XCADEY VENTUS Carbon Cranks + PM

[gplama]

I hold these products to the standard they set themselves. That's where my expectation is.

I'm continually surprised at how big the gap is between what they claim and how products perform. Given the responses by some companies, so are they. 😅

[ChiefWarmPaws]

In terms of XCadey support, I'm not particularly convinced by the accuracy of the product, but they did replace mine that failed (a few days crazy readings followed by complete failure to activate or charge). It did take a while - some on me some on them (I started comms via the AE vendor) - they asked for multiple videos (which did take me ages to get around to record and send) and kept asking me to connect it to the app and do a screenshot of the calibration number, even though I told them it didn't work. In the end I did have to get a bit shirty at them when they asked for yet another video, and they sent me a new once once I sent the bad one back (to PL from UK) - so replacement cost about £10.

I have been using the new one for a few weeks - installed the latest FW (not the beta). It's believable on the face of it - only done 1kw type sprints at relatively low cadence thus far, and the ~200w Z2 reported after seemed reasonable. But I am not doing detailed testing like Shane (at best I'll be able to toss it on a Neo 2T at some point), so I'm glad he's validating these vendors' accuracy claims (also glad I'm not the one having to sprint on the small ring - that frightens me for some reason!)

As noted, the new app doesn't have the offset field anymore. They do have the BT connection signal strength, which I don't think they had before, very useful ... :-)

[renegade1848]

In terms of XCadey support, I'm not particularly convinced by the accuracy of the product, but they did replace mine that failed (a few days crazy readings followed by complete failure to activate or charge). It did take a while - some on me some on them (I started comms via the AE vendor) - they asked for multiple videos (which did take me ages to get around to record and send) and kept asking me to connect it to the app and do a screenshot of the calibration number, even though I told them it didn't work.

Now, that sounds exactly like my kind of problem. „Pls make a video of how it doesn‘t connect to the app and is basically just dead.“ Hmm, logic?

And to the point before: I‘m not expecting the same level of customer support I usually get from western brands, although I‘ve had my fair share of interesting experiences with those, too. Shimano and Canyon, for example, which are both essentially not even AE standards. However, as Lama mentioned, it is perfectly acceptable to hold anyone selling anything to their own advertizing claims. If you don‘t, you just accept the lie.

[Sakizashi]

Do you mean mean bolt pattern? If so - no, and the bolt pattern hasn't ever been mentioned by the manufacturers as a potential cause of the issues reported. I also don't see that being a factor.

I haven't been following the other meters as closely, so just trying to bracket what is known.

It feels like there is a general problem with changing offsets / these PMs being put into an error state under higher power. This has been observed on multiple Chinese PMs that are all Easton 4x110 BCD?

It was not observed on a Sigeyi PM, but that one was 1x in Sram 8-bolt 4x107 BCD?

I was not able to observe a moving offset but my PMs are both 5x110 and either Sram 3 bolt or Sram 8 bolt. Either way its hard to consider buying another one of these as they are useless as a training tool and even for pacing with the offset changing like this.

[kubackje]

My some small thoughts and comment on the end. In general and it's rather funny. The voice of expertes sitting in front of the screen, riding for buns to the coffee shop or around the chimney like we say in Poland. People who only can criticise, doing nothing, not providing any added value. I started the comparison with the confidence that it is a crap. Then the results were not bad, sometimes almost identical, I would say acceptable for amateur. Again I will underline, stable and fair for Gen 2, which I stated many times. Then I heard, only after 600w you will find some real results. I did a lot of workouts above 600w, didn't see anything unusual and strange. Then I heard, only above 1000w is a real problem. Okay, I thought I will have some sprints later so I will check this. I'm not a sprinter, so firstly I did some 1000w, 6 times, 8 times another day, no issues, then I had some 15-20s above 1000w with values above 1200w, the same situation.   

Omg this dude again and funnily enough on April 1st, ideal date for a joke of a guy you are. Who are you to call GP Lama and other respectable users here like that? Dude you are a fake wannabe influencer, you bought thousands of fake indian and paki followers on Instagram to boost your low ego. This is beyond embarrassing. You also achieved nothing in road racing, your not a racer not equipment expert, you're just an amateur with no palmares. come down to earth because you've flown away.

One of the users "who just rides around the chimney"  - GP LAMA re-tested xcadey again and again proved it's crap. So just deal with it and honestly go ride for a bun to the coffee shop and shut your mouth with it.

