|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Accuracy of Calorie-counters on Cycle Computers?
I got a new Bell cycle computer (speedometer, etc.) and went for a short spin to try it out. In just 6.3 miles, at average speed of 16 mph, it claimed I'd burned 363 extra calories. My weight is set at 200 lbs. Based on my experience in counting calories the old-fashioned way, I'd be surprised if I'd actually used up even half this much energy. How accurate have these calorie-counters seemed to other riders? If this thing does work correctly, when I go for a 50-mile ride at an even faster speed, I should be on the way to being a skeleton when I finish. Maybe they figure if these computers generate a big "feel-good" factor for hefty riders, they'll be more popular. Reminds me of how the current administration measures the strength of the economy. Another issue is whether the weight of the bike should be added to that of the rider in the computer setting. This isn't specified in the manual. Since my bikes range from 25 to 80 lbs. in total weight, this would be a good idea. Steve McDonald |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Accuracy of Calorie-counters on Cycle Computers?
Steve McDonald wrote: I got a new Bell cycle computer (speedometer, etc.) and went for a short spin to try it out. In just 6.3 miles, at average speed of 16 mph, it claimed I'd burned 363 extra calories. My weight is set at 200 lbs. Based on my experience in counting calories the old-fashioned way, I'd be surprised if I'd actually used up even half this much energy. How accurate have these calorie-counters seemed to other riders? If this thing does work correctly, when I go for a 50-mile ride at an even faster speed, I should be on the way to being a skeleton when I finish. Maybe they figure if these computers generate a big "feel-good" factor for hefty riders, they'll be more popular. Reminds me of how the current administration measures the strength of the economy. Another issue is whether the weight of the bike should be added to that of the rider in the computer setting. This isn't specified in the manual. Since my bikes range from 25 to 80 lbs. in total weight, this would be a good idea. Steve McDonald Compare your results to this site. http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.html |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Accuracy of Calorie-counters on Cycle Computers?
"Steve McDonald" wrote in message
... I got a new Bell cycle computer (speedometer, etc.) and went for a short spin to try it out. In just 6.3 miles, at average speed of 16 mph, it claimed I'd burned 363 extra calories. My weight is set at 200 lbs. Based on my experience in counting calories the old-fashioned way, I'd be surprised if I'd actually used up even half this much energy. How accurate have these calorie-counters seemed to other riders? That doesn't sound very realistic to me. 40 calories per mile is a good rule-of-thumb for cycling, and your computer is saying your burned close to 58 calories per mile. Since you're a larger rider, you could use 45 calories per mile, which would equal 284 calories for your ride. If this thing does work correctly, when I go for a 50-mile ride at an even faster speed, I should be on the way to being a skeleton when I finish. Maybe they figure if these computers generate a big "feel-good" factor for hefty riders, they'll be more popular. Reminds me of how the current administration measures the strength of the economy. They may, indeed, over-estimate calories burned for the reason you suggest. I've always thought that gym equipment was programmed to the high side for that reason. Another issue is whether the weight of the bike should be added to that of the rider in the computer setting. This isn't specified in the manual. Since my bikes range from 25 to 80 lbs. in total weight, this would be a good idea. Steve McDonald Oddly enough, bike weight doesn't make a huge difference, although 80 lbs would have to be taken into account to be accurate (BTW, you need to get a lighter bike!). I've included a calorie and watts calculator in my CycliStats training program (http://www.CycliStats.com) - it includes a bunch of different input variables, including bike weight. You can download a free, 30-day trial version, to see how the calorie calculator works, and play around with various bike weights to see how it affects the calorie and watts calculation. -- ~_-* ....G/ \G http://www.CycliStats.com CycliStats - Software for Cyclists |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Accuracy of Calorie-counters on Cycle Computers?
On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 01:02:54 GMT, Andy Gee
wrote: What are these things counting? I've seen calory meters attached to speedometers, attached to workout equipment, counting heartbeats, etc. Calories could be brake horsepower converted to the heat equivalent, actual amount of calories expended (fuel loss) for the duration of the exercise or for the exercise plus the effects over 48 hours, net work of the bike+rider system, etc. I never got a straight answer on this. I would think you would need 30 randomly selected people pedaling bikes mounted on dynamometers inside calorimeter rooms to calibrate the process, then mount a pitot tube for airspeed on the bike, add some sprung weights and use both the heartrate and speedometer methods to get an accurate value. Or is this stuff just more consumer toys? --ag My HRM has a calorie counter. You input weight, activity level, and set ranges. I compared my last ride to the site that Beverly posted. It was very, very close. I think the ones that don't take heart rate as part of the caculation, may not be all that accurate. But if they are consistent, you can see if you are burning more or less. It would give you an idea of improvement. Life is Good! Jeff |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Wheel size for cycle computers | Paul Rose | UK | 19 | March 12th 05 04:20 PM |
Wirless cycle computers and PC realtime interfaces? | tomw | General | 2 | February 18th 04 05:58 PM |
Are cycle computers waterproof? | Uphill DownHill | UK | 6 | August 29th 03 10:51 AM |
Pick 'n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour - Cape Town, South Africa, 2004 | David Cowie | Racing | 0 | August 28th 03 10:29 PM |
Pick 'n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour - Cape Town, South Africa, 2004 | David Cowie | UK | 0 | August 28th 03 10:29 PM |