December 28, 2025 · 3 min read

My Favero Assioma PRO MX Buying Mistake — Why It's Worth Paying More for Dual-Sided

Buying your first power meter is an exciting moment for any ambitious cyclist. When Favero's long-awaited MTB pedals, the Assioma PRO MX, hit the market, I knew I had to have them. Trying to save money, though, I made a mistake that cost me several hundred euros and a lot of frustration. Let me tell you why it's worth investing in the dual-sided version (MX-2) right from the start.

Three ways to Favero power measurement on MTB

Favero offers its pedals in three variants, which at first glance looks like a flexible setup — but it hides a trap:

• Assioma PRO MX-2: the complete set, with power measurement in both pedals. You get full data, including L/R balance.
• Assioma PRO MX-1: a set with power measurement in the left pedal only. The right pedal is a "blank" with no electronics. The system estimates total power by doubling the left leg's reading.
• Assioma PRO MX-UP: an upgrade kit that turns an MX-1 into an MX-2. It includes a right pedal with a power sensor.

A mistake that costs you — the maths is unforgiving

The temptation to buy the single-sided version "for now" and save money is strong. I gave in to it myself. I thought: "I'll see how it goes, and I can add the upgrade later." That was a mistake that hit my wallet the moment I wanted the full data.

Take a look at approximate market prices:

As you can see, choosing the upgrade path means overpaying by about €165. That's the cost of a good-quality helmet or a pair of cycling shoes. Money that could have been invested far better.

Why isn't single-leg measurement enough?

Saving money is one thing, but the training limitations matter more. Single-sided measurement assumes both legs generate identical power, which is almost never true.

• Power imbalance: nearly every cyclist has some degree of asymmetry in the power they generate. It can range from 48/52% to as much as 45/55%, depending on fatigue, the day, or past injuries. Single-sided measurement completely ignores this, leading to inaccurate readings of total power.
• An unreliable FTP: if your FTP is set from a reading taken on one, stronger leg, your training zones will be inflated. That's a direct route to overtraining.
• No diagnostic data: the dual-sided version gives you invaluable data on L/R balance. Watching how it shifts over a long effort can be a signal to work on your technique, or to see a physiotherapist.

Conclusion: don't follow my path

If you're serious about training with a power meter, don't make my mistake. The apparent saving at the start quickly turns into a financial loss and, more importantly, limits the quality of your training data. Invest in dual-sided power measurement from the start, like the Favero Assioma PRO MX-2. Your legs, and your wallet, will thank you.

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