Does the sun make bikes go faster?

[addictfreak]

Sunshine, sunglasses and carbon= more speed

 

[the snail]

On the contrary I always find the bike feels freer, looser, more easy running in heavy rain. I put it down to the lubricating effect of all the moisture, and the reduction in friction.

Try oiling it

 

[Chrisz]

Sorry - science fail...

The mass of the air in the tyre remains the same (unless you have a puncture), and the volume remains the same (constrained by the tyre). So warming the air will not make the wheels lighter, but it will slightly increase the pressure. This may act to slightly lower the rolling resistance.

The air in the frame is generally open to the outside air anyway (via the seat tube, etc) and so does not contribute to the meaurable weight of the bike.

errr, tongue was firmly between my teeth and the inside of my mouth for that post!

 

[The_Wheelhouse]

If anyone wants the opposite view then as it is sunny therefore it would be fair to assume that your body has absorbed more energy. As E=mc^2 therefore if you absorb 1000 Joules then you will have a mass greater by about 1*10^-14 KG. Thus making you heavier and slow you down

 

[Cardiac]

errr, tongue was firmly between my teeth and the inside of my mouth for that post!

I know. So was mine.

I could have gone one about it being easier to cycle with the sun behind you since the photons help push you along, too....

Cheers,

Les.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

It's simple, really. Cold, overcast weather sucks - that tends to hold you back from your top speed!

 

[mcshroom]

It's simple, really. Cold, overcast weather sucks - that tends to hold you back from your top speed!

I feel like I warm up faster in warm weather, and wake up faster in the morning with more sunlight.

Unfortunately Sunny weather is fine but picking up the bug going round the office slows you down again

 

[Steve H]

Wow - didn't realise I'd ignite such a thorough insight into the physics of cycling.

Think my conclusion to the question does the sun make bikes go faster is...

Maybe, but it's definitely more fun in the sun!