Hey crew! 🚴♂️ Today we’re testing the Magene PES P505 Base, a dual-leg, spider-based power meter that undercuts the big names on price but still promises ±1.5% accuracy, ANT+/BLE connectivity, and 200 h of battery life. Let’s see how it stacks up.
Magene PES P505 Base Power Meter Review
Quick Take
The Magene PES P505 Base is a surprisingly capable and budget-friendly dual-sided crank power meter. It offers ±1.5% accuracy, ANT+/Bluetooth connectivity, and up to 200 hours of battery life . Available in crankarm lengths 165–175 mm, it fits standard 24 mm Shimano Hollowtech bottom brackets. Priced around ** MSRP $299**, this spider-based meter excels for road, gravel, or indoor training—though it’s incompatible with press-fit BB386 or T47 frames without external adapters.
💡 Tip: Purchase via AliExpress during Choice Days or promotions to save up to €120, bringing the price down to €180–200. At this price, it’s arguably the best-value dual-sided power meter available.
Build, Design & Installation
- Spider & Crankarms: 4-arm 110 BCD spider with proprietary chainrings and 24 mm steel spindle (Shimano-compatible). Hollow-crank design reduces weight (~650 g without rings, ~782 g with 52/36 rings).
- Weight Comparison: Same weight as Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 crankset (~678 g).
- Compatibility Note: Not compatible with BB386 or T47 frames without external BB cups
Charging port on the left crank arm requires removal for USB charging
Accuracy & Data Performance
- Claimed Accuracy: ±1.5%. Real-world tests showed ~1% variance vs. Favero Assioma and smart trainers.
- Metrics: Power, cadence, left/right balance, and pedal smoothness.
- Calibration: Easy via Magene Utility app or backpedaling. Auto-zeroes on warm-up.
Connectivity & App Support
- Wireless: ANT+ (power only) and Bluetooth LE (power). Can pair to one Bluetooth device at a time.
- Apps: Magene Utility (firmware/calibration) and OnelapFit (training/data syncing to Strava/TP).
- Compatibility: Works flawlessly with Wahoo, Garmin, Zwift, and TrainerRoad.
Road, Gravel & Indoor Use
- Versatility: Ideal for road, gravel, and indoor trainers (ANT+ FE-C/Bluetooth). IPX7 waterproof.
- Indoor Advantage: Consistent power tracking across indoor/outdoor rides.
sweet / sour – Conclusion
🥭 sweet
- Outstanding value: Dual-sided power with crankarms from €180–200 – unbeatable in the budget segment.
- Reliable performance: ±1.5% accuracy (in practice even better), stable ANT+/BLE connection, solid app support.
- Versatile use: Great for road, gravel, and indoor training. Lightweight, waterproof, and well-built.
🍋 sour
- Limited compatibility: Not natively compatible with BB386 or T47 frames without adapters.
- Bluetooth limitation: Can only connect to one BLE device at a time.
- Fixed crank length: Crank length cannot be changed after purchase – no modular setup.
Pro Tip:
The next-generation Magene PES P515 power meter is now available! Key upgrades over the P505 include:
- Higher accuracy (±1% claimed)
- Native BB386 & T47 bottom bracket compatibility
- Retains all P505 features (dual-sided power, 200h battery, ANT+/BLE)
Category Ratings
| Category | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) | Claims ±1.5% (magene.com) and we saw ~1% consistency. Slight deviations on really hard sprints, but overall excellent. |
| Installation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | Straightforward if you have Shimano BB. Left-arm charging bolt is a minor hassle. |
| Connectivity | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ANT+ and BLE work flawlessly (magene.com) with all devices. No dropouts. |
| Compatibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | Fits all 24mm-shaft road/crank setups and 110 BCD rings (magene.com). Misses BB386 and native T47 support. |
| Durability | ★★★★★ (5/5) | CNC build feels solid, IPX7 waterproof (magene.com). Bolts quality has improved. 2-year warranty included. |
| Value | ★★★★★ (5/5) | Extremely high performance for 180-200€. Undercuts Shimano/Dura-Ace ($1000), Favero, 4iiii (dual) by a lot, while delivering similar features. |
Final Score: ★★★★☆ (4.7/5)
Overall, the Magene PES P505 Base is an enthusiast's dream power meter for the price. It packs long battery life, dual-leg precision, and broad compatibility into a lightweight crankset. If you have a compatible frame, we highly recommend it for road, gravel, or trainer use. It's rare to find this level of accuracy and completeness at such a low cost – Magene has a winner here.
Sources:
magene.com, gplama.com, the5krunner.com, zwiftinsider.com, 4iiii.com, and real-world user feedback.
Disclosure: We purchased the Magene P505 power meter ourselves for this review and were not compensated by the manufacturer. Our testing and opinions are completely independent.
