Comments on: How Much Does Bike and Gear Weight Actually Slow You Down? Part One https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/ Bikepacking, Bicycle Touring, Equipment, Testing, Videos Wed, 27 Dec 2023 16:01:28 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 By: steamin https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/#comment-4673 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 22:24:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7411#comment-4673 In reply to Alee | CyclingAbout.com.

Agreed with Ty it is really a great article.Thank you!
So if someone is thinking about maximising efficincy of their bike then would the order of easiest/ cheapest gains go 1 – Reducing rolling resistance, 2 – Better aerodynamics and 3- Reducing weight least. It would be interesting to me to know how much a horribly pot holed road made in regards to weight too though as most of my riding is done on that type of surface.

]]> By: Ty https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/#comment-4672 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 17:11:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7411#comment-4672 Great article. Thinking in terms of when does weight matter more/less is a better approach to the discussion than making impossible conclusions about how much time you could theoretically save/lose or arguing about principal or preference. Thanks!

]]> By: Alee | CyclingAbout.com https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/#comment-4650 Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:43:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7411#comment-4650 In reply to steamin.

What you’re saying is true, however, the effects on your cycling speed are probably just less than you’d perceive. This is assuming a smooth surface where resistance is constant. I tried really hard to get some data while on a flat, smooth road, but the speed difference was so minimal between loads (5, 15, 25kg) that I couldn’t find anything statistically significant.

]]> By: steamin https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/#comment-4649 Tue, 13 Mar 2018 20:36:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7411#comment-4649 Are these calculations assuming a perfectly flat road? Every bump that is hit slows the rider and bike down then that same weight has to be accelerated again. Also extra weight will increase the tyres deflection making a larger contact patch so more rolling resistance. If the tyre pressure is increase to compensate for the weight then each bump that is hit will slow the bike and rider down more (like lifting the bike over each small bump rather than the tyre deflecting and the bike continuing straight) than it would have with softer tyres. Am i missing something? or does hat make sense?

]]> By: Alee | CyclingAbout.com https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/#comment-4615 Fri, 02 Mar 2018 12:39:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7411#comment-4615 In reply to Lucas.

Cycling at 200w with any weight would result in the same caloric expenditure. Therefore, it would be the difference in ride duration that matters.

The difference in terms of time between shortest and longest duration (5kg vs 25kg) on this test (100km in the hills) is about 18-27 minutes. Depending on your weight, that’s probably 200-300 extra calories… or 50-75 grams of dried pasta. Not a lot of extra food really.

]]> By: Lucas https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/#comment-4597 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 00:46:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7411#comment-4597 Question, What is the Caloric (energy) input to keep those 200 watts affected by weight? I think this is a huge reason to go lighter given how it will affect your diet, cooking/eating times, food carried. At the end efficiency.

]]> By: Brian Bassett https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/#comment-3355 Mon, 01 May 2017 19:48:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7411#comment-3355 It may be about the rider, BUT…. you can’t compare a trained world class athlete with some fat schlub on his bike, like me. I believe there is a new class of rider emerging from the biking world. The eBike Touring set that takes everything they can to be comfortable on the road, not just the kitchen sink, yes, I have one also, but the Solar Oven and portable pressurized shower too. Multiple sleeping methods like, hammock, bevy, and full four season, four person tent to set for a base camp even if you ride alone. When you start talking 150 to 200 lbs. of gear, not including the bike, distances get shorter, speeds get slower, and hills start to have evil maniacal laugh. Turn up the music, down shift, increase power and fight to the top of the hill, where there will inevitably be someone to tell you that you’re cheating.

]]> By: Alee | CyclingAbout.com https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/#comment-2944 Mon, 06 Feb 2017 07:47:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7411#comment-2944 In reply to Daniel Bartlett.

It’s mostly about the engine!

]]> By: Daniel Bartlett https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/#comment-2930 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 17:34:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7411#comment-2930 I once saw an Olympic cyclist win the sprint at a local practice race. The local riders razzed him about the advantages of his sponsor-provided equipment and “new tires for every race.” The next week he showed-up on a department store bike with a stove-pipe frame, one-piece steel crank, steel rims, and all. He lapped the field. Point made, it ain’t the bike.

]]> By: Mark Burrard https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down/#comment-2596 Thu, 20 Oct 2016 23:12:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7411#comment-2596 And if like me you’re carrying an extra couple of kilos around the waist, that could be the best place to start lightening the load.

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