ThinkRider PP5 Power Meter Review // $100 Power Meter TESTED!
Shane Miller - GPLama
February 18, 2026
The ThinkRider PP5 is one of the cheapest spider-based power meters I’ve ever tested. I paid just AU$136 (US$100). On paper it promises ±1% accuracy, ANT+ & Bluetooth, 300-hour battery life, and full left/right balance. That kind of spec at this price should shake up the market. But after deep testing against a trusted baseline, the numbers tell a different story. Is this the budget breakthrough riders have been waiting for, or proof that some corners simply can’t be cut?
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All tests of the PP5 were performed with firmware v1.7.2 (latest firmware at the time of testing).
Video Index
0:00 Intro
0:40 Technical Specifications
1:10 Spider Weight
1:14 Pricing
1:25 Test Configuration and Weight (170mm 52/36 Chainrings)
2:00 Data Analysis - Outdoor Test No.1
5:47 Data Analysis - Indoor Test
7:44 Data Analysis - Indoor Test No. 2
8:11 Data Analysis - Outdoor Test No. 2
9:53 Results Commentary
11:03 "But it's only $100"
11:19 Consistency over accuracy....but..
11:33 Ban this from all eSports racing (for now)
11:42 Commentary cont.
11:54 Wrap Up
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#PowerMeter #Cycling #ThinkRider
Keywords: ThinkRider PP5,ThinkRider power meter,PP5 review,budget power meter,cheap power meter,cycling power meter,spider power meter,power meter accuracy,GPLama,Shane Miller,Favero Assioma,Assioma PRO RS,Zwift racing,free watts,cycling tech review,AliExpress cycling,ANT+ power meter,Bluetooth power meter,cycling gear review,road cycling tech,ThinkRider,PP5,Spider Power Meter,Residual Torque,Power Accuracy,PRO RS,Zero Offset,Calibration,Firmware
PowermeterThinkRider PP5 Spider Power Meter 110BCD 4-Bolt Axle, High Precision & Lightweight, for Shimano Road Bikes
Created: March 29, 2026The reviewer tested the ThinkRider PP5 Spider Power Meter and found it does not meet its claimed specifications. While it performs acceptably at low power ranges, it shows significant accuracy and consistency issues above 300W, particularly after sprints, with reproducible faults both indoors and outdoors.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Very affordable price point (under US$100 for the power meter itself)
- Lightweight (109g on reviewer's scale)
- Supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth
- Provides power, cadence, and left/right balance data
- Good battery life (up to 300 hours)
- USB rechargeable
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Active temperature compensation
Cons
- Does not meet claimed accuracy specifications (±1% up to 2,800W)
- Shows nonlinear offset above 300W
- Accuracy changes after sprints, particularly in the big ring
- Inconsistent readings that drift after hard efforts
- Cadence reporting stops around 155 RPM (below claimed 240 RPM spec)
- Residual torque issues affecting calibration
- Readings become unreliable after sprints even at sub-1,000W efforts
- Not suitable for esports competition due to potential for 'free watts' after efforts
MyBikeParts
ThinkRider PP5 Spider Leistungsmesser 110BCD 4-Bolzen-Achse, Hochpräzise & Leichtgewichtig, für Shimano Rennräder - AliExpress 18
