Valid points that I have been saying for many years. A couple of extra points. There are also other factors that determine speed rather than power. Aero drag being the most significant. Lighter riders still need to push the aero drag of their bikes which is usually a larger percentage of their total surface area compared to larger riders. Larger riders usually have longer levers which can more easily produce power yet these long levers takes up little surface area. Also, components such as wheels and the bike itself determine speed (as you are already aware). I am 57kg and other riders cannot understand why I need to ride a very light bike as I am already light. What they do not understand is that a heavier bike is a larger percentage of a lighter rider's total weight compared to a heavier rider. Therefore, perhaps your theory of 10% needs to increase for smaller riders. Just my thoughts.
You are right. Indeed, smaller riders will have more than a 10% impact on the power-to-weight ratio. In your case, we can discuss around 15% impact. Even more challenging.
That's all true, however I think you forgot that the "system mass" is not only important during climbing. It's also important during acceleration. Let's assume we have completely flat course, and we have 2 riders riding the same bikes, both capable to maintain the same FTP through the entire course (which will translate into the same speed, remember that we are considering completely flat course). The rider with the lower "system mass" can accelerate faster from steady start, so he will reach that max speed in shorter time. Let's also not forget that the heavier rider will most probably have more frontal area, which will have even more impact on the result (but this is another story).
Your assumption is valid. Indeed, power-to-weight is important also on the flat but the difference is marginal or not so significant as during a climb. This is my opinion.
Technically correct, but a cyclist, unless they're attached to an F16 engine, accelerates incredibly slowly, and spends 99.99% of their energy overcoming air, drivetrain, tyre and gravity resistance. So we can safely say this effect is immeasurably small and not worth worrying about.
Choosing a bicycle from their garage is not going to add the bicycle weight to your weight and have an impact on the power/weight ratio. The bicycle selection is pure esthetic and nothing more. I don't know at this moment an indoor cycling app that takes into account the bicycle weight that we are selecting in the app. But, one way to “solve” this problem will be to increase your weight parameter under your profile. Increase your weight with the weight of your bicycle that you own or use when riding outside. Keep in mind that this “trick” is not allowed if you participate in events where you can win money in MyWhoosh because will be against their rules and regulations!
For me, one information is missing, are you able to push same watts inside and outside? Many riders have some differences values explained by quality of air, cooling,... or sometimes the power meter which is different If you do training on roads you should know you power profile outside if you want to be 100% accurate.
When going outside, the quality of the air and cooling will have an impact on your performance. Think for example riding at sea level compared with riding at 2000m. There is a difference for sure. In this video, I analyzed the importance of weight, how we tend to miss adding the bike weight in the calculation and what is the impact.
I think power to weight ratio is highly overrated in most race situations. TT and certain breakaway situations might be some exceptions. I agree that a high ratio will help a rider make the selection but how much input does it have in converting that to a win? Team tactics, individual rider tactics, weather, road conditions, proper positioning of oneself within the group, and at times even the fans influence race results. I think we see plenty of instances where riders with lower power to weight ratio take opportunities to win races because they are just more explosive on some given day. Power to weight ratio is a training tool. Even for an individual that can do 6 watts/kg and weighs 75 kg and then loses 10 kg of body weight and can now only produce 5.8 watts/kg. Which version of himself is going to go up a 6% climb faster?
I agree with you. There are many things to consider in cycling. We may have good days and bad days. When it comes to power-to-weight, I believe in comparing us from today with us from yesterday and making the clear separation between indoor training and going outdoors and looking to match the same output.
Functional threshold power, or FTP, is the average number of watts a rider can sustain in an hour. For more info, check the video from the description.
