Today I would like to tell you about a special journey – the development of the iQsquare Powermeter pedals and how I backed a product that I haven’t received up to date. My personal interest in these pedals and their development started when I backed them on the Kickstarter campaign. At the time, I was full of hope that I would soon be holding a revolutionary product in my hands. But the journey was longer and rockier than many of the backers had maybe signed up for.
Yes, it feels strange to be writing about it today, almost 5 years after the first idea was presented. But a lot has built up and developed in the meantime, so it’s worth revisiting the history in full. There is a lot to learn.
I hope this article gives you a comprehensive overview of the development of the iQsquare Powermeter pedals since their launch on Kickstarter. It’s a story of innovation, challenges and patience that many of us cycling enthusiasts share.
The journey of the iQsquare power meter pedals: from Kickstarter to today
The iQsquare Powermeter pedals started their journey with a Kickstarter campaign on April 24, 2018. They promised a budget-friendly and precise measurement of pedaling power for cyclists (power meter). With technical specifications such as a power measurement of 0-2600W, an accuracy of +/-1% and an impressive battery life of up to 140 hours, they quickly caught the attention of the racing bike community.
Technical specifications and special features
The pedals, equipped with a thin-film strain gauge and a load cell, were designed to ensure high accuracy and uniform quality during production. Individually, they offered a budget-friendly option, although for a more accurate measurement, the use of a pair (left and right) was recommended.
Beginnings on Kickstarter: The promise and the specifications
The iQsquare power meter adapters were originally launched on Kickstarter in April 2018. Keesjan Klant from the Netherlands is the driving force behind the company and the idea behind the innovative product. They were touted as a groundbreaking, low-cost way for cyclists to measure their performance. The initial specifications of the product were impressive and aimed to provide cyclists with accurate power data at a fraction of the cost of traditional power meters. The main technical details included:
- Power range: 0-2600W
- Power accuracy: +/-1%
- Cadence range: 10-200 revolutions per minute
- Sampling rate: Up to 2000 samples per second
- Temperature compensation: Fully continuous
- Connectivity: ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart
- Battery: CR2032 lithium button cell
- Battery life: Up to 140 hours
- Q-factor: 55 mm
- Weight: 189 grams per side including battery
- Temperature range: -10 to 50 degrees Celsius
- Water resistance: IP54 standard
- Maximum rider weight: 120 kg
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price: €199 for single-sided road pedalor pedal adapter.
The original product idea was an adapter that was attached between the pedals and the crank. The adapter had a mount for the pedal thread and was itself installed into the crank instead of the pedal. The idea and design was revolutionary. And unfortunately it was not feasible, as was discovered shortly after the campaign was completed and the first production prototypes were launched.
Challenges and redesign
Despite the promising start, the developers of iQsquare soon encountered considerable challenges. The original design of the power meter, which was conceived as an add-on between the crank and pedal, proved to be problematic. It was too small, which led to unreliable measurements and difficulties in production. These problems led to considerable delays and dissatisfaction among backers.
In response, iQsquare had to fundamentally revise the product. Instead of an add-on, they opted for a redesign as a stand-alone pedal. This decision was a decisive turning point, as it steered development in a completely new direction.
Current specifications and product features
Today’s iQsquare Powermeter pedals show the results of this redesign. They feature high-precision thin-film strain gauge technology that is applied directly to the axle and molecularly bonded to the surface. This process should (again, according to the manufacturer) ensure consistently high quality and accuracy in production.
The current specifications include:
- Compatibility with various bikes: Designed for road and mountain bikes, including applications for track cycling and triathlon.
- Connectivity: ANT+ and Bluetooth for connection with bike computers and sports apps.
- Battery life: Up to 140 hours with one CR2032 lithium button cell.
- Weight limit: 120 kg.
Current status of the company and delivery process
iQsquare has started production of the revised pedals. They have drawn up a delivery plan that envisages delivery in several phases, starting in December 2022 for the single-sided variant. This shows that despite the challenges, the company is still committed to bringing its product to market and fulfilling its promises to Kickstarter backers.
All backers of the Kickstarter campaign will also continue to receive updates with photos and news about the status of the project. Even if these do not always meet with happy recipients. As among the backers is a vocal group that feels cheated.
Is it all just scam?
The question of whether iQsquare’s Kickstarter campaign was a “scam” is complex. Many users who feel cheated because they have waited a long time for their products or because the end product did not meet their expectations could describe the campaign as fraudulent. However, it is important to distinguish between fraud and product development challenges.
