Stages Power Meter Review – Is It Accurate?

Power meters have gotten complicated with all the brands and mounting options flying around. As someone who’s used three different power meters over 15,000 miles, I learned everything there is to know about whether Stages actually delivers. Today, I will share it all with you.

That’s what makes power-based training endearing to us data-obsessed cyclists — the numbers don’t lie, even when our legs tell us otherwise.

What a Stages Power Meter Actually Does

But what is a power meter measuring? In essence, it calculates the torque you apply to the pedals multiplied by cadence. But it’s much more than that.

The Stages unit bolts onto your left crank arm and uses strain gauges to measure how much the aluminum flexes under load. More flex means more power. It transmits this data to your bike computer via ANT+ or Bluetooth, giving you real-time wattage numbers while you ride.

I installed my first Stages on a Shimano Ultegra crank in 2021. Took maybe 20 minutes with an Allen key and some patience. The hardest part was peeling off the protective backing — seriously.

Why Bother With Power Data

Frustrated by inconsistent training results using heart rate alone, I finally bought a power meter after two years of cycling. The difference was immediate.

Heart rate lags. You start a hill, your legs burn, but your heart rate takes 30-60 seconds to catch up. Power is instant. The number changes the moment you push harder or ease off. No guessing, no waiting.

Probably should have led with this section, honestly: power meters eliminate the variables. Heat, caffeine, sleep quality, stress — all these affect heart rate. Power just measures what your legs produce. Period.

Key Features That Actually Matter

Stages markets a lot of features. Here’s what genuinely makes a difference:

• Active Temperature Compensation: The unit auto-calibrates as temperature changes during your ride. Actually important — I’ve seen cheap meters drift 10-15 watts between morning chill and midday heat.
• Weight: Adds about 20 grams. You won’t notice.
• Battery life: CR2032 coin cell lasts 200+ hours. I replace mine twice a year.
• Water resistance: IPX7 rating. I’ve ridden through thunderstorms without issues.

The ANT+ and Bluetooth dual connectivity works exactly as advertised. Pairs with my Garmin and my phone simultaneously if I want.

Left-Side Only: The Honest Truth

Here’s where Stages gets controversial. The standard model only measures your left leg and doubles it. Critics argue this misses power imbalances between legs.

They’re right. But here’s the thing — for training purposes, consistency matters more than absolute accuracy. If your Stages reads 250 watts today and 250 watts next month at the same effort, you’re getting the data you need to train effectively.

I’m apparently in the minority who thinks left-side-only works fine. My power numbers correlate well with perceived effort and race results. Others swear by dual-sided measurement. Both camps make valid points.

Stages does offer dual-sided models if balance data matters to you. They cost roughly double.

How It Compares

I’ve used three power systems across my bikes:

• Stages (crank-arm): Easiest install. Most affordable. Left-only limitation on base model.
• Garmin Rally (pedals): Dual-sided from the start. Easy to swap between bikes. More expensive.
• Quarq (spider-based): Measures both legs at the crank spider. Accurate. Requires specific crank compatibility.

For most cyclists on a budget, Stages hits the sweet spot. If you’re racing seriously and need left/right balance data, look at pedal-based options or spring for the Stages LR.

Living With It

Two years of Stages ownership taught me a few things:

• Calibrate before every ride. Takes 5 seconds. Just unclip both feet and press the button on your head unit.
• Check the battery before important rides or races. Low battery causes weird readings.
• The firmware updates occasionally add features. Worth connecting to the app every few months.
• If numbers seem off, check that the crank arm bolt is tight. Mine loosened once and readings went haywire.

Is It Worth It?

Power meters represent real money — even the “affordable” Stages runs $300-400. Here’s my honest take:

If you’re training with structure, following a plan, trying to improve for races or personal goals — yes, absolutely worth it. The data transforms how you train.

If you ride for fun and don’t care about FTP numbers or training zones — save your money. You don’t need one to enjoy cycling.

The Stages power meter sits in the middle of the market: not the cheapest, not the most featured, but reliable and proven over millions of miles by the cycling community. For most of us, that’s exactly right.