Hi Everyone
In need of some advice
I am a 53 male just getting into cycling and have had mixed advice if I should install power meters into my bike to help with increasing my fitness and the way I train. Being older I would like to train correctly and efficiently to avoid injury. Also any advice on what would be the best power meter to get. I own a 2026 Gusto GTR Pro TE. It has Shimano Dura Ace Pedals
I think power meters are incredibly valuable if you plan to follow structured training. They take the guesswork out of effort and help you train efficiently, which is especially useful if you want to improve fitness while avoiding overdoing it.
Since you’re just getting into cycling, they’re not essential, but if you’re motivated to train properly, they can be a great investment.
For your setup (Shimano SPD-SL pedals), the Favero Assioma PRO RS pedals would be a really good option. They are the gold standard for pedal-based power meters, and they’re easy to install and swap between bikes.
You can choose between:
Single-sided – cheaper, measures one leg and doubles the reading to estimates total power
Dual-sided – more accurate, gives true left/right power and balance
If budget allows, I’d recommend going dual-sided. It gives you more accurate data and better long-term value, especially as you progress. You could always start with the single sided version and upgrade the right pedal later.
Is this just llm output?
No, I own this power meter and they are decent. I’ve had them since they launched and they haven’t missed a beat. I also own a power2max but honestly for simplicity I would go with pedals.
Will you be doing indoor and outdoor rides? will you have a bike trainer?
Agreed on the faveros. I’ve had them for the last 5-6 years in various guises.
At this stage just outdoor rides
I wouldn’t go for a PowerMeter yet…. Welcome to cycling… I would get good tires first.
for indoors I think the PowerMeter enhances the training experience especially combined with tools like a smart trainer and software like Trainer Road or Zwift.
outdoors there is so much variation in the environment (weather, hills, cars, stoplights), IMO I would wait for a couple seasons, as you get more experience you will get a better sense if/or when you need a PowerMeter.
They really show their value when you are using a training plan designed around measuring power, ultimately for you, the best training is just riding your bike. Not my metaphor, but fitness is like building a cake, training with power is the icing, focus right now on the base, get out and ride, and ride more, and keep riding.
It looks like your bike has Shimano, I have a Magene P505 and P515 and they’ve been great, drop in for Shimano and power is accurate.
My Favero pedals have also been solid. They’re a more expensive option but a very good one.
My first entry into the power meter market was a Favero BePro S and it never missed a beat in about 8 years until I went with the newer, and mentioned in the first post, Favero Assimoa Pro dual as they’re double sided and spd-sl compatible given the reliability of the still functioning (but boxed) Be Pro S (look compatible).
On my good bike for outside training and leisure Ive got a left sided 2nd gen 4iiii on a dura ace crank, I got it at a good price and its been very reliable too, but I think the Favero wins for me being dual sided and more transferable (I am going to fit them to my holiday hire bike, I couldn’t do that easily with my crank fitted 4iiii ‘s)
If you are attempting to follow a plan like TR , then yes get them. Most plans these days are power meter based.
Before power meters we used heart rate zones for training. This works. You will have to find a plan that uses heart rate instead of power (watts). it’s still all about time in zone.
The book “Cycling Past 50 “ is worth a read
Welcome to the club.
If you are motivated by tracking improvement, I think a powermeter is the best investment you can make. Even before I got into structured training, I loved seeing my watts go up as my fitness improved. You can kind of get similar motivation by tracking increases in mileage or average speed, but power is a much more objective measurement. Very similar to tracking pace in running.
If you are primarily cycling outdoors or just starting off, a power meter will be more fancy numbers than a requirement for improving fitness.
Ive recently removed the PM from my road bike as I honestly cant see the point. All my structured training is indoor on a trainer and for the times I am out in a group ride, sportive or whatever, I cant remember ever looking at my power or making a decision based upon it.
TT bike is a different matter, but general cycling, not neccesary imo
You absolutely do NOT need to follow structured training to make good use out of a powermeter. Even if you just want to spend a year just letting the powermeter quantify and describe to you the training you are doing, it’s a good thing to have. Most people spend a bunch of time doing just that when they first get a powermeter.
I’m a huge advocate of Favero - I love their pedals and have always found there customer service to be top notch. I have bothe the DUOs and the Pro MX pedals…. and will probably get the Pro RL too 
But I cant find any reason not to also suggest the magene 515 - they also seem to be rock solid and cheaper. They are obviously a bit harder to install though and I would assume that the customer service wouldn’t be as good - but i don’t know this.
I was thinking if I didn’t got the pedals I would opt for 4iiii 3+ or 3+ pro crank power meter
Anyone using these
Thanks
Not using them myself (I’m 2nd Gen) but bizarrely after having the 2nd gen unit so right, when they launched the 3rd gen power readings were completely unstable. I think they’ve sorted that with firmware updates but Id check. It’s a nice unit though 
The Power2Max is also highly regarded.
Get one! Just for the fun of pairing it to the head unit you didn’t need either. It is great to look at the data. Welcome to cycling. Where half the stuff we buy we don’t need! Great bike!
Hi Daz,
I am 63, bought Favero Uno PM after using virtual power for the last couple years with TR. Did a lot of online research and they are consistently rated very highly. Nice thing with pedals is you can move them easily between bikes.