We’ve touched on who can benefit from training with power and the types of power meters not too long ago, and one of the types of power meters we spoke about was indirect, or opposing force measurement. These power meters do not use strain gauges, but instead, use other types of electronics to measure power. Velocomp provided a PowerPod power meter to review and we found it is a great option for those looking for general power numbers and are on a tight budget, with the ability to offer much more with additional upgrades.
The PowerPod is a small device that attaches to an out-front style mount on your handlebars. Packed inside are an accelerometer, wind pressure sensor, and elevation sensor. You’ll also need a separate ANT+ speed or speed/cadence sensor. A small port on the front lets air in and uses those sensors to measure the resistance of the air you are fighting to ride through. From there, algorithms convert all of that information into watts, and uses an ANT+ signal to display it on your computer.
There are a lot of benefits to this kind of a power meter. There is no complicated installation, just install the mount and install the PowerPod onto the mount. All of that took maybe 5 minutes. Once that’s done, you can swap it from bike to bike just by moving the unit from one bike to another. At the beginning of each ride, the PowerPod detects what speed sensor you are using, and if it is not the last one used, will automatically calibrate in the first minute or two. Using Velocomp’s software, you can create unto four profiles base on the speed sensors that are located on various bikes. Also, because it skips the strain gauges, it is one of the lowest cost options on the market.
The PowerPod features an internal battery that is said to last about 20 hours per charge. When the battery gets low, just plug in a micro-USB cable, and give it a few hours to get back to 100%.
Using the Pioneer SGY-PM68 Ultegra crank power meter as my base, I was able to test the two power meters head to head. Overall, there was some deviation between the two power meters. There were times that the PowerPod didn’t seem to keep up with the Pioneer, like quick, punchy efforts. It was a minor lag, but it did seem the Pioneer reacted a little quicker. At the end of the ride, I noticed the max power shown in the downloads was off by about 10%. Velocomp claims the PowerPod to be within 3% of an SRM unit, but based on the numbers I was seeing, there were times that I was seeing a larger deviation from the Pioneer. When looking at average power at the end though, the numbers fell into that 3% range. Keep in mind, there are some variables that could affect the numbers. The PowerPod was connected to a Garmin Edge 810, while the Pioneer was connected to their SGX-CA500 computer. How often data is recorded could have affected the numbers, but both were reviewed and compared on Garmin Connect. There is also the calibration process for the PowerPod as well. We’ll do another comparison in the future to see how things compare longterm. The key to using a power meter is consistency in the readings. Even if the numbers are slightly off from one meter to another, as long as the meter you are using is consistent, you’ll get the info you need to train off of.
So here is the thing. If you are looking for a power meter to give you a glimpse into your training, the PowerPod will be a great tool for you. If you are looking for the most accurate power meter with all kinds of additional metrics, something like the Pioneer might be the way to go, but it will also be a heck of a lot more expensive. The standard PowerPod is a great starting place for most people. Velocomp is now offering a version with their PowerStroke software that offers left/right power information, along with a host of other data points. The software upgrade is available through Velocomp’s website and software as a paid upgrade, or you can buy it already installed on a new unit for a $20 discount.
At $299 with the standard mount, it is a heck of a deal. Available in October, a new version is available with dual ANT+ and Bluetooth antennas, which opens it up to work with phones, Polar watches, and other Bluetooth devices. This adds about $26 to the cost. The PowerPod is also available with a metal mount that also a spot for you to add a Garmin out front. There is even an option that comes with a TT mount with a spot for a Garmin.
As an economical solution, the PowerPod could be just what you are looking for.
PowerPod with standard Mount – $299.00
PowerPod with Garmin Mount – $348.95
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
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