It's been an arduous process for those holding out for the highly anticipated Garmin Vector pedal-based power meter. BikeRadar has followed the product through numerous supposed releases, with the latest delay back in February 2012.
Garmin is keeping tightlipped about a new release date, although some Australian stores who are apparently in the know are being a little less discreet, offering pre-orders on the product with an estimated September 2013 delivery and a price of AUD$1,699/£1,349/US$1,699. Judging by the advertised specs (see below), little has changed since our last look at the Garmin Vector pedals.
After the recent release of the Stages Power meter, the Vector looks to raise the competition again. With its portability and ability to separate left/right measurements, it's also claimed to be “the lightest direct power measurement meter on the market".
Although Pioneer is testing a power meter with separate left/right measurements, the brand-new Rotor POWER is currently the only system on the market offering that technology. Quarq offers a L/R data field but it's based on a calculation from a meter on the spider, not each crank arm.
Using ANT technology, the Vector will be backwards compatible with all ANT based head units offering power, such as the Garmin Edge 500, 510, 800 and 810, the Magellan Switch Up or the CycleOps Joule GPS.
Garmin has boasted the benefits of a pedal-based power meter for years now
Specifications being advertised in Australia
Garmin Vector power meter
- Total power (watts)
- Normalised power
- Intensity factor
- Training stress score
- Left/right balance (%)
- Cadence (rpm)
- +/- 1.5% accuracy
- Transmits via ANT+ protocol
Vector system weights (approximate per pedal)
- Pedal: 119g
- Pedal pod: 21g
- Cleat and hardware: 38g
- Total: 178g
Pedals
- Lightweight injected carbon fiber body
- CNC machined, hardened stainless steel spindle
- LSL bushing and sealed cartridge bearings
- Adjustable tension binding
- Look Keo compatible
Pedal pods
- ANT+ transmitters and cadence measurement via accelerometers
- User-replaceable battery (2032 coin cell)
- Minimum 200 hours active cycling
Cleats
- High durability thermoplastic with anti-slip surface pads
- Rubber button to reduce free float action between shoe and cleat
- 6 degrees of float (0 degrees available as accessory)
- Look Keo compatible