tracking identical route/time on "comfort" bike vs traditional road bike

[catmom6]

Interesting observation:  my husband has a "comfort" bike (cushy saddle, flat handlebars, shorter distance between seat and handlebars -- meaning you're in a more upright position while riding).  I have a traditional road bike (hard saddle, dropped handlebars, longer distance between seat and handlebars -- meaning I'm in a hunched over position while riding).

When I travel the exact same route on both bikes, my Fitbit records my ride as significantly longer when I'm on my road bike as opposed to my husband's "comfort" bike.  For example, this morning I took a 1 hour 20 minute ride, the exact same route as I took on Saturday.  On my road bike, it recorded my ride as 1 hour (makes sense since part of the ride was downhill, so I wasn't pedaling).  Using my husband's bike, my Fitbit recorded the ride as 35 minutes.

I didn't FEEL like I was working any harder when I did it on my road bike - so I'm wondering if by virtue of being in that hunched over position, I was pedaling faster and/or harder without realizing it.  It seems likely - but....weird.  (This isn't the first time that's happened - this is just one example.  My timing - according to my fitbit, is always significantly longer if I'm on my bike vs my husband's.  Interesting...)

[JohnnyRow]

Which Fitbit model?

[Heybales]

You refer several times to Fitbit recording this ride of different times.

Not sure if your phrasing is specific to what you are asking or just happenstance.

Did you actually look at a clock and look at the timing of the rides? Are they different or about the same?

Are you wondering if this is an issue of the Fitbit auto-starting the workout at the same time or ending at the same time?

Or you did look at other clocks and you literally did ride one faster than the other?

Or you don't really know and hence relying on the Fitbit record?

Is GPS being used, and routes shown on map by Fitbit?

Is distance the same or reported different?

I'll say this about riding differences in aerodynamics and weight - faster bike does it make it easier for me to push harder and go faster usually. Just feels better going faster.

But someone could be use to certain speed and push harder on the slower bike to attempt to match.

Also heavier bike goes down faster, and while you do have to go up, differences in the incline can effect time taken for both.

[catmom6]

it's a Charge 2 (so an old-ish model)

[catmom6]

for timing I relied on my watch.  It was about the same amount of time, but when I was on my bike (the road bike), there were a few times I had to stop and wait for my husband as I was riding ahead of him, and he often got a bit far behind me. So I could have done the route in less time if I were alone (but probably just by a few minutes).

no GPS - but it was the same route I took on Saturday.  

so from what you said, it may be the difference between the two bikes rather than my body position.  Hmmm...that could be.  I was just curious as the Fitbit readings were so different.

[JohnnyRow]

---

@catmom6 wrote:

it's a Charge 2 (so an old-ish model)

---

I was asking the model to see if it was one that has the Exercise App, which the Charge 2 does.

It sounds like you are counting on Fitbit auto-detecting your bike rides.  For anything but walks, and I suppose runs, I find auto-detect fairly unreliable.  I expect it your results were just the auto-detect not accurately noting the start and end of the bike rides.

If you use the Exercise App, you specify the start and end of the ride so the time will be accurate.  Then you could compare the other stats in a meaningful way for the full rides.

If you are interested and not familiar with how to use the Exercise App, I can give further details.

P.S. Nothing wrong with Charge 2.

[catmom6]

oh - OK - I'll give that a shot - thanks!!

actually, it wasn't a huge deal - I just thought it was a little...odd.  But I'll try using the exercise app next time.  thanks!

[catmom6]

btw - I wasn't complaining about the Fitbit AT ALL.  I just go by my watch when I record my exercise.  It was just a query since it was sort of interesting that it auto-detects my rides differently, depending on which bike I'm on.  That's all.

[Heybales · Accepted solution]

increased HR with enough steps seen for auto-detect.

So any differences there.

Step impacts may not be fully seen because you are pedaling smoother on yours.

Though mine sees tons more steps from road vibration, I'd think his would limit that more than road bike.

Strange indeed.

Nice job waiting for hubby to catch up.

[catmom6]

yes - that makes sense.  There may be more vibrations when I'm on the road bike vs the comfort bike.  I didn't even think of that!