bePRO Power Meter - review and most frequent problems

The bePRO Power Meter by Favero Electronics has been on the market for over a year. High time to reflect on experiences of the more than 1,000 bePRO and bePRO S power meters sold to date. The initial concerns that a new power meter from a manufacturer with no experience in this market would have many problems, especially at the beginning, have not materialized, fortunately.

The power measurement compares favorably to other manufacturers' power meters. In this article, we would like to take the opportunity to discuss the features and characteristics of the bePRO.

In the box

Upon delivery, in addition to the pedals, certain additional accessories are included.

Compared to other pedal power meters, one will quickly notice that more tools are included. The reason for this is that the initial installation is somewhat more complicated. But we'll get to that shortly....

Besides the two pedals, there is also an Allen hex wrench and another wrench. These are used for assembly and disassembly of bePRO pedals.

Furthermore, there are two adjustment rods, a template and a set of mounting stickers.

Rounding out the accessories is a set of pedal cleats (Look Keo Standard), a USB cable, a charging adapter for different socket standards and a set of instructions in both English and Italian.

Installation

When first assembling the power meter pedals, the uniqueness of the bePRO is immediately obvious, featuring mounting stickers and the alignment of the sensors with stickers. If one adheres strictly to the guidelines in the instructions, everything works smoothly. From our experience we can state clearly that even technically inexperienced users can easily install the bePRO pedals.

Here's a link to the installation video from Favero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyqXLh3plwk

In so doing, one should really work carefully and accurately follow the instructions. The open-end wrench should be flush mounted on the bolt and should also be used only in the assembly and not for removing the pedals.

Due to some customer incidents in which they handled the wrench roughly and ended up damaging the sensor, Favero has responded by introducing a new retaining nut for the current bePRO Powermeter pedals to prevent the wrench slipping in the direction of the sensor.

After attaching the bePRO pedals, one will likely notice the second unique feature, the dynamic calibration. This helps compensate for assembly-related variations and ensures measurement accuracy.

In order to start the dynamic calibration, one pedals backwards 10-12 times until the LEDs light up continuously. After that, the power will no longer appear on the cycling computer, just the pedal frequency.

Now you cycle on the road or the roller for about 40 seconds with a pedal frequency of 80 rpm until the power is displayed again.

Next, make a normal static calibration (zeroing calibration) and the pedals are mounted and ready for use.

bePRO Updater

Favero offers the bePRO Updater as a useful additional tool. This program can be downloaded directly from the manufacturer website.

Unfortunately, there is currently no version for Apple, but only for Windows.

Thanks to the bePRO Updater, the pedals' firmware can be updated to the most recent version.

Furthermore, users can adjust settings: This makes it possible to increase the pedals' transmission power in the event you have problems connecting to the cycling computer. In addition, you can also adjust the crank length.

Similarly, if there are any problems with the bePRO, you can use the Updater to generate a report file for analysis by the manufacturer.

Use

In many tests on a calibrated cycle ergometer II, it was clear that the measurement accuracy corresponds to the manufacturer's stated figures (maximum deviation of +/- 2%), whereas the deviation of normal figures is below 1%.

Otherwise, the handling is much like almost all other power meters: Before each ride (or even better, about 10 minutes after the start) a static calibration (zeroing calibration) is performed to compensate for natural deformation of strain gauges and temperature fluctuations.

The pedal body and axles are fitted in a stable way and users have the option adjusting the cleat release tension.

Due to the position of the transmitter, there was doubt as to whether the Q-factor would be affected when using bePRO pedals. This is not the case, however.

Yet the position of the sensors between the pedal and crank arm can cause some users to come into contact with the sensor when riding. This influences the measured values and can even permanently damage the sensor. You should click in the shoe beforehand and check whether there is enough air/space between the shoe sole and sensor.

If the shoe touches the sensor, there are bePRO spacers/shims that sit between shoes and cleats and provide the necessary space.

The bePRO battery operates stably and to date we have had no cases in which the battery power has decreased noticeably or where the battery had to be replaced. The given 30 h in the training mode are realistic and remain stable even after several months of intense use.

The most frequent problems

Problem: Incorrect values are displayed. Cause: Dynamic calibration and/or no static calibration was conducted; the firmware is outdated Solution: Calibration; update firmware with bePRO Updater Problem: It is not possible to conduct a firmware update or generate a report using bePRO Updater.
Cause: The bePRO Updater was launched in packed (compressed) format.
Solution: Extract the bePRO Updater first and then open the exe. file.

Problem: No watt values are displayed, the left/right distribution (in the double-sided version) is displaying 100/00 and only the pedal frequency is displayed.
Cause: This happens now and then when the rider pedals in reverse during the ride, and in so doing inadvertently starts the dynamic calibration function.
Solution: Conduct dynamic calibration.

Problem: Connection problems or dropoff with the head unit
Cause: There may be times when ANT+ experiences interference from other transmission sources. Other ANT+ sensors or a strong wireless signal.
Solution: Turn off the other sensors. When doing indoor training, move the wireless router or change the indoor training location. You can also increase and set the transmission strength of bePRO pedals in bePRO Updater, which may shorten the battery life somewhat, however.

Problem: The watt values fluctuate a lot, or are clearly too high:
Cause: The sole of the shoe touches the sensor when riding and thus exerts pressure on the sensitive measurement electronics.
Solution: Adjust cleats and optionally use shims between the shoe and pedal surfaces.

Problem: The values differ remarkably or there are no more watt values.
Cause: The sensors are loose and are no longer aligned properly.
Solution: Reinstall the pedals and realign the transmitter correctly. Thereafter, conduct a dynamic calibration again.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can definitely be said that Favero offers a great quality, robust power meter. The fail and complaint rate is very low.

The concern that the pedals and the sensors would be have certain weaknesses over time has not been confirmed in the experiences spanning more than a year and a half.