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2024 Cycling Power Meter Trends and Key Insights banner image with cyclist sitting in a bike.

2024 Cycling Power Meter Trends and Key Insights

At Power Meter City, we carry close to 200 different power meters from all the top brands. This includes power meters for road, gravel, MTB and track. This level of inventory and selection makes us one of the largest power meter retailers in the world as well as affords us unique insights into the state of the power meter market. Therefore, we thought it would be fun and informative to look back over 2024 and summarize some key cycling power meter trends and insights. Below, we explore the top brands, power meters sold, provide our take on the latest trends in the industry and more! Let’s get started!

2024 Cycling Power Meter Trends and Key Insights banner image with cyclist sitting in a bike.

 

Power Meter Sales by Discipline

A blue, purple, green and yellow pie chart that breaks down Most Popular Disciplines of Power Meters.

To begin with, we wanted to look at power meter sales by discipline as it’s always interesting to see how the different disciplines are growing. Historically, road power meters have dominated the power meter market, garnering closer to 75% of sales. Consequently, the availability of road power meters outnumbers MTB by approximately 2 to 1.

Two silver, black and red Favero Assioma PRO MX-2 MTB Power Meter Pedals with one standing up and one laying down against a white background.

Favero Assioma PRO MX-2 MTB Power Meter Pedals

However, as you can see in the chart at left, road and MTB were quite even in 2024 at 44% and 45% respectively, with gravel and track rounding things out. This is quite a change from years past and we can attribute this almost single-handedly to the Favero Assioma PRO MX-2 and MX-1 power meter pedals.

These MTB pedals, introduced in February of 2024, quickly became one of the most popular power meters on the market. Favero has a long reputation of making quality power meter pedals and the PRO MXs were introduced to great fanfare and sales were strong from the start. Therefore, the Assioma PRO power meter pedals have helped mountain bike power meters dramatically increase in popularity and gain market share vs. road power meters.

The gravel power meter market has continued to grow as well. We believe this is largely due to the increase in gravel racing in the U.S. With high profile series like the Life Time Grand Prix, we expect gravel power meters to continue to grow in popularity.

*The gravel power meter category here only includes power meters that are designed specifically for gravel groupsets. It is important to note that some MTB pedals like the Favero Assioma PRO MX or road power meters like SRAM Force AXS power meter crank arms are often purchased in order to be used on gravel bikes, but these were not included in the gravel portion of this data.

1. Favero
2. SRAM/Quarq
3. Sigeyi
4. 4iiii
5. power2max

Favero comes in as our most popular power meter brand of 2024. This is not surprising. As previously mentioned, their PRO MX power meter pedals have been a smash hit, dominating the off-road market and we believe they are a great choice for many riders. Featuring Shimano SPD cleats, this is a true MTB-style pedal. It’s easy to install, can be moved between bikes and is +/- 1.0% accurate with its IAV Power Technology which is very reliable.

SRAM/Quarq came in as our second most popular. (For those not in the know, we group the brands together as SRAM owns Quarq.) Not only are these large, popular, well established power meter brands, but they have very diverse power meter offerings. They make road, gravel and MTB power meters. This includes single sided power meters as low as $220 (SRAM Apex AXS Power Meter Crank Arm) all the way up to dual-sided power meter cranksets costing $1,200 (SRAM RED E1 AXS Power Meter Crankset). All in, we carry 24 different SRAM and Quarq power meters. So it’s not totally surprising that SRAM/Quarq is towards the top of the list.

Sigeyi AXO SRAM MTB Power Meter - 104x4

Sigeyi AXO SRAM MTB Power Meter

In third place is Sigeyi with their spider-based AXO power meter. Sigeyi makes a reliable, accurate and affordable power meter. Dual-sided power for $380 is tough to beat. In addition, they make models for many different cranksets including SRAM 3-bolt, SRAM 8-bolt, Praxis, ROTOR, Easton, Race Face, Shimano, Cane Creek and more.

