Experiences with power meter pedals in extreme conditions – accuracy and durability put to the test
When buying power meters, many people wonder the same thing: will they really last off-road? What about accuracy in the rain, in the cold, or when the pedals take a hit from a rock, for example? I get asked these questions all the time, so I decided to do a thorough test. I've been riding the Favero Assioma PRO MX-2 power meters continuously for 18 months, taking them into situations that most power meters never have to face.
I have gained experience from the forests of Finland to the rocky climbs of the Alps. I have ridden in rain, frost, mud and on trails where the pedals constantly hits on roots and rocks. They have been involved in Finnish championships, high in the mountains, technical XCM races and hundreds of training hours. And perhaps most importantly: they have worked every time.
If you want to read how the pedals played a decisive role in my Finnish XCM Championships victory in Tahko, you can read it here.
Reliability in every situation
The first thing that struck me was that these pedals don't give up. I've knocked them over on rocks countless times, ridden technical rocky trails, hit them on the stumps and they've always continued to function as if nothing had happened. This is an important consideration, as many people wonder about the durability of a power meter when the measuring unit is on the pedal. I can say from experience that the Favero Assioma PRO MX-2 can handle it all.
Accuracy remains consistent year after year
Measurement accuracy is something that cannot be compromised on. I have repeatedly compared the measurement results of the Assioma PRO MX-2 pedals with the Tacx Neo 2T trainer, which is still considered one of the most accurate measuring devices in the industry. There has been practically no difference. The power data remains stable in all conditions and even when the temperature fluctuates drastically or after the pedals have been hit by rocks and roots.
This has been a big confidence booster for me, because the value of a power meter is based on the fact that you can rely on its data completely both in training and in competition. When I know that the readings are real, I can adjust my training and competition strategy based on them without uncertainty.
No problems in mud, water or cold
The conditions I've used these pedals in have not been kind. Sometimes I've ridden for hours in deep mud, sometimes in pouring rain or in freezing temperatures where the mercury has dropped well below freezing. Still, the measurement has remained reliable with no inconsistencies in the readings and the connection has remained stable.
Many power meters start to show symptoms, especially in the cold: the battery freezes, the measurement starts to fluctuate or the connection is lost. The Favero Assioma PRO MX-2 is an exception. It works flawlessly even when conditions are at their extremes. This feature has been especially important to me, because I train and compete all year round and my trust in the power meter must never waver.
A driving experience you can trust
One of the best things about the MX-2 pedals is the feel. They lock into the SPD cleats securely and transfer power to the crank without any lag. The pedal doesn't feel "loose" even on technical terrain, and it's still easy to remove your foot when you need to quickly get off the bike.
When the pedal feels stable and the connection to the bike is solid, muscle work is converted into movement without wasted watts. This is especially true on steep climbs and long trails where every pedal stroke counts.
If you want to read more about how power meter pedals changed my climbing technique and what climbing feels like now, I recommend this blog:
👉 How Watt Pedals Changed the Way I Ride Climbs
After 18 months – my own conclusion
If someone were to ask me now, 18 months later, if I would buy these pedals again, the answer would be a resounding yes. They have withstood conditions that would have killed many a power meter. They have remained accurate even after being subjected to severe mechanical shocks. And they have performed flawlessly even when the cold gets colder and the rain falls horizontally.
The Favero Assioma PRO MX-2 is a real workhorse. It's a tool you can build your entire training and competition strategy on.
If you're wondering if these power meter pedal can withstand heavy use, I can say from my own experience: yes, it can.
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