Shimano Dura-Ace Power Meter Review - Accurate But Flawed
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- The long awaited FC-R9100-P is Shimano's first power meter, and although it is accurate overall, it's fundamentally flawed as a left-right power measuring device.
US Editor in Chief, Ben Delaney has been using power meters for 15 years, so if anyone is well placed to deliver a verdict, it's him.
It's good to see you practicing sound computer safety. Always wear your helmet while computing.
That's a well researched, informative review - much appreciated! Also, it's very surprising product at this level can be this flawed.
There is one dislike at the moment, I assume it's from Shimano.
Thanks for the honesty
have you heard anything about whether there is a firmware on the way that solves the right left balance?
Riding with 3 head units doesn't make you a nerd, but wearing your cycling kit and helmet while on the laptop does. 🤓
Thank you for this review! Very few people are thorough and honest. Thanks for being trustworthy!
I'm a little peeved how companies are releasing products that are still flawed at full pricing, using their customers as beta testers. I mean, most companies iron out their products within the next year or so, but this is power meters we're talking about. They're not cheap, they should be anything but flawed at release.
try releasing a power meter that you can't update unless you have an android phone...Power2Max's new NG ECO/FSA PowerBox has been out since September or October and still doesn't have the IOS app..they simply say "coming in 2018" with no idea when this year, luckily i have both so i could update it to find out i also had a defective unit...
TheNerdyCanadian I have a PowerBox too. I had a problem with low battery warnings and losing data. What sort of problems did your experience? There's very little discussion online about this power meter.
when i got it, the issue i had was that the app was reading the battery as 0% so it wouldn't let me update even though it was at 2.9V. after a few weeks of troubleshooting they realized it was a hardware issue so i sent it in and they replaced the spider. the main reason you don't see much about it is because the hardware is identical to the NG ECO, just mounted to different cranks and costs 25% more for some unknown reason. so look up NG ECO problems and you might find a solution
Thanks for the Video. I been using this power meter for more than a week now and I didn’t see this problem at all. Total numbers are precise and the balance between legs the same I had whit my old quarq dzero, even more accurate. Whit the quarq was normally 52/48 in hard sessions and 51/49 in quiet session, in stead, whit the dura ace I usually have 51,4/48,6 or 50,5/49,5...so, more precise numbers.
May be the firmware is newer than the one you been using during the test and Shimano fix this problem.
Completely happy whit the dura ace and totally recomendable. Just the magnet look a bit ugly but...you can’t see if you don’t know that is there.
A really good, honest review. It will be interesting to hear what Shimano have to say with regards to the left right offset.
I think you said it wrong guys. The power meter is precise, but not accurate. It should return correct values to be accurate, which it doesn't. But it, indeed, always return the same values. So it's precise.
Felipe Rodrigues I think he meant the total number was accurate.
I am not sure if I agree totally as I was tested on a Cyber machine which showed a weaker left quad to my right quad and a stronger left hamstring to my right hamstring. So a slight mismatch on the power output. On the Neostrack computer I run the left / right balance live while focusing on my routines given to me by my Biokineticist and it actual comes out to the feel that I am putting in. When I first started with the power meter I was riding at 52.6/47.4, 6 weeks down the line I am now sitting at 50.4/49.6 and a lot more comfortable cadence. Bike I'm riding is the new Giant Propel, upgrade from my last Propel. At the end of April I am going to be tested on the Cyber machine again to see if I have managed to bring the groups of muscle closer in relation to each other.
I couldn’t wait for Shimano after the numerous delays in shipping so I went with pioneer. I think that was the right decision.
For Left/Right power yes. the Shimano only uses one strain gauge not two like the Pioneer. Good choice bro.
Hi,
How is your experience with Pioneer so far?, are you using the latest model SBT-PM9100C
? and how did you managed the readings with the head unit as far as i know not all of the readings can be read by Garmin or other devices?
Did you consider the Garmins to be wrong? Quite a few a having issues with them - including myself. And A/B testing the Vector vs Assioma - the Vectors are wrong I'd say...!
good honest review - keep it up
Well, I was considering Shimano Dura Ace power-sensing pedals since my new Vector3s that I bought 3 weeks ago aren't working. (The "Right Pedal Sensor Missing" syndrome). I still have money back guarantee time from my Garmin Vector dealer and am totally indecisive about what to do. Was ready to pay the additional $500 for Shimano; but not if they're flawed . . . and it appears that they are.
The Dura-Ace power meter is my first plunge into power meters. Either my legs are coincidentally different in a manner that aligns to the power meter "flaw" or mine doesn't have the issue (at least to the same magnitude). The only other power meter I have is in my Kickr, so I don't have any way of performing an analytical comparison - though I suppose I could "one leg it" and compare each crank to the gross value coming from the Kickr. The Dura-Ace power meter came standard on my new TCR, so I didn't really dig into power meter functionality until recently and yes I'm disappointed that I'm not getting the data for the crank rotation ... surely this is something a firmware upgrade could offer down the track (I hope). I also hope I don't suffer an outcome where I end up with legs as different os Roger Federer's arms! :O
Kevin Punter have you done any single leg drills? Does this imbalance still exist?
Sorry, haven't found the time.
Update your firmware from e tube application and you will be fine. the latest version is 4.0.7 and you have to set up zero offset calibration . When you calibrate successfully you must get the number 5050.i had the same issue.when I was calibrating I was getting the number 2500 which is wrong even it was telling me that i had calibrated successful.
Christoforos Stefanou have you done any single leg drills to verify shimano fixed this problem? I really want this to be my 1st power meter.
