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This is my comparison of Favero Assioma vs. Garmin Rally pedal power meters. I’ve been using Assioma DUO for more than two years now. I use them as a baseline for most power meter and smart trainer tests. They have proven to be highly accurate and reliable among cyclists worldwide.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to test Garmin Rally in-depth yet. But I did the research to explain their differences, pros & cons, and help you decide which one to choose.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The main difference between the Favero Assioma and Garmin Rally is that the Favero Assioma UNO/DUO power meter pedals have shorter battery life compared to the Rally 1st generation (50h vs. 120h). However, this battery is rechargeable, unlike the Rally x00 battery. The Assioma RS and Rally 2nd generation (x10) have a more similar battery life of 60h vs. 90h. Assioma pedals don’t offer conversion kits like the Rally does. On the other hand, Assioma pedals are more affordable than Garmin Rally. If this all sounds complicated, continue reading for a more detailed explanation.
Favero Assioma vs. Garmin Rally: The Basics
Here is the summary of the main differences between Favero Assioma UNO, DUO, MX, and RS vs. Garmin Rally 1st (x00) and 2nd (x10) generation.
| Feature | Favero Assioma RS | Favero Assioma Pro MX | Favero Assioma UNO/DUO/DUO-SHI | Garmin Rally x10 | Garmin Rally x00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | ±1% | ±1% | ±1% | ±1% | ±1% |
| Weight w/o cleats | 249g/set | 390g/set | 299g/set | 320-444g/set (depending on the option) | 320-444g/set (depending on the option) |
| Cleat type | Shimano SPD-SL | Shimano SPD | LOOK Keo | LOOK Keo Shimano SPD-SL Shimano SPD | LOOK Keo Shimano SPD-SL Shimano SPD |
| Claimed battery life | 60 hours | 60 hours | 50 hours | 90 hours | 120 hours |
| Rechargeable battery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Spindle length | 54 mm | 54 mm | 54 mm 64 mm (DUO-SHI) | 53 mm 55 mm with 2mm washer | 53 mm 55 mm with 2mm washer |
| Stack height | 10.5mm | 11.2mm | 10.5mm | RK: 12.2mm RS: 12.2mm XC: 13.5mm | RK: 12.2mm RS: 12.2mm XC: 11.5mm |
| Auto zero | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Single-sided and dual-sided option | Yes (RS-1 and RS-2) | Yes (MX-1 and MX-2) | Yes (UNO and DUO) | Yes (110 and 210) | Yes (100 and 200) |
| L/R Balance, power phase | RS-2 only | MX-2 only | DUO and DUO-SHI only | ‘210’ series only | ‘200’ series only |
| Pedal center offset | n/a | n/a | n/a | ‘210’ series only | ‘200’ series only |
| Connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth Smart | ANT+, Bluetooth Smart | ANT+, Bluetooth Smart | ANT+, Bluetooth Smart | ANT+, Bluetooth Smart |
| More info | n/a | n/a | Favero Assioma Review | n/a | n/a |
| Buy single-sided | n/a | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Buy dual-sided | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price Buy DUO-SHI | Check Price | Check Price |
Let me now explain them in depth.
Favero Assioma Lineup Explained
Favero Assioma power pedals come in the following options:
- Favero Assioma UNO (single-sided power meter for LOOK Keo)
- Favero Assioma DUO (dual-sided power meter for LOOK Keo)
- Favero Assioma DUO-SHI (dual-sided power meter spindles for Shimano SPD-SL)
- Favero Assioma Pro MX-1 (single-sided power meter for Shimano SPD)
- Favero Assioma Pro MX-2 (dual-sided power meter for Shimano SPD)
- Favero Assioma Pro RS-1 (single-sided power meter for Shimano SPD-SL)
- Favero Assioma Pro RS-2 (dual-sided power meter spindles for Shimano SPD-SL)
You can also buy an upgrade kit for single-sided versions (UNO, MX-1, RS-1) to make them dual-sided (DUO, MX-2, RS-2).
Garmin Rally Lineup Explained
Garmin Rally lineup is a little more complicated than Assioma. We have Rally 1st generation, marked by numbers ‘x00’, and 2nd generation, marked by numbers ‘x10’. The models go as follows.
- RK100, RK200, RK110, and RK210 pedals are compatible with the LOOK KEO cleat type
- RS100, RS200, RS110, and RS210 pedals are compatible with the Shimano SPD-SL cleat type
- XC100, XC200, XC110, and XC210 pedals are compatible with the Shimano SPD cleat type
The number ‘1’ means the power meter is single-sided, while the ‘2’ is dual-sided. To decide which one to choose, read my comparison of single-sided and dual-sided power meters.
