farmingfisherman
Well-Known Member
Aerodynamics play a huge part in efficiency.
Observe & Report
Well-Known Member
Yup, that's the lesson I'm teaching! The extra 50 lbs adds maybe 25% more power needed to go the same speed when going slowly up a hill. Wind resistance, OTOH, increases cubically. So to maintain 28mph, for instance, on flat ground with a safety bike you might need three times the power to keep up with a velomobile and it only gets worse from there. Plus I have room for my vape, a change of clothes, a fishing pole and tackle, and a 9" pie fits underneath the seat.
In this vid Saukki uses some power meter pedals to measure different configs of his old velomobile (newer ones have more refined aerodynamics.) At 28mph he averages 186W without the racing hood and only 141W with it installed. Those with power pedals: How many watts does it take for you to maintain 28mph on flat ground? A hell of a lot more than 140 watts.
farmingfisherman
Well-Known Member
Good day for me I might be able to hold 23 to 25 at 185 to 200 watts. I've ridden a recumbent for a few miles but never for anything like a century. Someday I'm hoping to get the chance to ride something enclosed. I've seen a few that have e assist which would be really cool for making a little less work of the uphills.
Observe & Report
Well-Known Member
There is a big difference between 24mph and 28mph. 28mph is only 17% more than 24mph but the wind is pushing against you 60% harder.
ON YOUR LEFT!!!
farmingfisherman
Well-Known Member
Not to mention the road conditions and gradient. What size wheels and width tires does your machine run? Tubeless?
Observe & Report
Well-Known Member
My velo is old so it is 559 in the back and they all have 406 up front. I'm running 50mm Contacts Urban all the way around. Low pressure, love the fat tires!
Tubeless isn't available for most of the tires in 559/406 and seem like a PITA to me, instead I just use latex tubes.
Saw lots of other cyclists Saturday in my neck of the woods, hope you guys are getting out too.
farmingfisherman
Well-Known Member
Contacts aren't bad tires other than being on the heavy side but guessing the last thing you want to deal with on the road is a flat. I went for a ride yesterday between rain showers, actually managed 2000 feet of elevation and 20 miles. Only downside is everything I'm allergic too seems to be in bloom and I didn't take my flounase.
.The Outdoorsman.
Well-Known Member
I can ride my bike with no handle bars. No handle bars. No tires at all. Holy shit im on a toilet seat. With no toilet seat. Keep the beat going im about to freestyle. Got a ham in the oven and thats not sexual. Not sexuaal
farmingfisherman
Well-Known Member
Couple of friends and I were trying to design a seat bag that looked like that light.
Dr.Amber Trichome
Well-Known Member
does anyone ride with a fire arm handy?
Blue Wizard
Well-Known Member
I'm shopping for a new saddle because the 35+ year old one on my bike is starting to break. I'm still not used to the lever shifters on the frame.
Metasynth
Well-Known Member
You have a frame shift road bike?! I have one of those down I. The shed somewhere…how archaic, right?
Blue Wizard
Well-Known Member
60cm 1987 Schwinn varsity. I built it from a frame I bought on ebay and 3 donor bikes pulled from the landfill. The new shifters "click" into each gear, I have to sort of just adjust the lever and hope everything lines up. Fastest bike I've ever ridden though and I made sure frame fit me, which helped.
Rufus T. Firefly
Well-Known Member
At the same time I'd be interested to know the last time a 65lb bike won a Tour stage.
farmingfisherman
Well-Known Member
Why would someone try to win a tour stage on a 65 lbs bike? UCI minimum is 14.9 lbs which most tour teams all ride bikes at that weight.
Rufus T. Firefly
Well-Known Member
but they are so fast lol
