Power meters have historically been reserved for pros or those with deep pockets. While a revolutionary way to train and record cycling efforts, the watt-measuring devices have traditionally been expensive, vulnerable to mud, grit and grime due to their positioning – and if they're crank-mounted, unable to be transferred between bikes.
However, Favero’s Assioma PRO range proves there’s a different, more accessible, affordable and user-friendly way to experience power-based pedalling.
Its off-road-focused Assioma PRO MX and road-leaning Assioma PRO RS are the Italian company’s latest pedal-based releases, and look set to shake up the power meter market.
They have pro-credentials, too, and are used by the Wilier and BH Coloma UCI Mountain Bike World Series teams.
From an innovative two-piece design that separates the pedal body from the spindle, Favero has created one of the most versatile power meters on the market. With the electronics housed fully in the stainless steel spindle, the pedal body itself remains completely free of delicate components. This not only makes it tougher for off-road use, but also keeps sourcing replacements simple and affordable.
Riders can swap quickly between the road-focused RS and the off-road-ready MX by changing only the pedal body, while continuing to use the same power-sensing spindle. The process takes less than five minutes with basic tools, meaning one power meter can serve across multiple bikes and disciplines without compromise.
Made in Italy
Favero has been producing and manufacturing sporting electronics in Italy’s northeastern industrial hub for more than three decades. “We started 30 years ago, but we are always trying to improve and to find out a new concept of products and new ideas to introduce in the market,” explains Favero’s Federico Santarossa.
The company started focusing on power meters in 2015, and Santarossa believes that the family-owned nature and in-house production distinguish Favero's products from others on the market.
“We blend innovation and precision engineering together to provide cutting-edge solutions, like the Assioma power meter pedal families – starting from the concept and taking care of all the processes related to the production of these products.”
The 'made in Italy' feature isn’t a gimmick, though, and enables strict control of the production phase, ensuring each pedal meets the high standards Favero sets.
The Assioma PRO family has been engineered with obsessive attention to detail. For the road-going RS, Favero’s designers set out to create the lightest dual-sided power meter pedal on the market – achieving a system that adds barely any more weight than a standard Shimano SPD-SL pedal.
Meanwhile, the MX has been developed to thrive in the harshest off-road environments. Its 6061 T6 aluminium pedal body and reinforced construction deliver rock-solid reliability, while the compact 11.2mm stack height reduces the chance of striking obstacles on the trail.
Introducing the Assioma PRO RS and Assioma PRO MX
The Assioma PRO range is the pinnacle of Favero’s pedal-based power meters, and the RS (road) and MX (off-road) pedals are packed full of innovation.
Their main design USPs are their split approach and low weight – the pedals are among the lightest on the market, weighing scarcely more than a conventional pedal.
Each pedal has two parts: a stainless steel spindle that houses all of the power meter’s electronics, strain gauges and rechargeable batteries; and a separate pedal body that is compatible with Shimano SPD-SL (RS) or SPD (MX) cleats.
“The stainless steel spindle is completely sealed, which means no water, dust or mud ingress," says Santarossa. "Consequently, we avoid power dropout problems and make sure the longevity of the product is enhanced. If you don't have a sealed spindle, these elements can ingress and interact with the electronic components.”
An independent pedal body also has several advantages, particularly off-road. “The design of the Assioma PRO MX, along with its reduced stack height of just 11.2mm, contributes to a compact and streamlined form that minimises the risk of impact with obstacles on the trail,” says Santarossa.
If you do need to refresh the Assioma PRO MX’s 6061 T6 aluminium pedal body, it’s possible to buy a new pedal body for €50 rather than replace the whole setup.
Plus, if you ride and train on and off-road, you can simply buy the Assioma PRO RS’ reinforced tech-polymer carbon-fibre pedal body and use the same spindle, swapping seamlessly between the two thanks to an affordable and versatile setup.
“Interchangeability is quick and fast – under five minutes – and you just need some common tools,” Santarossa explains.
Finished with a rechargeable battery that lasts more than 60 hours on a single charge, you’re guaranteed long-lasting durability regardless of ride length.
A proprietary power system
A power meter is only as good as its precision, and Favero claims a +/- 1% accuracy on the data it collects – the industry standard.
Along with rock-solid connection stability, and the pedal-based power meter’s position at the direct point of force distribution, it means its output is best-in-class.
The Italian manufacturer has also developed its own proprietary system that detects the instant angular velocity using an internal gyroscope positioned within the spindle.
“The gyroscope takes into account the instantaneous variation of the pedal stroke during the stroke itself, and by sampling this data all over the pedal stroke rather than taking an average value like other power meters, it allows greater precision," says Santarossa.
“This influences the final data that the end user receives because the power data is the force per angular velocity.”
He adds that the Assioma PRO range’s price point – where two pedals are as expensive as some rival brands’ single-sided power meters – also means users can unlock dual-sided measurements for less, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of their pedalling technique.
Additional dynamics
Typically, a power meter will broadcast power and cadence, and, with a dual-sided setup, left/right balance. The Assioma PRO range goes further, providing additional metrics that help both amateurs and professionals refine their pedalling technique.
Santarossa explains that the Assioma PRO offers IAV cycling dynamics, which include PCO, rider position and power phase.
PCO shows the distribution of force on the pedal platform, helping riders identify whether they are pushing more outward or inward, and enabling them to adjust cleat positioning to reduce the risk of injury.
Rider position indicates how much time a rider spends sitting or standing, while the power phase highlights efficiency throughout the pedal stroke.
All three metrics are broadcast via ANT+ to Garmin head units, and can also be viewed in the Favero Assioma app. Rider position, together with PCO and power phase, are visible both mid-ride and in post-ride analysis.
