I love my new Nike Fuel but wish that Nike had been more
aggressive with their accelerometer algorithms and could detect and report activities
than walking steps. But that is a topic
for another session.
I was frustrated that Nike Fuel under reported Fuel
Points and Calories burned when cycling.
Look at the chart below on a day where I did 45 minutes on the
Elliptical in the morning and 60 minutes
on my bike. I definitely worked harder
on the bike but when worn on the wrist Nike Fuel under reports Fuel Points and
Calories burned:
The following day I did exactly the same Elliptical
workout for 45 minutes and rode the same route on the bike, with the exception
that I wore the Nike Fuel secured to my running shoe. Check out this chart:
I suspect this approach may over report cycling Fuel
points and calories burned but it is more accurate than wearing the Nike Fuel
on your wrist.
A couple people expressed concern about losing or
damaging the Nike Fuel Band by wearing it on your shoe. I didn't worry much, I simply locked in onto
one of the laces and double secured it by tying the lace over it as pictured
below. It may look goofy but it is very
secure and hasn't moved on the two rides used in this way:
Nike Fuel Secured to Running Shoe Top View:
Nike Fuel Secured to Running Shoe Side View:
Hey Paul,
ReplyDeleteI also have a Fuelband and cycle a lot. I just put the band under the elastic gripper on the thigh of my cycling shorts and it seems to work great there.
Thanks, that is a good idea and I will try it. I think the best answer is for Nike to make extensions long enough to allow use on the ankle. I put it around my ankle and it doesn't stress the band, just need another couple inches. I have thought about mocking up an extension myself but haven't dreamed up the right combination of materials.
DeleteHey Paul,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for this info.I don't really understand when you say this: "I suspect this approach may over report cycling Fuel points and calories burned but it is more accurate than wearing the Nike Fuel on your wrist". Do you think that the result for wearing the Nike FB on your shoe its too much?
Thank u very much.
Fabio from Barcelona, Spain.
Thanks for your report. I have used my fuel band twice cycling, both with the same bike. I found that when I went on a pretty intermediate mountain biking trail with lots of small cills, sharp/tight-radius turns, etc, I got about 1000 fuel points for that hour. I was near vomit level so I was pushing it hard.
ReplyDeleteToday, I went for a ride around my neighborhood. It was for about the same duration, and further in distance. About 60% was on road and 40% on dirt walking trails. I only registered just under 600 fuel points. There were areas where I maxed out on level ground around 22-25 mph with serious quad burn and fatigue.
Similarly, I can jog/run 1.5 miles in about a 10-12 minute period and earn the same 600 points, so I do agree cycling is not programmed right.
The only thing I can think of is it's a casualty of their programming which detects when you're in a vehicle. The first day I got my band, I was surprised at how after driving one hour, it basically registered 0 fuel points. I fear that when on the bike, the device sometimes goes into "car" mode due to the speed and lack of arm movement. I examined my band more closely and when just coasting, it seemed I wasn't getting any fuel points, but after doing a bike sprint with a relative forward/back thrusting motion, it was starting to register more points.
I'll put it around my ankle or due the lace thing you explained next time and see how it goes.
Anyways, I appreciate your reprt.
I was thinking about doing my belt loop. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteWhy not just put it on you ankle?
ReplyDeleteGreat arcticle; thnx..
ReplyDeleteThis all sounds great for road biking, or for experienced Mountain Bikers. I am concerned that I might trash the FuelBand in a fall while mountain biking. I think the thigh solution with the Fuelband wrapped in a protective bubble wrap or something may be the best solution
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul - great article, I had the same issue with the static bike and the stepper machine, both where your wrist is much less mobile. Attaching to my shoe worked a treat :)
ReplyDeleteTry riding a motor bike - I seriously get more Nike fuel after a short ride than I do when I cycle the same distance - Why??
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