The Breakaway Capacity

Most cycling apps measure training stress through composite scores that require painful tests and constant recalibration. Capacity was our answer to a simpler, more honest way to understand fitness — and it ran through every part of the product.

Most cycling apps measure training stress through composite scores that require painful tests and constant recalibration. Capacity was our answer to a simpler, more honest way to understand fitness — and it ran through every part of the product.

Head of design · UI · UX

Jun 10, 2023

A big part of The Breakaway's mission was helping athletes see real progress. Cycling training apps relied on composite metrics like TSS and CTL, all built on FTP, a number that requires a painful 20 minute test most cyclists dread and needs regular retesting as fitness changes. We wanted something simpler: a metric that updated naturally with every ride. and had a direct relationship to the riders abilities.

Kilojoules — a direct measure of energy output that requires no test and reflects the real work done on the bike became our main metrci. By analyzing eight weeks of ride history, we could calculate a rider's Capacity: their upper limit of work before needing real recovery.