Cycling Gear Ekoi prototype pedal watt saving - real or BS?

[Cookster15]

Just read this on the main page. The claim is these pedals can provide an 8 watt saving? A quick search online shows a lot of discussion but no independent verification of the claim nor any logical explanation other than power loss due to the geometry of the distance from the pedal centre. Is this real or marketing (BS) ?

Riders forced to buy second-hand shoes after UCI issues late Ekoi pedal ban

UCI steps in after authorization file was yet to be validated, forcing riders to borrow pedals and buy shoes

www.cyclingnews.com

This quite recent article in CN list common pedals and their stack heights. At 8mm, the Ekoi's have a stack height about half that of all the pedals listed here.

Best road bike pedals 2025: Tested and rated with options for all budgets

All the best clipless pedals and pedal systems for road bikes tested and reviewed

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[42x16ss]

Highly doubt that is real. Savings will vary greatly depending on pedal used, shoe, pedalling style, q factor... There's a lot of different things involved. To say there's a straight out 8 watts is a bit OTT