While many Stages Power Meters are quite specific, their proprietary carbon arms were made with, and offered as, several options. The key to these Stages Power carbon left crank arms is that you have to properly match the interface. The BB EVO386 works directly with EVO386 cranksets in which the left side arm fits to the drive axle, which is permanently mated to the crank spider. For SRAM/Truvativ BB30 mountain or road cranksets, or the Race Face Next SL you need the Stages Carbon BB30-BB386 Power Meter, but also a Stages replacement bottom bracket spindle (sold separately), which may also include a spacer or spacers, to create the proper spacing or alignment. While there are power meters on the market with price ranges well into thousands of dollars with a bevy features and amazing capabilities; generating, measuring and applying detailed, useful, and accurate power data can be achieved simply with this carbon left side crank arm system.

With the fastest installation, setup and pairing, Stages delivers accurate and consistent power measurement to all cyclists- mountain, road or tri. Stages power meters are ANT+ and Bluetooth dual channel compatible to work with a host of head units and devices at the present and into the future. You can use your Stages Power Meter with almost any current smartphone via Bluetooth Smart with two-way interaction, and simultaneously be connected to your ANT+ compatible computer/GPS head unit for in-ride data and collection. The StagesPOWER App offers several key features and functions, is easy to use and is free for Stages Power Meter owners.

Installation of the Stages Carbon Carbon BB30-BB386 Power Meter is just a matter of replacing your existing left side crank arm (and spindle, when applicable) with the Stages equipped version. Simply remove your left arm or crankset and install the Stages arm (and spindle as needed). No magnets, zipties sensors or additional hardware required. Done. The head unit pairing and Zero calibration tasks are just as simple. The Stages unit is equipped with an accelerometer that tracks crank position during rotation to calculate cadence. It sends the cadence and power information to your connected devices. Truly simple. Th Stages self-contained unit means that from installing the power meter to riding generally takes about 15-20 minutes. Install, pair the power meter to a compatible head unit, Zero calibrate, go ride. Easy. Stages even provides excellent instructions and support through their website.

Why measure power at all? Power gives you a clear representation of effort and output that is consistent. Knowledge of power data allows you to exploit your strengths, improve your weaknesses, and plan crucial recovery. It is true that there are cyclists, most at the highest levels of the sport, who can truly benefit from accurate individual leg and spin cycle measurement. The key for Stages is: power differential between legs has no significant influence on ride data and its value as a training tool. For example, the engineers found through thousands of miles of testing research that power differential between legs has no significant influence on ride data and its value as a training tool. This helps to significantly reduce complexity and cost while providing power measurement with ±2% accuracy.

It is crucial for accurate training and analysis that the meter be consistent to itself, that the rider can quickly and easily set Zero calibration at the start of every ride, and that temperature is always accounted for. That Stages constantly corrects for temperature via Active Temperature Compensation (ATC) allows you to ride and use utilize your data without worrying about manual adjustments or accuracy, which is much better over many of it's competitors (whose units don't auto correct, or do so with far less frequency) whenever there is a significant change in temperature during your ride.

In this model, Stages bonds the actual power measurement pod onto a new Stages Carbon left side crank arm. The location on the arm is crucial, as the arm and pod then tested and calibrated together to ensure that the strain gages and sensors are working optimally with the specific crank arm. The pod itself is made of an incredibly strong polycarbonate blend that is similar material to that used in bulletproof glass. Additionally, the Stages Power Meter is highly sealed against environmental conditions, and carries an IPX7 water resistance rating, which means it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for a maximum of 30 minutes. Please keep in mind that this does not mean that you use a pressure washer on the unit.

It was crucial to Stages to make their power meter efficient, as well as keep their firmware updated. This version of the Stages Power Meter is their Gen2 pod, which is more streamlined than the original model (allowing for more crank arm and frame compatibility). The battery compartment and door were improved and strengthened. It is easy to change the battery, a coin-style, readily available CR2032 model. Each CR2032 delivers 200+ hours of power to the unit. The StagesPOWER App also keeps track of the battery level, so you can be prepared. Firmware is updated via this smartphone app as well. Stages regularly advances their firmware and app to reflect new features and updates. The app is user friendly and will become your best friend as you manage your power meter, allowing for direct updates to Training Peaks, Strava, Garmin Training Center and other cloud-based training systems.