4iiii ranks fourth in popularity, largely due to sales of its left side power meter crank arms. While these power meters only measure left leg power, they have always been popular due to their relative affordability and ease of installation. We also note strong sales of their 4iiii PRECISION 3+ PRO Shimano DURA-ACE 9200 Dual-Sided Power Meter. In addition, with Stages ceasing operations this year, it’s not too surprising to see them break into our top 5.

Rounding out the list is power2max, with their numerous NG and NGeco power meter options. Like Sigeyi, power2max makes a spider-based power meter and they also offer models for many different cranksets including models for road, gravel, MTB and track bikes. We’ve always been huge fans of the p2m spider and they can usually be found on Power Meter City staff bikes. We do note that their base NGeco is about $100-200 more expensive (based on the model) than the Sigeyi, which is likely why they are a couple spots back, but still positioned nicely here at number five.

As previously mentioned, the Favero Assioma PRO power meter pedals have blown the competition out of the water this year. This was arguably one of the biggest power meter releases of the year. As can be seen in the rankings, the dual-sided MX-2 outsells the single-sided MX-1 by about 2-to-1.

Of all the Sigeyi models we sell, their AXO SRAM MTB 3-Bolt Power Meter took second on our list. While SRAM has recently moved to an 8-bolt interface, there are still a lot of MTBs out there with a 3-bolt crankset and customers know that for $380, they can add a nice, dual-sided power meter to those bikes.

The SRAM Rival AXS comes in at number four. This was a bit surprising to us and perhaps we didn’t realize how many Rival-equipped bikes are out there but at $263, it is also one of the most affordable power meter options.

SRAM Rival AXS Power Meter Crank Arm

SRAM Rival AXS Power Meter Crank Arm

Lastly, the 4iiii Precision 3+ Shimano GRX RX810 crank arm rounds out our list. With Shimano GRX continuing to grow in popularity, this is an affordable ($389.99) power meter for those cranksets. In addition, we note that it is compatible with all 11- and 12-speed Shimano GRX cranksets including GRX 600, 610, 810 and 820.

Top Power Meters By Discipline

A close up image of a cyclist clipping into a Favero Assioma power meter pedal.

Favero Assioma DUO Power Meter Pedals

There is a lot going on in this section so we’ll just make some high-level comments here.

Road – You will see here a couple of popular power meters already discussed in this article along with Favero’s road power meter pedals. While their new PRO MX pedals have been outperformers this year, the DUO (dual-sided for LOOK Keo cleats), UNO (single-sided for LOOK Keo cleats) and DUO-Shi (dual-sided for Shimano pedals) continue to sell very well.

Gravel – Topping the list is the 4iiii PRECISION 3+ Shimano GRX RX810 Power Meter as previously discussed. power2max also makes a wide range of gravel power meter cranksets featuring ROTOR crank arms that are very popular. You can also purchase the power2max gravel spider as a standalone unit assuming you already have the correct cranks.

MTB – Power meters one through three have already been discussed above as popular options. The SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission Power Meter Spindle Crankset is a $400 spindle-based power meter for 55 mm chainline frames that is very popular.

Track – power2max, similar to their gravel offerings, makes a wide range of popular spider-based track cranksets, so they take three spots on this top five list. XCADEY and SRM round out the list, also producing spider-based units.

*The gravel power meter category listed here only includes power meters that are designed specifically for gravel groupsets. It is important to note that some MTB pedals like the Favero Assioma PRO MX or road power meters like SRAM Force AXS power meter crank arms can be used on gravel bikes, but were not included in this specific list. 

Road

A blue, purple, green and yellow pie chart that breaks down Most Popular Types of Road Power Meters.

MTB

A blue, purple, green and yellow pie chart that breaks down Most Popular Types of MTB Power Meters.

On our website and for purposes of this article, we divide power meters into four different types: Pedals, Left Side Crank Arms, Standalone Spiders and Complete Cranksets.

