Garmin Launches Sleek Multidiscipline ‘Rally’ Power Meter Pedals
Garmin was not ready to be outdone by Wahoo’s Fred-tastic Speedplay pedal announcement the other day. They’ve brought their own Fredtastic pedal announcement, launching a whole new range of pedal-based power meters designed for all cycling disciplined. They’re called Rally™. And they definitely look right up our alley.
Here’s a generic thing Garmin told us: “Purpose-built, the sleek pedals measure total power, cadence and advanced cycling dynamics, including left/right balance, power phase and more on any ride – from road to mountain to gravel.” That mountain/gravel mention is interesting, because the Rally XC100 and Rally XC200 models support those little cute SPD cleats that people use off-road. And that we’ve been using on our city fixies since the early 2000s. Can… can we put a power meter on the fixie we ride to bars? Well, yes, now we CAN, but do we dare?
“We know cyclists are out there training to improve their performance every day, and we have created a power meter that they can depend on to help them achieve their goals,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “These Rally pedals have undergone rigorous testing to ensure we are not only providing cyclists with a superior pedal design, but with a power meter that riders can rely on to take their training to the next level.”
The new Rally power meters are available in six SKUs, but it’s not too confusing. There are SPD-SL, SPD, and Look KEO versions, and each version has a single- and dual-sensing pedal option.
- Rally RS100 and Rally RS200, designed for road cyclists,introduce compatibility with SHIMANO SPD-SL cleats
- Rally XC100 and Rally XC200, designed for off-road cyclists, introduce compatibility with SHIMANO SPD cleats
- Rally RK100 and Rally RK200, designed for road cyclists, maintain compatibility with LOOK KEO cleats
Designed with sensors housed in the pedals, Garmin says the Rally power meters deliver reliable, accurate data on every training session. Dual-sensing options allow cyclists to see their right and left leg data metrics independently.
They do a lot of stuff, which you kind of expect from Garmin products. Among their laundry list of features is measuring cadence, total power, left-right balance and advanced cycling dynamics, improve pedaling form, and track time spent seated versus standing.
The single-sensing models use left pedal data only, but can be upgraded later to the dual-sensing system when you’re more flush with cash. Maybe we’ll get another stimulus check.
Ok, another Garmin quote: “Riders can get the most from their training by pairing the Rally power meters with compatible Edge cycling computers and the Garmin Connect app to seamlessly upload data and update software. The Rally power meters are also compatible with popular indoor training platforms, including the Tacx Training app, Zwift, TrainerRoad and more.” We expected all of this, but hey. Worth saying. Stops you emailing us about it.
The pedals install like any other pedal and can be quickly swapped between bikes. They have a 120 hour battery life. And, burying the lede quite a bit because this is actually really cool, the power-tracking spindle can be transfered between different Rally pedal bodies, allowing you to switch from on- and off-road.
The dual-sensing pedals range in price from $1,099.99 to $1,199.99, while the single-sensing pedals range in price from $649.99 to $699.99. The optional upgrade pedals range in price from $549.99 to $599.99. Oof, ow, ouchie, our wallets. Send us one to review, Garmin. We can’t afford to buy this.