Review: Favero Assioma Shimano electric metre

Favero Assioma Shimano

Shimano is an accurate power metre with rechargeable batteries that are friendly, Reliable, pedal-based, dual-sided power measurement for Shimano pedal users.

Brand: Favero Electronics

Weight: 99g / spindle

 Price: $ 637

_{^{Riders who are sensitive to the Q-factor – the distance between the outside of the crank arm and the centre of the pedal platform – may need to adjust to use the Assioma Shi.}}

The power metre pedals have had few options other than using the Look Keo Cleat compatible pedals.  Italian manufacturer Favero launched the Assioma Shimano Power Meter in 2017, four years after the debut of its look-compatible version.  Unlike the Look compatible version, which comes with power meter spindles and pedal bodies ($ 733 / set), the Shimano version (“Shi”) is marketed as power-measuring spindles, so you need to bring your own pedal bodies or make an extra purchase.

Favero Assioma Shi Ultegra R8000, R6800, R7000, R550, and R540 Compatible with Three-Bolt Road Pedals.  Owners of Dura-Ace pedals will need to switch to different pedal bodies if they want to use the Assioma power metre, as pedal bearings on Dura-Ace pedals are different from other Shimano road pedals and do not fit the Favero bearing configuration.  Making the power metre “brave” available to consumers reduces costs and allows most Shimano road pedals owners to upgrade their pedals without having to buy external hardware.  Unlike the Garmin and the SRM, Favero does not currently produce a pedal compatible with two-bolt cleats or off-road pedal systems.

_{The Favero Assioma Shi Power Metre does not come with pedal bodies, which cuts costs and allows Shimano pedal users to bring their own pedals.} 

Size, weight, fit

The Assioma Shi Power Metre Electronics are fully placed in spindles, each weighing 99 grams.  The entire pedal weight varies depending on the version of the pedal body used;  Ultegra R8000 pedal bodies with osteoma spindles tilt the scales to 156g per pedal.

For comparison, a set of Favero Assioma look pedals is 305g per set, so the fully assembled Assioma-Ultegra pedal is very close in weight.  The height of the pedal stack depends on the type of pedal body and is not affected in any way by Favero Electronics.

_{The Favero Assioma Shi (left) has the Q-factor, which is about 10mm higher than the Look Kio version of the power metre.} 

Compared to the standard Altegra pedal with no power metre (53mm), the Assioma Shi pedals have a Q-factor that measures 64mm on each side.  For reference, the Garmin Vector 3 and the latest Rally Power Meter pedals have a 53mm Q-factor.  I didn’t notice this difference when swapping between bikes with Assioma Shi pedals or riding different bikes with different pedals on it.  And, some riders who experience knee pain may want a fit with a higher Q-factor.

_{I did not notice the Q-factor when using the Favero Assioma Shi electric metre.}

Battery and Electronics

Like the look version of the Assioma, the Shi version of this electric metre has a pod at the base of each spindle, which has a rechargeable battery and has ANT + and BTLE antennas.  The LEDs on the pods display the charging status and even when the pedals are ready to connect to the bike’s computer for a ride.

_{I don’t really notice the Q-factor when using the Favero Assioma Shi power metre.}

When charging the batteries are attached to a set of two-metre long cables that have proprietary-shaped magnetic clips that connect to the pedals and keep the harness in place during charging. These clips and cables are similar to the version of the electric metre.

Note: This harness is required to wake the pedals from the travel mode, so if you put the pedals in deep sleep for travel (this mode differs from the sleep mode when the pedals are not in use), make sure you bring the charging harness all the way to the pedals.

Favero claims about 50 hours of battery life between the charges, and with a full charge, I will be able to get a 43 hour ride on my Garmin Edge 530 before presenting a low-battery message.  Favero App Displays Yellow Battery Status Indicator When displaying a message recharging the pedals, approximately 15 percent of battery capacity (no numerical value is presented, only horizontal, colour-coded status indicator) is indicated.

