By Merilee Kern, MBA
Leading-edge iQ2 Power Meter offers next-gen nanotechnology while shattering prohibitive marketplace price barriers to blaze an exciting new trail for beginner, amateur and professional road cyclists, mountain bikers and triathletes seeking pro-level advantages and performance improvements by measuring leg power on the pedals
Emerging cycling brand iQ2 (pronounced iQ square) has developed an all-new, cutting edge Power Meter offering performance-improving benefits and advantages that, until now, have only been affordable to pro cyclists—and those with deep pockets. This new next-gen cycling tool not only off
ers vastly improved performance over existing Power Meter options, but does so with breakthrough pricing starting at $199 versus others costing $400 to $1000 or more. With this economical new option, beginner, amateur and professional road cyclists, mountain bikers and triathletes can realize significantly improved performance by more accurately and efficiently measuring, analyzing and managing leg power on the pedals. In one fell swoop, the new iQ2 Power Meter has rendered all prior generations, makes and models of power meter devices obsolete.
I recently connected with the folks at iQ2 to discuss the innovation. Here’s what they had to say.
MK: What is the iQ2 Power Meter?
iQ2: With this device, cyclists know exactly when and where their legs are producing a certain amount of force and the “zone” that they are in, allowing them to dose during a ride or workout, so they can outperform them self and others. Users can aptly throttle performance to improve racing, training, record tracking, timing, and achieve other desirable results in any terrain.
MK: What sets the iQ2 Power Meter apart from the pack?
iQ2: Power meters exist in all shapes and sizes at varying locations on a bike. But they all have disadvantages. So, in addition to vastly decreasing the price point, the designers of the iQ2 Power Meter, cyclists themselves, significantly increased usability while positively affecting the cost. Located between the crank and pedal, the iQ2 Power Meter is easy to install, swappable between multiple bikes, light, strong and highly accurate. It’s not necessary to replace any existing bike parts. It runs on a standard battery that is replaceable after 200 – 300 hours use, and connects to all universal bike computers and sports apps through Bluetooth and ANT+. It’s compatible with all bikes, contains revolutionary thin film strain gauge technology and handles all conditions.
The power meter is available as a single left-or right-only unit, or as a dual power meter set. The dual set measures left and right leg power independently. One unit weighs just 29,7 grams and contains a strong and light titanium adapter. An advanced low-pressure molding technique ensures this Power Meter is waterproof and dustproof. Color accents are customizable to fit cyclists’ bike, mood and personal style.
MK: What else makes this Power Meter so different from any others on the market?
iQ2: Relative to the internal functionality, when a leg puts power on the pedal, it causes a miniature bending of the metal. A strain gauge captures this pressure as a change in electrical resistance, which is measured and simply sent to the app or any other bike software or computer. Most other power meters measure the power of one leg, but the iQ2 device can measure both, so you can see if they’re performing the way you want them to. You can then adapt your training accordingly.
Typically, strain gauges inside power meters are hand-glued, causing every power meter to be different from the next. They must therefore be compensated by extensive calibration and complex software. This makes power meters difficult to mass-produce and expensive and shows why some – who underestimate these complexities – do not succeed.
The thin film nanostructure strain gauge iQ2 uses is of an entirely different caliber. Instead of being hand-glued, it requires no human interaction because it is directly deposited on the surface of the part, molecularly bonded and trimmed by laser. It is therefore 30 times thinner than a typical strain gauge. All iQ2 strain gauges are exactly the same when they come out the production process. It’s a revolutionary technology used in situations with zero error tolerance, such as in medical, military and harsh environments.
MK: How did this invention come about?
iQ2: It all started with a tight-knit group of passionate cyclists who wanted to buy a well-functioning power meter and reluctantly paid the exorbitant price, expecting a perfect product in return for the extreme expenditure. To our shock and dismay, all of the Power Meters we tried had major disadvantages in key areas like compatibility and ease of installation. Since this group of cyclists also happens to be high-level technologists and product designers, we set out to not just create, but rather perfect, power meter tech that could also be available for a reasonable price…and we did exactly that. And so the iQ2 Power Meter was born. The result of two rigorous years of R&D, during which time we theorized, designed and re-designed prototypes to secure the best tech and product components for each part of the power meter. It has resulted in this truly universal and budget-friendly power meter for any and all cyclists—not just pros and those with padded bank accounts.
MK: Where can people go to see product photos, videos and receive more information?
iQ2: You can learn more about this breakthrough Power Meter at www.iqsquare.com.
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As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert who serves at “tech evangelist” for various radio and other media platforms. She’s a lifestyle and tech expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She reports on newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her online at www.TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList and on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/LuxeListReviews.
***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
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