power2max SRAM vs. Quarq XX1 MTB Power Meter

The power2max NGeco SRAM MTB Power Meter and the Quarq SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB Power Meter are two of our best-selling MTB power meters. They are wonderfully accurate and reliable power meter spiders. However, we find that customers are often trying to figure out which option would be best for them. Below, you can see the similarities as well as the differences…with the main one being crankset compatibility.

Similarities

Power Measurement: Both power meters are spider-based. That means, they measure power at the crank spider and are therefore able to measure power from both legs.

Chainline Spacing: Both the power2max SRAM MTB and Quarq XX1 MTB Power Meter can fit standard, boost and super boost bikes.

Chainrings: Both power meters use a standard 104 BCD 4-bolt interface and require the use of such a 104 BCD chainring. You can run round or oval chainrings on these power meters.

Batteries: Both power meters use coin-cell batteries. The power2max uses a CR2450 and gets around 300-400 hours, whereas the Quarq uses a slightly more common CR2032 battery and gets around 200 hours.

Communication Protocol: Both are ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible, which is standard for pretty much every power meter.

Calibration: Both have auto-zero functionally, which eliminates the need for manual zero-offsets.

Warranty: Both units come with a 2-year warranty.

 

Differences

Price: The power2max NGeco SRAM MTB Power Meter is $590 in Boost configuration, whereas the Quarq SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB Power Meter is $645.

Left/Right Power Balance: Both power meters can provide power balance data, however the Quarq comes with this feature activated, whereas the power2max requires a (50 euro) upgrade in order to unlock this functionality. For most customers, we don’t recommend paying for this upgrade, and this feature isn’t of great importance.

Crankset Compatibility: We saved the big one for last. Compatibility is really how these two power meters differ. The power2max NGeco SRAM MTB Power Meter is compatible with SRAM 3-bolt cranksets, whereas the Quarq SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB Power Meter is compatible with SRAM 8-bolt cranksets. So let’s break this down…

New bikes are spec’d with SRAM cranks one of two ways:

(1) SRAM 3-bolt crankset with a standard direct mount chainring (what we see 99% of the time)

(2) SRAM 8-bolt crankset with a XX1 power meter (on a select few bikes)

Therefore, if you have a SRAM MTB crankset on your bike and assuming it does not have a power meter on it, by default you have a 3-bolt crankset. (By all means, please send us an image of your crankset if you have any doubt and we are happy to confirm!)

 

Power Meter Options for SRAM 3-Bolt Cranks

So this leaves you with two options for your SRAM 3-bolt MTB crankset:

(1) Buy and install the power2max which will fit your current cranks. $590

(2) Buy and install the Quarq XX1 along with a new set of 8-bolt cranks to fit the power meter: $645 (power meter) + $410 (cranks) = $1,055

As you can see, the addition of the 8-bolt cranks adds a lot of money to option #2. This is why, most of our customers go with the power2max. In addition to being a fantastic power meter, it’s a much more affordable option as you can keep your current cranks. However, if you have your heart set on the Quarq, that is great too. It’s just a bit pricier as you have to add new cranks.