Comments on: How Much Does Bike and Gear Weight Actually Slow You Down? Part Two (Results) https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/ Bikepacking, Bicycle Touring, Equipment, Testing, Videos Wed, 27 Dec 2023 16:00:55 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 By: Alee | CyclingAbout.com https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/#comment-4613 Fri, 02 Mar 2018 12:34:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7906#comment-4613 In reply to Lucas.

Cycling at 200w with any weight would result in the same caloric expenditure. Therefore, it would be the difference in ride duration that matters.

The difference in terms of time between shortest and longest duration (5kg vs 25kg) on this test (100km in the hills) is about 18-27 minutes. Depending on your weight, that’s probably 200-300 extra calories… or 50-75 grams of dried pasta. Not a lot of extra food really.

]]> By: Lucas https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/#comment-4598 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 00:48:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7906#comment-4598 Question, how is the Caloric (energy) input to keep those 200 watts affected by weight? I think this is a huge reason to go lighter given how it will affect your diet, cooking/eating times, food carried. At the end efficiency.

]]> By: Alee | CyclingAbout.com https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/#comment-4559 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 19:50:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7906#comment-4559 In reply to Anders.

There are lots of variables here, so I don’t know of any precise tests… but a recumbent is undoubtedly faster given the smaller frontal area; faster again with fairing.

]]> By: Anders https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/#comment-4544 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 03:36:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7906#comment-4544 Since aerodynamics is important..
Have you done any, or do you know any test to measure the difference to a recumbent cycle versus o normal touringbike?

]]> By: Alee | CyclingAbout.com https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/#comment-3768 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 01:53:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7906#comment-3768 In reply to Nick T.

Great point on the acceleration. Pretty hard to measure, but a heavier bike will take more time to get going, so in a city it could make a significant difference. That said, with things like traffic lights where you have to wait periodically, the difference may not be as large as we may think.

The volume was consistent for each weight test, resulting in the same aerodynamic drag. I used two Ortlieb Backroller Plus panniers or a 42 litre total capacity. 🙂

]]> By: Nick T https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/#comment-3696 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:51:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7906#comment-3696 I feel like in many articles regarding the topic – that the aspect of acceleration and start/stops isn’t discussed. Many of my regular routes are clear – but plenty of times intersections, lights, etc really cause speed/watt fluctuations. Where getting a hunk of bike moving again… would harder. Would be interesting to see an acceleration to cruise speed time trial at a steady/low power up a slight incline or flat. That type of stop-start time loss is often repeated over the course of a 3-8hour ride… could be a meaningful addition in time on top of weight/aerodrag?

Good article!

I think the big component with touring weight – would that weight is often somewhat related to volume – increasing air drag. Especially when volume increases to the point that another pack is required. I don’t think I saw a mention of pack sizes for each weight test? Were you able to keep volume of pack pretty similar (not always possible in reality?)?

]]> By: Suns https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/#comment-3536 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 20:18:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7906#comment-3536 great job!

I have a 19kg old MTB 🙂

]]> By: Ken Tothero https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/#comment-3441 Wed, 17 May 2017 02:08:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7906#comment-3441 Wow! Thanks for a well planned and well executed effort to answer a question that I’ve been wondering about. I was secretly hoping that it didn’t make a huge difference, because I like to be rather generous in the comforts I allow myself when bike touring. On the other hand, over the last couple of years I have made a SERIOUS effort to reduce my pack weight for backpacking. THIS, I can confirm, makes a HUGE difference in the degree of enjoyment on a hike.

]]> By: Alee | CyclingAbout.com https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/#comment-3267 Mon, 24 Apr 2017 00:06:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7906#comment-3267 In reply to Br Lu.

Thanks for the kind words!

]]> By: Br Lu https://www.cyclingabout.com/how-much-does-bike-and-gear-weight-slow-you-down-results/#comment-3248 Sat, 22 Apr 2017 14:45:00 +0000 https://www.cyclingabout.com/?p=7906#comment-3248 Well thought out experiments. Thanks for taking the time to do it so others don’t necessarily have to. Appreciate the discussion under “better reasons to drop weight” as well. Thanks.

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