Rotating weight vs. static weight
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Dan J
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Rotating weight vs. static weight
Its often said that rotating weight is more significant than static weight. Is there any kind of conversion standard, i.e. saving 1 lb rotating weight = 2 lbs static weight? or 3 lbs or 5 lbs? I realize speed plays into this too. Just wondering.
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I believe that it is 1lb rotating weight saving equals a 1lb reduction in rotational inertia + the 1 lb static saving, so would require a 2 lb reduction in static weight to provide the same reduction in overall reduction in inertia.
I think it only matters when you are accelerating either horizontally or going up a hill (force against gravitational acceleration).
Hmm I once would have been able to explain this properly, but alas no longer, I just realised I am not really a proper engineer any more.
davida
I think it only matters when you are accelerating either horizontally or going up a hill (force against gravitational acceleration).
Hmm I once would have been able to explain this properly, but alas no longer, I just realised I am not really a proper engineer any more.
davida
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I believe that it is 1lb rotating weight saving equals a 1lb reduction in rotational inertia + the 1 lb static saving, so would require a 2 lb reduction in static weight to provide the same reduction in overall reduction in inertia.
I think it only matters when you are accelerating either horizontally or going up a hill (force against gravitational acceleration).
Hmm I once would have been able to explain this properly, but alas no longer, I just realised I am not really a proper engineer any more.
davida
I think it only matters when you are accelerating either horizontally or going up a hill (force against gravitational acceleration).
Hmm I once would have been able to explain this properly, but alas no longer, I just realised I am not really a proper engineer any more.
davida
IIRC this is discussed in Bicycling Science, and the effect of rotating mass on a bicycle is generally far less than you might think. I'll look it up later. The wheels really don't go around that fast.
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Only considering weight that's located on the outer edge of the tire and only for the hypothetical case when almost all of your energy is going into acceleration of the bike (as opposed to overcoming gravity, air resistance, mechanical losses, etc.), then the ratio would be 2:1. But since in the course of a typical ride only a few percent of your energy goes into actual acceleration of the bike the effective factor is much, much closer to 1:1, more like 1.05:1.00. OTOH, in a race where the outcome depends on the final sprint then acceleration plays more of a role, so there the ratio edges a little closer to the hypothetical 2:1.
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Nono, on a bicycle you need to worry about unsprung weight, thats where the real savings are.
But really, from what I've read on here the difference between losing a pound from your wheels and a pound out of your gut are very close to the same.
But really, from what I've read on here the difference between losing a pound from your wheels and a pound out of your gut are very close to the same.
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