Mechanical, Compatibility & Friction – Energy and Power Use Breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Mechanics, Compatibility and Friction: 2%-100% of overall energy/power consumption The bottom line: Friction from an adequately maintained drive train, etc. can use up to 2% of your energy. Component incompatibility and mechanical issues are deal breakers. From flat tires and…
Weight of Bicycle – Energy and Power Use Breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Weight of Bicycle: ≈08% of overall energy/power consumption The bottom line: First, never forget that you the rider are 85-95% of the total vehicle’s weight – the bike and components are only 5-15%. Bicycle weight plays a comparatively small role in…
Rolling Resistance Energy and Power Use Breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Rolling Resistance: ≈10% of overall power/energy consumption The bottom line: Rolling resistance is affected by friction caused by the weight of the vehicle (bike and rider) and how much of that weight has to be absorbed by the tires while riding. Rolling resistance…
Stiffness & Compliance – Energy and Power Use Breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Stiffness and Vertical Compliance: ≈15% of overall energy/power use The bottom line: Unless a design uses an effective suspension system, side-to-side stiffness and vertical compliance/comfort will be directly linked. In almost a 1:1 ratio and regardless of material, as a frame…
Bicycle Aerodynamics Energy and Power use breakdown* % of total power consumption: Aerodynamics Total (combination of rider aerodynamics and bike aerodynamics) – 65-85% Total Bicycle Aerodynamics ≈15% of total power use and ≈25% of total aerodynamics Wheels – 5-9% of total aerodynamics Fork – 6-9% of total aerodynamics Frame – 4%-9% of total aerodynamics Other…
Rider Aerodynamics (Fit and Positioning) Power Use breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Rider Aerodynamics: ≈50% of total power use (75% of total aerodynamics) The bottom line: If you are on a solo ride and average 20 mph over a 100 miles of varied terrain, lowering aerodynamic drag by 10%, without changing power output, will…
A version of this article was originally published in Triathlete Magazine Article one of our series on carbon fiber provided an overview of the most common manufacturing processes used in composite component and bicycle frame fabrication. In article two, we discussed the raw materials that go into making the carbon fiber prepreg and how it…
A version of this article was originally published in Triathlete Magazine Part one of this series provided an overview of the most common manufacturing processes used in carbon fiber manufacturing in bicycles and bicycle component fabrication. In part two, we will discuss the raw materials (the ingredients) that go into making the carbon fiber prepreg…
A version of this article was originally published in Triathlete Magazine Q: I am looking to buy a new carbon bike and I am wondering how price relates to what I get? I’ve seen $800 frames and $7000 frames that are both made of carbon. Being the same material, how different can they really be?…
A version of this article was originally published in Triathlete Magazine After being a long time supporter of Ironman Canada, I have decided to attempt the distance. This is actually my first attempt at any distance triathlon. I have been riding the typical cycling drivetrain set-up (53/39 with a 11-23 rear cog) and am now…
A version of this article was originally published in Triathlete Magazine This is a newbie question, but I want to know what to expect. I have been riding a borrowed bike for the past few months and have been loving it. I am ready to get my own bike now and I have a good…
A version of this article was originally published in Triathlete Magazine After reading a magazine article about bike fitting that listed out measurements and things to check to see if my bike fits well, I made some changes to my set-up. These changes included lengthening the stem so that the handlebar blocks my view of…