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In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
2
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
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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Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
I think next year will be the year I finally get a power meter…
Yep , power meters getting closer to commidities status. Market starting to get saturated.
Let me know when a power meter costs as much as a speed/cadence sensor. They are cheaper but still a high end item. (Bought a new powertap elite wheel in 2009 for $700)
I was only planning on getting mine around that time anyway so that’ll work for me ahah.
The next thing will be Garmins with wind resistance meters built in.
Oh, if only the Powertap P1s were at/below $1k. Last I checked, they weren’t even on the Interbike exhibitor list, though.
+1
the holy grail will be the P1 at the Stages price point… /drool. I think we’re about 3 years out.
They’re at Interbike, had a good chat with them today (they’re listed on Cycleops/Saris – just the way the listings go).
As for P1’s being at sub-$1K? I’d be surprised if that’s not the case by spring. At $500 price point? Probably some variant of 12-18 months out.
at $500, it’s “shut up and take my money” time. hope you’re right!
Will these price cuts carry across to the eu?
They already were announced at Eurobike (price cuts).
Hope to hear about DynoVelo powermeters – they just launched their website yesterday and say that they are at Interbike!
Yup – on the list!
This still seems too expensive to me. The power2max FSA gossamer model is $630 and measures both legs as well as coming with both crank arms and the spider. I’d much rather spend an extra $100 just for two sided power.
If you’re on a 24mm spindle, the “classic” Power2Max FSA Gossamer is only $499. link to power2max.com
But if you’re on a BB30, there’s no Power2Max model close to the Stages price.
Well I guess it depends what you consider close. The FSA gossamer model I mentioned is $630 and compatible with BB30. I consider that pretty close, especially since you get so much more with the type s than a stages.
link to power2max.com
I’d snap one of those up in a heartbeat but us poor European folk can’t get them… they start at €739 for us – which is a massive difference! Grrrr…..
That’s true, but for the BB386 FSA model, which has a longer spindle than a BB30. It’ll work, but you’ll be adding two ~1cm spacers on either side of the bottom bracket shell. This will take up space without getting you the advantage of moving the bearing farther apart (as would be the case in a true BB386 shell). Will it work? Sure. Will I like it? I don’t know, probably, but I’d like to try it out before plunking down the cash. The only true BB30 model is the Rotor 3D Plus, at over $900. But there’s plenty of options to let everyone find what works for them, and that’s a good thing.
Quick update on the use of BB386 cranks on a Specialized OSBB bike. It looks like several of the 2016 Crux models will be fitted exactly in this manner. I called Specialized to confirm that their BB shell was still 68mm (it is). If they figure a BB386 crank with spacers is good enough for OEM on their bikes, I would no longer have any major qualms about putting a BB386 Power2Max/FSA unit on a BB30-spec frame.
-k
Scott, that’s what it’s like to buy Tacx trainers or really anything Campy in the States. Because geography.
FYI, the Rotor 3D+ is basically a BB386EVO crankset. The spindle is approximately the same length as a true FSA BB386 model. This is a big selling point for Rotor as it makes it compatible with almost all frames if using the correct bottom bracket.
Power2Max doesn’t sell any short spindle BB30 models, so you’d be using similar spacers with any of them.
kw, for a bb30 frame, would you recommend a p2m classic with the 24mm gossamer megaexo crank using the FSA m3 adapter (with embedded steel bearings – link to fullspeedahead.com), or the 386 version (type s) with 30 mm using spacers to take up the extra spindle space?
classic would be cheaper, but I am wondering if there is any advantage of spending more for the 386 version (other than a little less weight).
Ray,
What PM would you recommend for using across multiple bikes?
Thanks.
To be clear, any brand, not just Stages.
Hang tight for next week’s (or so) Annual Power Meter guide.
Doesn’t that sort of depend on what your bike setup is? How easy are your cranks to remove and is your chain ring setup between bikes the same? Can you use the same wheel on each bike?
Yes, but I’ll cover some of those aspects in that post.
Garmin Vector is the best option
Not really.
I recently bought a Stages from Merlin – Ultegra for £399 – a reduction of 43% ..!!
Remind me again when we can expect your Fall 2015 Power Meter Buyers Guide? Can’t wait for a run down of what’s out there.
It’s typically the week after Interbike (or the week after that). I’m going to start working on it this weekend, so we’ll see how things shake out and if it’ll be done next week.
DC
I am on the cusp of purchasing the powertap P1 powermeter.
With all the price drops going on with crank arm and crank sets is this a wise decision. Primary reason for pedals vs anything else is the dual power of pedals and easily transferable.
