Originally Posted by
TobinH
Each time we enter a hilly race we are at 'x' level of fitness. At that level, whatever it may be, we will likely at some point be subjected to an attack or acceleration and either keep the wheel or not. If it takes 520w, and you can only make 500, you will be dropped. Six pounds can make that difference, maybe - I'm not going to do the math. When that happens you will have a long, lonely ride by yourself but perhaps your spirits will be buoyed by thoughts of your healthy bank account and happy spouse.
I'm not sure making your bike work properly is at odds with making it lighter.
20 watts equalling a long lonely ride tells me that this rider didn't have it in the bank, anyway. a little better fitness would have insured he would have been dictating that surge, maybe?