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In this latest edition of our Power Meter series, Karl Etzel from Silicon Valley Cycling Center spends some time showing us the software that comes with the various power meters. Up this time is the PPolar Pro Trainer, which comes bundled with Polar CS600 we showed off earlier in the series.

Alex from Silicon Valley Cycling Center continues our series of intros to power meters by giving a brief introduction, the Polar CS600 with Power and heart rate.

The CS600 measure power by using the Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. direct from the chain, unlike other models that use the crank or hub. This precision system combines measures from two key factors: chain tension, (using a sensor on the chain stay) and chain speed (using a sensor on the rear pulley.) The polar is not only the lightest power meter in the series on your wallet, but it’s also the lightest system on your bike, at a measly 275 grams for the whole system installed. The system retails for $710.

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Karl from Silicon Valley Cycling Center continues our series of intros to power meters by giving his next brief introduction, the CycleOps PowerTap SL 2.4.

The PowerTap measures torque and rotational velocity much like the SRM Powermeter, only it does it wirelessly from the rear hub. Because it’s wireless it presents a very clean and easy installation. The hub unit also determines your cadence by looking at the fluctuation in power levels and calculates the cadence. A speed/cadence sensor is available from Saris for the chain stay that will measure it more accurately via a magnet on the crank. Pricing for the wireless unit is about $1500 MSRP. Saris does offer a wired version that retails for $900.

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Karl and Alex from Silicon Valley Cycling Center give a brief introduction to the three most popular power meters on the market. In Part 1, Karl goes over the pro peleton favorite SRM PowerMeter.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where Karl will be going over the features and benefits of the CycleOps PowerTap 2.4SL!