Power Meter Compatibility

By Kate Hector
Apr 22, 2021

Is my bike compatible with a Stages Power Meter?

You’re ready to buy a power meter, awesome! There are lots of different options when it comes to power meters, but we are here to help and make sure you get the right power meter for your bike. To ensure your bike is compatible with a Stages Power Meter, we recommend checking these primary compatibility guidelines for your bike. Each of the following steps should guide you through the process of verifying that your bike is a good fit.

Frame Clearance
Chain Stay Brake
Crank Set Compatibility
Gravel and Mountain Bikes
Unsure of Crank Model?
Cross Compatibility
Factory Install

Frame Clearance

We recommend checking frame clearance for all left-side, left/right, and eeWings MTB (right-side) power meters due to the large number of variations of bicycle frames, parts specifications, and ongoing model year changes that make it difficult to keep a running list. Checking the frame compatibility is simple and can be done with a 10mm allen wrench.

The diagram below provides the necessary “CLEARANCE ZONE” you should consider prior to making your crank purchase. As long as you have the necessary “clearance” between your crank arm and chain stay, and assuming you have existing compatible cranks, you should be able to utilize our solution with your crank set. This includes not just the chain stay of the bike, but also any chain stay mounted brake that sits in the space between the crank arm and the frame. For bikes with chain stay brakes, an alternate brake caliper may be required.

Chain Stay Brake

If you do note that your bike has a chain stay mounted brake that may interfere with the placement of the power meter on the left side, it may still be possible to use a left-side Stages Power meter. Please note the following info:

1. Brake model
2. Bike model and year
3. Crank model

Then contact us for a list of potential solutions by opening up a support ticket with Stages Cycling or Stages Cycling Europe. Alternately, the Stages Power right-side power meters may be used as single-sided power meters on bikes where a left-side power meter cannot be utilized.

Crank Compatibility

Once you've checked the frame for clearance, the next step is to confirm compatibility with your existing crank set. In some instances, a left crank option is not available, so a complete crank set may be required. Check our list of models to find an equivalent model with your existing crank. Check the product descriptions to confirm compatibility with other models of cranks from the same manufacturer, as an exact match is not always needed. More information on cross-compatibility is also included below.

Gravel Bikes and Mountain Bikes

Power isn't just for roadies! If you're interested in adding a power meter to your gravel bike or mountain bike, follow the same frame clearance test mentioned above. We offer drive side Shimano options for bikes where clearance may be an issue, with more options coming in the future. Currently GRX is not available for gravel bikes as a drive side meter due to Shimano's design, but many riders convert Dura-Ace and Ultegra cranks to 1x with a chainring swap.

The Stages Carbon for 30mm and Mountain GXP models are compatible with a wide variety of cranksets from SRAM. To help clear up any confusion on your specific model, we have a few tips on determining if your SRAM mountain crankset is compatible.

SRAM DUB
Stages Carbon for 30mm power meters can be used with SRAM DUB mountain bike cranksets using a compatible spindle (spindle G).

Boost Cranksets
SRAM Boost mountain bike cranksets follow the same compatibility rules as their non-boost equivalents. The only difference is on the drive side, so there's no difference in compatibility.

Eagle XX1 and X01
The SRAM Eagle crankset versions follow the same compatibility as their non-Eagle equivalents. For GXP, both versions of Eagle cranksets should be compatible with the Stages Carbon GXP power meter (as they do not make a narrow q-factor version for Eagle). For BB30, the same guidelines apply in selecting the correct spindle for your crankset - verify the size of your drive side spacer and select the corresponding spindle based on this.

Fat Bike Cranksets
Our Stages Carbon GXP power meter (as well as previous model X9 GXP) is compatible with SRAM GXP fat bike cranksets. We do not currently have a compatible spindle that will allow for compatibility with a BB30 fatbike crankset.

Narrow Q-factor Cranksets
We do not currently have an equivalent model to match up with the narrow q-factor versions of SRAM XX1 or X01. These cranksets are labeled on the side of the crank with the "156" q-factor. Though they will still bolt together with the equivalent left crank option, the crankset will be asymmetrical due to the mismatch in offset.

