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Know Your Watts. A Practical Guide to Cycling Power Meters
Learn what a cycling power meter is, how to use power zones and FTP to train better, and which type is right for you. From Bici in Vancouver.
You've done the rides. You've put in the hours. But if you're training without a power meter, you're working off feel and guesswork. There's a ceiling to how far that gets you. The problem with feel alone is that it shifts. A bad night's sleep, a stressful week, too much coffee. Your perception of effort changes day to day even when your fitness doesn't. So you push too hard on days you should be recovering, and hold back on days you could be making real gains. Over time, that adds up to a lot of wasted training.
A cycling power meter measures the actual work you're putting into the bike, in real time, in watts. It gives you a number that doesn't care how your legs feel or how hard the wind is blowing. It's the most direct way to know whether a session actually hit the target, and to build training that stacks properly over weeks and months.
What Is a Cycling Power Meter?
A power meter is a device built into your drivetrain (crank, pedal, or spider) that measures torque and cadence, then calculates power. That number shows up on your head unit instantly.
Speed changes with wind and gradient. Heart rate lags behind your effort by 30 seconds or more. Power is immediate. Push harder, the number goes up right now.
What Most Riders Miss
Power and heart rate aren't measuring the same thing. Heart rate tells you how your body is responding to effort. Power tells you what you're actually doing to the bike. On a cold, wet November ride here in Vancouver your heart rate might sit 10 beats lower than it does in July at the exact same effort. But 250 watts is 250 watts. Using both together gives you the full picture.
How to Use Power Data to Train Better
The starting point is your FTP (functional threshold power). It's the highest average power you can sustain for roughly an hour, and everything else in structured training is built around it.
The most common test is a 20-minute all-out effort. Take 95% of that average and you have a working FTP. Some riders prefer a ramp test instead: power increases each minute until you can't hold the target. A lot of people find it less mentally taxing.
From FTP, you get power zones: from easy recovery riding up to full anaerobic efforts. Each zone trains a different part of your engine. Endurance zone builds your aerobic base. Threshold work trains you to hold harder efforts for longer. VO2 max intervals raise your ceiling. Structured training means hitting specific zones for specific durations, not just riding until you're tired. That's how you get faster, and power is what makes it precise.
Pedal-Based Power Meters
The power meter is built into the pedal body, with strain gauges housed in a pod on the outside of each pedal. Setup is straightforward: thread them in like a regular pedal, pair with your head unit, and you're done. No crank compatibility to sort out, no special tools required.
The biggest advantage is portability. Swap them between your road bike and gravel rig with a pedal wrench in a few minutes. If you also use an indoor trainer, they move there too, which means your power numbers are consistent whether you're climbing on the North Shore or doing intervals at home.
Pedal meters come in both single and dual-sided versions. Dual-sided models measure each leg independently, giving you a live left/right power split on your head unit. That's useful for pacing and can flag imbalances worth paying attention to. Single-sided options are available too, at a lower price point, if you just want clean power data without the bilateral breakdown.
One thing to check before buying: pedal meters lock you into a cleat platform. Both Favero and Garmin offer different models for different cleat standards, so make sure the version you're buying matches your shoes.
Pros
- Easy to transfer between bikes. Great if you're riding more than one setup
- Future-proofed for crank length changes
- More dual-sided options for true left/right power measurement
Cons
- Dual-sided options are generally pricier than single-sided crank meters
- More exposed to pedal strikes and impact than crank-based options
- Locks you into a pedal platform. Check cleat compatibility before buying
Staff Thoughts
"I've been running Favero Assioma Duo pedals for the past two years and I love being able to swap them between my road bike and my gravel bike. It's way more cost-effective than buying a separate power meter for each of my bikes! And I like knowing that they'll be compatible with any future bikes I get."
Crank-Based Power Meters
Crank-based meters have strain gauges bonded directly into the crank arm, measuring the flex that happens when you apply force to the pedals. Installation requires a crank puller and a torque wrench to do it properly. If you don't have those in your toolkit, bring it into the shop and we'll get it set up right.
Because they live on the bike, there's nothing to move or think about between rides. Your power meter is always there, always paired to your head unit, and consistent across every session. If you have one primary training bike and you're not planning to shuffle components around, that simplicity is genuinely useful.
Single-sided options measure the left leg and double the number for total power. For the vast majority of riders, that gives you accurate, consistent data you can train off confidently. Dual-sided crank meters are often also available if you want true bilateral data without switching to a pedal-based system.
One thing to confirm before ordering: crank arm meters are model-specific. You'll need to match the meter to your existing crank brand and bottom bracket standard. Stages and 4iiii both cover a wide range of Shimano and SRAM compatibility, but it's worth verifying your exact setup first.