Another very important factor, wind and wet conditions will affect performance. If you live on the coast like me it’s nearly always windy. It never seems to drop below 7, 8 mph and sometimes over 34mph
Valid points that I have been saying for many years. A couple of extra points. There are also other factors that determine speed rather than power. Aero drag being the most significant. Lighter riders still need to push the aero drag of their bikes which is usually a larger percentage of their total surface area compared to larger riders. Larger riders usually have longer levers which can more easily produce power yet these long levers takes up little surface area. Also, components such as wheels and the bike itself determine speed (as you are already aware).
I am 57kg and other riders cannot understand why I need to ride a very light bike as I am already light. What they do not understand is that a heavier bike is a larger percentage of a lighter rider's total weight compared to a heavier rider. Therefore, perhaps your theory of 10% needs to increase for smaller riders.
Just my thoughts.
You are right. Indeed, smaller riders will have more than a 10% impact on the power-to-weight ratio. In your case, we can discuss around 15% impact. Even more challenging.
That's all true, however I think you forgot that the "system mass" is not only important during climbing. It's also important during acceleration. Let's assume we have completely flat course, and we have 2 riders riding the same bikes, both capable to maintain the same FTP through the entire course (which will translate into the same speed, remember that we are considering completely flat course). The rider with the lower "system mass" can accelerate faster from steady start, so he will reach that max speed in shorter time. Let's also not forget that the heavier rider will most probably have more frontal area, which will have even more impact on the result (but this is another story).
Your assumption is valid. Indeed, power-to-weight is important also on the flat but the difference is marginal or not so significant as during a climb.
This is my opinion.
Technically correct, but a cyclist, unless they're attached to an F16 engine, accelerates incredibly slowly, and spends 99.99% of their energy overcoming air, drivetrain, tyre and gravity resistance. So we can safely say this effect is immeasurably small and not worth worrying about.
This is Interesting. Does Mywoosh algorithms already add bike weight, according to the bikes in their garage, to my weight?
Choosing a bicycle from their garage is not going to add the bicycle weight to your weight and have an impact on the power/weight ratio. The bicycle selection is pure esthetic and nothing more.
I don't know at this moment an indoor cycling app that takes into account the bicycle weight that we are selecting in the app. But, one way to “solve” this problem will be to increase your weight parameter under your profile. Increase your weight with the weight of your bicycle that you own or use when riding outside.
Keep in mind that this “trick” is not allowed if you participate in events where you can win money in MyWhoosh because will be against their rules and regulations!
For me, one information is missing, are you able to push same watts inside and outside?
Many riders have some differences values explained by quality of air, cooling,... or sometimes the power meter which is different
If you do training on roads you should know you power profile outside if you want to be 100% accurate.
When going outside, the quality of the air and cooling will have an impact on your performance. Think for example riding at sea level compared with riding at 2000m.
There is a difference for sure.
In this video, I analyzed the importance of weight, how we tend to miss adding the bike weight in the calculation and what is the impact.
I think power to weight ratio is highly overrated in most race situations. TT and certain breakaway situations might be some exceptions. I agree that a high ratio will help a rider make the selection but how much input does it have in converting that to a win? Team tactics, individual rider tactics, weather, road conditions, proper positioning of oneself within the group, and at times even the fans influence race results. I think we see plenty of instances where riders with lower power to weight ratio take opportunities to win races because they are just more explosive on some given day. Power to weight ratio is a training tool. Even for an individual that can do 6 watts/kg and weighs 75 kg and then loses 10 kg of body weight and can now only produce 5.8 watts/kg. Which version of himself is going to go up a 6% climb faster?
I agree with you. There are many things to consider in cycling. We may have good days and bad days. When it comes to power-to-weight, I believe in comparing us from today with us from yesterday and making the clear separation between indoor training and going outdoors and looking to match the same output.
@@cyclingafter40 Well said!
What is ftp? French here^^
Functional threshold power, or FTP, is the average number of watts a rider can sustain in an hour. For more info, check the video from the description.
Another very important factor, wind and wet conditions will affect performance. If you live on the coast like me it’s nearly always windy. It never seems to drop below 7, 8 mph and sometimes over 34mph
just ride your bike🤨