Originally Posted by
Andy_K
This is true, but you have to consider all the forces acting on the rider. The net force is the gravitational force minus the force of air resistance. Air resistance increases as speed increase. At some point, the gravitational force is canceled out by the force of air resistance, at which point the rider will cease to accelerate and maintain a constant speed (assuming incline, wind, etc. remain constant). This is called terminal velocity. A heavier rider has a higher terminal velocity.
As shown in my previous post I will always hit my top speed and that’s it, this is with no more than a 2 mph head wind more and its slower. My friend also only hits his top speed no more at the same head wind.
Sure drag differences are in effect here, I am really getting aero on these downhill tests we do, when I sit up at the bottom to slow speed drops quite fast to low 30's till we need to turn and apply brakes.