Garmin’s Vector power meter is now available as a single-sided system, with the Vector S expected to hit the market at the end of the month for £749.99.
Garmin made their long-awaited entry into the power meter market in 2013 – read our first ride report here – with a pedal-based system which measures force via eight strain gauges in each spindle and combines it with data from the built-in accelerometer to provide a reading, to a claimed accuracy of +/- two per cent, of a rider’s left and right-sided power.
The Vector S, meanwhile, measures power from the left pedal and doubles that number to provide an estimate of total power. What a rider loses in breadth of data and overall accuracy, is made up by a significant reduction in price – £749.99 for the Vector S compared to £1,349.99 for the full Vector system. That brings Vector S into direct competition with the crank-based Stages setup, used by Team Sky.
Vector S will continue to use pedals compatible with a LOOK Keo-style cleat and manufactured by Spanish company Exustar. Riders who purchase the Vector S and wish to upgrade to a full, two-sided setup can do so by purchasing a right-sided pedal with the relevant power measurement hardware.
Cycling Dynamics
Meanwhile, Garmin are also set to introduce a software upgrade for full Vector users (i.e. riders using both the left and right Vector pedals equipped with power sensors).
Cycling Dynamics, as the new package has been named by Garmin, will provide a range of new data relevant to the pedal stroke, including where power is produced on the stroke, seated and standing power, and how much time a rider spends in or out of the saddle.
