Peak power

[jimboalee]

How to assess your peak power ability without a turbo trainer.


Stage 1. Constructing a 'Road Load' curve.

You will need a cycle computer which records MAX MPH.

You will need the coefficient of rolling resistance of your tyres. Conti Ultragatorskin 700 x 23 at 100 psi is 0.0052.

You will need your 'vehicle mass'. You + Bike in lbs.


Perform the test in CALM wind conditions.

Method.

Find a hill with a constant gradient for 300 – 400 metres, that you can safely freewheel down.
Measure the gradient. 4% = 0.04.
Coast down the hill and freewheel until you do not freewheel any faster. This is your 'equilibrium velocity'. Check your MAX MPH and note it down. Repeat five times. Calculate an average.


To be continued…… How do I use 'voting buttons'?

 

[Crackle]

I fear you're ploughing a lone furrow Jimbo.

 

[cheadle hulme]

How do you do it WITH a turbo?

 

[jimboalee]

You need a Tacx iMagic for £400, or add on a cool grand and get a Wattbike

www.wattbike.com/

Forgot the great big smiley... :-)

 

[4F]

You will need your 'vehicle mass'. You + Bike in lbs.

Why do you and your bike need to go to your lbs ?

 

[jimboalee]

OK... In Kilograms and multiply by 2.2.

 

[Crackle]

I thought I remember reading something about a roll down test on turbos which could be used for calculating resistance and hence power i.e. how long the turbo took to stop when you stopped pedalling from a certain speed. See if I can find it.

 

[02GF74]

 

[Crackle]

How do you do it WITH a turbo?

Well I either can't find it or was mistaken, I think mistaken. Best i can do is this http://www.cyclingforums.com/t446210.html

 

[Crackle]

Yep i was mistaken. I was thinking of turbo coast down for setting the turbo up to the same resistance for your training session. Those Kurt Kinetics look good though.