The "ecco" equalizer.

[TomWilcox]

I own a 16 lb Cannondale system six. My Gestalt is that riding my 38 lb Domane+ in ecco mode, requires about the same effort (i.e. calories expended, overall effort) for the same ride. My Apple watch estimates calories burned but uses speed as a factor. This is inaccurate as a lot of effort can be expended in a gear that is too high, with a speed that is slower. I wonder if anyone can validate the theory that ecco mode essentially negates the weight penalty, by riding the same path on a regular bike and then repeating the path with a Domane+ using an ergometer or watt meter to show the expended effort at the crank?

If my theory that the two are equivalent in expended effort, then there should be no embarrassment or shame riding in ecco mode with other analog riders.
Ride with them as long as politeness and civility demands, then leave them for dust.

 

[Dallant]

I own a 16 lb Cannondale system six. My Gestalt is that riding my 38 lb Domane+ in ecco mode, requires about the same effort (i.e. calories expended, overall effort) for the same ride. My Apple watch estimates calories burned but uses speed as a factor. This is inaccurate as a lot of effort can be expended in a gear that is too high, with a speed that is slower. I wonder if anyone can validate the theory that ecco mode essentially negates the weight penalty, by riding the same path on a regular bike and then repeating the path with a Domane+ using an ergometer or watt meter to show the expended effort at the crank?

If my theory that the two are equivalent in expended effort, then there should be no embarrassment or shame riding in ecco mode with other analog riders.
Ride with them as long as politeness and civility demands, then leave them for dust.

Interesting and I’d certainly like to see more ”equivalent” testing. The caloric burn of my Apple Watch is the guesstimate that I have often questioned and pay the least attention to. Maybe someone with more knowledge here can validate or cite a study?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I cannot prove anything as I got rid of my traditional bike. Yet, I can tell you that so-called "20% Eco mode" on my Vado (0.64 x You!) is far more powerful than to just equalise the bike weight. Some Vado users only set 10% for Eco mode and say they feel as if they were riding a trad bike. (Vado weighs 53 lbs).