What’s a cycling power meter?

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A cycling power meter is a device that measures the power output of a cyclist while riding a bicycle. These devices work in different ways depending on the type of cycling power meter being used, but the general idea is to measure power output in watts using a specially designed hub mounted to the rear wheel, or via strategically placed sensors on the bike. . The information collected by the cycling power meter is transmitted via cables or wirelessly to a computer unit mounted on the bike’s handlebars. These units are popular with professional cyclists who want to optimize their training programs.

The most common style of cycling power meter is one that is mounted to the chainrings or crank arms, which are the rings and arms that the pedals are mounted to. The sensor is a specific type of meter known as a tension meter that essentially measures the torque that is being placed on that particular part of the bike. The strain meter measurement is combined with other measurements within the cycling power meter system, and the information is sent to the computer with a calculation of the total power produced by the cyclist’s pedal stroke. Other systems may have a sensor mounted to the bottom bracket shell – the lowest part of the bike frame through which the bottom bracket bearings mount – rather than to the arms or chainrings, and still others have sensors mounted inside the body of the freehub, on which the rear gear group known as the cassette is mounted.

These units are not to be confused with regular cycling computers, which are also mounted on the handlebars and have sensors and magnets in different places on the bike. These computers measure the rider’s current speed, average speed, top speed, odometer readings, etc. They usually do not measure power output, although some computers combine the two tasks: they will measure speed and power. These units are likely to be quite expensive. Regular cycling computers are more likely to just display speed readings and some other basic features like cadence readings. Such a reading will require a second sensor mounted on the frame near the rotation of the crank arm.

The cost of a cycling power meter will fluctuate based on the design and model purchased. Some power meters are built directly into the rear wheel, which means that the cost of such a unit will increase because a professional will need to build the wheel around it. Other units that mount to different parts of the bike may be less expensive, depending on what additional features they include.

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