Test Power2Max NG: Spring is here! You've probably been on your bike for a few hours this year, because you know champions are made in the spring. And if not, then it's high time to get the racing bike out of the basement and start training. If you need a motivational kick or two, need better control over your training, or are simply “crazy for data”, then you should think about a watt meter for your racing bike. In any case, I am a little bit of everything and I am therefore all the more pleased to be able to test a watt measuring crank from Power2Max for a few weeks.
Power2Max NG - Unboxing
My choice falls on the Power2Max NG in combination with a Rotor 3D+ crank with Rotor bearings and chainrings.
Crank, bearings, chainrings at a glance
The Rotor 3D+ is Rotor's high-end model. It is designed according to the principles of weight saving and rigidity. The crank arms are CNC machined in Spain from 7055 aerospace grade aluminum.
The Rotor 3D+ Road compact crank is equipped with an integrated 30mm aluminum hollow shaft. The crank is characterized by its low weight and higher rigidity compared to the 3D crank. The hollow-bored crank arms of the Rotor 3D+ have a black anodized surface that gives them a particularly cool look.
Another advantage of the Rotor 3D+ is that it fits into almost any frame thanks to the universal bottom bracket "UBB" system. The UBB system is not a standard. It meets all standards because it allows the installation of almost any 24 or 30mm Rotor crank axle in any frame regardless of the recommended bottom bracket type. You then only have to take the right bottom bracket from Rotor from the table. In my case the bearing PF4130, which is made for cranks with 30mm axle diameter and 41mm housing diameter. The bearings are installed directly in the frame without a nylon sleeve. They weigh approx. 68g and are fitted with a high-quality silicone seal to keep out dirt, dust and water.
For the chainrings, my choice is the compact gradation (50/34 teeth). And since I've been riding with Q-Rings for a good year, I'm particularly pleased that they also fit the power meter. The oval chainrings work like this: The chainrings have the largest circumference at the point where I put the greatest force on the pedal. The smallest circumference is at top dead center. The oval Q-Rings chainrings optimize my power transmission and promote a round kick.
The watt meter
And now to the most important thing:
The Power2Max NG is the "new generation" of the Power2Max power meter and the result of a completely new development for spider-based power measurement. It is developed and produced in Germany. The Power2Max NG should be even easier to use and more precise than its predecessor, the Type S. It is Bluetooth compatible and offers full performance measurement of the highest quality. Compared to the Type S, the Power2Max NG is about 25 grams lighter.
Power2Max NG features:
- Battery
The Power2Max NG is operated with a rechargeable battery. The battery life is approx. 150 hours. - ANT+ / Bluetooth
The performance data can be sent to a bike computer or your smartphone via ANT + or Bluetooth. - Calibration
The power2max NG determines the power with an accuracy of +/- 1% - TC+
The Power2Max NG has Temperature Compensation Plus. The Power2Max process for compensating for temperature influences has been refined once again. - NG Metrics
The NG offers the following data: power, cadence, right-left distribution, torque, smooth pedaling - Simple2use²
Auto-zero, no battery change, cadence determination without external magnet, chainring change without affecting the accuracy are possible. - built2resist
The NG power meter offers reliable performance data anytime and anywhere, is waterproof, almost wear-free and very robust. - Made in Germany
Power2Max power meters are developed in Germany and according to the highest standards
Quality standards made by hand in an environmentally friendly manner.
Power2Max NG – The assembly
- First, the Q-Rings are mounted on the Power2Max NG power meter. Particular attention must be paid to the correct position and tight fit of the chainrings. First you guide the large chainring from above over the Power2Max NG power meter.
- Now bring the holes for the screw connections in line.
- After the small chain ring has also been brought up to the Power2Max NG power meter from behind, everything is screwed on with the chain ring screws provided. IMPORTANT: The tightening torques specified by the manufacturer must be observed. The alignment of the chainrings and the chainring bolts must also be taken into account.
- Then you mount the crank on the Power2Max NG power meter. To do this, guide the crank from the front through the opening provided in the power meter. In doing so, attention must be paid to the alignment and correct seating of the pedal crank on the power meter. The Rotor 3D+ has a lock ring closure. A few drops of medium-strength screw lock (eg Locktite 243) should be placed on the inside. This is then tightened using the specific tool. IMPORTANT: The lockring must be seated correctly on the thread. The specific tool can be clamped in a vise for simplified assembly. This guarantees a secure position of the specific tool during further assembly: the lock ring is tightened with the specified torque. The tightening torque can be found in the download area on power2max.com.
- The crank can now be installed like a normal Rotor 3D+ crank, provided the appropriate bearings are already installed. Instructions for this can be found in the download area of Rotor.
- After assembly, it is essential to check and, if necessary, readjust the front derailleur.
- The assembly is complete, but without the next step, the Power2Max NG would only be an ultra-expensive crank spider with a 110 bolt circle. The Power2Max must now be paired with an output device (tachometer). All data will later be recorded and displayed on it. I ran this test with a Wahoo Elemnt. The connection is a bit different for each manufacturer, but in general it always works like this: There is a function with which you can search for ANT+-enabled devices nearby, where a power meter is then displayed in the results. Afterwards you have to confirm again that you really want to connect the speedometer to this power meter and that's about it. Ready to go!
