While there are power meters on the market with price ranges well into thousands of dollars, and with a bevy features and capabilities, generating, measuring and applying power data for use by most cyclists can be achieved with the left arm Stages unit. For example, the engineers found through thousands of miles of testing research that power differential between legs has no significant influence on ride data and its value as a training tool. The left arm measurement is taken and doubled for so-called total power. Stages's assumption of symmetry also gives major advantages over crank spider based torque measurements which are forced to add complex algorithms or geometries in order to filter out unwanted torque measurements coming from chain line and crank position.

Why measure power at all? Power gives you a clear representation of effort and output that is consistent. Knowledge of power data allows you to exploit your strengths, improve your weaknesses, and plan crucial recovery. It is true that there are cyclists, most at the highest levels of the sport, who can truly benefit from accurate individual leg and spin cycle measurement. Cyclists overcoming injuries may also find this highly useful, though physical therapists can assess such imbalances as well. The key for Stages is: power differential between legs has no significant influence on ride data and its value as a training tool.

It is crucial for accurate training and analysis that the meter be consistent to itself, that the rider can quickly and easily set Zero calibration at the start of every ride, and that temperature is always accounted for. As Stages constantly corrects for temperature, accuracy is much better over many of it's competitors (whose units don't auto correct, or do so with far less frequency) whenever there is a significant change in temperature during your ride. Temperature can seriously affect the strain gage systems used to measure power, to the point where a long climb in the mountains during which weather and temperatures can greatly fluctuate, uncorrected data is nearly worthless.

In this model, Stages bonds the actual power measurement pod onto a new Cannondale Si Power Meter left side crankarm. The location on the arm is crucial, as the arm and pod then tested and calibrated together to ensure that the strain gages and sensors are working optimally with the specific crank arm. The pod itself is made of an incredibly strong polycarbonate blend that is similar material to that used in bulletproof glass. Additionally, the Stages Power Meter is highly sealed against environmental conditions, and carries an IPX7 water resistance rating, which means it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for a maximum of 30 minutes.

It was crucial to Stages to make their power meter efficient, as well as keep their firmware updated. This version of the Stages Power Meter is their Gen3 pod, which is more streamlined than the original model (allowing for more crankarm and frame compatibility) and a much improved transmitter. The battery compartment and door were improved and strengthened. It is easy to change the battery, a coin-style, readily available CR2032 model. Each CR2032 delivers 200+ hours of power to the unit. The StagesPOWER App also keeps track of the battery level, so you can be prepared. Firmware is updated via this smartphone app as well. Stages regularly advances their firmware and app to reflect new features and updates. The app is user friendly and will become your best friend as you manage your power meter, allowing for direct updates to Training Peaks, Strava, Garmin Training Center and other cloud-based training systems.