Unsure of Crank Model?

To help find your crank model, check the exterior of the crank for any printed brand and model information. The length of the crank is typically engraved or stamped into the back of each crank arm near the pedal spindle.

How do I find out if my crank is compatible with a Stages Power Meter?

So now you know how to check compatibility and clearance with your bike. This is the most important information to know when shopping for a Stages Power Meter. Our existing models offer a large range of compatibility with crank sets from Shimano, FSA, SRAM, Cannondale, and Campagnolo. Though we may not offer an exact match for your existing crank, most of our models are cross-compatible with other models from the same manufacturer that have the same bottom bracket interface and similar offset/q-factor.

Shimano Hollowtech II
FSA
SRAM
Cannondale
Race Face
Campagnolo

Shimano Hollowtech II

While we offer current model left crank options for Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and 105, additional component levels and many older groups are also compatible. Shimano road cranks are interchangeable between other component levels that utilize the dual pinch bolt. Nearly all pinch-bolt style Shimano road cranks are able to be interchanged in equivalent lengths. Stages Power R right-side Shimano road power meters can also be used with any Hollowtech II compatible left crank arm.

For Shimano Hollowtech II mountain bike cranks, compatibility is a bit more difficult due to changes in the left crank between versions. If you are unsure, please submit a new ticket with Stages customer support detailing your current bike and crank model.

Current models (as of 2021):

XTR M9100: Works only with M9100/9120 cranksets, which do not use a pinch bolt attachment system on the left crank.

XT M8100: Works only with M8100, M7100, and similar 12-speed Shimano mountain cranksets that feature two pinch bolts and are 20mm thick at the BB end.

Saint: Works with existing Shimano mountain cranksets that feature two pinch bolts and are 25mm thick at the BB end.

DXR: Works with existing Shimano mountain cranksets that feature two pinch bolts and are 25mm thick at the BB end.

FSA

FSA SL-K and Energy BB30 models are interchangeable with other FSA road BB30 cranks, with the exception of any triple crank models. For any 386EVO models, a Stages Carbon or Energy 386 model must be used. At this time we do not have any compatible models for FSA mountain bike cranks.

SRAM

SRAM GXP compatibility is offered for all road cranks through the Stages Carbon for Road GXP model. Likewise, SRAM mountain GXP cranks are compatible with the Stages Carbon for Mountain GXP models, with the exception of narrow q-factor (156mm) versions of XX and XX1 cranksets. BB30 models offer a range of compatibility based on crankset model and utilize a combination of Stages Carbon for 30mm combined with the appropriate 30mm spindle. SRAM BB30 compatibility is limited to SRAM cranksets with the spindle attached to the left side, so older models with the spindle attached to the drive side are not compatible due to this change in design. We recommend consulting our product page for a summary of spindles available and compatible models.

Cannondale

The Cannondale SI left crank power meter model is compatible with current generation Cannondale Si and SiSL2 cranksets. Older Cannondale SL crank models and cranks from other manufacturers (re-branded Cannondale cranks) are not compatible due to design differences.

Race Face

Currently our compatibility with Race Face is limited to Next SL cranksets which utilize a 134mm spindle, using a combination of Stages Carbon for 30mm and Spindle E.

Campagnolo

Campagnolo Record and Chorus left-side power meters can be used on any Campagnolo Ultra-Torque crankset, with the exception of Super Record. The Campagnolo Super Record left-side power meter is only compatible with Campagnolo Super Record Ultra-Torque cranksets.

Note: 10 and 11-speed cranks can be used with 11-speed versions. 12-speed versions, however, much be paired with their equivalent 12-speed versions due to a change of the location of the fixing bolt.

Factory Install

If the power meter that you are looking for isn’t in stock, Factory Install is an excellent option that will add a power meter to your bike in as little as 3 weeks. Factory Install Power Meter production, which allows customers to send their existing crank arm to be converted into an accurate, reliable Stages Power Meter.
Factory Install is currently available for alloy crank arms or crank set in the following models: