Maintenance

Cranks

How often do I need to replace the crank arms for my SRM System?

If you are a professional cyclist, or doing a similar number of miles per year, you should replace them every year. Anyone else should replace them if they crash, or if there is visible damage to the metal.

Can I use a Gossamer PowerMeter with an FSA BB-8000 Ceramic bottom bracket?

If you are a Gossamer customer and want a ceramic BB:

You need to get the FSA BB-8000 Ceramic
Remove the gold sleeve from the FSA BB-8000.
Replace it with the black plastic sleeve from their BB 6000 which comes with the Gossamer.

Chainrings

Can I change the chain rings on my Power Meter, and if so, how?

You may change the chain rings on your Power Meter. Please take the follow measures of care:

Apply some pressure to the plastic lid when removing the chain rings.

Torque spec: 8-10Nm

I can't get the crank arm/chainrings off of my PowerMeter, they're stuck.

DO NOT HIT THEM WITH A HAMMER. Tempting as it might be, this can do irreparable damage to the PowerMeter electronics. Try to get some oil into the joint where the two parts are stuck, a good squirt of WD-40 works wonders if you let it sit for a bit. Try to gradually pry the two parts apart, each time putting a little more oil on. If you still can't get them apart, send them to a service centre.

To prevent this from happening again, clean your PowerMeter regularly with soapy water and a sponge. Undo all of the bolts (chainring and crank arm) occasionally, clean and regrease everything before you put it back together.

Can I use my SRM PowerMeter with closed chainrings?

Yes, you can use closed chainrings with your SRM Training System, but please be aware the these can affect the slope of your PowerMeter. This affects the accuracy of your data, so if you do install closed chainrings please send your PowerMeter (with chainrings attached) to our Service Centre so that we can do a calibration check on it. This will ensure that your training data is accurate, and that if you are training to power zones that you will be riding at the right intensity.

Battery issues

PowerControl battery issues

The battery of the PowerControl unit is not self-replaceable. You will need to send it to the Service Center for replacement when it is due. ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR IT YOURSELF WILL INVALIDATE THE WARRANTY, and could cause permanent damage to your PowerControl.

Battery life of the head unit is approximately 1000 charge cycles or 2 years if well-maintained.

Please avoid letting the display on the head unit completely discharge. If the display is blank please attempt the following:

Plug the wall charger into the wall and the other end into the PowerControl.
Press the "Mode" button.
Leave the charger plugged into the head unit for a few seconds (3-5), then unplug from the head unit and leave for 3-5 seconds. Repeat this procedure 4 or 5 times.
If you see pieces of the digits start to appear the full screen will ‘wake-up'. At this point leave the head unit plugged into the wall charger for 6-8 hours to receive a full charge.
If this does not wake the display up you will need to send it to the Service Center for repair.

If a "negative" sign appears in the lower right hand corner of the display when you plug your head unit into your USB cable, please download a Service Form and send the head unit to the Service Center for repair.

PowerMeter battery issues

The PowerMeter battery is not self-replaceable. You will need to send it to the Service Center for replacement. ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR IT YOURSELF WILL INVALIDATE THE WARRANTY, and could cause permanent damage to your PowerMeter.

Battery life of the PowerMeter will vary between PowerMeters.

General expectancy of wired systems:

DuraAce/FSA/track approximately 1500 hours of use.
Pro and Amateur approximately 1000 hours of use.
Cannondale/Specialized approximately 750 hours of use.

General expectancy of Wireless systems with ANT technology:

DuraAce/FSA/Pro approximately 1400 hours of use.
Cannondale/Specialized approximately 700 hours of use.

If the variance of your zero-offset begins to fluctuate more than normal and your hours of usage is in-line with the above, your battery likely needs to be replaced. Please download the Service Form and send your PowerMeter back to the Service Center for replacement.

Maintenance

How should I take care of my SRMs?

PowerControl:

When not using the PCV/PCVI, it is best to keep it on the wall charger.

PowerMeter:

Please do not use a high pressure washer on your PowerMeter.

Using soap & water and the garden hose to clean your PowerMeter is just fine.

There is moisture inside my PowerControl, what should I do?

Sometimes just leaving your PowerControl to dry out will work, but usually you will need to send it back to a service centre so they can open it up and dry it out completely. Otherwise, the moisture will eventually start to corrode the electronics inside the PowerControl and it will be damaged beyond repair.

Always put a dab of grease on the connector plug on the back of the PowerControl before going out for a ride in wet conditions. If you have a PowerControl with the online option, make sure you put grease on the empty port as well to keep the water out.

My sensor cable is damaged, can it be fixed?

No, these cables can't be fixed, you'll need to order a new one. Please specify front or rear speed sensor.

I can hear something rattling in my PowerControl/PowerMeter...

There are no moving parts in either the PowerControl or the PowerMeter, so if you can hear something moving then something is broken. Send it to a service centre.

Can I get a new decal for my PowerMeter?

Yes, you can order one from us. However, it's best to send your PowerMeter back to us to have the decal changed, since the old one needs to come off first and the new one put on carefully since it protects the external circuit board. It's best to wait until your PowerMeter needs a new battery so that you only have to send it back to us once.

How long will my SRM System last?

Your SRM Power Meter is designed to withstand the rigors of competitive cycling. While riding styles and environmental conditions will play a role in determining the lifespan of your SRM, the following tips are helpful in allowing your SRM to function for as long as possible.

Annual Checkup - while the batteries in some SRM Systems will last up to 2000 hours of use, it is still recommended that you send your SRM back to the Service Center once a year for calibration and inspection. We can normally turn this around in 1-2 business days.

Cleaning - Your SRM is more than just a crank set, and should be cared for differently than a normal crank. DO NOT clean your SRM with ‘WD40', Diesel Fuel, Kerosene, Gasoline, or other solvent that you would use to clean a chain with 2 years worth of dried and crusted chain lube and road debris. While most cyclists don't clean their bike after every ride, it's not hard to wipe your chain off with a clean rag and keep the chain rings clean. If there comes the time to clean an SRM that does have mud, road debris, sand, etc. all over it, then simply clean the SRM with a brush and a mild/diluted degreaser/water mixture. DO NOT use a high pressure sprayer like those found at a car wash, or in the pits of a Cyclocross race. Using high pressure sprays can penetrate the o-ring seals on your SRM and lead to water damage. While the SRM is said to be waterproof, it's better said that they are highly water resistant. Riding in the rain is no problem, even day after day in the tour de France in the rain...but a 1650psi water sprayer has the potential to destroy an SRM.

Geography - If you live in the northwest or northeast United States, you live in an area with high humidity combined with salt from the ocean. This can increase the amount of oxidation on the aluminum of your SRM. Keeping your SRM clean, not using solvents, and not scrubbing off the protective anodized finish will keep your SRM protected.

Changing chain rings - we get this question a lot. When replacing the chainrings on your SRM, take care not to remove the white (or black) plastic lid on the back of the power meter. For most SRM's the small chain ring holds the plastic lid in place, which also sandwiches the lid against the o-rings to make a tight waterproof seal. Removing the lid can potentially cause the seals to leak, and also sever the connection of the sending coil (which transmits the power data to the sensor cable).

The sticker/decal - While the plastic sticker on your SRM with the swirl design is there for aesthetic purpose, it is also an important adhesive seal for the circuit board, which it covers and protects. DO NOT remove the decal, this should be done by an SRM Technician. If you notice the decal pealing up, becoming cut or damaged, please contact the SRM Service Center.