Tested: Latest Assioma Power Pedals

BA’s resident powerhouse Luke Meers puts the latest Assioma power pedals through their paces.

It may seem a little odd to see some SPD cleat based pedals adorning the pages of your trusted road cycling magazine, but between gravel, cyclocross, bike packing and more, these once neatly separated worlds are now enmeshed and overlapping. Also, I figure, if SPD pedals are good enough for Lachlan Morton, then they’re good enough for me.

Not insignificantly, the Favero Assioma Pro MX pedals represent another step forward in the realm of cycling power meters. They have been met with anticipation and excitement within the cycling community, and for good reason. These pedals are not just a mere upgrade to their predecessors; they are a complete overhaul that promises to enhance the cycling experience for both off-road adventurers and gravel grinders alike.

The dual-sided Assioma Pro MX-2 pedals have done away with the external battery pod, integrating all essential components within the spindle. This not only streamlines the look but also improves the durability; a crucial feature for the rough and tumble of off-road riding. The battery life, while slightly less than some competitors at 60 hours, is still impressive considering how compact these pedals are. The only downside here is that the battery unit is not replaceable. That being said, Favero claims that after a whopping 25,000 hours of use the battery life should have only dropped by 20 per cent, so perhaps not too much of a problem.

Accuracy is a hallmark of the Assioma brand, with the Assioma road pedals being lauded for their precision and reliability. The Pro MX-2 pedals continue this tradition with a claimed +/- 1 per cent accuracy. The inclusion of advanced metrics such as Platform Center Offset (PCO) within the cycling dynamics suite further enriches the data available to the rider, allowing for a more nuanced analysis of their pedalling technique and efficiency. More on this later.

Installation and maintenance have been considered, with Favero including a couple of tools to allow easy regreasing inside the pedal body. Internally, there are two rows of needle bearings. These will likely wear out eventually, but a complete replacement pedal body is offered by Favero too. At current exchange rates it comes in at about $80. Not too bad. This user-friendly approach extends to the charging process, which is straightforward and hassle-free. Charging is similar to the Assioma road model, with a magnetic clip allowing for easy charging with the pedals installed or removed. This is a proprietary item, which is never ideal for a small and breakable component, however, the attachment of this charging pod seems a little more solid and reliable than the road model. They utilise a micro USB attachment in the pod, which seems a little dated but isn’t particularly a problem.

The build quality is another area where the Assioma Pro MX-2 pedals shine. Designed to withstand the rigours of mountain biking and gravel riding, these pedals promise durability and reliability. The reasonably low stack height (11.2mm) is a welcome feature, allowing a more natural foot position and pedalling motion, which can translate to better power transfer and reduced fatigue over long distances. The pedal body is all metal (6061-T6 aluminium pedal body and chromium molybdenum clipless system) and looks like it will be a reliable unit over a long life. Impressively for this metal dominant model, the weight of these pedals is a category-leading 191.4g.

In terms of performance, the Assioma Pro MX-2 pedals deliver consistent and reliable power data, a testament to Favero’s commitment to quality. The pedals handle day-to-day use with ease, and their robust construction means they can take a beating on gravel without missing a beat. The power data seems impressively accurate but also consistent across different terrains and weather conditions. Trusted tech-heads, GP Lama and DC Rainmaker both have raved about the accuracy and reliability of the Pro MX; I’d point you in their direction if you want a deeper dive into the data.

The Assioma Pro MX-2 pedals are more expensive than some crank-based power meters (approx 1170 AUD at the current exchange rate), but they are competitively priced within the pedal-based power meter market. Other pedal-based power meters like the Garmin Rally XC200 pedals and SRM’s X-power SPD power pedals, are significantly more expensive. Considering the features and performance the Assioma’s offer, I would argue that they provide excellent value for money.

The Favero Assioma Pro MX-2 pedals are a formidable contender in the power meter market. They bring together accuracy, durability, and user-friendly features in a package that is hard to beat. There is very little to fault from either a price or functionality side. Whether you’re a competitive racer or a serious enthusiast looking to optimise your training, the Assioma Pro MX-2 pedals are worth considering. With their robust design and reliable performance, they seem set to become a favourite among off-road and gravel cyclists.

Specifications

Product: Favero Assioma Pro MX-2

Brand: Favero. www.favero.com

Price: Approx $1170 AUD

Weight: 192 grams per pedal

Features

Cleat Type: SPD

Connectivity: AntPlus, Bluetooth

Battery: Rechargeable Li-ion

Battery Life: at least 60 hours

Accuracy: +/-1 per cent

Water Resistance: IP67

Cycling Analytics

The Assioma Pro MX-2 also boasts a unique set of cycling dynamics metrics, which provide valuable insights into a rider’s pedalling technique. This level of detailed data is not always available in other power meters (except quite expensive models like the Garmin XC-200), making the Assioma Pro MX-2 an informative tool for performance analysis. Some of the interesting features include:

Platform Center Offset (PCO), which measures the lateral displacement of force on the pedal platform, giving riders information on their foot positioning and how it may affect power transfer and bike handling.

Power Phase (PP) metrics, which analyse the rider’s pedal stroke to identify the portion where the power is being actively produced. This can help in optimising the pedal stroke for maximum efficiency. Torque Efficiency (TE) and Pedal Smoothness (PS) are other advanced metrics provided by these pedals. TE measures the effectiveness of a rider’s pedal stroke in producing forward motion, while PS assesses the consistency of power throughout a pedal rotation.

Rider Position (RP) analytics is a feature that detects the rider’s position changes, such as sitting and standing, during a ride. The Assioma Pro MX-2 also offers real Left/Right balance data, providing separate measurements for each leg, which can be crucial for identifying imbalances and targeting specific training to address them.

The IAV Power System within the Assioma Pro MX-2 ensures that the power measurements take into account irregular pedalling, such as during sprints or climbs, and even the use of oval chainrings. This leads to an accuracy of ±1% in any situation.

These metrics provide a wealth of information to analyse and improve riding technique and efficiency. Most of these are available to use in real-time (via the Favero app or appropriate bike computers with the data fields added) but I would think for most people, this level of data would be more often looked at after the ride, where you can nerd-out to you heart’s content.