Shimano Dura-Ace FC-R9100 Power Meter Crank Arm

Genuine Shimano Dura-Ace FC-R9100 power meter crank arm.

Technology

Shimano Power Meter Technology

Power is more than a number. Add meaning to your training with Shimano's Force Vector analysis.

While power is important, a simple output number doesn't give you the full picture. Understanding how you develop power and finding ways to improve efficiency can unlock new levels of performance. Shimano's Force Vector feature gives you real-time feedback on your pedal stroke, providing a more complete picture of your effort.

Visualize pedaling efficiency.

Arrows indicate the direction and amount of force you're applying to the pedals. Blue arrows show force rotating your cranks forward while red arrows represent force opposing transmission to the rear wheel.

Force Vector is made possible by Shimano's expertise in designing and manufacturing cranks.

When designing power meters, Shimano engineers consider crank structure, the manufacturing process, materials used, and how a crank flexes under load. It's this expertise that allows Shimano to achieve such accurate Force Vector measurement. Using the latest technology and Shimano's industry-leading knowledge, the latest Shimano power meters are powerful training tools.

Optimal sensor placement.

Shimano power meters contain a total of 24 sensors (12 on each side) in a full bridge configuration*. To accurately separate the force applied to the cranks in the tangential direction and normal direction, each sensor is positioned at an angle to compensate for crank deformation. This uniquely-designed sensor increases the precision of measurement and enables Force Vector measurement.

Full bridge configuration: A sensor circuit configuration that improves temperature compensation with large sensor output.

Unified left-right design.

Although many power meters over the world have a separate left-right configuration, Shimano power meters have a unified left-right configuration. A lithium-ion battery is incorporated inside the spindle that connects the left and right cranks, and provides power to the left and right sensors. Wiring the left and right sensors together eliminates minor deviations in measurement time and enables accurate measurement of power on both sides.

Long-life battery.

Power meters that have a lot of sensors and send a large amount of data have high power consumption. However, Shimano power meters achieve low power consumption thanks to a unique circuit configuration. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery enables long-term use while contributing to precision. The EW-EC300 Di2 charging connector is used for charging, making bicycle battery management easier.

Power precision.

Power measurement error is determined by the accumulation of load measurement error, time measurement error, and crank length variation. In order to reduce these errors and variation, Shimano power meters are structurally designed based on a careful examination of crank manufacturing methods. Additionally, thorough quality control measures are applied during manufacturing and calibration. For measuring load, each individual crank is calibrated in the factory before being shipped. Crank length is established in the processing stage, with minuscule variance. For the time measurement, measurement precision is improved with the use of magnets, and at a cadence of 90 rpm, the margin of error is a minuscule ± 0.15%.

Shimano power meter calibration.

Shimano load calibration conditions have been developed exclusively by Shimano based on a consideration of the conditions required for bicycle power meters, and with reference to JIS B 7728 and ISO 376 standards. Calibration is performed for a combined error of ± 1.5% or less with respect to the rated load.* With regard to the rated load, loads of varying direction and size may be applied to multiple points on the pedals depending on conditions, but the standard value is established as 800 N. Calibration is performed based on a consideration of maximum loads, so that errors do not increase even under high-input loads as produced by pro riders. This means that stable power values can be calculated for general riders up to pro riders. Combined error: At the maximum deviation from a straight line that connects the no-load point and the rated load point on the calibration curve, the combined error includes the following errors: Nonlinearity, Reproducibility, Repeatability, Zero error.

Temperature compensation.

Because of the properties of aluminum and strain gauges, the zero-point balance of the gauge changes as the temperature changes. This increases the load measurement error. To compensate for this, with Shimano power meters, each and every crank is subject to temperature calibration in the factory. When a 2°C change from the time of the zero offset occurs in the environment temperature, the zero point is automatically adjusted.