The majority of modern mountain bikes use boost spacing. Bikes with boost spacing use 148 mm rear hubs and have 52 mm chainlines. Recently, some manufacturers have moved to what’s called super boost. On a super boost frame, you have 148 mm, and sometimes even wider 157 mm rear hubs and 55 mm – 56.5 mm chain lines. These super boost bikes require wider cranks to fit the wider chain lines.
Since super boost is still a relatively new standard, there aren’t a lot of options for it at the moment. It’s also to be determined how many manufacturers are going to embrace this new standard. However, there are a few power meters that fit super boost frames. As you review the options below, take note of what the resulting chainline is for each option. For example, some power meters give you a 55 mm chainline, whereas others might give you 56.5 mm. It’s important you go with a power meter that results in the correct chainline for your bike.
Super Boost Spider Power Meters
If you already have a super boost crankset on your bike…
A number of manufacturers make cranks with extra-long spindles to fit super boost frames. This includes SRAM, Race Face and e*thirteen, among potentially more. If you already have a super boost crankset on your bike, in many cases you can simply add a power2max power meter spider directly onto your existing crankset. power2max is one of our most popular MTB power meters. They are affordable, accurate and very reliable.
For example, if you have SRAM 3-bolt super boost cranks such as the XX1 Eagle DUB SL or GX Eagle DUB, you can install the power2max NGeco SRAM MTB Power Meter. (You would select the 1X Boost 104 BCD chainline version of this power meter to maintain your current super boost chainline.)
If you have Race Face super boost cranks such as the Next R, you can install the power2max NGeco Race Face MTB Power Meter. (You would select the 1X Boost 104 BCD chainline version of this power meter to maintain your current super boost chainline.)
Or, if you have e*thirteen super boost cranks such as the XCX, TRS and LG1, you can install the power2max NGeco e*thirteen MTB Power Meter. (You would select the 1X Super Boost 104 BCD chainline version of this power meter to maintain your current super boost chainline.)
power2max NGeco SRAM MTB Power Meter
Please note, these power meters require a 104 BCD 4-bolt chainring. If you don’t already have a 4-bolt chainring, we offer several different MTB chainrings for power2max.
Pros: Very reliable, measures both legs, don’t have to replace crankset
Cons: None
If you don’t have a super boost crankset on your bike…
If you need to install a new super boost crankset plus a power meter, these would be your best options.
Quarq SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB Power Meter Crankset
Quarq makes the XX1 Eagle DUB Power Meter. This is a spider-based power meter that measures power from both legs. When ordered with the Super Boost 55 MM chainline, it ships with the extra wide XX1 Eagle cranks and the resulting chainline is super boost 55 mm. Please note this crankset requires a SRAM DUB bottom bracket.
Please also note, if you already have the SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB 8-bolt 55 mm cranks on your bike, you can order just the power meter in the Boost 52 MM chainline (without new cranks) and bolt the power meter directly onto your existing 55 mm cranks and the resulting chainline will be 55 mm.
Quarq SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB Power Meter
power2max NGeco SRAM MTB Power Meter + SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB SL Crankset
As previously mentioned, power2max makes the power2max NGeco SRAM MTB Power Meter. When paired with the SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB SL Crankset in the Super Boost 55 MM version, your resulting chainline will be super boost 55 mm.
SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB SL Crankset
ROTOR INspider KAPIC MTB Power Meter Crankset
ROTOR also makes a spider-based power meter, the INspider. When paired with a ROTOR KAPIC Carbon MTB crankset and super boost spindle, the INspider MTB crankset will fit nicely on super boost frames with chainlines between 55 mm – 56.5 mm. Like the power meters above, the ROTOR INspider measures left and right leg power and it comes with carbon KAPIC crank arms.
ROTOR INspider KAPIC MTB Power Meter Crankset
Pros: Very reliable, measures both legs
Cons: Have to replace crankset
Power Meter Pedals
MTB power meter pedals can be installed on any MTB crankset. We have both the Garmin Rally XC and the SRM X-Power to choose from and they are available in both single- and dual-sided versions.
Pros: Easy to install, works on any bike, can move from bike to bike, don’t have to change crankset
Cons: None