Quarq ELSA 10R-130BCD Road Power Meter GXP

Quarq Elsa 10R-130BCD Road Power Meter GXP

These days independent dual sided power measurement is becoming increasingly common, and the Quarq Elsa 10R-130BCD Road Power Meter GXP does not disappoint in this area. This enables you to track pedalling efficiency by monitoring the forces produced by each leg and thus allow you to eliminate any weaknesses.

Quarqhave already taken the first step in improving your power to weight, that you will soon be obsessed with, by crafting the Exogram Hollow carbon crank arms from carbon fibre, replicating the lightweight design of Quarq's normal cranksets.

It is always nice when upgrading one area of your bike does not require several other additional upgrades, so it is definitely advantageous that the ANT+ connectivity of this power meter means that you should not have to change your existing cycle computer, as long as you are using something like the Garmin Edge 1000.

Another area where the same can be said is the chainrings. The Elsa utilises Quarq's OmniCal power measurement technology, thus rendering the power measurement independent of the chainrings. This allows transfer of the power meter between bikes without fear of compatibility issues or deterioration of the industry leading +/- 1.5% accuracy.

A simple feature, but something that made this power meter stand out to us, was the ability to change the readily available CR2032 battery yourself without having to go near a tool. Even though you are expected to get more than 300 hours battery life. This saves you the complication of having to send the crankset back to the manufacturer for battery changes.

Another area of weakness in other power meters, but something that the Quarq Elsa 10R-130BCD Road Power Meter GXP addresses, is that of fluctuating readings with extreme temperature changes. The Elsa eliminates this with the 10K dynamic temperature compensation feature. This automatic adjustment schedule minimises drift, keeping your readings accurate no matter what the elements are throwing at you.

The Elsa is so well engineered that it is even waterproof for thirty minutes when submerged up to one metre, although some might say this is over engineered even by the dampest of weather standards!