Race Face and Easton offer new crank-spindle power meter, introduce new components at Sea Otter

MONTEREY, Calif. (BRAIN) — Race Face and Easton are both getting into the power meter market with a $600 spindle-based system that is compatible with cranks from both brands.

The two brands, owned by Fox Factory, also are introducing a variety of new components this week at the Sea Otter Classic here:

• Race Face is launching a new parts group, Next R, which slots in between its Next SL group (intended for cross-country/enduro) and its SixC group (intended for downhill use). Next R includes wheels, cranks and handlebars.
  

  

• Easton is launching its AX product group for gravel/adventure riding. AX includes carbon and aluminum flared drop bars, and an aluminum-rimmed wheelset. 
  

Cinch power meter offers interchangeability.

The Cinch power meter spindle is compatible with Easton road/cyclocross/gravel cranks or Race Face mountain bike cranks using the Cinch crank system. It will fit new cranks as well as many existing cranks using the brands' Cinch crank/spindle interface, which allows quick crank removal for swapping out direct-mount spiders or chainrings.

The brands say the power meter is protected inside the spindle. By putting the meter in the spindle, it is interchangeable for many applications and even swappable between bikes in some cases, for riders who want to purchase one power meter for use on multiple bikes.

The power meter adds 65 grams to the system. Battery life is claimed to be about 400 hours and the internal battery can be recharged via a USB port. The meter has a claimed accuracy of plus-or-minus 2 percent and has a companion mobile app that shows battery level, performs calibration and shows data including power, cadence and pedal smoothness. The power meter transmits in Bluetooth and ANT+ so it is compatible with many bike computers and other devices.

The spindle without cranks will retail for $599.99. With Next R crankarms (no bottom bracket or spider/chainrings) it will retail for $1,149.99. With EC90 SL crankarms it will retail for $949.99.

The Cinch power meter spindle is available in two lengths: 129mm for road/'cross/gravel applications and 134mm for mountain bikes. The Cinch crank/spindle interface is identical across applications so some riders may be able to swap the power meter between bikes if the spindle length works with their drivetrain.