The Magene PES P515 is a well-regarded budget power meter offering good accuracy and value, but users report compatibility issues, calibration needs, and some quality concerns.
Pros
- Competitive price around $299/€250/£225
- Easy installation on Shimano 24mm spindle bikes
- Good accuracy and repeatability after calibration
- Long battery life (300-330 hours)
Cons
- Initial accuracy may require calibration offset (reads 4-5% high out of box)
- Proprietary crank interface limits upgrade options to Magene cranks
- Compatibility issues with some BB386 and T47 frames needing spacers
- Preload bolt prone to loss (early single-piece design; now two-piece)
Key Facts
- 24mm steel spindle, 110mm 4-bolt BCD
- Claimed accuracy ±1%, battery life 330 hours
- Weight ~625-653g with chainrings
Reviews & Ratings
The reviewer chose the Magene PES Crank P515 Power Meter after extensive research, comparing it to other power meters like Favero pedals and smart trainers. They highlight its accuracy, dual-sided measurement, and affordability at around €300. The reviewer installed it on their own bike, noting the process is straightforward with basic tools. After 4,500 km of use, they report no issues, no creaking, and improved comfort due to the shorter crank length (170 mm vs. previous 175 mm). They recommend it for cyclists with a single bike who want an accurate, cost-effective power meter.
AI Summary
Pros
- Dual-sided power measurement for better accuracy
- Affordable price around €300
- Easy installation for Shimano 24mm spindle users
- Multiple crank length options (165-175 mm)
- Compatible with different chainring sizes (e.g., 50/34, 52/36)
- No creaking or loosening after 4,500 km
- Shorter crank length reduced knee pain
- Magnetic charging cable included
Cons
- Not as easy to swap between multiple bikes as pedal-based power meters
- Requires specific tools (e.g., Shimano lockring tool, torque wrench)
- O-ring must be replaced each time the crank is removed
- USB cable not included (uses magnetic charger)
Key Points
- The power meter is a crank-based system with a 4-bolt 110 BCD chainring interface
- Uses a 24mm spindle compatible with Shimano bottom brackets
- Includes cadence and pedal balance measurement
- Available in aluminum or carbon versions (carbon only for SRAM DUB)
- The reviewer used a 170 mm crank length (previously 175 mm)
- Installation torque: 35-40 Nm for the lockring, 12-14 Nm for chainring bolts
- The power meter is powered by a rechargeable battery with magnetic charging
The reviewer mentions the Magene PES P515 Power Meter Set briefly as part of Magene's product lineup, noting it's an entry-level power meter with an attractive price point.
AI Summary
Pros
- Attractive price point
- Good entry into power meter business
Key Points
- Price: $299 without cover, $350 with cover
- Described as a spindle power meter
- Positioned as entry-level option
The reviewer tests and reviews the Magene PES515 power meter, which is a spider-based power meter that comes with a PES crankset. They detail the unboxing, installation on a bike with a Shimano groupset, and extensive testing against other power meters. The reviewer notes the initial accuracy was off by 4-5% compared to their reference pedals, but after applying a calibration offset in the app, it showed excellent precision and repeatability. They conclude it is a very affordable option that requires some user calibration to achieve accuracy.
