Pedal Efficiency in Road Cycling
Most cyclists optimize weight and aerodynamics — but pedal efficiency, where hobbyists average just 30–40% versus a pro's 60%, may be the biggest untapped performance gain on the bike.
In the pursuit of optimizing road cycling performance, discussions often revolve around weight, aerodynamics, and rolling resistance. Yet pedal efficiency — how effectively force applied to the pedals translates into forward propulsion — is frequently overlooked, despite its significant potential for improvement.
With the Bike Fitting Pro, Vélobsessive offers a solution to measure, analyse, and improve pedal efficiency.
What is Pedal Efficiency?
In an ideal world, every unit of force applied to the pedals would translate directly into forward propulsion. In practice, this doesn't happen. When one leg exerts maximum force on the crank, the other simultaneously counters that movement — creating resistance against the generated propulsion. Lateral swaying and poor synchronization of force with crank position further reduce efficiency.
Pedal efficiency is expressed as a percentage — the share of total force that is effectively converted into forward propulsion. The gap between riders is striking: an average hobby cyclist typically achieves 30–40%, while a professional reaches approximately 60%. That gap represents a realistic doubling of efficiency.
Measurement and Analysis
During a Vélobsessive Bike Fitting Pro session, pedal efficiency is measured on the Bike Fitting Simulator over a defined period under three-dimensional load. This captures not only vertical pedal force, but also lateral movement and force distribution across the full crank rotation.
A detailed report is then generated, evaluated separately for the left and right sides across five parameters:
Total 3D Effective Force Ratio
The overall pedal efficiency value — for example, 30% total (34% left, 26% right).
Left / Right Distribution
The percentage split of force between legs — for example, 45% right and 55% left.
Force Vectors Across the Full 360° Movement
Blue arrows indicate forces contributing to propulsion; red arrows indicate forces working against it. The goal is to minimize red arrows and align blue arrows optimally with the direction of travel at each crank position.
Lateral Deviation of Force
Viewed from the rear, this shows how much force deviates laterally — which may indicate a pedal axle that is too short or an anatomical asymmetry.
Crank Angle at Maximum Force Development
This shows when peak force occurs relative to crank position. Ideally, maximum force develops between 90–110°. A reading of 119° on the right leg, for example, indicates delayed force application — meaning the right foot is effectively braking more than the left.
The final section of the report summarises the braking effect of the rear foot and the lateral distribution of force on the pedal. Force should impact the pedal centrally, with as narrow a distribution as possible.
Improvement Measures
Following analysis, targeted measures can be taken during the fitting — such as testing different crank lengths. Shorter cranks, for example, often lead to smoother pedal movement and higher efficiency. In cases of lateral deviation, an extended pedal axle may help. That said, the most reliable path to better pedal efficiency is focused, long-term training. A follow-up measurement after a dedicated training phase is recommended to track progress.
In this page...
"I was tired of spending a lot of money on bikes that never truly fit. So I founded Vélobsessive."
Thomas Glättli
Founder of Vélobsessive & Bike Fitter
[ THE MAN BEHIND THE BLOG ]
Tired of Bikes that don't fit
Thomas Glättli is the driving force behind Vélobsessive. As an enthusiastic cyclist and dedicated amateur athlete, he was tired of compromising when it came to finding the perfect road bike. In 2019, he founded Vélobsessive with a clear goal: the rider shouldn't have to fit the bike; the bike should fit the rider.
