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The higher lactate levels suggest higher production of lactic acid at higher cadences. The broadly similar VO2 levels suggest similar amounts of work being done for each test (as you would expect).you may have to explain why the results are surprising.
An interesting counterpoint to the GCN video, though neither test were particularly scientific. Also perception of the rider doesn't necessarily correlate with actual test results (Si thought the slow cadence was hard going in the GCN vid despite the much lower lactate levels). Other than heart rate the nakedscientist report didn't seem to measure anything and rely on the feelings of the rider.It was the naked scientists podcast I was thinking of:
https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/pedalling-faster-easier
They tested that pedaling at a cadence of 110 is physiologically more efficient than pedaling at 70. Which doesn't really say anything about how either would compare to 90 [emoji3]
I'm trying to raise my cadence, which naturally goes to about 70, both to help with knee pain experienced as I was getting into my cycle commute, and get better assistance from the motor. Certainly my experience is 90 feels in the moment like it's much more effort, but over a 90 minute ride I emerge with much lower leg fatigue and lower heart rate through the ride. For me I'd say it must be less lactic acid production at higher cadence. But based purely on the feeling in my legs...
I believe you have hit the nail on the head sir. These bikes are somewhat complicated. The problem new riders have with them is simply not understanding what they have. This can be for many reasons including their previous bikes and riding style and/or not being educated by the dealer about how to get the best out of their new bike. This is not always the fault of the dealer as some people are too proud to admit they are struggling. Their best course of action is to go back to point of sale for some coaching or come here and ask questions. They will get answers and answers and answers. ..........................If I'd known it was this complicated I'd never had dared to buy my Bosch powered bike! I just get on and pedal it, when I come to a hill I change down.
Er, that's it.
Mine does have a display with bars which show how much assistance I'm getting - which I find interesting.
I'm 65 and averagely fit, my route is full of hills and they are no problem.
I suggest that the main thing is to have a good test ride and make sure you find some steep hills, it will either suit you, or not.
'I believe you have hit the nail on the head sir.'These bikes are somewhat complicated.
That is where I think you are misrepresenting the Bosch system. Whilst the maximum assist is 3x (for my CX motor) you can still ride the bike up hills quite easily if you are far LESS fit than average (my 83 year old father for example). Obviously the motor is not producing it's full power, but it doesn't have to; enough to go up the hill is sufficient. Also being in the correct gear is, of course crucial.If the user is less fit than the average, then he cannot coax the full power out of the motor, the maximum assist being x3 of his own effort.
the OP is quite experienced with e-bikes, it's not his first bike either.That is where I think you are misrepresenting the Bosch system. Whilst the maximum assist is 3x (for my CX motor) you can still ride the bike up hills quite easily if you are far LESS fit than average (my 83 year old father for example). Obviously the motor is not producing it's full power, but it doesn't have to; enough to go up the hill is sufficient. Also being in the correct gear is, of course crucial.
I never said a bosch would be the best for him. In fact what I said was that I would never recommend a torque bike for someone with physical limitations. And yes, with the bosch system set on high you can pedal up a steep hill with little effort. Give it a try sometime and find out for yourself. Finally, I said the wisper was the everything bike as it had atorque and cadence setting with a throttle. I was agreeing with d8veh not recommending. Maybe a Wisper would be the bike for him. A test ride by the OP would be the best idea.the OP is quite experienced with e-bikes, it's not his first bike either.
He can climb hills OK with his Bosch bike except the very exceptionally steep ones.
On an easy hill for his other bike(s), he can't get the full power from his Bosch, that's his issue.
@ EmoRider: how would you / under which circumstance would you suggest to someone that a Bosch bike would be better for him than for example a Wisper torque that has a much more flexible power delivery?
I get that, and I didn't say or imply that anything you said was wrong.I never said a bosch would be the best for him. In fact what I said was that I would never recommend a torque bike for someone with physical limitations.
Like I and others repeat ad nausea, a test ride is the best way way to learn and determine what is best for an individual. You really should expand your paradigms by spending some time on a torque system. As you don't sell bosch or other torque systems my reply would be meaningless. Volumes have been already written about torque systems and who might and might not benifit from them already. Read, ride and learn is my best advice for you. The rest of my learned from experience advice is for my customers when they are choosing between a torque or cadence system.I get that, and I didn't say or imply that anything you said was wrong.
Note also that I did not disagree with what you posted either.
In one of your earlier posts, you talked about giving the right advice to customers. As I don't have Bosch bikes in my shop, I can't tell someone that 'in your case, the best advice I can give is to go for a Bosch bike' but can you suggest some conditions where a Bosch bike would be the best choice?
did I say I have not ridden torque systems?Read, ride and learn is my best advice for you.
On an easy hill for his other bike(s), he can't get the full power from his Bosch, that's his issue.
he did say he tried all the available gears and still could not get better than 11mph.That is rubbish.
He still had two more gears to drop, so the issue is in fact not using the gears available to him, and nothing more.