Review: QUARQ XX1 Eagle DUB MTB power meter
Training without a power meter can leave you in the dark when it comes to maximising performance and this goes for MTB riders too!
When most people talk about power meters, they only mention the Road side of things. Shaved legs and eyes glued to the cycling computer to be as fast and aerodynamic as possible with only the next Strava KOM in mind. However, mountain bikers are starting to catch the power meter bug to optimise their training, trail riding, and race performance. For exactly this reason, I decided to start riding a QUARQ XX1 Eagle DUB power meter. I use it to maximise my performance for every hour I’m on my bike so I can better perform in UCI XC World Cup and Enduro races.
Deluxe performance analytics
My QUARQ XX1 Eagle Boost DUB power meter has carbon crank arms and an aluminium axle keeping the weight down to 485 g without chainrings. The strain gauges to measure my performance are hidden in the crank’s spider, which spits out the power I produce in watts.
The watt measurement allows me to stay within my range while racing and to meet my interval goals while training.
The precision of the XX Eagle power meter lies at +/- 1.5% and it automatically adjust for temperature and preforms a zero calibration. The cranks also measure my cadence, torque and pedalling smoothness to boot. All of the data can be sent to various head units via ANT+ or Bluetooth LE.
Seamless integration.
Power meter on a MTB?
Power meters are pretty standard in Road and XC/Marathon disciplines, but what about for Enduro? Sure Enduro is more about riding downhill, but think about the uphill stage transfers. Those who ride them too fast, end up not having enough power left to hammer downhill. A power meter helps me save the right amount of energy on the ascents so that I have enough to conquer the stages and use all I have left on the last one.
Whether I'm riding in a XC World Cup...
...or in an Enduro race, my power meter is always with me.
Well protected
Because QUARQ has put all the electronics inside the spider, the XX1 Eagle power meter cranks are great to use while riding in rough terrain. Once in a while there are pedal strikes, and every time things continue to work phenomenally. Other manufactures who put the electronics in places like the crankarm tend to have problems on the trail.
Thank you DUB
A few months back, SRAM introduced the DUB bottom bracket standard and QUARQ naturally uses it as well. This allows me to quickly switch the cranks to different bikes, even if they have different DUB bottom brackets. DUB also helps in reducing the amount of power meter cranks there are, so making a choice becomes a little easier.
Plug & play
Installing the XX1 Eagle power meter crankset is as simple as normal cranks. Connecting it to the head unit is also very quick and QUARQ offers the QALVIN BLE app which makes setting up the power meter super easy. The app also track firmware updates and the battery status as well as preforming system diagnostics. In the end, the initial setup only take a few minutes and then the training can begin!
Without the Q, you would'nt know it was a power meter.
The Q hides the battery behind it.
The electronics are all tucked away in the spider.
Battery change
Another great feature of the QUARQ is the quick and easy way the battery is changed. The battery is hidden behind the Q symbol on the drive-side. All that needs to be done is unscrew the cap and replace the old CR2032 with a new one. This only has to be done roughly every 250 hours. I never had problems with water or mud getting to the battery, even after riding in some gnarly wet conditions.
The best trainings coach
The QUARQ XX1 Eagle power meter cranks have really changed how I’ve trained. They give me reliable data that I can base everything off of, whether during intervals or on the race course. Those who want to increase their performance to the max, should consider a QUARQ power meter for their MTB. Considering the reliability and features, and the reasonable price the XX1 Eagle power meter is a great buy!
