Originally Posted by
Peter_C
This topic (I suspect) is because of watching me the other day. At higher (to me) speeds, say like 14-15MPH I was mostly gasping at 80-85RPM. Chipcom suggested going up one gear, and lowering my RPM a bit. In my case it made it a bit more comfortable while maintaining a higher than normal (for me) speed.
And yes, at 90RPM I tend to bounce like a ping pong ball...
Generally for an experienced and reasonably fit rider the following applies, but as always YMMV:
The bicycle motor has a power band that generally runs between 75 and 90RPM, much below 75RPM and your lugging that motor, and that adds stresses and makes the motor inefficient. Over 90RPM and the motor uses a much faster increase of energy to operate then the gain in forward energy used by the bicycle. This can result in a very fast ride that is shorter because the motor uses fuel too quickly.
Now Peter, I think I recall in another thread that you are a smoker, the gasping at 80RPM may be from your bicycles motor having a clogged air filter
Dump the cancer sticks, all they do is ruin your health and cost a lot of money.