Wattology Europe

3 of our eBooks are available in Audiobook format, too.
- Power Data Made Useful
- Performance Testing Decoded
- Zone 2 Decoded
Audiobooks contain the same content as the original books, but the texts have been adapted for natural listening rather than read aloud word for word. We made recording with Speechgen. Then we carefully edited the audio file to make it enjoyable for you.
See the link of a free sample of Power Data Made Useful Chapter 6 in the comments.

Power Data Made Useful helps cyclists and triathletes turn ride files into better pacing, training and race decisions. Learn to interpret power, heart rate, cadence, fatigue and sensor quality without drowning in graphs—because collecting thousands of numbers is pointless unless one of them tells you what to do next.

From time to time we look at our sales statistics to understand customer demand and make sure we have enough stocks to serve our customers.
In our sales, 12/13 speed chains are higher than 11 speed chains, but interestingly in the past few month 12/13 and 11 speed chains were pretty much head to head.
Shimano is by far the biggest in our sales which is not a surprise. SRAM is coming up though - it was 11% in 2025.
We want to emphasise that these shares are results of our sales from the Cycling Côte d'Azur webshop in the EU, Switzerland and Norway.
Our waxed chains are available in 29 countries through the webshop. Interesting that we have never received orders from only a few: Estonia, Chechia, Portugal, Greece, Malta, Luxemburg and Bulgaria.

The Free Watts Audit helps road cyclists and triathletes find speed before spending money. It explains how tyre pressure, drivetrain condition, aerodynamics, clothing and equipment choices affect performance. Practical audits, checklists and €/watt comparisons reveal which changes matter most—because even expensive wheels cannot outrun a rubbing brake.
Link in comments

Want to ride faster—not just train harder?
Cycling Côte d’Azur has always had a rich Knowledge Base where free of charge information is available for cyclist and triathletes who want to improve their cycling performance. The Knowledge Base remains as it has always been.
‼️ Now we created a new collection of practical eBooks to give you more in-depth knowledge. ‼️
Learn how to:
✅ understand power and training-load data
✅ find the right Zone 2 intensity
✅ interpret performance and aero tests
✅ build smarter pacing strategies
✅ improve CdA and aerodynamic efficiency
✅ choose aero upgrades that actually matter
✅ convert a road bike for triathlon
✅ find “free watts” before spending thousands
Clear explanations, practical examples and science you can actually use on the bike. 🚴
Discover the full eBook collection on Cycling Cote d’Azur’s website. (Link in the comments)

❓Are Ceramic Bearings Really Better?❓
The short answer: sometimes—but “ceramic” does not automatically mean better.
When cyclists 🚴‍♀️ talk about ceramic bearings, they usually mean hybrid ceramic bearings. The balls are typically made from silicon nitride ceramic (Si₃N₄), while the inner and outer races are still made from steel. Fully ceramic bearings, with both ceramic balls and ceramic races, are uncommon on bicycles.
Why use ceramic balls?
When a bearing is loaded, neither the balls nor the races remain perfectly rigid. At each contact point, they deform microscopically and create a tiny flattened contact area.
Silicon nitride is significantly stiffer than bearing steel: its elastic modulus is roughly 300–310 GPa compared with about 200–210 GPa for steel. It is also much harder and approximately 60% lighter. As a result, ceramic balls deform less under the same load and can offer some useful mechanical and wear-related properties.
However, this does not mean that simply replacing steel balls with ceramic ones will transform the efficiency of a bicycle.
The quality of the balls matters enormously
No manufactured bearing ball is a mathematically perfect sphere. There are tiny variations in:
• diameter
• roundness
• surface finish
High-quality bearings use balls manufactured to extremely tight tolerances and closely matched in size. For example, Grade 3 ceramic balls are used in some premium cycling bearings.
This is why an excellent steel bearing can be better than a poorly manufactured ceramic bearing. The word “ceramic” tells you what the balls are made from—not how accurately the complete bearing was manufactured.
And the balls are only part of the bearing
Bearing performance also depends on the quality and finish of the raceways, internal clearance or preload, seals, lubrication, cage design, installation and alignment.
This is important on bicycles because bearing friction is already very small. A well-made, correctly installed and properly lubricated steel bearing can therefore perform extremely well.
Premium manufacturers may combine high-grade ceramic balls with precisely finished steel raceways and careful ball matching. That complete package is much more important than the ceramic material alone. CeramicSpeed, for example, specifies Grade 3 silicon-nitride balls matched with polished hardened-steel raceways.
‼️Be careful with the famous “spin test”
You have probably seen a demonstration where one crank, wheel or derailleur pulley spins dramatically longer than another.
It looks impressive, but it is not a reliable comparison of bearing efficiency while riding.
An unloaded spin test is strongly influenced by grease quantity and viscosity, seal drag, bearing adjustment and preload. SKF's bearing-friction model specifically includes rolling friction, sliding friction, seal friction and lubricant-related drag.
A bearing packed with more protective grease or fitted with stronger seals may stop sooner in a showroom spin test while providing excellent performance and durability on the road.
So, should you buy ceramic bearings?
Ceramic balls have genuine engineering advantages. But ceramic does not automatically mean fast, efficient or high quality.
When choosing a bicycle bearing, look for the quality of the complete bearing: accurate balls, excellent raceways, appropriate seals and lubrication, correct tolerances and good manufacturing.
The takeaway: buy a good bearing—not just a ceramic bearing.

Why isn’t a brand-new chain ideal for race day? 🚴
Two main reasons:
1️⃣ Factory grease attracts dust, which can work its way into the chain links and increase friction.
2️⃣ A new chain’s sliding surfaces are not yet fully smooth, which also adds friction.
The photo shows a SRAM Force 12/13-speed chain under microscope after the factory grease was removed, just before waxing.
For a low-friction, race-ready waxed chain, visit our webshop. Link in the comments. We prepare Race-Day chains to order.
(Other waxed chains are sold from stock.)

Used, oil-lubricated chain under a microscope.
The scratches are caused by dust attracted by the oil and carried into the chain links. This reduces lubrication efficiency and increases wear.
Bicycle chain wax is solid, so it attracts far less dust. That means longer-lasting lubrication, better speed, and a more durable chain.

Waxed chains are not good in rain - FALSE ❌
Ceramicspeed UFO Drip Wax Wet Condition is specially designed for rainy rides. 🌧️
Made in 🇩🇰
✅You can buy these products with 10% discount* in our webshop.
✅ You get free delivery in the EU if the basket value is 50 € or higher.
* compared to manufacturer's recommended retail price
You can use both All Conditions and Wet Condition drip wax on the same chain depending on weather conditions.

Shop waxed chains, calibrated pumps, bearing cleaner and lubricant — and stop wasting watts.