Step counts on a bike ride

[Al_Wigton]

Q1 How does Sense measure step counts on a bike ride?

Q2 I have had Sense for over a year and step counts on my Giant E-bike have seemed reasonable.

I have bought a new Specialized E-bike which is very similar in design/size - but the step count is generally half the step count when using the Giant.

One difference between the bikes is - the Giant's optimum cadence is 60 to 65 rpm and the Specialized is 75 +/- 3 rpm. Therefore if I am pedalling faster I would have expected a higher step count!

Any suggestions?

Alan

[JohnnyRow]

Fitbit on your wrist really has no idea what your legs are doing; it tries to infer steps from the regular rhythmic movement of your wrist, as in swinging your arms when walking or running.  When you get credit for "steps" on a bike, what it really is reflecting is just vibrations through your wrist, probably reflecting how smooth or bumpy the surface you are riding on.

[Al_Wigton]

Hi

I can sort of see that - but why such a difference between two similar bikes on same route?

There needs then to be a better why of counting steps if we are using step based fitness scores.

I feel cheated when I am getting the same count on a 4 mile walk as 40 miles on the bike.

[t.parker]

@Al_Wigton 

A1. Sense doesn't count steps for cycling. All it does is not disable step detection. Steps from cycling are just artefacts being a result of bumpy rides. You'll discover that it will differ even between types of hold (drop bars, hoods, straight bars). There is no algorithm converting cycling into steps.

A2. If you want to turn cycling cadence into steps, place the watch on your ankle. That will work for translating bike cadence into step cadence (as 1rpm = 2spm).

[Al_Wigton]

Hi

I have increased the tyre pressure by 10psi and have had approx 12% increase in steps - this fits the vibration theory.

But the tyres would explode if I increased the pressure to get an equivalent comparison.

There seem to be many things that connect to the Sense - perhaps it should be investigated for connecting cadence sensors to give a more 'true' count.

[t.parker]

@Al_Wigton it is highly unlikely we will see external sensors working with Fitbit. You want proper cycling support - Fitbit isn't designed for it.