In the next article we will address how to choose a potentiometer according to needs – budget.

First of all, We are aware that you can find yourself in one of the following situations: you want to buy a potentiometer, But you don't know which or you already have a potentiometer, But you are not sure if you can trust the values ​​you record

Don't worry, You are at a point where we all pass. In the following lines we will try to put some light on the matter, so that you stay calmer and make a good decision when choosing brand and typology of this.
Leaving aside those that are mounted on the wheel of the wheel for being less used, We can find the different types according to their assembly and known brands that manufacture them:

Wheel bushing: Powertap.
Pedals: Powertap, Fabero axiom, Garmin, Polar.
Rod arm: Stages, 4iiii, Verve Cycling.
Bieling Spider: Quark, SRM, Shimano, Power2max.

Now ... which is better? Let's solve through the following concepts: Valid, exact, reliable what is needed?

Validity: that are able to measure what they should measure. In this case there is no doubt, All are valid, since they measure what they are manufactured for: the power.

Reliability: that measures correctly, No errors. Here in good condition, All potentiometers measure without errors. Errors when they occur, They usually happen by an external and justified problem such as: connection failure with the computer cycle, Bad calibration, Battery problems, blows that reduce your good measurement ... In this case we can highlight that those found in the axis or spider, They are more protected against possible blows and therefore future errors for this problem.

Necessary: The quality and proximity of measurements, that is to say, that always measures similar. We do not talk about the difference with other potentiometers, We talk that the own measurement is always similar and there is little variation between them. You can be calm or quiet since manufacturers ensure a coefficient of variation lower than the 3% usually. Studies that have discussed these issues have found similar results and from our experience we have not found great variations in a potentiometer, except for calibration errors.

Accuracy: that the measured value, be a true value. Property difficult to ensure today due to a true reference value with comparing. However, Studies that have tried to compare the values ​​between different brands and types conclude that in those in which greater deviations are observed, They are usually given by calibration errors with easy solution.

So ... which one you should choose? The advice we give you is as follows: choosing a model of the main brands you guarantee to have a good potentiometer, to which, regardless of whether it marks more or less than those of other companions of yours, It will allow you to control your own performance by offering you precise data. The guy you finally choose will depend on you; pedals can be a good option if you have more than one bike, although together with the connects, They are more exposed in a fall and possible damage and breakage. Spiders and axes are more protected, although they are somewhat more difficult to manipulate if you must make any change or repair together with a higher price of most of the time.