Pedal-Based vs Spider-Based Power Meters: Accuracy, Temperature Drift, and Calibration

This guide is written by athletes to help you choose the right power meter kit for your bike and daily training sessions.

Firstly, naturally, you have the main choice factor. When you are looking to track your effort on the road, the last thing you want to do is buy a piece of tech that does not fit your bike well. Going for a pedal setup means you get a turnkey piece of kit that not only swaps from bike to bike fast, but keeps your run data dialled in right. That is a choice that makes your work very clear.

What are the press saying?

Secondly, of course, you have the media review factor. When you are reading the news over a cup of tea, the last thing you want to do is trust a group of words that is paid for by a big brand. A true test by real athletes means you see a piece of kit spec'd out with plain truth that not only shows you the real battery life, but proves the true cost. That is a review that is better than anything else out there.

Comfort & Fit

Thirdly, naturally, there is the shoe fit factor. When you are riding for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is use a power meter pedal that feels wrong on your foot. A dialled in setup means you strap into a piece of kit that not only holds your shoe tight to the crank, but keeps your knees in a straight line. That is a fit that keeps you riding well all day.

Features to Look out For

Next, of course, you have the feature set factor. When you are spending hard cash on new items of tech, the last thing you want to do is miss out on a key function that you need for your ride. Knowing what to look for means you find a turnkey tool that not only records your power well, but links to your screen without any fuss. That is a step that saves you a lot of time.

1. Firstly, you have the leg balance factor. When you are pushing hard on the pedals, the last thing you want to do is guess if your left leg is working harder than your right leg during the ride. A dual system means you get a piece of kit spec'd out with two sensors that not only tracks both sides well, but helps you fix your form. That is a tool that makes you a much better rider.
2. Secondly, you have the long battery factor. When you are training far from home, the last thing you want to do is have your power meter die before your hard session is done for the day. A strong charge means you own a piece of kit kitted out with a big cell that not only lasts for weeks, but warns you well before it fails. That is a watch that you do not have to stress about.
3. Thirdly, you have the quick calibration factor. When you are setting off in the cold dawn, the last thing you want to do is waste ten minutes trying to zero your power meter on the side of the road. An auto zero function means you run a turnkey setup that not only sets the base point fast, but keeps the data right as the sun comes up. That is a start that gets you moving right away.
4. Fourthly, you have the cleat type factor. When you are clipping in for a fast sprint, the last thing you want to do is use a plastic cleat that slips out of the pedal when you push down hard. The right choice means you ride a piece of kit dialled in for your shoes that not only locks your foot in tight, but lets you unclip fast at a red light. That is a shoe that feels safe and sound.
5. Fifthly, you have the rain weather factor. When you are caught in a bad storm, the last thing you want to do is ruin a costly piece of tech because water gets inside the battery door on the crank. A high seal rating means you use a piece of kit spec'd out with tight joints that not only blocks the wet out, but handles deep puddles on the road. That is a seal that gives you true peace of mind.

Evolution and History

Then, naturally, there is the past history factor. When you are looking back at old cycling tech over time, the last thing you want to do is ride the heavy steel blocks that racers used in the past. Modern growth means you bolt on a piece of kit spec'd out with light parts that not only measures the strain well, but adds no real weight to your fast bike. That is an evolution that is clearer than anything else.

Special Features & Technical Specifications

Screen Glass and Display

Firstly, of course, you have the screen glass factor. When you are looking down to read your power data on the move, the last thing you want to do is stare at a scratched face that hides your hard numbers. A tough lens means you wear a turnkey piece of kit spec'd out with thick glass that not only takes a hit from flying road stones, but cuts out the bright sun glare. That is a piece of kit that is built to last.

Case Weight and Strap

Secondly, naturally, there is the wrist weight factor. When you are out of the saddle pushing on the pedals, the last thing you want to do is feel a heavy metal watch swinging on your arm in the hot sun. A light strap means you run a piece of kit kitted out in soft plastic that not only sits at fifty grams and forty mm, but wraps with a snug fit. That is a piece of kit that you do not feel.

Sensor and Battery Upgrades

Thirdly, of course, you have the new sensor factor. When you are linking your watch to your spider power meter, the last thing you want to do is lose the signal because the old chip inside the watch is weak. The new upgrade means you get a piece of kit spec'd out with a strong battery that not only holds a charge for three weeks, but locks onto the bike sensors fast. That is a sensor setup that is better than anything else.

