FSA PowerBOX SC Power Meter: Details // Hands-On // Test Results

A new budget friendly cycling power meter on the market in 2021, the PowerBox SC is an in-house developed meter from FSA. It's a single sided (left) meter with both ANT+ and BLE connectivity and an impressive battery life claim.

*FSA PowerBox SC Crankset Technical Specifications*
● Aluminium Crank AL6061/T6
● 30mm AL7050 BB386EVO spindle // 24mm MEGAEXO (Shimano BB compatible).
● AL7075 100% CNC chainrings (53/39T, 52/36T, 50/34T, 48/32T, 46/30T).
● BCD 120/90 mm, CL:45mm, QF:149mm. (both a little wider than a standard Shimano chainset)
● Fits Shimano and SRAM 11 speed systems
● Crank Length: 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5, 175mm.
● Pod Weight: 20g (w/ CR2450)
● 793g (170mm x 46/30T) // 891g (172.5mm x 52/36T)

*Power Meter Specs*
● Battery: 1x CR2450.
● Battery Life: 400/450 hours
● ANT+ / Bluetooth Smart.
● Data: Power, Cadence, 'Virtual' L/R Balance. (I'll discuss this in detail shortly...)
● Accuracy: ±1% (Claimed).
● Waterproofing: IPX7
● ATC.

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Video Index:
0:00 Intro
0:22 FSA PowerBOX SC Product Details
0:50 Technical Specifications
2:49 Hands-On Close Look
3:40 Weight (172.5mm 52/36T)
4:04 PBOX App
5:05 Crankset Commentary
6:27 Virtual L/R Balance Feature
9:09 Power Comparisons / Review
15:25 Conclusions
16:32 From here.....
17:09 Wrap-up

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#FSA #PowerMeter #Cycling

[ShadowzKiller]

I really appreciate these well-thought reviews. I cannot afford to spend money on trying different powermeters, so these videos allow me to make well-informed decisions.

[mlegrand]

Secret hidden management app. Nice find Shane! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[TheCrossroads]

I like the look of this and the choice of crank lengths and gear ratios.

[martinanderson]

Great work Shane. Great review as always.

[abedfo]

Now that's a good looking crankset

[Hambini]

Shane, I got a lot of questions about this regarding BB compatibility.

For the 24mm MegaEXO, it is actually 24.1mm. Shimano is 24mm and to avoid a patent I think they made it 24.1mm. If you are using a bottom bracket with metal bearings directly onto the axle it may not work.

For the 30mm. FSA BB386EVO usually uses a DBCA (Distance between crank arms) of 88.5mm. It won't fit some bikes like Factor and Cervelo, the Chainline will be off.

[samuelhill]

Extremely interesting video. Thanks Shane

[glennoc]

I've used FSA mega exo cranksets and the 386. I've found the quality to be very good. Weight is typically heavy at that price point.

[patrickbuch]

An advantage of virtual L/R balance over simple scaling is, that I find it in the data afterwards - even when changed during the ride. This might help to figure out the proper scaling.

[galenkehler]

I dont understand how a full on company like FSA can't do these kinds of tests BEFORE release. Like how hard would it be for FSA to buy a set of Assiomas and do some rides.

[wamote]

Would love to see a flat pedal powermeter ;-)

[davidh]

Re you comment at 6:41, My 4iiii power Left only meter had left right balance which you could configure in the app. Pity it broke like so many other 4iiii power meters out there.

[SonnyDarvish]

About the spec sheet from Vision, I got a wheelset that was 170g heavier than the stated spec. They also haven't replied to my email on the mismatch :)

[happyruesseltier]

Hi Shane,
have you ever tried the Raceface / Easton Cinch Powermeter? I like the clean look of those, but cannot figure out if they are worth buying.

[marccox]

The virtual left/right is an interesting thing to try but I think it’s wasted here. This is a budget power meter where we are to assume that this is a ‘my first power meter’ option, therefore the user will not know their balance as they’ve never used a dual sided meter and if they have why would you go to this one?

[brettneale]

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?!? Wahoo Speedplay power meter pedals?

[cianleveridge]

Are you going to be testing the new Giant Halo AXS powermeter

[olbtube]

Hi Shane, great video once again, thanks. Another question/suggestion: do you plan to test Zwift on the new ipad mini/iphone13 like you did years ago? I am tempted by both (but will only buy one), and ability to run Zwift smoothly would be a great plus. Comparison with your pc setup would be nice. Here is your excuse for a new gadget ;-)

[jameseastwood]

The 4iii single sided PM has that same L/R balance setting

[davidbossert]

I might have missed it but what sort of stack is there with the power sensor and the left crank arm? I’ve seen several left only power pod cranks not have the necessary clearance to work with the wider chain stays on many gravel bikes.