AI Summary
Pros
- Super affordable at $299 including cranks and shipping
- Excellent repeatability and precision
- Natively compatible with a 24mm axle and four-bolt Shimano spacing spider, making installation super easy
- Uses a rechargeable battery (compared to coin cell batteries)
- Plug-and-play with existing Shimano chainrings, improving shifting performance
- Includes a standard 24mm aluminum crankset
- Has Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity
- Claimed accuracy of +/-1% and battery life of 330 hours
Cons
- Not lightweight; carries a weight penalty (total weight with chainrings ~653g)
- Initial accuracy required calibration; it read 4-5% higher than reference pedals out of the box
- No longer the cheapest power meter on the market due to new competitors
- Requires user calibration to match other power meters, not ready out-of-the-box for those expecting perfection
- Uses a USB-A charging cable instead of USB-C
Key Points
- Spider-based power meter
- Comes with Magene's PES aluminum crankset
- Uses a 24mm axle
- Four-bolt Shimano style chainring pattern (110BCD)
- Claimed +/-1% accuracy
- 330-hour battery life
- Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity
- Rechargeable battery with magnetic charging cable
- Includes mounting hardware, preload bolt, chainring bolts, decals, and rubber washers
- Installation is simple on bikes with stock Shimano cranksets
- User can apply a constant power offset via the app for calibration
- Precision (repeatability) is excellent even if initial accuracy requires adjustment
The reviewer purchased the Magene PES P515 power meter crankset from AliExpress for £225 to improve their winter training. They were greatly impressed with the results and found no downsides. The reviewer found installation straightforward as a direct replacement for their Shimano Ultegra crankset. They tested the power meter's performance against Wahoo Powrlink dual-sided pedals and found the data to be accurate, consistent, and reliable, though it read slightly higher. The crank stiffness was comparable to Ultegra, and the shifting performance of the chainrings was very good, nearly matching Shimano's gold standard. The reviewer concludes it scores really well, especially considering its significantly lower price compared to competitors.
AI Summary
Pros
- Cost just £225 (significantly cheaper than competitors)
- Greatly impressed with the results
- Found no downsides
- Very nicely presented
- Looks good
- Very high quality machining
- Easy to install (straight swap for Shimano)
- Stiffness is as good as Shimano Ultegra (no difference when sprinting or climbing)
- Shift performance of the chainrings is very good and the same as Shimano
- Power data is accurate, consistent, and reliable
- Tracks very closely with Wahoo pedals during testing
- Consistency of data is very good
- Provides accurate and repeatable power readings
Cons
- PES branding is quite bold and could be an issue for some people
- Not the best branding
- Initial concerns about the non-drive side crank arm having only one pinch bolt (vs. Shimano's two)
- Reads a bit higher than the Wahoo power meter pedals used for comparison
- Doesn't look terrible, but not amazing
Key Points
- Model: Magene PES P515 Power Meter
- Spider-based power meter
- Charge port
- ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible
- IPX7 waterproof
- Claimed runtime of 300 hours
- Crank arms are machined from aluminium with weight-saving channels
- Spindle is 24mm (Shimano compatible)
- Available in different crank arm lengths (reviewer chose 170mm)
- Comes with separate chainrings
- Chainrings have pins and a ramp profile for shifting
- Uses a single pinch bolt on the non-drive side (unlike Shimano's two)
The reviewer discusses the Magene PES Crank P515 Power Meter extensively, highlighting its updates from the previous PES505 model. They mention its compatibility with Shimano standards, improved accuracy, lighter weight, longer battery life, and support for T47 and BB 386 bottom bracket standards. The reviewer compares its data accuracy against their indoor smart trainer and finds it to be reliable, especially during sustained efforts. They also note the importance of proper installation to avoid loose play issues.
AI Summary
Pros
- Improved power accuracy (±1%) compared to previous version (±2%)
- Lighter weight (625g for the spindle)
- Longer battery life (330 hours)
- Fully supports T47 and BB 386 bottom bracket standards
- Uses Shimano standard chain rings (110 BCD)
- Available in various crank arm lengths (172.5, 170, down to 160 or 165)
- Competitive price point ($299 USD)
- Reliable data accuracy compared to smart trainer
- Includes clear installation instructions and spare parts (rubber washers)
Cons
- Some lag in data recording during high-torque efforts compared to smart trainer
- Previous version had compatibility issues with T47 bottom brackets (now fixed)
- Some users reported loose play over time if not installed properly
- Chain rings provided by Magene have inferior shift quality compared to Shimano chain rings
Key Points
- Updated version of PES505 power meter
- 24mm spindle compatible with Shimano standards
- 110 BCD chain ring standard
- Includes rubber washers for installation
- Requires proper torque during installation (10-12 Nm for chain ring bolts, 13 Nm for main bolt)
- Uses a preloader bolt (1-2 Nm) to remove initial play
- Data accuracy verified against indoor smart trainer
- Best performance during sustained efforts rather than sprints
The Magene PES P515 Power Meter is an updated version of the P505, featuring minor improvements including slightly reduced weight (approximately 25g lighter), improved accuracy (1% vs 1.5%), better T47 bottom bracket compatibility, and active temperature compensation. It maintains the same price point as its predecessor. The power meter uses a 24mm steel spindle, 110mm 4-bolt BCD, and is compatible with standard road bike bottom brackets (68mm-86.5mm) including Shimano Threaded BSA setups. Installation requires standard tools plus a 44mm 16-notch bottom bracket wrench for the spider lock ring. Users report mixed experiences with compatibility, installation, and customer support, with additional concerns about preload bolt reliability—early versions had single-piece designs prone to loss, though Magene has since switched to a two-piece design. Replacement parts are available but may require international shipping.
