The Magene powermeter unboxed earlier this year has been working pretty well since March. I have no complaints about the values as they are brutally honest about my ability as a cyclist.
Nevertheless, despite the acquired taste for the design of the crankarms and chainringset, the hefty 750 grams seems to be centred around the extra materials used for the integrated chainring spider. Hence came my next modification idea of putting the powermeter on a diet. First, I researched the crankarm mounting pattern which is a SRAM AXS 8-bolts pattern and went on to look for a compatible spider. Fortunately, Stone Chainrings does offer a chainring spider compatible with the 8 bolts pattern for AXS in 110 BCD (Bolt Circle Diameter) format. With the purchase, it is first step taken for this project.
Next is to acquire suitable chainrings for the Sensah Empire Pro (12 speeds) system. It is compatible with both 10 and 11 speeds chainset systems so the hunt is on. There are various options I was considering which include Driveline, Praxis Works, TA Specialities, SRAM and Stronglight. After going through pricepoints and experience of brands I have used previously, I settled for Driveline ZRS GT03 in 52T/36T configuration which also matched the them of the existing crankset in black colour.
I ordered my chainrings and received them in a week.
Being a person who always kept spare parts around the house, I put them together with a set of TOKEN Brand Shuriken chainring bolts and all we need to do is install it on the powermeter and test them out.
That is for another blog post the next time. So subscribe to my page and stay tuned for updates.
Thanks and take care!
A year in, the battery seems fine. I had an issue with the spider vs the SRAM chainrings--the spider design places the chainrings such that the crank is no longer lined up with the dropped chain protector. Means that the derailleur adjustment has to be just so, which my LBS didn't get right. I have it sorted now, and it seems to be working fine. Thanks again.
I've found another problem with the Stone chainring spider. The orientation of the 8 holes results in the crank being offset 7.5 degrees from the apex of the 5 spider arms. That means if the chain drops moving to the big chainring, the pin on the chainring can't work together with the crank to pull it back on. Not sure why Stone designed it this way--perhaps other cranks have a pattern that places them in the right place.
I know it's been a while, but any updates on the mod? Did filing the chainring work? Or does anyone know of replacement chainrings for the power meter?
Sadly to say the AXS chainring spider from Stone Cycle failed to fit correctly with the right crankarm. I am not sure if its the engineering issue with the spider or some special chamfer on the crank arm pattern to prevent using 3rd party spiders.
Currently put the project on hold to assess alternatives before deciding what's next.
Super interesting. Thanks for sharing this. I'm hoping your mod will allow me to use my stock SRAM Force chainrings. The Magene chainrings have a tooth pattern that I believe leads to noisy pedaling (when I examine the chain as it engages a tooth, it seems to climb a bit onto the tooth. SRAM Red chain). Curious though how you think this will reduce weight. Most of the excess weight vs the SRAM Force, IMO, is in the aluminum vs carbon cranks.
Also, it looks like the Stone spider is available from one seller, both Alibaba, Ebay and Amazon.