i personally don't trust pedal based power meters
Why not? Is it the existing products or the idea you don’t like?
(also they tie you into using a specific shoe/cleat)
True, and in the case of PowerTap P1/P1S, it’s a proprietary cleat system (what possessed them to make that decision?). At least the Vector 2/2S uses standard Look Kéo cleats.
iirc, stages makes a square taper left crank for the dura ace track chainset.
Seems to be Octalink, actually. So no good.
TimC: that sounds annoying. I wonder why these things are so hard to make. Foil strain gauges, wireless data transmission, waterproofing: these are solved problems. Yet every power meter seems to have one problem or another, according to the user reviews.
There is a second-generation Stages, though. Perhaps it fixed some of your problems.
Pedal Castro: where are you seeing a PowerTap hub for £300?
Flatus: I’m already doing those kinds of rides.
Quick question: if I did change cranks to support a Stages/4iiii/Pioneer/other left crank, is there a decently priced way to combine external bottom bracket bearings with a 46T outer chainring?