Do you need a power meter?

BikeRadar says a power meter mainly helps with structured training, fitness tests like FTP, and pacing in races or big rides. If you don't plan to do those, it may not be worth the money.

Pedal-based meters fit almost any bike and swap between bikes quickly. Crank or spider meters can need a bottom bracket change, and moving them between bikes takes longer. If you ride one bike all the time, a crankset is fine.

Single-sided meters measure one leg and double it. They cost less, but they under-read if your legs aren't evenly balanced. Dual-sided meters measure both legs and are usually more accurate and more expensive.

Makers typically claim 1–2 per cent. BikeRadar stresses that consistency matters as much as absolute accuracy, because a meter that's consistently off still makes comparisons unreliable.

BikeRadar's best overall is the Favero Assioma PRO MX, its best crankset is the Quarq DFour DUB, and its best budget pick is the Favero Assioma Duo.