In developing the Stages Power meter we set out to build the easiest power meter to ride and live with, both from installation to daily use. Despite the engineered simplicity of the Stages Power meter, it is one of the most advanced data collection devices on the market today. Thus there are some key habits that should be formed when installing the meter and living with it. As part of this daily maintenance of your meter, we strongly recommend downloading the Stages Cycling app and using it to keep your Stages Power meter in top working condition.
In addition to our recommendations outlined below, we recommend checking out:
Stages Power Installation Videos
And downloading our mobile app:
Stages Cycling app for Android
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- General setup recommendations
- Use a torque wrench to install the meter
- Perform a manual zero reset after installation
- Updating your Stages Power meter firmware
- Check battery status
- Recommended head unit settings
General setup recommendations
Overview: Each Stages Power meter is individually calibrated as part of its manufacture to ensure its accuracy when measuring your pedaling input. Because of this, there are a few key steps and processes that must be followed to ensure the device operates as intended. Furthermore, we’re constantly trying to be better. The Stages Power meter is much like your mobile phone with regards to the improvements we can make to the firmware running the device and our ability to quickly push it from our servers to your power meter through our app.
Key areas of focus:
- Use a torque wrench to install the meter;
- Perform a manual zero reset after installation.
- Update your Stages Power meter firmware and check it regularly.
- Check your battery level regularly.
- Adjust head unit settings for optimal data collection.
Use a torque wrench to install the meter
Using a torque wrench to install your Stages Power meter is important both for the accuracy of the power meter and to ensure your crank arm is installed safely and cannot come loose while riding.
Here's a table of torque specs for left crank power meters:
| Model / Brand | Torque specification |
|---|---|
| Shimano road and MTB left cranks | 12-14 N⋅m |
| Shimano Dura-Ace Track | 35-50 N⋅m |
| Stages Carbon for 30mm | 38-41 N⋅m |
| Stages Carbon for GXP | 48-54 N⋅m |
| Campagnolo Ultra Torque* | 42-60 N⋅m |
| Cannondale SI | 40 N⋅m |
| FSA Sl-K BB30 | 38-41 N⋅m |
We cannot recommend installing the Stages Power meter without a torque wrench. If this is your only option, please visit your local bicycle dealer.
*Note that Campagnolo Super Record crank bolts are reverse threaded. Super Record will tighten counter-clockwise. Chorus and Record bolts use normal threads and will tighten clockwise.
Perform a manual zero reset after installation
Once you’ve installed your Stages Power meter it is required that you perform a manual zero reset of your meter. A zero reset is similar to zeroing a scale - it lets the power meter know when no force is applied to the crank arm. Zero resetting is a simple process that can be performed through our mobile app or through most cycling head units.
Regardless of the means of zero resetting—through a head unit or our app—you should see the return of a zero reset value of 890 +/- 50 counts. Note: this number will move depending on the torque from installation and the environmental temperature. If you're seeing large changes in the zero reset number that result in it falling outside of this window, please contact customer support.
Zero reset with the Stages Cycling app
- Open the Stages Cycling app.
- Rotate the Stages Power meter at least one full revolution to wake the meter.
- Add your power meter to the app: Go to Devices and tap Add Device > Select Power Meter > Select your power meter from the list (for Left/Right power meters, select the left power meter) > Select done.
If you've already added your power meter, tap the link icon next to it on the devices list to connect. - Once done syncing, the app will take you to the power meter device manager page.
- Tap the zero reset button in the lower right corner. The app will instruct you to orient your power meter in the vertical position.
Zero reset your meter with a head unit
Most head units have the option to zero reset or calibrate a power meter. Please see your head unit's user manual for specific zero reset instructions. For left/right power meters, you may see the second number displayed as a negative number, such as 890/-890. This is how your head unit differentiates between the left and right power meter values.
Zero reset frequency
The Stages Power meter has an Automatic Temperature Compensation function, which allows it to Zero Reset itself when the onboard thermometer senses an environmental temperature change. This means that it does not require zero resetting before every ride or even in the middle of rides like other power meters have historically required.
We do suggest a manual zero reset once per week or before any required training tests (FTP or otherwise). This is, simply, a good habit to have, and will ensure the most accurate and consistent data for your coach or records. Regardless of your personal preference, once the initial zeroing is performed, the frequency of additional zero resetting is up to the individual rider.
Updating your Stages Power meter firmware
Your Stages Power meter relies on multiple sensors and antennas on its circuit board to collect power data, adjust for environmental changes, and broadcast your pedaling data to your head unit. In order to provide continuous improvements to your power meter experience and keep up with ever-changing broadcast protocols, we continuously work on updating our device's software. Utilizing your device's Bluetooth connection, we're able to send these software updates directly from your phone to your power meter utilizing the Stages Cycling app.
The long and the short: it is absolutely worth taking the time to check and update the firmware of your Stages Power meter once per month. If there is an upgrade, it’s like getting our latest and greatest product for free.
A full log of firmware improvements can be found here:
StagesPower Gen 3 Firmware Release Notes
StagesPower Gen 1/2 Firmware Release Notes
Check battery status
Most head units on the market will alert you when the power meter's battery status is low. However, when training indoors and using Zwift and other virtual cycling platforms, these alerts may be missed since you're not using your usual cycling computer. Especially in the case of Left/Right units, you may overlook a low battery, then find it running out during a ride. To avoid that, we recommend periodically checking your battery status in the Stages Cycling app.
To check your battery level:
- Open the Stages Cycling app.
- Rotate the Stages Power meter at least one full revolution to wake the meter.
- Add your power meter to the app: Go to Devices and tap Add Device > Select Power Meter > Select your power meter from the list (for Left/Right power meters, select the left power meter) > Select done.
If you've already added your power meter, tap the link icon next to it on the devices list to connect.
Select the Data tab.
View your battery percentage.
Recommended head unit settings
Your Stages Power meter can pair to your head unit via ANT+ or Bluetooth. Which standard you use will depend on your head unit. If your head unit supports both, we often recommend connecting with Bluetooth due to its slightly stronger bonding protocols. You are, however, limited in the number of Bluetooth connections to the power meter (up to 2 connections, if you're on the latest Stages firmware), so if you are using multiple devices, we recommend connecting compatible devices via ANT+ to ensure you can receive power on all your devices.
Most head units have a few settings that will affect the collection of power data during your rides. A few areas to look for:
- FTP and Power Zones: We also recommend performing an FTP test and setting your FTP (functional threshold power) on your head unit. This will really enhance the value of your power meter as a training tool by providing accurate measurements of training load on your rides. Without an accurate FTP, metrics such as Power Zone, Intensity Factor, and Training Stress Score will not be accurate.
- Auto-pause or continuous recording: Average power, Normalized Power, Intensity Factor, and TSS are all affected by your ride time. If you use auto-pause, your ride time will be shorter, but you may see higher numbers for average power and other metrics due to eliminating stopped time. If you use continuous recording, you will see lower averages, but you may see a higher training score since the ride time is extended. This setting is up to the end user to decide which is best for your riding case, just keep in mind that it will affect your data.
- Include or exclude zeros in power and cadence: Stages Dash units and most Garmin units can be set to include or exclude zeroes from either power or cadence readings. Our typical recommendation is to include zeros in power, as they're reflecting of times you are resting, so excluding them can inflate power readings. For most users, however, excluding zeros from cadence works well since it gives you an idea of your average rpm only during pedaling.