While many cyclists watch distance, heart rate and calories burned another number to watch is the power output. This is a harder number to track however, but now the Laser Spoke might make it just a bit easier – and best of all this third-party device can work on virtually any bicycle.
It can measure the power generated by the rider’s legs at the spokes of the wheel through a laser-based optical system, which consists of a laser and position-sensitive detector that can be mounted on the hub. This laser fires a beam at a prism attached to the rim, and this determines the deflection and the applied torque.
The only catch for now is that the data is stored on the device and can be accessed via an SD card, however the makers of Laser Spoke are working on an ANT+ interface as well. Then it can be one more number to watch while riding! But an important number at that!