 Once again I remind everyone that you where recommending and shilling xcadey together with your AFFILIATE codes on all social platforms BEFORE even receiving the unit.
You fake your followers count, you shill products before even testing and push your affiliate links. All this is done to boost your low ego and trick Chinese companies for personal gains in term of kickbacks and free equipment. You are a FRAUD. People like you have zero credibility and should be banned permanently.

[gplama]

I've just sent XCadey the data from my testing yesterday and have requested a meeting with the team at Shanghai Cycle early next month. I hope something positive can come out of the time spent on this one.

[kubackje]

I've just sent XCadey the data from my testing yesterday and have requested a meeting with the team at Shanghai Cycle early next month. I hope something positive can come out of the time spent on this one.

Much respect for your work Shane! Thank you

[Mariuszuzd]

I've just sent XCadey the data from my testing yesterday and have requested a meeting with the team at Shanghai Cycle early next month. I hope something positive can come out of the time spent on this one.

Great, really looking forward to your comment. What I have identified is the shape of the chainring. With round one I have the same data, but when I changed it, again I have differences around 10w, sometimes up to 15w. I always use the same system, so 5 bolt. I don't hany other crank or possibility to check it, my sram has 8 bolt system. For favero, I can have a field, what is the offset and some other data, for xcadey unfortunately it's not possible, that could be good. I'm not riding with their app.

[JVE01]

Power meter issues aside, has anyone had issues with the ventus cranks themselves?

I've had real issues getting the crank off and back on - primarily because the self extraction bolt is so stiff once you've removed the crank and unscrewed the drive side fastening bolt so it is sitting against the puller bolt. The drive side fastening bolt end's up getting stuck against the puller, link below to the parts diagram. It makes it incredibly difficult re-installing when the drive side fastening bolt is so stiff. Have had to take the bike to the bike shop twice, even they agree it's a sh!t design with a really low tolerance.

https://xcadey.com/2025/09/12/xpower-carbon-crankset-install-guide/

Interested to hear if anyone else has had similar issues.

[jonathanf2]

Power meter issues aside, has anyone had issues with the ventus cranks themselves?

I've had real issues getting the crank off and back on - primarily because the self extraction bolt is so stiff once you've removed the crank and unscrewed the drive side fastening bolt so it is sitting against the puller bolt. The drive side fastening bolt end's up getting stuck against the puller, link below to the parts diagram. It makes it incredibly difficult re-installing when the drive side fastening bolt is so stiff. Have had to take the bike to the bike shop twice, even they agree it's a sh!t design with a really low tolerance.

https://xcadey.com/2025/09/12/xpower-carbon-crankset-install-guide/

Interested to hear if anyone else has had similar issues.

No problem with my crankset. For this type of design, I always fasten the axle from the non-drive side crank arm first. It makes removing the drive side crank arm easier to remove for maintenance.

[renegade1848]

What direct mount standard is this btw? Never seen this 5-bolt design before?

[ChiefWarmPaws]

In latest news from "cylists using power meters for normal cycling things" was doing 3x10min low cadence threshold intervals yesterday ... calibrated when I left home - first interval seemed too easy, second was even easier, with power reading even higher - stopped and re-calibrated again - third interval was 'correct' (confirmed by looking at HR). This sort of thing makes this PM useless unless you are calibrating every 5min.

There were no sprints beforehand, so not sure what caused that particular issue. Temperature maybe - drops quite quickly in the UK in the evening at this time of year. Also starting to creak a bit, so maybe need to pull apart and re-torque again... Given I bought if for a cheeky weight saving, I think I will just have to pony up for PM pedals and ignore it is even there. My 8 year old 4iiii LH crank PM was bulletproof consistent (I rarely used to calibrate it!) Shame Shimano cranks are so heavy ... :-(

[TribesMan]

Does backwards pedal calibrate this power meter?

[ChiefWarmPaws]

alas not to my knowledge. only through app or paired head unit.

note to previous poster about 5 bolt - it was speculated earlier in this thread that it is simply the SRAM 3 bolt stanard with an extra couple of drillings to avoid any IP issues.

in regards my issue on that ride i mentioned, i am going to assume it is temperature related and remind myself to recalibrate after being out for a bit ... (tbf this is not unique to this PM albeit not a problem i've had myself before).

[ChiefWarmPaws]

So the replacement PM they sent me has died now - lights come on, but it no longer transmits data (can't see it on the phone or head unit). Tried plugging into power source and it just charges as normal. Happened at the start of a 100mile event where power would have been really nice to have (it was working day before).

I will no doubt be having to send more videos to Xcadey for another replacement, but am accepting it is just a trash PM (shame, as the cranks are ok).