After talking about it for a long time, Garmin is finally showing a聽production-ready version of it’s new pedal-based power meter, with a聽delivery date of March 2012. In short, the device is based a Look聽K茅o-compatible pedal platform (the price includes a pair of Exustar聽pedals) that鈥檚 equipped with strain gauges that collect power output聽data built into the pedal’s spindle. At $1,500, the Vector will sit聽neatly in the pricing mid-range of power meters currently on the聽market while offering a convenience that none of the others can match:聽the ability to swap your meter from bike to bike by simply switching聽out your pedals. Because the Vector collects data from each pedal,聽you’ll be able to track power output balance between your left and聽right side, a great feature for rehabbing injuries or improving your聽pedaling efficiency. The pedals are compatible with any ANT+ head聽unit, but to take advantage of all the data set (for instance, the聽left-right power stats) you’ll need to use Garmin’s Edge 500 or 800聽computers.
The Garmin Vector was one of our editor鈥檚 five picks for Gear of the聽Show at the 2011 Interbike show. Click here to see the rest.