Power meters have become essential tools for those looking to improve their performance. Here's an overview of this latest tech gadget for cyclists and some tips for making the right choice.

Professional cycling teams have long been moving away from old devices that only measured heart rate or speed, in favor of power meters. The reason is simple: power is a much more objective measurement, as it represents work done, whereas any other measurement used until now is a physiological response to that work and varies with stress, hydration, or even temperature.

As for speed measurement, it fluctuates based on external conditions, such as weather, traffic, and especially wind.

For any athlete eager to achieve a goal, the most reliable tool remains the power meter. But, as with all specialized devices, models and their quality abound... and vary! It can therefore become difficult to navigate.

Types of Power Meters

Before discussing quality, it is important to distinguish between the three types of sensors that measure a cyclist's power on the bike:

• Hub-based measurement
• Pedal-based measurement
• Crankset-based measurement

It should be noted that there is a fourth type of measurement based on heart rate. This type of device can be useful for obtaining an average during long efforts, for example for those who participate in Ironman triathlons. However, it has the same drawbacks mentioned above regarding heart rate measurement and is not significant for short efforts.

"Crankset-based measurement devices, such as those from the SRM brand, to name just one, offer the most accurate results relative to external factors, such as temperature or normal wear and tear," says Jordane Gauthier-Beaulieu, coach at Studio PowerWatts Nord in Boisbriand. However, they are the most expensive and can cost from $2,000 to $4,000, excluding additional accessories. They are the most used by professional cyclists and any athlete willing to invest that amount."

Power Tap, hub measurement

Affordable Solutions

"For the average person, a power meter that measures power in the rear wheel hub, such as the CycleOps PowerTap, offers the best value for money. In addition to offering an equivalent degree of accuracy, it has excellent resale value for anyone wishing to upgrade to a higher level of power meter," explains the coach. However, its values can fluctuate depending on temperature and the wheel, particularly its parallelism.

Pedal-integrated sensors, such as Garmin's Vector system, are excellent devices that allow for analysis of power distribution in each leg. However, calibration must be performed before each ride to ensure the validity of the measurements.

There are also even more affordable solutions that might be sufficient to start with, which take their measurements in the crank arm, such as the Stages brand sensor. Its absolute reliability is sometimes questioned, but various tests show that the data is consistent for the same sensor.

Regardless of the type of power meter chosen, you will be better able to understand the effort you put into your training to measure your results.