James Cracknell said in his case study ‘I produced a wattage of 340W, distance of 45,032 at 98 cadence losing only 2000 metres (0.34 of a metre every pedal revolution). Apparently I still used at least 240 more pedal revolutions than needed’.

I’m guessing that the distance loss per pedal revolution on the Wattbike can only be derived from the ‘efficiency’ figure which is one of the parameters available for display, but I can’t seem to find an obvious way of making the calculation.

I would be grateful for any answers to any of the following:

1. How do I obtain distance loss per pedal revolution with the Wattbike software?
2. How is distance loss per pedal revolution calculated?
3. How is the parameter ‘efficiency’ calculated?

Many thanks!

This is about my ‘expertise’ as a physiologist and Wattbike cycling coach - it’s all individual so it was my assessment of James’s shortfall based on my view as to the correct resistance (gearing), cadence and pedalling efficiency and physiological effect..

Getting these things right results in lower gear/higher cadence, same gear/higher cadence, higher gear/same cadence or higher gear/higher cadence

See here for description of the Polar view and how it works. 

http://www.wattbike.com/uk/wattbike/the_difference/efficiency/

Efficiency is a % of a circle.  Mechanically it is possible to produce 100% but this would not be ‘efficient’ for a human being - a good efficiency is over 60% and optimum 70-75% - probably a parameter we need to clarify and measure differently.

Email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you need further clarification