Early this year I got the Assioma Favero power pedals and my initial review of the pedals written in March can be read here: https://triallan.com/2018/03/29/assioma-duo-watt-pedals-initial-review/

I then found a lot of positive things about the pedals. This is how hower measurement should and need to be. Super easy to set up, reliable, accurate and “idiot proof”. I had only one issue, but it was a big one, it showed 5-7 % lower values than my Tacx Neo. If that was correct my FTP was also 5-7 % lower than I thought.

The day after I published my post, Andrea from Favero got in touch wanting to sort out the issue. Together with their technical department, we tried all the tricks in the book, which was everything from installing a beta software and troubleshooting the pedals from Italy, were Favero is located. They found an error in one of the pedals and supplied me with a replacement.

After that my relationship with the Assioma Duo pedals has been a love story. They are still super easy to set up, reliable, idiot proof and now also very accurate. Looking at it in the big picture I could not ask for more.

While I did not ask for more, someone else probably did, because I immediately got asked by Favero if I wanted to try out a new beta software. The new software improved their claimed accuracy from  +- 2% to +- 1 %, which is the same as the best competitor from Vector and SRM. This is regardless of using oval chains, thanks to their IAV Power system. Going into the details regarding what IAV Power system is and how it works is beyond my competence, but Favero has written about it on their website.

In addition, you got the following features:

• Static weight test – A procedure to look at the measured force of the pedals. Useful if you expect under- or overestimated power values.
• Configuration of auto-power off – adjust how long time you want before the pedals to sleep
• Shipping mode – turns the pedals off to save battery during travel (vibration from the airplane can cause them to be awake the whole time)
• Configuration of single or dual channel mode – which makes it compatible with Zwift and other devices only using a single channel.

With these features update, I have to agree with DC Rainmaker, the single/dual channel is the most important update. Dual channel means that both pedals are submitting their signal to the unit you prefer, while single channel means that the combined signals from both pedals get transmitted from the left pedal. While this may sound like unimportant “tech-stuff”, it is rather important if you use Zwift, Suunto and many other apps who only work with the single channel. Information wise you get the same information, like Left/Right balance etc. with both ways of transmitting. Before the update, you could only get data from the left pedal if the device/app was not dual channel compatible.

As for today, I find the Assioma Duo the best power meter you can buy. They are:

• Accurate as the best in class with +- 1 %
• Lightest at 155 g per pedal including pod
• Very easy to set up
• Rechargeable
• Compatible with all the regular devices and apps
• Among the least expensive power pedals available

Some cyclists still prefer the crank-based power meters, but for me with more than one bike and some travel with work (I just bring my pedals with me to ensure correct intensity regardless of bike/spinning bike) I see the pedal based power meters as a superior solution. You can read more about my thoughts of power meter in this blog post.

As for competitors for the Assioma Duo, I only see one, the Garmin Vector 3. I have not tried it, but know a lot of people who own one and I have not heard any complaints. They are as accurate (claimed), weighing just 11 g more and as easy to set up. From an aesthetical perspective, the Vector is more pleasing. If that is worth the additional cost of $249 or 2700 NOK, is something each person have to decide. For me (and yes, I paid retail price for them) I did not find it worth the higher price of the Garmin Vector 3. They also use non-rechargeable batteries, which I find slightly old-school.

The Powertap P1 is, in my eyes, outdated. Weighing 60 g more, have lower claimed accuracy with +- 1,5 %  and having a price closer to the Vector P1 than the Assioma (at least in Norway). I see no reason why you should choose the P1 pedals.

There are also other power pedals on the market, like the SRM Exakt, but struggle to see why this should be seriously considered with the Assioma or Vector 3. And if you are considering to go for any older power measuring pedals since you could find them at a much lower price I would advise you to save rather save up. In my opinion they are not good enough.