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Dyno Velo’s new Power Meter Retrofits in Existing Hollow Crank Spindles

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The engineers at Dyno Velo have just announced a new power meter together with ANT Wireless, the folks behind the ANT+ communication protocol. The new device is unique in being the first direct-measurement, friction-mounted power meter that fits inside the spindle of a standard crankset. The Dyno Velo Power Meter employs a very simple design that needs only a single extremely accurate strain gauge to calculate the power applied to a crank spindle by measuring its twist.

Hop past the break for more info, an illustrative video, and another way to look at collecting power data…

The entirety of the power meter fits inside the spindle, including a rechargeable 20hr Li-ion battery , with a small communication cap that for example on Shimano cranks replaces the plastic preload cap once the cranks are installed. The Dyno Velo Power Meter uses a gyrometer (gyroscope) to measure cadence or better rotation (angular velocity) in order to calculate and output power data. The communication cap allows the power meter to be connected by USB to a computer for configuration as well as charging.

dyno-velo_crank-spindle-power-meter_connector dyno-velo_crank-spindle-power-meter_connection

Designed to be simple to install and setup by amateur mechanics, it also claims to be the first power meter to be completely field calibrated for force calibration and temperature. It comes with easy to use software and needs just one simple weight to calibrate it with the cranks in the 6 and 12 o’clock position. Dyno Velo choose an ANT+ profile as the easiest to use to ensure that it could be dropped in to the widest range of existing bikes and cycling computers.

dyno-velo_crank-spindle-power-meter_electronics dyno-velo_crank-spindle-power-meter_intsall

Not much more is yet known about the Dyno Velo Power Meter, but that it fits in cranks from Shimano, FSA, SRAM, and some Campagnolo, while also able to be removed and installed in another crankset just with a new one-time calibration. So far it isn’t ready for consumers, but Dyno Velo have a lot of the power meters on the road in Alpha testing, and were at Interbike this week setting out feelers. We’ll update as soon as we know more.

DynoVelo.com

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Eric Schiller
Eric Schiller
8 years ago

Interesting tech, but a 20 hour battery? Way too low when other meters last for 100-300 hours.

MaraudingWalrus
8 years ago

20Hr battery isn’t that bad, really. I know I could live with that.
Especially not that bad for a product in alpha testing.

sspiff
sspiff
8 years ago

I have wondered why no one has done this for awhile. To me it seems like the most elegant solution, especially for those of use who use several bikes throughout the year (road, mtb, cx) and don’t want to shell out for several meters. Hope it goes well for them!!

Patrick
Patrick
8 years ago

I’ve only ridden my bike for 7 hours at most, so this will work perfectly for me. Too bad for those that ride +20 hours…

Corey
Corey
8 years ago

Right leg forces aren’t transferred through the spindle, so this is yet another left legged power meter…

Birdman
Birdman
8 years ago

Ashton Instruments is also doing the left only spindle powermeter, but none of them are market ready yet.

I love all these power meter wars that have totally different concept from each other and are all competing in price. RELEASE TO MARKET ALREADY and get the price war going!

Blacklab
Blacklab
8 years ago

It’s a rechargeable battery…lasts as long as your edge 500 battery charge.

myke
myke
8 years ago

Seems like a cool idea. i really hope they revise the battery life. I like the power wars but i would like to see companies shift away from their customers being the beta testers. Enough with that non-sense! don’t tell anyone until your product is ready for release.

Cheese
Cheese
8 years ago

Why would they create a connector adapter instead of just putting a micro USB port on the meter itself?

Tim
Tim
8 years ago

I like this option a lot. I’ll wait till it hits the market

Tom
Tom
8 years ago

I’m waiting for an insole power meter, but this looks pretty cool.

Price will determine. One of these startups is going to get it just right, and a few years later, you’ll be able to add that power meter to your Garmin bundle for $100.

JG Ablation
JG Ablation
8 years ago

The micro usb is on this unit. It connects direct to charge without hassle. Whoever commented about 20 hrs???? This charges like your cell phone. So apple and samsung have it wrong? I cannot stand changing batteries. Never have one when needed. Ive got thousands of cords for my phone. Good it is being tested…let someone else deal with the problems.

Kobe
Kobe
8 years ago

How do you set the correct bearing pretension on a Shimano crank? Unlike Sram and bb30 it’s actually kind of important as it puts it snug ensuring no lateral wiggle. Otherwise creaky BB.

The number of improperly tighten Shimano cranks I’ve seen would make me cringe at adding one more thing.

Daniel
Daniel
8 years ago

@Kobe – I assume you preload with the standard Shimano piece first, then after to have tighten the clamp bolts, you remove the Shimano piece and insert the power meter.

With a threaded Shimano system, you shouldn’t have to do this all too often. Might suck for the lazier users with pressfit systems as they’ll have to do it more often, but it should only add a couple minutes extra at most.

Steve
Steve
8 years ago

I’ve been an alpha and beta tester for the Dyno for almost two years now and I’d like to address a couple issues that have been brought up. First is the 20hr battery. What I do is charge it at the same time I’m charging my Garmin so I’ve never really had a problem there. Since it uses a micro usb I can use my iFrogz charger that I keep in my car for those times I’m away from home. With regard to Shimano crank bearing pretension I never had a problem getting it right just by feel. For the first year I was switching cranks between two of my bikes on a weekly basis and it was fairly easy to snug it up just right. Remember that even with the Shimano screw in cap you can be off if you haven’t ensured both cranks are pushed in all the way. Of course I always use a torque wrench on the crank bolts and checked for wobble before I rode. 95% of my test riding was on Mt Diablo so I would have noticed anything amiss quite quickly. If someone is hesitant to do it themselves, then there’s always the option of your LBS or a mechanically inclined friend.

myke
myke
8 years ago

@Tom there is already a power insole. The cost i think was around $700!

Cheese
Cheese
8 years ago

That’s not a micro USB port (shown in the first picture), JG

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