An Interesting Calculator

[Veronica]

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.

[Cassandra_Cain]

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

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