ThinkRider PP5 Power Meter Update TESTED // Manufacturer Confirms Issues

Why It Matters

Inconsistent power and cadence data undermine the PP5’s value for serious cyclists, forcing them to seek more reliable, albeit pricier, alternatives while ThinkRider works on a hardware fix.

Key Takeaways

• Firmware updates failed to fix PP5 power accuracy inconsistencies.
• Both units showed 2‑3% power drift after hard sprints.
• Manual zeroing restores alignment but is impractical for training.
• Cadence and left‑right balance become erratic under high load.
• Manufacturer acknowledges issue; resolution expected in future product revisions.

Summary

The video revisits the ThinkRider PP5 Spider power meter, a sub‑$100 device that has drawn attention for its inconsistent readings. After an initial review highlighted 18‑20 W high‑bias and residual‑torque problems, the reviewer obtained a second unit and applied the latest firmware (v1.86) to see if the manufacturer’s fixes would resolve the issues. Testing spanned three sessions—two outdoor rides totaling roughly two hours and an indoor session on a trainer—against trusted baselines (Asmer Pro RS and Taxo 3M). Across all runs the PP5 displayed 1.5‑3 % power drift after hard sprints, erratic cadence spikes, and fluctuating left‑right balance, despite being torqued to spec. Zeroing the meter manually restored alignment, but the need to repeat this multiple times per ride proved untenable. Specific data points underscore the problem: a 241 W peak on the PP5 versus 232 W on the reference, a 2‑3 % deviation that grew after each sprint, and a noticeable cadence jitter that mirrored the power inconsistency. Even with the updated firmware, the hardware exhibited the same residual‑torque behavior observed in the first unit, confirming a systemic flaw rather than a single defective sample. The findings signal that the current PP5 cannot be trusted for precise training or performance analysis. ThinkRider has acknowledged the defect and promises a fix in upcoming models, but riders seeking reliable power data will likely need to look elsewhere until the next hardware revision arrives.

Original Description

Follow-up testing on a second ThinkRider PP5 with updated firmware confirms the same issues: inconsistent power, residual torque after efforts, and drift at higher wattages requiring frequent manual zeroing. Results match the first unit, ruling out a defect. ThinkRider has acknowledged the problem and plans a future fix, but as it stands, the PP5 isn’t reliable for training.

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Original PP5 Review: https://youtu.be/y0CZEbVhC5w

Video Index:

0:00 Intro

0:51 Previous Review

1:19 Retesting (New PP5 with new Firmware)

2:22 Data Analysis - Outdoor

4:47 Data Anaisys - Indoor

6:63 Test Results Summary

7:29 Manufacturer Responds

7:59 Wrap Up

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