Today’s QT comes from Coach Rick Schultz, who, as an accomplished bike fitter, coach and product reviewer, keeps tabs on the various power meters on the market. He’s lately noticed a glut of some second-hand units. Here’s what he writes:
Lots of sub-$300 Stages power meters are showing up in many different ‘For Sale’ classifieds. (Stages power meters are thin, small units permanently glued to the inside of the left crank arm. You buy the entire crank arm when you buy a Stages power meter.)
Most of these non-drive side crank arms are Shimano 10-speed crank arms – such as Ultegra 6700 and Dura Ace 7900.
I am guessing that these sellers are buying new bikes or new groupsets and think they need to match the crankarms on their new bikes.
That’s really not not the case – but it makes for a very low-cost entry into the realm of power meters for anyone who might want to take advantage of these still perfectly fine power meters.
The only requirement is that the crankarm lengths should be the same as what you currently have. For example, you can run a Stages 6700 left crankarm on a 6800 crank. You can even run a 6700 crankarm on a 9000 or even a 9100 crank.
So, if you are thinking about getting a cost-effective power meter solution, consider this great option.
If you have an idea for a QT, fire away. We’re always looking for good info we can share with fellow roadies. We would love to hear from you with any suggestions you have. Contact us by clicking Quick Tips Ideas.
—John Marsh & The RBR Team
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