to transport from one bike to another.	Chain  The chain system detects the chain vibration and speed, and then it mathematically converts those measurements into an overall number for power output.	Crankset   These power metres measure the torque that you apply to each pedal via the strain gauges.  It is mounted with a crank spider, and they can be interchanged between bikes depending on the degree of similarity among wheels and frames.	Bottom Bracket  These power metres measure torsional deflection by having a disc at each end that detect when torque is applied to left pedal and then doubled.  The data collected is then sent digitally to a small computer unit that is mounted in the handle bars.  These are the most difficult metres to interchange because each bike usually requires a bottom bracket of a different size and shape.

Reasons to Buy

• If you're racing competitively, a power metre can help you measure your improvements while you train or can work as a monitor for you while your actually racing. If you know your average power input, you'll know if you're excelling or lagging behind on race day.
• If you are strength and endurance training. Cycling is a great way to burn calories while strengthening the muscles in your legs and torso. Use a power metre periodically to see if you need to start training on harder courses or if you're pushing yourself a bit to far.

Major Manufacturers

There a few brands out there that are the leaders in cycling power metre technology.   Here's a list to get you started:

• Apexi 
• Extech 
• Fluke 
• Furman 
• Garmin 
• Lincoln 
• Mitsubishi 
• Polar 
• Power Acoustik 
• Princet 

Related Guides

Bicycles	Road Bikes	Bike Shoes	Bike Cases	Bike Locks

External Links

• BikeTechReview.com:  The nitty gritty science of how these gizmos work, and reviews of some of the best and worst products on the market.
• Wikipedia.org:  The basics on each variety of cycling power metre and how it functions.