Power2max Vs Quarq

[JEA1K]

Anyone had experience of either (positive or negative) to help me with my decision? Both look like tried, tested and established PM manufacturers so I'm sure one of these will provide me with the data I need. Not looking at comparative PM's as I have discounted Stages/PowertapP2/C1/Garmin Vector etc.

Currently considering the Riken AL for my training bike or the P2M Type S.

TIA

[E65Ross]

Been using a p2m for about 3 months now.... Been very reliable, can't fault it really! Definitely recommend it.

[fromage]

I have had both and prefer the Quarq slightly due to the following reasons:

You can't turn off 'auto-zero' on the P2M which is fine 95% of the time but had a few times mid race when it auto-zero'd/calibrated when I had stopped pedaling but had some torque applied it then read very low until the next time it zero'd.

If you run multiple powermeters Quarq is the best as you can calibrate them with a known weight to ensure the power readings are correct and match your other powermeter (if its correctly calibrated). Whereas with a P2M you can check the calibration but can't actually change it so it may be reading low or high from the factory which is not really an issue unless you have a second powermeter that you use.

[stongle]

I have Quarq Elsa's on 2 of my bikes. No experience of P2MAX. Seem very consistent, only issue I've had is once or twice the Garmin connectivity dropped at café stops.

[broster]

Another P2M user here, only been using it about 2 months. however i find it good, no issues to report, power figures seem consistent too.

[okgo]

I quite like the fact you can use Qalvin to update firmware and mess about with the settings of qaurq should you want to (such as adjusting slope like fromage mentions). But they both get good reviews and I know many people with both without any real issues.

[neenaw]

I've used a couple of different PM's now including the Quarq Riken and I think it's a great bit of kit. It's been so reliable that it really is fit and forget.
I've had mine fitted to my winter/CX bike and it's been used in all kinds of conditions and never missed a beat. Really impressed with it.

In comparison I've also got a Rotor fitted to the MTB which is also pretty good but I've not used it long-term yet to say how reliable it's been. I've also currently got some P1 pedals on the road bike but I'm always a little wary about them getting damaged in an off so they're going to be going soon.

For me, if I could of, I'd have had Quarqs on both bikes but they are a bit spends for the MTB units.

[JEA1K]

Thanks guys, comments are appreciated. Considering the above comments about using two PM's ... Riken AL for the training bike and may possibly look at the Elsa RS for the race bike so if I have two, the Quarq may prove as a better training tool. I'd probably move the Riken AL to the winter bike so reliability in all weathers is going to be a factor.

[neenaw]

JEA1K said:

Thanks guys, comments are appreciated. Considering the above comments about using two PM's ... Riken AL for the training bike and may possibly look at the Elsa RS for the race bike so if I have two, the Quarq may prove as a better training tool. I'd probably move the Riken AL to the winter bike so reliability in all weathers is going to be a factor.

From my experience this winter, the Riken was 100% reliable. Amazing battery life too.

[HelenT]

Had a Power2Max for 18 months now, been very reliable with a decent battery life, temperature compensation seems to work well.
I have the odd issue on the turbo doing intervals where the calibration wanders off but on the road has been a really good bit of kit.

[anthonysjb]

I have a Quarq Riken, so do friends and some other friends have a P2M. Honestly I'd just go for whichever you can get for the best deal, personally went for Quarq as I got it for a good price, and prefer the chainset aesthetically to P2M. Also better if planning to get another one due to being able to set weights, and I've heard great things about Quarq service!

[mikecassie]

I've one of each, quarq on the Enigma, P2M on the Cannondale. I have a Quarq Riken now which was a replacement for an earlier 4/5 year old Quarq PM. When the 1st Quarq failed I had to send it to Quarq in the US, they were very good and had a deal where the replacement was about $200 cheaper than listed. IIRC $550 or thereabouts plus shipping and I kept my orginal crank arms and chainrings. I'd just replaced the chainrings as I noticed they'd worn and initially wondered if I'd done something to the PM during this change.

After doing the maths for exchange rates I opted to replace like with like. But when I got it shipped back I was charged with £95 ish for customs etc. If I'd known about that extra wee charge I'd have probably went for a P2M same as I have on the Cannondale as the costs would've been very close then. And my OCD prefers matches ;-)

TBH they are very similar in readings, I've tried them both on the wahoo at set watts and they read within a watt or two of one another. I know it's not the most scientific test but it's what I have at hand and gave me an idea all 3 measurements were close enough for sts and giggles. For me they are good motivation for training, help me see progression even when it's been a hard day with headwinds etc I see my NP power results even when my avg speed is down.

Horses for courses, the P2M is a better option to go with the Cannondale and it's own cranks. Quarq is reliable, great battery life and gave me no issues until it failed. But I accept a % of all products can fail, doesn't mean all Quarq PM's should be tarred with the same brush.

You pays your money and takes your choice.

[JEA1K]

Thanks again, great bits of info there. Righto, over to me now to make a decision.

[Ponk]

Another happy P2M owner here. I think in total i have 5/6 buddies also on P2M. Quarq is a solid choice too though. Don't think you can go wrong with either.

[Teebs]

If you're looking to use between multiple bikes, any particular reason you've discounted pedal options?

[JEA1K]

Teebs said:

If you're looking to use between multiple bikes, any particular reason you've discounted pedal options?

Previous thoughts were about getting a set of Powertap P1 pedals but have discounted them for a few reasons. They look pretty easy to damage in the event of an off and they've not really been available long enough to get proper user feedback. Plus for the money (£1k ish) there are tried and tested options out there.

Never really considered the Garmins for the same reason as above.

Being able to use between two bikes is/was a bonus ... a reliable product which produces consistent data is more important to me.

[Ponk]

Garmins have the additional problem of needing to be torqued every time. Personally I find switching a whole crank (with pedals) easier than swapping just pedals between bikes.

[JEA1K]

Ponk said:

Garmins have the additional problem of needing to be torqued every time. Personally I find switching a whole crank (with pedals) easier than swapping just pedals between bikes.

I get that ... suppose its only a 10 min job to switch cranks. I'll probably look at a 2nd unit if this becomes too much of a hassle. I just need to make sure my Kinesis (bb86) is compatible with the P2M I'm swaying towards ... their compatibility charts says 'check!' whereas the Madone has a BB90 so will fit ok.