ThinkRider PP5 Power Meter Review // $100 Power Meter TESTED!
Shane Miller - GPLama
18 de febrero de 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
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Brand Day
PotenciómetroThinkRider PP5 Spider Power Meter 110BCD 4-Bolt Axle, High Precision & Lightweight, for Shimano Road Bikes
Creado: 29 de marzo de 2026The reviewer provides a detailed analysis of the ThinkRider PP5 Spider Power Meter. They purchased it for a very low price (~$136 AUD / ~$100 USD) and tested it extensively against trusted power meters (Favero Assioma pedals and Tacx Neo 3M trainer). They state that while the price is impressive and the unit works well at low power outputs (below ~200-300W), it has a critical, reproducible flaw: after hard sprints, especially in the big chainring, the power readings become inaccurate and drift higher, failing to meet its claimed ±1% accuracy specification up to 2800W. The reviewer observes inconsistent zero offset changes post-sprint, leading to unreliable data. They conclude the device does not meet its own technical specifications and likely requires a hardware fix.
Resumen IA
Pros
- Very low price point, significantly undercuts major brands.
- Lightweight (109g on reviewer's scale).
- Works well and provides accurate readings at lower power outputs (below ~200-300W).
- Straightforward installation on a Shimano 12-speed road bike.
- Provides power, cadence, and left/right balance data.
- Supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth.
- Quick response time with no 'sticky watts' observed in ANT+ tests.
- Good battery life (claimed 300 hours) with USB recharge.
Cons
- Fails to meet its claimed ±1% accuracy specification, especially after hard efforts.
- Power readings drift and become inaccurate after sprints (particularly in the big chainring), with a reproducible residual torque issue.
- Inconsistent; calibration/zero offset changes unpredictably after hard efforts, making post-sprint data unreliable.
- Cadence reporting failed at high RPMs (~155-157 RPM in one test), not meeting its claimed 240 RPM spec.
- Not suitable for esports/Zwift racing in its current state due to potential for 'free watts' after efforts.
- The reviewer suspects the issue requires a hardware fix.
- Bluetooth performance is implied to be subpar ('we're not quite there yet').
- Accuracy is nonlinear and effort-dependent.
Key Points
- Model: PP5 spider power meter.
- Price: ~$136 AUD / under $100 USD for the spider alone.
- Interface: Easton Cinch crank interface, 4-bolt 110 BCD.
- Compatibility: For use with Shimano road bikes (installed on 12-speed).
- Claimed Accuracy: ±1% up to 2800W.
- Claimed Cadence Range: 20-240 RPM.
- Weight: Claimed 108g, measured 109g.
- Battery: Rechargeable, 300-hour life.
MyBikeParts
ThinkRider PP5 Spider Leistungsmesser 110BCD 4-Bolzen-Achse, Hochpräzise & Leichtgewichtig, für Shimano Rennräder - AliExpress 18