On the road side of things, as you can see in the chart above on the left, it was relatively evenly divided between these four power meter types. Crank arms were the most popular power meter type that we offered in 2024 at 38%. These power meters are affordable and easy to install, making it a great selection for many riders wanting to upgrade their crankset. That said, we have seen more riders deciding to replace their entire crankset. Many riders use buying a new power meter as an opportunity to change crank length or select lighter components. This is why crankset type power meters come in 2nd at 23%.

Black 4iiii PRECISION 3+ Shimano R7000 Power Meter with Apple Find My logo.

4iiii PRECISION 3+ Shimano R7000 Power Meter

Spider-based power meters are a close third at 21%. Spiders are always a popular power meter type. They measure power from both legs, are relatively affordable with options starting at $329, are accurate and reliable. In addition, there are models to fit almost any crankset.

Power meter pedals came in at 4th with 18%. It’s a bit surprising to see pedals last here, even if it’s just by a few points, as they have always been very popular. They are the easiest to install power meter and the only one that is compatible with virtually every bike. We think one factor here could be the price. While the Favero Assioma UNO is $495 for example, the average price of a road power meter pedal is closer to $895 if you consider all the possible options. This is almost double or triple the cost of a crank arm or power meter spider.

With regards to MTB power meters in 2024, there were more clear-cut winners and losers. Spiders and pedals took 41% and 39% market share, respectively, with cranksets and crank arms at 14% and 6%, respectively. We think things shook out this way largely due to the fact there are simply not as many crankset and crank arm options for mountain bikes as there are for road bikes. So a contraction of those two categories leads to an obvious expansion of spiders and pedals sold for MTBs.

However, we will add that in terms of spider power meters for MTB, in addition to the other benefits these power meters provide (as previously discussed), they continue to be a great option for riders who are concerned about pedal strikes or harsh conditions that come with off-road riding. When it comes to pedals, sales of the Favero MX-1 and MX-2 are largely the reason for the 39% share.

Single- vs. Dual-Sided Power Meters

Road

A blue and orange pie chart that compares Single-Sided vs. Dual-Sided Road Power Meters.

MTB

A blue and orange pie chart that compares Single-Sided vs. Dual-Sided MTB Power Meters.

Before we get into the data here, let’s address how we’re defining these terms. For purposes of this article, a single-sided power meter is one that measures power from one leg only (usually the left). These power meters double the single leg power to approximate your total power output. We call dual-sided power meters those that measure power from both legs. These are usually spiders, dual-sided pedals or cranksets. Some power meters are able to not only measure the power from both legs, but they can also tell you how much power each leg is generating individually. This feature is often referred to as independent left/right power. But we’re not talking about that here. Rather we’re just comparing power meters that measure one leg vs. both. Whew…ok now onto the data.

The charts in this section are actually somewhat predictable based on the data from the Most Popular Power Meters by Type section, above. You see, all spiders and most cranksets and pedals are dual-sided and with those three categories representing 62% of all road power meters sold in 2024, you can assume that dual-sided power meters are going to outnumber single-sided power meters. So the 57% / 43% split here makes sense.

The same goes for MTB. Spiders, cranksets and pedals represented 94% of all MTB power meters sold in 2024, which is why the dual-sided MTB power meters outnumber single-sided by almost 2 to 1.

power2max NGeco ROTOR ALDHU Road Power Meter Crankset. 110 4-Bolt Shimano

power2max NGeco ROTOR ALDHU Road Power Meter Crankset

Most Affordable Power Meters

Even though power meters have come down in price a bit over the years, they can still remain a relatively expensive cycling upgrade. Therefore, we always like to call out the more affordable power meter options.

For road and MTB, SRAM makes some left side crank arms that top these lists for Apex, Rival and X0 cranksets. With this type of power meter, you remove your current left arm and install the new, power-equipped version. Of course, these only work if you already have these groupsets on your bike.

We would also highlight the XCADEY and Sigeyi power meter spiders priced at $329 and $380, respectively. Both of these companies make a wide range of power meter spiders for road, MTB and track cranksets, and these prices represent a significant discount to what other manufactures sell similar power meters for.