Pros
- Works with any pedal system. No cleat changes required
- More affordable. Especially at the single-sided level
- Longer battery life. Less frequent charging required
Cons
- Single-sided models estimate total power rather than measuring both legs directly
- Less versatility. Locked in to a specific crank length
- Not easy to move between bikes without reinstalling the crank arm
Staff Thoughts
"I've spent most of my time riding using a single sided power meter. I started with a Gen-1 Stages many years ago, and have had lots of other Stages and 4iiii's ever since. I've experimented with double sided units from some major brands but I always end up just defaulting to a single-sided unit since I don't end up using all the fancy metrics that more expensives units give me."
Single-Sided vs. Dual-Sided. Which Do You Need?
Single-sided
Single-sided meters measure one leg and double the number. If one leg is stronger than the other, this can introduce minor inaccuracies in your total power reading. For most riders though, it's perfectly sufficient for structured training. Your zones are your zones, your FTP is your FTP, and your progress is trackable ride over ride.
Dual-sided
Dual-sided meters measure each leg independently and give you a true left/right power balance. That's the accuracy gold standard, and the only way to identify a genuine pedalling imbalance. That data is especially valuable if you're coming back from an injury on one side, working with a coach on technique, or just want the cleanest numbers possible.
If you're newer to training with power or working with a single bike and a clear budget, single-sided gets you everything you need to train effectively. If you're chasing performance at a higher level or want the full picture of how your body is working on the bike, dual-sided is worth the investment.
Road, Gravel, or Both?
If you ride more than one bike, cleat compatibility gets complicated fast. The Favero Assioma PRO line solves that with three models built around different platforms, so you can match the pedal to the bike rather than compromising on either. All three models come in both single-sided and dual-sided options.
Assioma PRO RL
Uses a Look Keo-compatible cleat. If you're on a road bike with Look cleats, this is your model. It also has the lowest stack height of any pedal-based power meter currently available.
Assioma PRO RS
Built around Shimano SPD-SL. Same road use case as the RL, different platform. If your road shoes are set up with SPD-SL cleats, this is the one to go with.
Assioma PRO MX
Uses SPD cleats, making it the right choice for gravel. SPD is more walkable, handles the dirt better, and is standard on most gravel and adventure shoes.
All three models share the same spindle. That's worth knowing if you're running both a road bike and a gravel rig: you can pick up a second pedal body for the other bike rather than buying two complete sets. One spindle moves between bodies as needed, or leave a set on each bike and you never have to think about swapping again. Either way, your power data stays consistent across everything you ride.
The Brands We Carry at Bici
Favero Assioma pedals are our go-to recommendation for anyone wanting dual-sided pedal power. Favero makes different models for different cleat platforms, so there's a version that fits your setup.
4iiii is similar in format to Stages (crank-arm based, single or dual-sided) and tends to come in at a slightly lower price point. Good option if you want reliable data without maxing out the budget.
Stages makes some of the most widely used crank-arm power meters out there. They're proven across a wide range of crank compatibility. A solid first power meter for most riders.
Garmin Rally pedals are available in various cleat platforms, making them the a versatile pedal meter lineup. You can also start single-sided and upgrade to dual-sided later by adding a second pod.
Power Meter FAQs
How do I choose the right power meter for my bike?
When selecting a power meter, consider factors such as compatibility with your bike's crank model, your budget, preferred data measurement method (e.g., single-sided vs. dual-sided), and whether you prioritize ease of installation or comprehensive power measurement.
Are pedal-based power meters suitable for all types of cycling shoes?
Most pedal-based power meters are compatible with popular cleat systems such as LOOK KEO, Shimano SPD-SL, and Speedplay Zero. However, it's essential to check compatibility with your specific cycling shoes before making a purchase.
Can I use a power meter on multiple bikes?
While some power meters, like pedal-based options, offer the flexibility to be easily transferred between bikes, others, such as crank arm-based and crank spider-based units, are specific to the crank model and may require additional installation steps or adjustments when switching between bikes.
How accurate are power meters in measuring cycling performance?
Power meters vary in accuracy depending on the type and brand. Generally, modern power meters provide reliable and precise data for performance analysis and training purposes. However, factors such as calibration, environmental conditions, and individual riding dynamics can influence accuracy. Regular maintenance and calibration can help ensure optimal performance.
Come Talk to Us
Choosing a power meter comes down to your crank compatibility, pedal setup, budget, and how many bikes you're running. There's no single right answer, but there's usually a clear best fit for your situation.
Swing by the shop at 1497 Adanac and we'll help you sort it out.
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