3 Bits of Japanese Tech

IZUMI V CHAIN. With more than a century of experience making chains for bicycles, as well as for everything from cars to industrial machinery, Japanese manufacturer Izumi knows how to make a quality chain. The Izumi V is one of the few chains approved for the monster power outputs of elite keirin racers in Japan, so ride this chain knowing it will be able to handle whatever efforts you throw at it. With this strength comes durability too; Izumi claims the V chain will last more than three times as long as a standard chain. A unique nut-and-bolt-style connecting pin provides additional security to this black-and-gold chain that is certain to add some flash to any track set-up. $80; izumichain.co.jp

PIONEER SBT-PM91. Serious training requires serious tools—and Pioneer delivers with its new dual-leg power meter. Mounted on the latest Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 crankset, the SB T-PM91 measures force and direction every 30 degrees (that’s 12 times per leg per revolution), letting you dial in your pedal stroke for each leg in real time for maximum efficiency. Knowledge is quite literally power in this case, and the benefits of these sensors are well worth it considering the miniscule 61-gram weight penalty (687 grams total for the crankset and sensors). Pioneer’s mobile app makes installation, firmware updates and adjusting settings easy to manage in one spot. Pioneer has also announced a new partnership with Wahoo, putting its innovative force-vector metrics on Wahoo’s ELEMNT and ELEMNT BO LT head units. $1,300; powerisking.com

MINO URA KAGURA DD. The Kagura DD is Minoura’s first foray into direct-drive trainers, hence the name DD. At $900, the Kagura is priced lower than many of its direct-drive competitors, but still delivers high-end features. The Kagura can mimic up to an absolutely torturous 25-percent grade—if you need anything steeper, you should perhaps consider taking up mountaineering—and it can output both speed and power up to 2,200 watts. Its 22-pound flywheel is one of the heaviest on the market; and this is one of the few items in cycling where more weight is a good thing, because heavier flywheels deliver a more realistic road-like feel. The Minoura Kagura DD is ready for anyone looking to put in some serious trainer time. $900; minoura.jp

This article originally appeared in issue 81, get your copy here