Tx
Any and all price changes have been announced as of today. It’s possible you could still see some random Garmin Vector rebate sorta thing like they’ve done in years past, but I’d expect no further pricing changes this year by any players.
(Note, I still have a few power meter posts to post about over the next 24-48hrs – but pricing wise the only other notable one is Pioneer’s 1-leg option).
Tx DC
Do you have plans in updating your powermeter comparison chart?
Yes, I plan to as part of my post annual post. It’s part of what’s going to take a bunch of time.
Just got the Stages power meter two weeks ago. I hope Stages honor their customer by matching the current price and provide refund.
Oh no! Buying a power meter two weeks before Interbike! Never a good idea.
What about Sram GXP?
“You have been denied access to the Stages Cycling Online Store on the basis of your IP Address (81.146.52.94) and IP Address Country (United Kingdom).”
So no chance of importing direct from Stages at the reduced $$ price ..?!?!?
access denied here in Taiwan also
Love this trend of power meters dropping in price. I wonder what their margins have been in the past years and if they are cutting those or starting to use cheaper components to get the price down. If the later, then will be see quality, accuracy, and precision drop off?
Stages need to sort out their battery issues first and foremost. I recently returned mine and got my money back and I know of multiple people in the same boat.
That’s what the Eurobike-announced new case is all about. All units made from now forward on on the new casing, which claims to solve the battery issues.
I’m still keen to find out if the new Stages PM will allow me to use an Ultegra/Dura Ace rear brake down at the bottom bracket (2014 Trek Madone) as my current Stages PM doesn’t allow it due to clearance issues.
Doesn’t work for the Felt AR. The problem is the position of the battery on the crank arm, so the thinner portion of the new PM is not the answer for those brakes.
i have a Stages and a Power2Max. I understand this price point.
The Power2Max provides calculated Right/Left. And at these prices I’m very seriously considering waiting for the P2M Xmas sale and replacing my Stages.
On my bikes there’s no comparison in terms of stability. The Stages craps out and eats batteries like candy. I don’t get the ‘it just works’ factor that I need to be happy.
Stages pricing both understandable and head scratching. Bu let’s be clear the lower priced pending options seem to have serious drawbacks versus even what Stages is doing. Fun times.
Doesnt seem to be common knowledge or any form of change in EU, Ive emailed PowerMeter24 and got this response:-
Hello
this price drop actually only seems to affect the USD prices, at the moment we have no knowledge of further EUR price drops.
the new prices for RRP are available in the stages eu store.
this brings the prices generally inline with PM24s “reduced” sale prices.
Remember, Stages already announced the European price changes at Eurobike 19 days ago, as such, there’s no additional price changes. It’d be up to various retailers to implement those price changes, but most did it basically that same week.
That durianrider crazy guy lead me to your posts and updates. A lot of us out here including myself are glad you’re the main guy keeping us informed. When I saw your info about Precision having a product for $400, I was excited. Since Stages is my favorite (Team Sky and Craig Alexander are smiling), you can imagine how I felt to see your post about Stages prices dropping and confirming this on their website that my Ultegra 6800 crank went from $799 to $579.
This beginner triathlete is wondering now if I should have a pre Christmas present or belated one for the 2016 racing season. My wallet is feeling a little better :)
Still prefer my Power2Max
stages prices in UK are still more in £ than the U.S. Price in $ despite the favourable exchange rate. Can’t help but feel like you are being ripped off! P2M it is then!
…you do have to remember that since the units are made in the US, when imported into the UK they face an import charge there, which adds the cost. Whereas P2M is made within the EU, and there’s no EU to UK import charge (Duty).
I’ve noticed a sudden drying up of stock on the Dura Ace 7710 (track) model. Any sense on what’s going on? I now have a fancy crankset for my fixed gear bike but am loath to pay £799 (pounds sterling!!!) for the stages unit, especially when everyone had these on sale until about 5 minutes before I finally talked myself into going this route.
Ray, so, the new pod got sleeker in order to improve frame clearance issues – how much clearance is now needed? Their website still mentions 10mm. Is it too simple to say: 10mm -28% = 7.2mm?
I can’t remember off-hand exactly how much thinner, but I thought it was like 2-3mm. But yes main purpose was for clearance.
I can try tonight to remember to shoot over a quick note and get exact answer is interested.
2mm will work out great – thx!
Quando sarà effettivamente disponibile stages fsa 386 in Italia?
some how I got the concept
I really wanted to use the new Stages power meter on my RED BB30 crank-set. But unfortunately by whatever reason, Stages only offer it in 165,170,172.5 and 175mm option. Where is my 167.5mm :(