Kickstarter projects are often innovative and ambitious, which means they come with risks, including delays, technical problems and sometimes even failure to deliver the promised product. In the case of iQsquare, there were significant delays and changes to the original design, which led to frustration among backers. Despite these challenges and the disappointment of some supporters, iQsquare seems to remain committed to delivering the promised products and has finally produced a version of the Powermeter pedals that has received positive reviews from some industry experts such as DCRainmaker.
In summary, although the experience was disappointing for some supporters, this does not necessarily mean that the campaign was a scam. It seems to be more a case of delays and challenges in product development, which is not uncommon (but actually the reality) in the world of technology Kickstarter projects.
The community perspective: reactions to the iQsquare power meter pedals
The introduction of the iQsquare power meter pedals has attracted a lot of attention in the cycling community. Particularly noteworthy are the contributions and reviews from influencers and experts such as GP Lama and DCRainmaker, who play an important role in the cycling community.
GP Lama’s assessment GP Lama, known for its in-depth analysis and evaluation of cycling equipment, had the opportunity to extensively test the iQsquare Powermeter pedals. In his review, he emphasized the technical specifications and performance promises that iQsquare had made in the Kickstarter campaign. GP Lama’s reviews are usually very detailed and focus on the performance, accuracy and reliability of the products. His opinion is highly valued in the cycling community, as it often provides a well-founded and honest assessment of the products.
DCRainmaker’s contributions DCRainmaker is another major influencer in the cycling community, known for his comprehensive product testing and analysis. His articles on the iQsquare power meter pedals have probably influenced many readers and potential buyers. DCRainmaker is known for testing products in real-world conditions and providing detailed data and comparisons, which helps readers better understand a product’s strengths and weaknesses.
The feedback on the iQsquare Powermeter pedals, especially from DCRainmaker, provides a deep insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the product. DCRainmaker initially expressed concerns about iQsquare’s ability to meet the stated timeframes for production and delivery. As of October 2021, no products had yet been delivered to regular customers.
The original concept of the product as a crank arm spacer was later abandoned, and iQsquare opted for a pedal-based power meter for both road bikes and mountain bikes. Despite the initial difficulties and delays in development, DCRainmaker noted that the product in its current form is a pretty good start. He noticed slight deviations in the performance data during the test, but these were considered minimal. These initial irregularities did not appear to occur on the later field tests .
Overall, DCRainmaker rated the performance accuracy of the pedals on the road as very impressive, especially considering the early stage of the product release. He noted that most of the power meters he tests typically take several months to years to reach a comparable level of accuracy after launch.
These reviews show that the iQsquare power meter pedals, despite initial challenges and delays, ultimately appear to be a promising and powerful product. DCRainmaker’s analysis provides valuable insights for interested parties and potential buyers of the product.
Other voices from the community In addition to these two prominent voices, there is plenty of other feedback and opinions in bike forums, blogs and social media channels. Opinions range from great enthusiasm about the potential and value of the pedals to frustration about delays and technical problems. Some users have shared their own experiences with the pedals, with reports varying on accuracy, ease of use and customer service.
Community Conclusion
The voices from the community, especially GP Lama and DCRainmaker, offer a valuable perspective on the iQsquare Powermeter pedals. They provide both potential customers and iQsquare’s developers with valuable insights and feedback. The wide range of opinions and experiences shows that the iQsquare Powermeter pedals are a product that continues to stimulate interest and discussion in the cycling community.
My experience and summary
The journey of the iQsquare power meter pedals is an example of how ambitious technology projects on Kickstarter can bring both excitement and challenges. Although I am still waiting for my pedals, the hope remains that iQsquare will keep its promises and deliver a high quality product.
In conclusion, despite the delays and challenges associated with iQsquare’s Kickstarter campaign and the development of the Powermeter pedals, I still think the product is a good idea. The idea of providing an inexpensive introduction to power meter-based road bike training is still attractive. Although I haven’t received the product yet, I don’t regret backing it on Kickstarter. Projects like this contribute to innovation in cycling technology and offer cyclists access to advanced training tools at an affordable price.
So should you buy the pedals from iQsquare? Can I recommend this to others? In general: Yes, it is a reputable company and the products ordered are already being delivered and used. Kickstarter backers, on the other hand, will only be served gradually, as far as the financial possibilities and production capacities allow.
As soon as my copy is released, I will write an update and a review.
