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I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
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Ray… great review. That system is really cool.
And it may not be in their plans, but a cleat based on the new Speedplay MTB pedal would be sweet indeed. I actually only use MTB pedals and shoes on all my bikes these days. A system using an MTB cleat would obviously not only have the same wheel/crank/pedal independence when switching from, say, road bike to TT bike, but to the MTB as well. (or cross, fixie, etc)
Great article, but I would really like to see the actual Power Sensor. Are they sitting between the shoe and the cleat, or are they the cleat?
Finally you should try to make a setup with all 4 different solutions on the same bike, and compare the results :-)
I agree with Peter. The thing with Brim is he needs to determine which direction is the propulsive direction. On a pedal spindle this is relatively simple, because the pedal spindle typically doesn’t move much (unless the threads tighten or loosen or the pedal is moved to a different crank), or with Polar it requires you align the pedal spindle (so it assumes which is the propulsive direction). With Brim,the propulsive direction is constantly changing during the pedal stroke. He can use accelerometers to guess where the propulsive direction is, the pedals move in circles and the propulsive direction is the tangent. That’s easy on a trainer, but take it outside and the pattern is no longer a circle: it’s translating forward due to motion, laterally due to turning, and being bounced up and down due to the road surface. This is the key question for me: can Brim operate in an acceleration-noisy environment? It’s super-impressive how he’s moved this project forward but I still want to see how results stack up with Polar or Garmin, and with a crank-based system, when riding a real bike outdoors.
Very cool. I do wonder though about how well the pod will stay on with the strap unfastened (as for a triathlon transition.
Hey Rai!
Did he say anything about price?
Hi Bjorn-
Nothing at this stage.
Possibly an app for the Cervellum?
I know it’s probably hard to say… but do you sense that this product might be to market by summer 2012?
A possibility, but I’d guess more like fall 2012.
i am left wondering how it can determine the difference between the left leg up stroke and the right leg down stroke that both happen at the same time….. do they measure the up stroke force as well as down stroke force ? the only other way i can see it can be done is to measure total output at the rear wheel or b/b and deduct the downstroke that is happening at that moment… please please please advise as i spoke with a guy at polar years ago when their system came out and he had no idea what i was getting at !
Why doesn’t anyone make something that works with Time pedals, I have I-clics and love them and used rxs before that.
Any word lately on when these will be hitting the market/at what price point?
Nothing lately, but you can be sure I’ll catch up with them in two weeks at Eurobike.
I am waiting for it and I mam very impatient and very excited to get it in my hands.
Hello, Any update on these units? Thank you
Nothing. I’d expect to see or hear some update at Eurobike at the end of August, about a month from now.
The idea behind the Brim Brothers Zone power meter is very simple, I like that!! However, from a mechanical point of view the sensors seem to be placed it the wrong spot. By measuring the forces at the cleat, they will be measuring a very noisy signal that does not directly translate into the useful force that powers a bicycle. I will be expecting accuracy problems with this design. Will hold back for your review before making a decision on this one.
John C.
Mechanical Engineer
I’m afraid this post needs an update: the power meter will never be available.