Installation and Configuration

_{The assembly and installation instructions guide you visually to which direction the spindles should be turned when swapping the stock pedal spindle for power “guts.”} 

Switching stock Shimano Ultegra R8000 Road Pedal Spindles for Assioma Power Metre Spindles is really easy – even for those who aren’t mechanically inclined – and takes less than five minutes.

_{Favero Assioma Shi Power Metre Spindle (top), and Shimano Ultegra R8000 Pedal Body and Spindle.} 

Favero includes instructions with a set of spindles, and the most important thing to remember: As the threads that attach the spindle to the crank arm, the right pedal spindle threads are reversed (this includes the Favero assembly and the installation diagram).  I use a wrench.  If your toolbox does not include these two different wrenches, a small adjustable wrench with thin jaws will also work.

_{The included 8 mm hex wrench is used to install the Favero Assioma Shi in the crank arms.} 

Favero Assioma Shi dispatches with an 8mm hex wrench, which is a quick and easy task to attach them to the crank arms.  After the pedals are installed in the crank, the Favero Mobile app requires the pedals to be registered with the Favero – they do not run without phase – as well as the power metre after installation, as they move between bikes.  The Favero mobile app has other settings for crank length, time spent before pedals go into sleep mode, and more.

You can read more about them in my review of the Favero Assioma Look Edition.

_{Importantly, the Assioma mobile app provides a very easy way to manage pedal settings.} 

Favero states that once exchanged between bikes, the pedals must be re-zeroed when restoring.  Although not necessary, I still go with my Garmin Edge 530 calibration routine, which is easily attached to the pedals before each ride.  Favero Electronics easily integrates with my Mac Powerbook Pro for use in the Garmin Fenix ​​6 Watch, Woohoo Element Bolt and Zwift.

Usage and comfortability

Favero Assioma Shi provides easy and consistent, extremely accurate and reliable power measurement.  Electronic “guts” are robust and can withstand rain and changes in temperature during riding.  When comparing Assioma Shi to the Wahoo Kickr Core, and the L Ultegra Crank Arm of the Stages, I felt that the measurements were reliable and even in a non-clinical environment – outdoors, even when riding with them on the road.  Favero claims that the accuracy of Assioma is within +/- one percent.

The data sent from the Assioma pedals is displayed in the same manner as the data from any power source.

When using the Garmin Connect to record and track rides, the only data field not imported is the Platform Centre Offset (PCO), It specifies the right / left offset from the pedal body centerline in millimetres for each cleat.  This is certainly not a deal breaker;  The only time I really care about this metric is after installing new cleats in my shoes and returning from injury and wanting to see if my pedalling is balanced or not.

  Our thoughts

The reliability of these power metre pedals is excellent and the ease of swapping between bikes is a great option for those with more than a single road bike.

Pro

Excellent value;

Accurate and reliable power measurement;

Set-It-Forget-It is easy to use;

  Cons

BYO pedal bodies add to the cost;

The q-factor may not be for everyone;

Travel mode requires charging cable to wake up;

_{The PCO data field is not sent to Garmin Connect by Assioma Shi.} 

  Final word’s 

At half the cost of the Gamin Rally pedals, and $ 300 less than the Wahl PowerLink Speedplay compatible pedals.  This is of course acceptable for those who do not have pedal bodies included and may already have an additional $ 99- $ 199 purchase.  I really like the rechargeable battery feature of Assioma: Landfill has no waste, or problems with batteries in the battery compartment when riding less than perfectly smooth roads.  The data provided by the Favoro pedals is accurate and reliable and I think this is the most important factor when evaluating a power metre.  I trust the data and allow it to inform my ride without questioning it.  The Favero Assioma Shi electric metre is a good value and provides reliable, workable and reliable information

_{Source : Favero Electronics image: Greg Kaplan) create VeloNews}