An Interesting Calculator

I ride a relatively heavy bike, about 25 pounds with pedals, but no water bottles or bags. And I have had several people tell me that with a lighter bike I could fly. But check out this calculator...

http://www.kreuzotter.de/english/espeed.htm

When I put in all the info to describe climbing Mt. Diablo, it shows an average speed of 6.2 for the ten mile climb, average 6% grade, at my current weight.

If I lighten the bike by 5 pounds, average speed goes to 6.3 and takes a minute off the climb.

If I lose 8 more pounds, but the bike stays the same, speed goes to 6.5 and I take 4 minutes off the climb.

If both of us lighten up, by the same amounts, speed goes to 6.6 and I take 5 minutes off the climb.

When I started training last December for doubles, I was 8 pounds heavier than I am now. That translates to speed gain of .3 mph or 4 minutes on this climb.

To me it seems that energy is better spent in lightening up this particular rider than the bike, since I want to keep the bike comfortable for LONG rides.

V.

Hey...

Here's another calculator that might be useful for the very thing you are describing:

http://www.analyticcycling.com/Force...ight_Page.html

As for shedding weight? Probably much cheaper, if a bit more work and requiring more will power, to lose that weight in the 'engine room' than on the bike itself :D

If you are riding Mt Diablo though you must be in darn good shape to begin with already!