Product description

So, besides a $300 price difference, the question begs to be asked, how do the Quarq Riken BB30 and Elsa actually differ? Surprisingly, the answer is not much — that is if you’re not a habitual gram counter. In fact, the overall functionality of the two systems are nearly identical, only differing in the Riken’s absence of the new Power Balance feature. However, where the two most noticeably part ways is at the crankarms themselves. Where the Elsa utilizes the newest SRAM Exogram Hollow carbon arms, the Riken relies on a more standardized RED pair of arms. Ultimately, though, this only amounts to around an 88 gram differential So, let’s focus on the Riken. For Quarq’s ‘next wave of powermeters,’ we see a complete redesign over the Cinqo, with an emphasis placed on three key issues — weight, accuracy, and ease of use. And starting with weight, the Riken features SRAM’s carbon crankarms found on the last iteration of SRAM RED. You’ll also find SRAM’s RED Powerglide chainrings from one model back. But, as the name implies, the cranks feature a hollow construction. However, what isn’t inferred is that the hollow cross-section design extends all the way to the new spider, creating SRAM’s stiffest and lightest crank ever. In fact, the complete system tips the scales around 823 grams in a GXP format, leading us to believe that this BB30 iteration weighs even less. For some perspective, the newest RED crankset weighs around 585 grams, and the last Quarq RED Exogram powermeter weighed 830 grams. So, the Riken is sitting in a rather respectable position. Riken’s innovation didn’t stop at the crankarms. For a rigid crankarm attachment, the Riken uses a newly designed, CNC-machined aluminum spider. Now, all of the data-collecting electronics, and the system’s battery, is housed in the spider. Quarq is calling this OmniCal, but you can call it liberating. OmniCal enables the powermeter system to collect data independent of the chainrings.

From the Manufacturer

Carbon fiber crank arms with CNC machined aluminum spider. LED indicator, Omnical, visible ANT+ ID, and CR2032 battery giving 300+ hours of riding time. Accurate to +/- 1.5%. SRAM TSM rings (same as SRAM Red – Black edition) gives compatibility to all SRAM 10 speed front derailleurs. 823g (GXP, 130BCD, 172.5mm).