PowerTap Drops Prices By $500

PowerTap is dramatically reducing the cost of their hub-based power meters, effective immediately. An aluminum rim rear wheel built with a PowerTap G3 hub will now start at $899, down $500 from their previous price. “More and more cyclists are in the market for a power meter, but all too frequently price is a barrier to purchase,” says PowerTap category manager Jesse Bartholomew. “We’re happy to say that with our new pricing structure—owing to our dedicated focus on PowerTap—we’re able to lower this barrier.”

In addition to the hub price reduction, the Joule and Joule GPS computers are dropping in price. The GPS-equipped version will be $219, down from $269, and the standard unit now costs just $99 instead of $169.

This dramatic price cut from the Madison based power meter company follows two major changes in the power meter market that have taken place in the past two years. First, Quarq introduced a new line of crank-based power meters costing between $1,595 and $2,000. Second, power meter start-up Stages Cycling released a series of power meters starting at $699. As recently as four years ago, SRM’s power meters costing more than $3,000 were the only viable competitor for PowerTap, but now cyclists have many more options. Quarq took over the top spot at the Kona Count, a survey of the gear used at Ironman Hawaii, in 2012 for the first time.

At $1,000 for a complete unit, PowerTap’s newly reduced price makes their fully functional system available to more potential power users. Stages’ system is crank-based, but only measures the left arm. PowerTap G3 is now the most affordable option that records power from both legs, and by a comfortable margin.

RELATED – Power Trip: Four Power Meters Reviewed

Join in the conversation about everything swim, bike and run. “Like” us on Facebook.