Originally Posted by
scplus5
So I guess from reading here and talking to several people, the general consensus is that weight has little to no effect on speed on flat ground.
I don't really understand how this can be true. Regardless of the terrain, you are applying the same amount of power to move a heavier weight...kinda like the importance of horsepower to weight ratios in fast cars. I see in strava, there's a guy I have known since I was a kid that has the KOM for many segments around here and his speeds are commonly in the upper 30 mph range. He is easily 230 or more. If he weighed 30-50 lbs less, wouldn't he be much faster? If not, how is this possible? I just can't get how weight has NO effect on flat ground speed.
Someone explain it to me.
it could very well be that at higher speeds, as with cars, aerodynamics/ wind resistance holds you back more then weight. same reason an old Lincoln and a new pickup have similar fuel economy. He very well could be a very powerful guy, but his W/KG don't show it because he's a bigger guy. but since he may just have more raw power, is able to go faster.