Pioneer Dual Sided Power Meter and CA500 Computer Review – High-Definition Power

Now that we have told you about how you can benefit from training with a power meter, and the types of power meters out there, it is time to dig into some power meters. Here is our review of Pioneer’s dual-sided power meters systems.

Pioneer might not be the first name you think of when it comes to power meters and cycling computers, but you really should. The consumer electronics company has a group of R&D engineers in the car electronics division who happen to also be cyclists that race at high levels. Long story short, they created some designs and prototypes, and actually released a white paper. Wilco Kelderman of the then Belkin Pro Racing Team saw the paper, and wanted to know more about what were doing. At one point, up to 25 engineers were working on the project, and in early 2014, the current version was released. Development has continued with Belkin, now Lotto-Jumbo, Rabo-Liv, UnitedHealthcare, and more recently, Team Novo-Nordisk. Daniel Holloway has also been a big part of the development process with the engineering team checking his Cyclo-Sphere.com page almost nightly. Team Maxxis-Shimano team has put the single arm power meter through it’s paces for a full cyclocross season to see how it will handle power washing and the extremes of cyclocross.

Highs

• Unique data not found on other power meters
• Reliable sensors built on tried-and-true Shimano cranksets
• Convert you 11-Speed Dura-Ace, Ultegra, or 105 cranks and save money

Lows

• Cyclo-Sphere.com interface is a bit dated looking
• Instruction manuals can be a bit overwhelming

Verdict

• If you love data, or want a solid power meter and computer system with some bells and whistles for training, look no further.

Background

To say that I was excited to find a package from Pioneer outside the BWN test center office is an understatement. I knew it was coming, but still, knowing what was inside, I was pretty stoked. Pioneer was kind enough to send a SGY-PM68 Series dual-sided power meter with their SGX-CA500 GPS computer. They also threw in a white kit for the crank and computer, which includes a white pod cover for the crank and a white  sticker to cover the red on the computer. There are several colors available that add a little bit of customization to your kit.

To give you a quick overview of their line up, there are four power meters in the line (two dual-sided, and two single-sided), three upgrade kits, and two computers.

• SGY-PM90 Series – Dual-sided power meter on a Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 crankset
• SGY-PM68 Series – Dual-sided power meter on a Shimano Ultegra 6800 crankset
• SGY-LT90 Series – Dual-sided power meter on a Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 non-drive side crank arm
• SGY-LT68 Series – Single-sided power meter on a Shimano Ultegra 6800 non-drive side crank arm
• SGY-PM9100C – Consumer supplied dual-sided power meter kit
• SGY-PMRTC – Consumer supplied drive side power meter kit
• SGY-PMLTC – Consumer supplied non-drive side power meter kit
• SGX-CA500 – Pioneer’s newer GPS enabled cycling computer with a 1.8″ touch screen with WiFi
• SGX-CA900 – Pioneer’s original GPS enabled cycling computer with a 2.2″ color touch screen

When it comes to the power meters, the cranks and chainrings are the only differentiation. The guts and sensors are the same. For the computers, the newer CA500 has a slightly smaller black and white screen compared to the CA900’s 2.2″ color screen, but the newer unit has built-in WiFi. This feature will automatically upload your ride to Pioneer’s Cyclo-Sphere website and you can use it to wirelessly update firmware. Both computers mount out front, similar to an SRM computer, which adds a pro look to your bike. Mounts are available for road and TT applications, and K-Edge also makes similar mounts, but made from metal.

Pioneer is one of the few manufacturers that will let you send in your own crank to have the power meter installed instead of buying a new crank. This definitely helps to save some cash, especially when your bike comes with a Dura-Ace, Ultegra, or 105 11-speed crankset. You can have the sensors added to the either or both sides of the crank, and turn around times are pretty quick. We wrote about this in the past, so read more here. One final thing to add is that you can get into the power meter game gradually or all at once with this process. Kits are available for left, right, or dual installations.

