- Cycling performance is often assumed to be
a really simple equation.
It's all about power to weight.
So just train your FTP,
stop snacking, go faster, easy.
Well, actually no, it is a little bit
more complicated than that.
So here's why I think power to weight is rubbish.
I mean, well, obviously not totally rubbish,
just over-emphasized.
(upbeat music)
We all know those cyclists who are perhaps
not exactly slim.
Or you could even describe them as generously proportioned,
who are nonetheless extremely strong on the bike.
Now that is super annoying,
as you have salad for dinner, snack on celery
and sip on black coffee.
How do they do it?
Well its important to remember
that weight is only a hindrance to you on the bike
when you're going uphill or accelerating.
So of course, if you're running steady on the flat
then it doesn't matter if you weigh a lot.
What matters is your absolute power.
Even when the road does start to go uphill
and your weight counts against you,
don't forget, that gravity is not the
only thing holding you back.
You still have to overcome running
resistance and aerodynamic drag.
So if you're going up a five percent climb
and rolling along at 20 to 30k an hour,
get low, get aero, and sit on the wheel,
it will really help.
Of course aerodynamic drag matters far more
the faster you're going.
So on steeper climbs, yes,
your weight will hold you back more.
In fact, the steeper the climb,
the more power to weight does count.
That's why on Angeroo I really wished I had been a little
bit more disciplined with my chocolate consumption.
(soft music)
What goes up, generally also comes down.
Going downhill gravity is on your side.
So actually, the more weight you have
the more it will help you.
Especially if it's so fast you don't have to pedal.
Well then, power doesn't matter
and power to weight is definitely meaningless.
Heavier riders have a real advantage on fast descents.
(gentle music)
Another thing to remember is that when it comes to
dropping people on the bike or if
you're on the receiving end getting dropped.
It's very rarely about your FTP to weight ratio unless
you're riding up a long steady climb.
What matters is how well you can attack or cover attacks
and that's about very short bursts of power.
You can have an amazing FTP to weight ratio
and still be unable to produce short bursts of power.
So sometimes you might care more about your power to
weight ratio over 15 seconds or a minute
then over long climbs.
Another thing to bare in mind is that when power to weight
does matter on a climb is actually to total weight of you,
your bike, and your helmet and shoes
and your clothes that counts against you.
So, if you're a smaller, lighter rider with a better FTP
that weight forms a bigger proportion of the total weight.
So actually you could say that lighter riders with a
better FTP are actually being penalized.
Now that sounds like the wing of the small rider who
had to race with the usages at minimum weight
climate of 6.8 kilos then your right, it is me winging
and I'm very happy that now a days I don't have to worry
about that weight anymore.
(upbeat music)
Finally we come to what I think is the single most
important factor in cycling performance, phycology.
The best bike riders aren't just those with the good
power to weight ratio.
Their the ones that can push themselves the hardest
and that is really really hard to measure
in a lab and put a number on.
Basically, if you can suffer for longer and hang on to that
wheel then you might do better then someone who has
nom only a better power to weight ratio then you.
So there you go power to weight ratio is not to bee or the
endue or though yes it is quite important.
Why not tell us in the comments if you know what
your power to weight ratio is.
You can click down here to subscribe for more great content,
and if you want to watch some GCN videos on how to
improve your power although maybe not your
weight click down here.