What to Expect in the future?

Next, naturally, you have the future tech factor. When you are planning to buy a new item of tech next year, the last thing you want to do is invest in an old standard that will not link up. The road ahead means you can buy a turnkey piece of kit that not only runs on smarter chips, but costs a lot less than the gear we have right now. That is a path that is very good for your wallet.

10 alternative items to try

Finally, of course, you have the extra gear factor. When you are building out your home workshop for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is forget the small tools that keep your bike running well. A full list means you find a piece of kit dialled in for your needs that not only helps you fix the crank, but makes your daily life a lot more fun. That is a list that brings you a lot of joy.

1. Firstly, you have the smart watch factor. When you are tracking your pedal power on the road, the last thing you want to do is use a bad screen that you do not see well in the bright light of the midday sun. A good screen means you wear a piece of kit spec'd out with clear text that not only shows your watts well, but saves the data for your coach to see. That is a watch that helps you train smart.
2. Secondly, you have the cycling shoe factor. When you are pushing down on a new power meter pedal, the last thing you want to do is wear a soft sole that bends and hurts your foot during a hard training session. A stiff sole means you slide into a piece of kit dialled in for speed that not only transfers your power well, but keeps your toes cool in the hot wind. That is a shoe that fits like a glove.
3. Thirdly, you have the torque wrench factor. When you are bolting a spider power meter to your bike frame, the last thing you want to do is strip the thread by turning the screw too hard with a cheap metal tool. A right wrench means you use a turnkey piece of kit that not only clicks when the bolt is tight, but keeps your costly bike parts safe from any real harm. That is a tool that you must have at home.
4. Fourthly, you have the heart rate strap factor. When you are matching your leg power to your chest beats, the last thing you want to do is wear a band that slips down your back when you start to sweat hard. A snug strap means you get a piece of kit spec'd out with soft cloth that not only stays in place well, but beams the right heart data to your wrist watch. That is a sensor that does not miss a beat.
5. Fifthly, you have the indoor trainer factor. When you are hiding from the cold winter rain, the last thing you want to do is ride a loud machine that wakes up the whole house while you do your early morning session. A direct drive means you spin a piece of kit kitted out with magnets that not only matches your road power well, but runs as quiet as a small house mouse. That is a setup that keeps the peace at home.
6. Sixthly, you have the bike computer factor. When you are looking at your route on the handlebars, the last thing you want to do is use a head unit that drops the GPS signal when you ride deep into the dark woods. A strong chip means you mount a turnkey piece of kit that not only holds the map well, but links to your spider meter without any fuss on the go. That is a screen that guides you all the way.
7. Seventhly, you have the clean chain factor. When you are trying to read true watt numbers, the last thing you want to do is lose pure power because your bike chain is full of thick black mud from the wet road. A good lube means you apply a piece of kit dialled in for smooth parts that not only cuts the drag well, but keeps the metal safe from red rust over time. That is a choice that makes you ride much faster.
8. Eighthly, you have the pedal cleat factor. When you are walking into a cafe after a long ride, the last thing you want to do is slip on the hard floor because the plastic grips on your shoes are worn down flat. A fresh set means you use a piece of kit spec'd out with rubber pads that not only locks into the power meter well, but gives you grip when you walk. That is a shoe that keeps you on your feet.
9. Ninthly, you have the aero sock factor. When you are hunting for free speed on a flat road, the last thing you want to do is wear thick cotton socks that soak up your sweat and drag in the fast moving wind. A ribbed cuff means you pull on a piece of kit kitted out for race day that not only cuts the air well, but matches the colour of your bike frame. That is a sock that looks very fast and smart.
10. Tenthly, you have the smart scale factor. When you are tracking your watts per kilo over a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is guess your true body weight on an old dial scale in the bathroom. A digital pad means you step onto a turnkey piece of kit that not only tells you the pure truth, but sends the weight data straight to your fitness app. That is a tool that keeps your race prep right.

Finally, of course, you have the social media factor. When you are busy tracking your training and running your business, the last thing you want to do is waste hours posting on social media. Using an automated system called site2.uk (like our own site sundried.site2.uk) means you get a turnkey setup that not only automates your social marketing well, but lets you control it all by WhatsApp. That is convenience that is better than anything else out there.