AI Summary
Pros
- Good value for money with competitive pricing around €250-£250
- Improved T47 bottom bracket compatibility compared to P505
- Active temperature compensation for consistent readings
- Compatible with various chainrings including Shimano, Stone, and aftermarket options
- Works well with ANT+ connectivity (better than Bluetooth in some cases)
- Easy installation with standard tools (hex wrenches, torque wrench) and readily available 44mm 16-notch BB wrench for lock ring
Cons
- Proprietary crank interface limits upgrade options to Magene cranks only
- Compatibility issues with some BB386 and T47 frames requiring spacers
- Poor customer support and communication from Magene
- Region locking issues with Chinese market versions not working overseas
- Shipping delays and inventory issues from official stores
- Potential creaking issues that develop over time
- Bluetooth connectivity issues with some devices
- Preload bolt issues: early versions had single-piece design prone to loss, requiring replacement with two-piece design; replacement parts may be difficult/expensive to source locally
Key Points
- Replaces P505 with same price point
- Approximately 25g lighter than P505
- 1% accuracy (improved from 1.5%)
- 24mm steel spindle
- 110mm 4-bolt BCD
- Compatible with T47 bottom brackets (both 68mm and 86mm versions)
- Active temperature compensation
- Proprietary crank interface
- Carbon TEO version available with 29mm spindle
- Requires 44mm 16-notch BB wrench for installation
- Preload bolt issues: early versions had single-piece design, now two-piece design
- Fully compatible with Shimano Threaded BSA BB and 105 chainrings
Magene P515 : a nice powermeter, works well on my Wahoo Bolt and my Coros Pace. 250€ with coupons
My short experience with P515.
Sale via Ali from the EU shop went very well, delivery took 3-4 days more then expected. Crank looks very good, marginal heavier than the 105. Assembly was also no problem, I ordered it with the QED chainrings. Installation on my Lightcarbon LCR017 was not a big problem, I did however have to add a spacer on the drive side because otherwise there would have been play between the two arms. First 100k tour was also problem-free, recording in. Compared to the power meter pedals seems to be lower in the numbers, maybe still needs to be calibrated. What I also noticed is that the QED chainrings are louder than my 105 crank.
I hope this can help you a little.
Best regards.
Where to Buy
Magene PES Crank P515 Power Meter 4 Bolt 110BCD 24mm Cadence Pedal Balance Ant Steel Spindle Crankset Chainring for Shimano Sram - AliExpress
Magene PES Crank P515 Power Meter 4 Bolt 110BCD 24mm Cadence Pedal Balance Ant Steel Spindle Crankset Chainring for Shimano Sram - AliExpress
Magene PES P515 Leistungsmesser-Set, 4 Bolzen, 110 BCD, 24 mm Trittfrequenzpedal, Balance, Ameisenstahlspindel, Kurbelgarnitur, Kettenblatt für Shimano Sram - AliExpress 18
Questions about Magene PES Crank P515 Power Meter 4 Bolt 110BCD 24mm Cadence Pedal Balance Ant Steel Spindle Crankset Chainring for Shimano Sram
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