That's why we should don't buy the 1st generation electronic gears.
That is disappointing from a company like Shimano. For that price point getting the left-right balance wrong is a deal breaker. It's the kind of thing you would expect from a start-up.
"Buttermilk cinnamon..." bookmark! Don't tease us! :)
me too ! My R-9100P reads always 55-45 left right ! me toooo
Peter C did Shimano ever fix this with an update? I would like to get this as my first power meter, but not it's it's still flawed.
Alfonso DeLuca I’ve updated the pm but it still is off - same left right balance ... the total number is perfect tho - I run the power meter with my Garmin when I run my neosmart to zwift and after one hour the two power meters are always within 1w of each other - so I’m very confident and happy with dura ace power meter - I never cared about l r balance cause it’s pretty much useless info anyway - if I were 45 55 I’m not going to the gym to work out one leg and leave ... also who says 50 50 is right, or right for you or me ? Never cared about l r just surprised shimano couldn’t get it right - otherwise the dura ace pm is best on market - love how it hold charge easy to calibrate uses a magnet for more precise cadence measures - top !
Peter C maybe I'll get them after all
Excellent journalism.
Maybe it's accurate because the crank arms are different in thickness which can lead to better power transfer on the right. :O
As long as its consistently off, say 1 is over-reading by 10% and the other is under reading my the same amount, it should be quite an easy firmware fix just to use a multiplier to even them out.
This is the flaw in L/R independent strain gauge circuits. You never know if the offset or gain of each circuit is the same, or drifts by the same amount. This is the reason spider type power meters will always be king. Sensing L/R off the same set of gauges.
There is only one strain gauge in the Shimano unit. It uses software to split the power data.
I have the same issue with this powermeter. Like a fool I've been training and training my right leg to bring it up to numbers with my left. I was already suspicious because my right leg is stronger and better coordinated. This is very dangerous for customers who rely on this data to improve their physiological flaws and general performance. I am very upset with shimano for falsyfying accuracy and accepting money for it
Did you actually uploaded the new firmware to the crank or just tested another unit (possibly with the old firmware as well)? If yes, what is the procedure for the firmware upgrade? Thanks.
Awesome video. Really good info
I'm wondering, when watching the video, I saw that the strain gauge on the right side is installed up by the spyder, whereas the gauge installed on the left side is installed near the pedal. Could this be affecting the readings? Speaking from a leverage standpoint, the crank arm is going to flex more the farther away from the pivot point it gets. Just wondering.
^ has one leg bigger that the other
Maybe it reacts to the power that your legs produce...if your right leg is stronger our your right handed it will show up as such.
I am surprised you have not had any issues with the Garmin Vector 3 pedals. I have had so many issues. I was sent a replacement pair and they sent me a defective pair. Have you had no issues?
Could the torque of the pinch bolts be affecting the left right balance? Has the torque wrench been calibrated recently?
It's not the first time that Shimano release very expensive electronic goods for what they have to offer. Remember the very expensive DURA-ACE SC-7900 Flight Deck cycle computer. The quality and features to price ratio was so bad that it was never released in North America.
Were power meter cranks tested on other bikes? Maybe cause of difference was bike specific?
wich power meter unit then show a bit more data? like how much wats u produce in full 12 clok crank turn and in wich parts you are stronger and weaker?
Using a computer is dangerous, always use a helmet. 😂
I ordered a emonda slr 8 in December (Japan) and I opted with this new shimano powermeter, but the bike already arrived everything is just done then the powermeter will be only available around May to July...
Ohhhhh... I wanna ride on my new bike and have to wait more two months...
So I put this aside....
Is there anyway to calibrate each crank by hanging weights at horizontal?
Is the Quarq Dfour91 a better option then the Shimano R9100-P?
If there is no perfect way to test it, how is it that you can support your findings? The left right balance should be off, even as a pro racer each leg can be favored because of fatigue and terrain.
cool video thanks guys!
Will you be doing an in-depth Vector 3 review?
If it is the only problem, that s not that Bad. Two cranks broken in 4 years and Shimano do nothing...
Thanks for reminding me to purchase an ale long sleeved jersey Bikeradar :)
This is a different power meter to the dual sided stages crank power meter?
I was going to give a thumbs up, but that would push that to 667.
i bought a vector 3 two changes and never work, worst mistake ever, i'm asking fo a refound, worry to hear that the vector 3 are better that shimano sura ace power meter
good info, thank u
Someone know if the problem is already fixed?
I cannot afford anything that's is dura-ace but I still watching. Haha
Does Bikeradar have a review of the vector 3?
true left / right is possible only on pedal power meter.
What software are you using for your analysis?
I am about to buy a power meter. Can you update this review ? If it is still the same, I will not buy the Shimano. Thanks
with the l/r balance as long as it is consistent with every ride it isnt too bad if it differs each ride then it is a problem
I was under the impression the Shimano FC-R9100-P is a left/right power meter. but its not. In a LBS in Japan asking why the Pioneer power meter is more expensive than the Shimano, he said the Shimano only has one strain gauge. It only has a strain-gauge on the left (I guess) then uses software to split the difference. Poor show Shimano.
how many watts do you lose with 3 units on the handlebar, bikeradar does science........
I'm sure firmware could fix it?
Quale software è usato?
close pass at 1:40 didnt even budge.
Close-ish. I think the shadow and the slight fisheye lense make it look much closer than it actually is.
Will BikeRadar ever sell their kits?
Only the Dura-Ace cranksets come with the power meter
I need this bike .. I want this bike and E bike
because bike radar blows stages..
First