Power meters

SRAM Force AXS E1 DUB crankstel met powermeter 165 mm

Power meters

SRAM Force AXS E1 DUB crankstel met powermeter 165 mm

The SRAM Force AXS E1 is a crankset with a built-in power meter, in silver with 165 mm crank arms. You get watt data without a separate sensor.

What you get

  • Crankset with power meter
  • 165 mm crank arm length
  • Threaded DUB spindle
  • Silver finish

Why a power meter?

Heart rate reacts slowly and depends on sleep, heat and caffeine. Speed depends on wind and gradient. Power depends on none of those: 250 watts is 250 watts, uphill, downhill or into the wind. That lets you steer intervals, pacing and effort so precisely that your sessions become comparable.

A good power meter measures with strain gauges that sense how the metal flexes as you pedal. Accuracy is typically between 1 and 2 percent, which is enough for training and pacing. Mind the difference between single-sided and dual-sided. A meter that only measures the left side doubles that figure. That is right as long as both legs contribute equally, and almost nobody is perfectly even.

The location sets the price, weight and convenience. Pedals are easy to move between bikes. A crank or crank arm measures steadily and is easy to fit, but stays on one bike. A hub measures the total at the rear wheel and works with any crank, but stays with that wheel. A spider, the star between the crank and the chainrings, measures both legs together and is often considered very stable.

A power meter says little without context. You need to zero it, pair it with a computer and spend some time learning your own zones, for instance with an FTP test, the power you can hold for roughly an hour.

How the meter location compares

Most meters reach 1 to 2 percent accuracy. The location mainly decides convenience.

LocationMeasuresAdvantageDrawbackSwapping
PedalsLeft and right separatelyEasy to swap, per-leg dataCleat and pedal type fixedVery easy
Crank arm or crankLeft, or left and rightStable and light, often well pricedStays on one bike, standard must fitModerate
SpiderTotal, both legs togetherVery stable, matches its own crankOften higher cost, needs the right crankModerate
HubTotal at the rear wheelWorks with any crank and cleatTied to that wheel, also on rollersBy swapping the wheel

Accuracy is typically 1 to 2 percent, but varies by model and conditions.

Choose it if

  • You train by power and want the meter built into the crank
  • You ride a SRAM AXS groupset and want to build it out
  • You train in a structured way, with zones, intervals or a plan.
  • You want to control your pacing in wind, on hills or in a race.

Choose something else if

  • Your bottom bracket shell is press-fit: this version is made for a threaded shell
  • You ride mostly for fun and speed and feel are enough for you.
  • You do not want to analyse numbers and would rather just ride.

How to use a power meter

  1. Fit it as instructed

    Use the prescribed torque. A fitting that is too loose or too tight gives wrong readings.

  2. Pair with your computer

    Turn the crank a few times to wake the meter and search for it over ANT+ or Bluetooth on your computer.

  3. Zero it

    Do a zero offset before every ride, with the crank still and the bike upright. It removes drift caused by temperature.

  4. Learn your zones

    Do an FTP test or follow a plan to set your zones. Adjust them as you improve.

  5. Ride and review

    During the ride, use the average over a few seconds instead of the raw peak. Look at the full picture afterwards.

Good to know

  • 165 mm is a short crank length. Pick the one that suits your leg length and position
  • The chainring tooth count is not in the title. Check it before ordering
  • Check that the meter fits your crank standard, bottom bracket and cassette or drivetrain.
  • Look at the battery type and how long it lasts: a coin cell or a rechargeable battery, usually tens to hundreds of hours per charge or set.
  • A left-only meter estimates the right leg. If one side is weaker, the figure drifts away from the truth.
  • A new crank, chainring or shifter can call for a new calibration. Follow the manual.
SRAM Force AXS E1 DUB crankstel met powermeter 165 mm | compare prices