Originally Posted by
Dan The Man
Rolling resistance is basically the energy lost towards deforming the wheels/tire frame, and overcoming bearing friction, for a closed cycle on a distance basis.
Common usage holds that rolling resistance refers to the force due to energy lost through tire deformation and hysteresis. Energy lost through the drivetrain and bearings is referred to as frictional losses, e.g., Martin et al.
http://www.recumbents.com/WISIL/Mart...%20cycling.pdf