The Complete Power Meter Buying Guide: Crank-Based vs Pedal-Based vs Hub-Based Compared

Choosing equipment is a topic every cyclist has to face as they progress, and the power meter is arguably the single most important step in moving from casual riding to scientific training. The problem is that the power meter market is a mess of specs — crank-based, pedal-based, and hub-based systems all have their loyal fans. So how do you actually choose? In this article we break down the working principles, pros and cons, Taiwan pricing, and ideal users for all three types.

1. Why Install a Power Meter?

In one sentence: heart rate can lie, power cannot.

Heart rate fluctuates with sleep, caffeine, temperature, and stress, but power is the “real output” you’re actually pushing through the pedals. Once you have FTP (Functional Threshold Power) data, you can properly execute:

• Zone training (Z2 endurance, Z4 threshold, Z5 VO2max)
• Pacing management (climbing Wuling without blowing up)
• Training quantification (tracking TSS, IF, CTL)

Without a power meter, training is guesswork based on feel, and progress is slow.

2. How the Three Types of Power Meters Work

Crank-Based

• Examples: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-R9200P, Quarq DZero, Stages, Pioneer, 4iiii
• Principle: Strain gauges bonded inside the crank arm measure torque
• Subtypes: single-sided (left only), dual-sided, and spider-based

Pedal-Based

• Examples: Garmin Rally, Favero Assioma DUO, Wahoo POWRLINK Zero
• Principle: Strain gauges built into the pedal spindle directly measure pedaling force
• Advantage: Can be swapped between bikes at any time

Hub-Based

• Examples: PowerTap G3 (discontinued), Saris PowerTap (nearly extinct)
• Principle: A force-measuring unit embedded in the rear hub
• Current status: Almost entirely phased out, with under 3% market share

3. Comparison Table of the Three Types

Type	Taiwan Price Range	Accuracy	Battery	Difficulty Swapping Bikes	Dual-Sided Power	Recommendation
Crank-based (single-sided)	NT$ 8,000-15,000	±2%	CR2032 / lithium battery	Difficult	✗	Recommended for beginners
Crank-based (dual-sided)	NT$ 25,000-45,000	±1-1.5%	CR2032 / lithium battery	Difficult	✓	Top pick for advanced riders
Pedal-based	NT$ 18,000-38,000	±1%	USB rechargeable / CR2032	Extremely easy	✓	Recommended for riders with multiple bikes
Hub-based	Used market NT$ 6,000-12,000	±1.5%	Not recommended to buy new	Requires wheel swap	✗	Not recommended

4. Taiwan’s Five Most Popular Power Meters

1. Favero Assioma DUO (Pedal-Based)

• Taiwan price: approx. NT$ 28,000
• Italian brand, king of value for money, ±1% accuracy
• USB-C charging (new PRO MX version), up to 50 hours of use per charge
• Can be swapped between bikes anytime — one pedal set works for both road bike and trainer

2. Shimano Dura-Ace FC-R9200P (Crank-Based, Dual-Sided)

• Taiwan price: approx. NT$ 55,000
• Integrates perfectly with Shimano’s top-tier groupset
• Cleanest appearance, no bolt-on look
• Drawbacks: expensive, and troublesome to swap between bikes

3. 4iiii Precision 3+ (Crank-Based, Single-Sided)

• Taiwan price: approx. NT$ 12,000 (including 105 crank)
• First choice for entry-level riders — left-side power is bonded directly onto the crank
• Long battery life (CR2032 lasts up to 800 hours)

4. Quarq DZero (Crank-Based, Spider)

• Taiwan price: approx. NT$ 35,000
• Part of the SRAM family, integrates well with Red / Force groupsets
• Spider-based measurement, stable accuracy

5. Garmin Rally RS200 (Pedal-Based)

• Taiwan price: approx. NT$ 38,000
• Cleat plates can be swapped between Shimano SPD-SL or Look Keo
• Integrates perfectly with Garmin Edge computers

5. Buying Decision Tree

Q1: Do you only own one road bike?

• Yes: Prioritize a crank-based system (it wins on price, appearance, and aerodynamics)
• No (road + time trial + gravel): Choose pedal-based — it saves money and is more convenient

Q2: What’s your budget?

• Around NT$ 10,000: 4iiii single-sided (good enough — single-sided power doubled via algorithm carries a ±3% error, but that’s acceptable)
• Around NT$ 30,000: Favero Assioma DUO (Taiwan’s most popular choice)
• NT$ 50,000+: Dura-Ace FC-R9200P or Quarq DZero

Q3: Do you have a pedaling imbalance?

• Left-right power difference over 10%: You definitely need dual-sided power
• Difference within 5%: Single-sided is sufficient

6. Buying Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Don’t buy a used hub-based power meter: These are discontinued by the manufacturer — once the battery or hub spindle fails, there’s no fix
2. Confirm BCD and crank length: Crank-based power meters must match your bottom bracket specification
3. Set aside time for calibration: Perform a zero-offset calibration before every ride, or the error can reach ±5%
4. Turn on temperature compensation: Taiwan has large seasonal temperature swings, and a power meter without temperature compensation will drift in winter
5. Support both ANT+ and BLE protocols: Needed to connect simultaneously to your bike computer, Zwift, and your phone

7. Where to Buy in Taiwan

• Favero, 4iiii: Bikeshop resellers, momo, Shopee (verify official authorized distributors)
• Shimano Dura-Ace: Order through bike shops — some dealers have demo units available to try
• Garmin Rally: Official Garmin channels, Sunny (全國電子), occasional Costco deals
• Quarq: SRAM’s Taiwan distributor (Yun Da Enterprise)

Conclusion: Start by “Having a Power Meter”

Differences in accuracy and brand between power meters only become noticeable once your FTP exceeds 300W. For 90% of cyclists in Taiwan, just get yourself a power meter first — that matters far more than agonizing over ±1% vs ±2% accuracy. Beginners are advised to start with the 4iiii or Favero, and upgrade later after a year of training if you feel you need to.

One final reminder: a power meter is just a tool. What actually makes you stronger is the discipline of “reviewing your data every week, reviewing your training every month.” Buying one and not using it is worse than not buying one at all.

Related Reading

• Power Meter Buying Guide: Accuracy and Convenience of Hub-Based vs Pedal-Based vs Crank-Based
• Power Meter Buying Guide: Comparing Pedal, Crank, and Hub Options
• Power Meter Buying Guide: Accuracy and Cost Comparison of Pedal-Based vs Crank-Based vs Hub-Based
• Power Meter Buying Guide: A Comprehensive Comparison of Pedal-Based, Crank-Based, and Hub-Based Systems