Most Expensive Power Meter

We pride ourselves on offering the largest selection of power meters. This means offering all types of power meters at various price points, including some that are indeed quite expensive. This year’s most expensive build award goes to the SRM PM9 Origin Road Carbon Power Meter at $2,699. Oh…and this excludes chainrings!

SRM has been making power meters since the late 80’s, making them the first business in the game. SRM power meters are some of the most precise and consistent power meters available. However, they are also some of the most expensive. The SRM PM9 Origin Road Carbon Power Meter is their flagship road power meter. This crankset features their latest PM9 spider, a LOOK carbon crank arm with Trilobe Technology as well as a titanium spindle.

To be fair, you can spec this crankset out in a number of different configurations and the one detailed above has the fanciest bits on it. However, if you were to downgrade the crank arms and spindle, the price falls $1,000, down to $1,599.00.

There are certainly a lot of great power meters for much less and when working with a customer, we usually suggest more affordable models. However, truth be told, we sell a fair amount of them, to the point where they can be hard to keep in stock at times!

A SRM PM9 carbon crankset with Carbon-Ti chainrings against a white background.

SRM PM9 Origin Road Carbon Power Meter

• Shorter Crank Arms

This is a 20 year trend that originally started in the triathlon community as shorter cranks can lead to a more aerodynamic position. This has most recently caught on in mountain biking and is slowly making its way into the road scene. Shorter cranks can reduce the amount of rock strikes that MTB riders experience and give riders on the road additional clearance to pedal through corners. Additionally, it can help open a rider’s hip angle. We are generally a fan of shorter cranks, but always recommend consulting with a bike fitter for the perfect length for you. 

• 1x Chainring Drivetrains

1x drivetrains are not just for mountain bikes anymore.  As cassettes have gotten larger, gravel and some road riders have opted to ditch the front derailleur completely. World Tour team Visma-Lease a Bike has been known to run 1x drivetrains and they continue to be at the front of races. 1x drivetrains give riders simplicity in shifting and saves weight without the need for 2 chainrings and a front derailleur. As they have become more popular, 1x chainrings have become available in an array of materials, shapes, styles and colors.

• Decrease In Troubleshooting

Power meters are better than ever. This may be frustrating to hear as customers can still experience issues with their power meters, but the technology and manufacturing is better than ever. The expanding variety of functions has not diminished quality. In fact, the competitive nature of the business has demanded that quality remain high. We’re happy to see fewer customers having issues with their power meters. 

• More Rechargeable Batteries

While there are still power meters that use a replaceable battery, it is becoming more popular for power meters to come with a rechargeable battery. For riders that stick to a single manufacturer for multiple power meters, it can be nice to only need one charge cord for multiple power meters. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• What Powers Meter Options Are There For Existing Cranksets?

As power meters have become more affordable, more riders are upgrading their drivetrains to include power meters. There are only a few cases in which there is no compatible option to upgrade a crankset. We often recommend our customers think about if they want a specific manufacturer, consider cost and what kind of power meter they are looking for. There is generally an option for everyone and manufacturer, price and power meter type are the best way to help narrow down the options.

• Should I Get A Dual-sided Or Single-Sided Power Meter?

This answer is often a decision a customer has to make based on price and data they are interested in. Dual-sided power meters are often more expensive, but do provide riders with additional information they can use for their training. Single-sided power meters are less expensive but will provide riders with less information.

• Should I Get A Crank-Based Or Pedal-Based Power Meter?

This is always a tricky one to answer without a deep dive into how a rider is going to use their power meter. For riders that often like to move power meters between different bikes, we always recommend pedals. This is the easiest type of power meter to swap back and forth. For gravel or MTB riders, we recommend considering the type of riding you’re doing. Is it rough and rocky? If so, pedal power meters are more exposed than crank-based power meters which can leave them vulnerable to damage. For roadies, are you married to the type of pedals you are currently using? If so, we recommend crank-based so you can keep your contact points happy. 

Josh Matthew

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