Installation

Installation on the bike went pretty smoothly. If you have ever installed a Shimano crank, you can install this power meter. There are a few additional steps though. First, the magnet placement. The kit comes with a template, two magnets, and two arms with zip ties in case your frame is not close enough to the crank arms. Essentially, the magnets are there as a reference point for the crank. Be sure to use the template, as it really does make life easier in figuring out magnet placement. You can put them on the chain stay, seat tube, or down tube, whichever works for your frame and the crank arm. In my case, the drive side of the

Bianchi Sempre Pro was close enough for the stick on magnet, but unfortunately, the non-drive side needed one of the arms. It’s not a deal breaker by any means, just not quite as polished of a look as the stick on magnets. The magnets are an upgrade from the original ring between your frame and bottom bracket that worked as a reference point. Hopefully in the future though, the magnets can be removed altogether.

Pairing the SGX-CA500 computer with the crank and non-drive side sensors was a little bit of a struggle, but in the end, it was my fault, and not the computer and power meter. Basically, I was putting the wrong number in for the non-drive side. Be sure to pay close attention to the installation instructions here and where to get the numbers from. Once you have entered in both numbers into the CA500, you can continue to move on to additional speed, HR, and DI2 ANT+ sensors. Pioneer offers their own speed and HR sensors, but it pairs nicely with other brands’ sensors. After some calibrating steps, you are ready for your initial ride. Pioneer also recommends some calibrations at different altitudes, but these are pretty easy to perform through the computer.

The CA500 computer is a pretty comprehensive unit. The menus are fairly intuitive and easy to use, once you have the touch of the screen down. The touch needed to work the CA500 computer took a little getting used to compared to my trusty Garmin Edge 810. If you are deliberate with pushing down on the touch screen and swiping up and down, you’ll be fine. It took me a few times to learn it, but now it is second nature.

Under the housing of the pod on the drive side is the battery and the button to change the broadcast settings. Pioneer’s unique ANT+ signal works only with their computers, and carries the additional data Pioneer offers. The cranks can also broadcast a regular ANT+ signal in dual or single mode that will work with other ANT+ enabled computers. It can only be set to one of these settings, but honestly, you will probably set it once and be done. Also, if you are using a Pioneer computer, you can change these settings through “Mode Switch.”

One final thing I wanted to add about the installation. If you are planning on using aftermarket rings, you might run into some clearance issues with the pod on the crank. To get some extra clearance, there are screws that can be removed to move the pod out of the way, but be EXTREMELY careful not to pull on the wires that attach it to the crank. They are built strong, but it is better to be safe than sorry. I was able to fit up a pair of AbsoluteBLACK Premium Oval Road Rings without any issues. With adding Shimano’s caps for their cross rings, it completed the polished look.

On the Road

Once out on the road, the SGY-PM68 functions just as a Shimano crank should. With OEM rings, shifting is crisp and there is no apparent flex, even under the hardest efforts. Where the system shines is in the data that it provides while riding.

One of my favorite data fields is the Force Vector Analysis. It takes up a bit of room, but you get to see in real time what kind of power you are putting out from each leg and also the direction you are putting it out at. At twelve points throughout your pedaling motion (think of a clock face), you see a graphic representation of direction and the amount of power you are putting down. Pioneer measures the forces you are exerting on the crank arms through strain gauges four times at each point on each crankarm to collect the data. Inside of those Force Vector faces on your display, you see the individual power numbers. For some riders, this might not be something they look at constantly, but for data geeks, it will be interesting to look at. For example, during the upstroke of my motion, I have a tendency to drag my foot, which creates drag on the drivetrain. This reminds me, especially when going hard, to push on the downstroke, and pull on the upstroke. I added pedaling efficiency fields for that screen too. This measures how effiecently you are pedaling based on the Force Vertor information.

If you want to change screens, it is as easy as swiping from side to side. I customized page 2 to include the typical speed, average speed, distance, time, cadence, HR. Additional screens let you see all kinds of different info along your ride. When comparing the CA500 computer to the typical Garmin Edge 500 or 800 series, the Pioneer is missing a few things for the average rider. If you like to set alerts (time or distance) or race against a virtual rider, you won’t find it here. Also, turn by turn maps are missing. These omissions can be excused though, as the CA500 and the data that it collects are geared more towards serious athletes and data junkies. If you can’t let go of your Garmin though, the Pioneer power meters work with ANT+ computers, but you miss out on the HDPower Metrics.

