how to determine calories burnt when cycling?

Strava should be reasonable accurate. Usually for cycling you just take the energy expenditure in joules (with a power meter you can get the precise figure) and it's roughly the same number as the calories burnt - this is because 1 kcal is roughly 4kj but pedalling is roughly 25% efficient.

Weight isn't really a factor - it's just going to mean you're slower for the same effort.
 
I noticed that Endomondo and Strava varied MASSIVELY with regards to calorie estimates. We're talking half the calories on Strava (which is probably more realistic).

I tried a heart rate monitor today which said that I burnt 881 calories on this ride- http://www.strava.com/activities/137263006 Strava estimated it at 427 calories :p

Then again my heart rate monitor was bought just out of pure curiosity for £5 from Tesco :p
 
lordrobs said:
I noticed that Endomondo and Strava varied MASSIVELY with regards to calorie estimates. We're talking half the calories on Strava (which is probably more realistic).

I tried a heart rate monitor today which said that I burnt 881 calories on this ride- http://www.strava.com/activities/137263006 Strava estimated it at 427 calories :p

Then again my heart rate monitor was bought just out of pure curiosity for £5 from Tesco :p
Click to expand...

Strava is definitely more realistic there. I can't see how a heart rate monitor is ever going to be any use for determining calorie burn when cycling unless it knows how your heart rate relates to your power output!
 
It's hard to tell IMO.. It depends on the amount of effort you put in! I could cycle a mile and burn 10kcals at 10mph/avg.. Or I could go balls out and burn 60 at 25mph/avg.. Power meter might be the only real tool to measure it
 
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