Garmin’s long-delayed Vector power pedal will be in UK shops by next week, the UK distributor has told RoadCyclingUK.
The pedal and wireless sensors, which communicate with the American firm’s Edge handlebar-mounted computers via the ANT+ protocol, will cost £1349.99.
You can read more on the Garmin Vector Power Pedals here:
Garmin Vector Power Pedals First Look
Garmin Vector Power Pedals Review
Similarly priced to conventional crank based power meters, Garmin claim a significant advantage in the ease of installation, ease of transfer between bikes, and power outputs for the left and right leg.
Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales, said: “We are grateful for the understanding of cyclists who have followed Vector’s progress and allowed us to ensure that Vector exceeds industry standards.”
An early design of the pedal went on public display in August 2011, but in April 2012, Garmin announced its release would be delayed “until further notice”.
Today, however, Garmin has announced the release of the pedal, and a spokesman for its UK distributor, Madison, has confirmed that the Vector will be on the shelves of shops in this country by next week.
The package consists of a composite pedal, compatible with LOOK KEO cleats, and two wireless “pedal pod transmitters”, which are claimed to fit most cranks.
Each pedal contains “force meters” or strain gauges to measure deflection. The readings are calculated against factory calibrated measurements.
The pedal pod transmitters are battery powered. The CR2032 batteries can be replaced by the rider.
Each component of the pedal is replaceable in the event of crash damage, with the exception of the spindle, which contains the force meters.
The measurement of force, alongside cadence and time spent pedalling, is used to calculate the rider’s power output in watts, the measure of performance typically preferred by professional riders.
The Garmin-Sharp WorldTour team has tested the pedal body, providing feedback on spring tension, feel, and wear, but not the force meters, whose calibration has been developed by Garmin technicians.
Riders like David Millar and Dan Martin are due to begin using the Vector and “pedal pods”, which, when paired with Garmin’s 500, 510, 800, and 810 head units, will provide output from Training Peaks software.
Training Peaks’ proprietary performance measures, including Normalised Power, Intensity Factor, and Training Stress Score, will appear on the Edge screen in real time.
Some 61 shops in the UK will receive the new Vector pedal and “pods”, each of whom will carry a demo set for customers to try.
RCUK will be attending Garmin’s official UK training event later this month, and will report back with further details.
Website: Garmin Vector
UK distributor: Madison