Something new added recently, which I haven’t had a chance to try out yet, is Training Assist. With the CA500 computer, you can work through three different training programs, with 28 modules in each. This allows cyclists to learn how to get more out of their power meter and training. The modules work consecutively and build off of the previous effort. It starts with the fundamentals and works up to advanced training programs and power meter metrics. Cyclists using a Pioneer power meter with their CA500 computer will also have the Interval Timer, which allows you to set up personalized interval efforts, and Threshold Training, which features MMP Challenge and FTP testing. These training programs can be downloaded from Cyclo-Sphere.com, and you can use the site to analyze the data afterward and learn how to improve.

Post Ride – Cyclo-Sphere.com

That leads us to the next part, Cyclo-Sphere.com. Pioneer created this site, similar to other brands’ sites, to upload the data from their computer. Signing up and logging in is simple and straight forward. As mentioned previously, with the CA500 computer, you can upload your data when you return to the WiFi set up on the computer. That data will be added to your history, and if you have linked it with other sites like Strava, TrainingPeaks, Facebook, and Twitter. When you post onto Facebook and Twitter, your friends will see your Force Vector numbers as the picture on the post.

When you open your ride, you can really start to dig into the information. For things like Force Vector, you can see the data for both legs individually, while sitting, standing, or combined, and it can be broken down by laps. Other boxes of data show a scatter graph for pedaling efficiency (again, standing, sitting, and combine, and by lap) when compared to power generated at the time. Power Balance can also be seen throughout the timeline of your ride. Other boxes show the map and summary data for the ride. Finally, a MMP graph shows your max power over various time intervals, while also comparing your effort to your best over a set period of time. The layout and sizs of the boxes are all customizable, so you can see immediately what you want.

Again, data geeks will love pouring over all of this information, but even the average cyclist will benefit from reviewing their data. The MMP graph will help you track your improvement over time, and with the addition of Training Assist, you should start to see gains.

There are a lot of great things going on with Cyclo-Sphere.com, but this is one area that Pioneer can greatly improve. When compared to sites like Garmin Connect, Strava, and TrainingPeaks, Cyclo-Sphere is visibily dated. A general refresh of the site, while keeping the customizable nature, would go along way to match the incredible data the power meters provide.

Other Applications

Beyond cycling and training, the Pioneer power meter system would be a great tool for bike fitters, especially if they use a fit rig, like the FitWerks Purely Custom Size Cycle or the Retül Müve SL. As a fitter changes positions for the client, they can see how the rider’s pedal stroke and power changes in real time. Combine that with something like a dual Retül camera set up, and a fitter has some serious data to help their clients make the best decision for their goals.

Conclusion

Here is the bottom line. The Pioneer power meter system with their computer offers some incredible data for those that obsess over numbers. Being based on Shimano cranks, you know you are getting some quality kit, even before Pioneer adds their sensors. You can provide your own cranks and upgrade from single to dual-sided power as you grow as a cyclist. Pricing ranges from $499.99 to $1499.99, depending on your options, which provides plenty of price points for you. There are seven options for crank lengths, 165-180mm, and three options for chainring sizes.

When talking to Russ Johnston, executive vice president of marketing and corporate communications for Pioneer Electrics USA, he wouldn’t confirm Pioneer’s intentions to expand to offer other platforms for their power meter, but with Shimano launching their own crank based power meter with the new Dura-Ace R9100 series, and customer devotion to other brands, it makes sense to expand the range.

• SGY-PM90 Series Dura-Ace 9000 crankset – $1,499.99
• SGY-PM68 Series Ultegra 6800 crankset – $1,299.99
• SGY-LT90 Series Dura-Ace 9000 non-drive side crank arm – $629.99
• SGY-LT68 Series Ultegra 6800 non-drive side crank arm – $559.99
• SGY-PM9100C Consumer supplied dual-sided power meter kit – $999.99
• SGY-PMRTC Consumer supplied drive side power meter kit – $579.99
• SGY-PMLTC Consumer supplied non-drive side power meter kit – $499.99
• SGX-CA500 GPS enabled cycling computer – $299.99
• SGX-CA500S GPS enabled cycling computer with speed and HR sensor bundle – $379.99
• SGX-CA900 GPS enabled cycling computer – $499.99

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com