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Old 03-19-19, 06:20 AM
  #77  
WhyFi
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
A fun app is "Bike Calculator". There are a few different ones, but they are all similar.

Bike Calculator

Ok, so for some sample data:
220 lb rider (100 kilos)
20 lb bicycle
tubular wheels
Aerobars
70 degrees F
500 ft
0 grade
0 headwind

20 MPH --> 143 Watts (1.43 watts / kilo)
25 MPH --> 252 Watts (2.52 watts / kilo)
30 MPH --> 408 Watts (4.08 watts / kilo)
35 MPH --> 623 Watts (6.23 watts / kilo)
40 MPH --> 905 Watts (9.05 watts / kilo)
45 MPH --> 1265 Watts (12.65 watts / kilo)
50 MPH --> 1711 Watts (17.11 watts / kilo)

Now, let's try the same with the same parameters, Clinchers/Drops.
20 MPH --> 183 Watts (1.83 watts / kilo)
25 MPH --> 322 Watts (3.22 watts / kilo)
30 MPH --> 523 Watts (5.23 watts / kilo)
35 MPH --> 799 Watts (7.99 watts / kilo)
40 MPH --> 1162 Watts (11.62 watts / kilo)
45 MPH --> 1625 Watts (16.25 watts / kilo)
50 MPH --> 2200 Watts (22.00 watts / kilo)

WHEW!!!

Note the huge power differences when comparing speed with aerobars/tubulars vs drops/clinchers.
Another thing to keep in mind is that these calculations are requirements to maintain speed. To actually accelerate up to that speed is going to require even more power. This will become more and more problematic the further above FTP you go because you're getting to the very pointy bit of your power curve and you need time to actually accelerate.
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