Stages Power Meter Review ~ A Journey Through Cycling

Whats in the Box? What you need?

Sram Rival Crank Arm

This is my review of my Stages Power meter, my first power meter that I have ever used. I have currently had this power meter for about 4 months and have truly enjoyed using it every day. Throughout my 4 months of using my Stages i have only come across 2 issues that have now been resolved. The first issue that I had with my power meter is that it was having problems staying connected to my Garmin while riding in an area with a large amount of wireless routers, but after the recent firmware update I have not had an issue with that due to the update.

Connective Issues

The other problem that I had was a small plastic piece cracking off where the battery is held in. This caused a plethora of issues with my wattage and connective issues, but after a short phone call to Stages. I had a brand new power meter the next day and ever since then I have not had any other issues.

Crack in case in the upper corner

I know for a fact that this power meter is doing me nothing but good, and there are results to show that as well. A local cat 3 climb called Chimpmunk Ridge is one of the hardest climbs around, and I was never close to being able to get the best time of that climb. I knew that with my power meter I had a shot at taking the KOM on the climb so I set out that day and took the KOM by almost a minute on a 6 min climb with even slowing down at the end of the climb. That was also they day where I set my 5 min record of 6.12 w/kg. The time before that when I had gone up that climb I was almost a minute and a half slower. This spring when I begin to work on 5- 10 min intervals I plan to take another couple of KOM's from the surrounding area to show that training with power really does make a big difference while on your bike, and I hope that this review helps you see that.

Overall this is a great power meter and would defiantly buy from this company again! Yes, I may have had some minor issues but due to the great customer service at Stages I was able to get them resolved and was back to training again. Many people ask the question of with the power meter only taking number from one leg is their a difference in numbers, and from what I have saw their is a minimal difference in numbers, but what really matters is that your numbers are consistent so that you can continue to train at the same level. Ever since I have gotten this power meter I have only seen my results go up not only by over 10% in wattage but in placing as well. So if your looking to enhance your training and get better results you should head over to Stages Power and get your self a crank arm!
I would also like to add that Team Sky has now signed with Stages Power and will be using their power meters for the 2014 Season showing that Stages is truly a company that knows what they are doing!