But that’s not all. You can also buy conversion kits to make XC2x0 pedals from the RS2x0 pedals and vice versa (all combinations are possible).
Additionally, Garmin sells upgrade kits to make dual-sided power meters from single-sided ones like Favero.
Favero Assioma vs. Garmin Rally Features Comparison
Below, I compare the main features of both power meters in more depth.
Physical Dimensions & Weight
Both pedal power meters differ in their design. Garmin Rally 1st generation wins compared to Assioma UNO and DUO, because they are sleeker and better integrated. But the Favero Assioma RS pedals look almost like the Rally RS, having all electronics in the axle. See the following pictures:
The weight depends mainly on the pedal type you choose. For example, Rally XC100 are heavier than Rally RK100 or RS100. The weight of Rally pedals ranges from 312g to 455g. Favero Assioma RS pedals are lighter. They weigh 249g.
The Assioma’s Q-factor is 54mm, while Rally pedals have 53mm (55mm with the provided 2mm washer). So, it’s basically the same. Remember that Favero Assioma DUO-SHI spindles have a Q-factor of 64-65mm. So, this will affect how far away your legs will be and your cornering ability.
Then, there is the stack height. It goes as follows:
- Favero Assioma UNO, DUO, RS-1, RS-2: 10.5mm
- Favero Assioma Pro MX: 11.2mm
- Garmin Rally RS, RK: 12.2mm
- Garmin Rally XC: 1st gen – 13.5mm, 2nd gen – 11.5mm
For comparison, PowerTap P1 pedals have a stack height of 14mm.
So, depending on your sensitivity to minor changes, you may need to adjust the saddle height.
Ease of Setup
Pedal power meters are popular thanks to their ease of setup and use. Assioma pedals come with an included 8mm hex wrench. However, for Rallys, you will need a 15mm pedal wrench, which is not included.
Double-check the crank arm length in the app and your bike computer to ensure accurate data once you pair them with the dedicated apps and sensors.
Setting up both power meters is easy (much easier than spider power meters, for example), so it’s a draw here.
Data Accuracy & Reliability
I’ve already reviewed Favero Assioma DUO. My testing didn’t show any issues. I use Assioma DUO as a benchmark for other non-pedal-based power meters and smart trainers tests.
You can also check out this review by GP Lama (Shane Miller), who came to a similar conclusion.
Shortly after launch, customer reviews showed that the Garmin Rally had lower customer satisfaction. If they work, they work well, but they were not as reliable as Assiomas. You can read many online discussions where people claim that their Rally pedals are not reliable. This is manifested, for example, by connection drops or inaccuracy. You won’t find as many complaints when you do the same research for Favero Assioma.
Another thing worth mentioning is that Favero Assioma doesn’t offer platform center offset metrics like Rally, which can help reveal your bike fit issues.
Battery Life
It is tempting to declare Garmin Rally 1st generation pedals the winner because they have more than twice the claimed battery life of Assioma UNO and DUO (120 vs. 50h). However, the differences are smaller between the 2nd generation Rally (x10) and Assioma RS (90 vs. 60h).
The catch is that Rally’s first-generation pedals don’t have a rechargeable battery. This is, in my opinion, one of the biggest downsides of Rallys, considering their price. Luckily, the second generation already has a rechargeable battery.
Favero Assioma vs. Garmin Rally Pros & Cons Summary
I summarized the pros & cons of both power meters below.
| Pedals | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Favero Assioma | • More affordable • More reliable and consistent (based on reviews) • Rechargeable battery (all generations) • Lighter | • No conversion kits • DUO-SHI (SPD-SL) has a longer spindle than UNO/DUO • Shorter battery life • Can’t measure platform center offset |
| Garmin Rally | • Has conversion kits between cleat systems • Longer battery life • Dual-sided versions can measure platform center offset | • High price • Less reliable than Favero Assioma • Rechargeable batteries (only on 2nd generation) • Heavier |
I am curious to hear which pedal power meters you prefer. Please, submit your anonymous vote below!
My Verdict
Based on my experience, the winner for most road cyclists is the Favero Assioma DUO, and eventually, the newer Favero Assioma RS-2, due to their unmatched price-value ratio, accuracy, reliability, and, in the case of the RS-2, also their low weight.
However, Garmin Rally with the conversion kits might be a better choice if you want to use a power meter on different bikes (e.g., on a road, gravel, and MTB). But as always, it also depends on your riding style. For example, mountain bikers might prefer crank or spider power meters because they are less prone to rock strikes than pedals.
Is there anything else you would add to this comparison? Let me know. If you plan to buy these power meters, please consider using the links below. It’s the best way to support Cyclists Hub. No extra costs for you!
Also available at competitivecyclist.com and rei.com
Also available at competitivecyclist.com and rei.com
