How Favero Assioma Measures Power | Simple Cyclist Guide

If you’ve ever looked at your cycling power numbers and wondered, “How does my pedal actually know all this?”—you’re not alone. When I first started training with the Favero Assioma, I was skeptical too. But after using these pedals on everything from steady endurance rides to brutal VO2 intervals, I realized how elegantly simple—yet extremely precise—the technology actually is.

In this guide, I’ll break down how Favero Assioma measures power, why it’s trusted by everyday riders and pros alike, and what makes its accuracy different from other power meters. No engineering degree needed—just a cyclist’s curiosity.

What Is Cycling Power & Why It Matters

Before we understand how Assioma measures power, let’s quickly discuss why power matters in the first place. Power, measured in watts, is the most reliable way to gauge your effort on the bike because it is:

• Objective, unlike heart rate which fluctuates with fatigue, heat, or caffeine
• Instant, showing real-time output
• Comparable, letting you track progress over time

If you’re trying to improve FTP, pace climbs better, train with zones, or simply understand your effort, power data is the closest thing to having a coach watching every pedal stroke.

How Favero Assioma Measures Power (Simple Explanation)

Favero Assioma pedals use a combination of strain gauges, accelerometers, and advanced algorithms to calculate your power output with ±1% accuracy. Here’s the breakdown in everyday language:
Strain Gauges Detect Force: Inside each pedal spindle, Favero installs tiny metal sensors called strain gauges. When you push down on the pedal, the spindle flexes a microscopic amount—far too small to see but enough for the gauges to pick up. This flex reveals:

• How hard you're pushing (force in Newtons)
• How your force changes throughout the pedal stroke

I’ve compared it back-to-back with smart trainers, and Assioma consistently tracks within 1–2 watts on steady intervals—remarkably accurate for a device the size of a ChapStick.

Accelerometers Measure Cadence: Instead of magnets or external sensors, Asioma uses built-in inertial accelerometers to measure cadence (RPM). This matters because:

• Cadence × Force = Power
• Accurate cadence readings = accurate total wattage
• Fast accelerometer sampling reduces lag during sprints

When I do short 5–10 second sprints, the cadence response is instant, unlike crank-based meters that sometimes “wake up” slowly.

Advanced Algorithms Combine Both Data Streams: Favero’s software blends force data+rotation data to calculate:

• Power (watts)
• Torque
• Left/right balance (dual models)
• Pedal smoothness
• Torque effectiveness

This is what makes Assioma particularly loved among indoor riders and data-driven athletes: you don’t just get raw watts—you get SMART watts.

Dual-Sided Models Measure Each Leg Independently: If you choose the Assioma Duo or RS-2, you get:

• True left power
• True right power
• More accurate total power
• Detection of imbalances (e.g., 53/47 during fatigue)

This is important because many riders unknowingly favor one leg—especially after injury.

Why Assioma's Measurement Method Matters

There are plenty of power meters out there—crank, spider, hub, even some trainers. But pedal-based systems have unique advantages:
Pedals capture power at the source: Every watt you produce travels through the pedal spindle first. Measuring here avoids inaccuracies caused by:

• Drivetrain loss
• Frame flex
• Chain contamination

More accurate for real-world riding: Outdoor rides involve frequent surges, accelerations, and micro-adjustments. Pedal-based sensing reacts more quickly than spider-based systems, especially during:

• Standing climbs
• Quick sprints
• Uneven terrain

Better insights for form and efficiency: Metrics like torque effectiveness help everyday cyclists fix wasted movement and improve pedaling technique. I discovered that my right leg drops significantly during long rides—something I never would’ve noticed without pedal-level metrics.

Benefits of Favero Assioma With Real Riding Examples

Accurate Data in Every Situation: Whether you’re riding gravel, climbing, or rolling indoors:

• No temperature drift
• No sensitivity to bike swaps
• Same accuracy on every ride

Example: On a cold early-morning ride (around 8°C), my old crank meter often read ~10 watts low until warmed up. Assioma shows accurate numbers within minutes thanks to its auto-temperature compensation.

True Left/Right Balance Helps Fix Pedal Inefficiencies: If you’ve ever had knee issues or imbalances, you’ll appreciate the detailed tracking.
Example: After a minor hamstring strain, my left/right balance shifted from 50/50 to 46/54. Assioma let me monitor recovery week by week.

Easy Bike Swapping: Unlike crank or spider meters, Assioma only requires a simple pedal wrench.
Example:
If you own:

• A road bike
• A gravel bike
• An indoor trainer bike
  You can move Assioma between all three in under 5 minutes.

This alone saves a ton of money for multi-bike riders.

Long Battery Life With Zero Hassle: They last 50+ hours per charge and use a magnetic charging clip—no need to remove batteries or touch tiny ports.
This eliminates typical issues like loose battery doors or corrosion (a common problem in Garmin Vector 2).

Favero Assioma vs Other Power Meters

Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand why Assioma’s power measurement method stands out:

While Garmin Rally offers similar features at a higher price, Assioma wins for:

• Best value
• Easiest charging
• Consistent real-world accuracy

How to Use Favero Assioma for Best Power Accuracy

1. Proper torque during installation
   Torque the pedals to 35–40 Nm. Under-tightening can cause inaccurate readings.
2. Perform a zero-offset (calibration) occasionally
   Do it before key workouts or after big temperature changes.
3. Use proper cleat type
   • Assioma RS = SPD-SL
   • Assioma UNO/Duo = Look Keo style
4. Allow 2–3 minutes of pedaling for stabilization
   Especially in cold conditions.
5. Update firmware via the Favero app
   Favero frequently improves algorithms for more precise watt tracking.

Common Mistakes & Misconceptions

All power meters read the same- Different technologies = different sampling rates, temperature handling, and measurement points.
Left-only meters are accurate enough- If your imbalance is more than 2–3%, single-sided pedals can skew total power by 10–20 watts.
Skipping calibration: This is the #1 cause of inconsistent numbers across devices.
Improper cleat setup: Misaligned cleats alter pedaling biomechanics and can impact readings slightly.

Pros & Cons of Favero Assioma

Pros

• Extremely accurate ±1%
• Lightweight
• Easy to swap between bikes
• Affordable compared to Garmin Rally
• Rechargeable with long battery life
• Dual-sensing metrics are precise and helpful
• Stable in extreme temperatures
• Excellent for indoor + outdoor training

Cons

• Cleat system compatibility limitations
• Pedal body can be damaged in crashes (as with any pedal-based meter)
• Single-sided version (UNO) may not suit riders with imbalances

Expert Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Assioma Power Pedals

• Track your 3-second, 10-second, and 20-minute power—these are your key performance anchors.
• Compare indoor trainer power vs. Assioma once a month; use power match if needed.
• Review pedal smoothness to improve climbing efficiency.
• Use left/right balance trends—not single rides—to identify real imbalances.
• Replace cleats every 6–12 months for consistent engagement and force transfer.

Conclusion: Accurate Power Starts at the Pedal

Favero Assioma measures power with a combination of strain gauges, accelerometers, and highly refined algorithms, giving everyday cyclists pro-level data at a realistic price.
If you want reliable numbers, fast response, and true left/right accuracy, Assioma remains one of the most trusted and value-packed power meters on the market.
Whether you’re chasing a new FTP, preparing for a gran fondo, or simply tracking fitness, these pedals deliver the kind of insight that genuinely elevates your cycling.

Ready to transform your training with data that actually matters?
Explore the Favero Assioma range on here and feel the difference in your next ride.