Standing while riding

Riding out of the saddle can feel strange when you first get your Wattbike, especially if you are used to a spin bike. An exercise bike in its very basic form is a fixed flywheel bike (so when you stop pedaling the cranks continue to go round and pull your legs) that either gives no data or will only give you very limited data in comparison to the Wattbike. 

In contrast, the Wattbike will measure your power from an in-built strain gauge and we pride ourselves on being accurate to +/- 1% across the full power range. In addition to this, all Wattbikes use a freewheel mechanism, so when you stop pedaling the flywheel keeps moving but the pedals don't - exactly like a real road bike.

If you are standing whilst riding, our recommendation would be to shift up 3-4 gears to give you some resistance to push against. It is also worth mentioning that even with this added resistance, it will not feel exactly like standing up on a traditional bike or a spin bike. However, the resistance should minimise the dead spot in pedalling technique which is exacerbated when riding out of the saddle. After some technique practice, you will begin to utilize your hamstrings and gluteal muscles to a greater degree.

These articles provide further information on pedalling technique to get the most from your Wattbike.