h

h
2010-03-02 18:51:19 (UTC)

3 paragraphs

Where Fp is the propulsive force of the rider, Ff is the
total friction, including the machine parts and the wheels
against the ground, Fd is the drag force, and Fa is the
acceleration of the combination of bicycle and rider.
Obvious, right? Also obvious was the observation that when
you go over a bump, not all the energy that you lost
mounting the bump is regained when you go back down the
other side.

The only thing interesting that I read in those three
paragraphs was that a cyclist going 30mph on level ground
needs to generate about 5300W to overcome the drag force,
which is not humanly possible, according to cited studies.

These three paragraphs occur in the part of the book that
is near the beginning of the section on bicycle physics. I
hope this section will improve. The parts that I've
already read about the history of cycling and the section
on human power both started off slow and then picked up.
Maybe this will as well. The stuff about bicycle geometry
should be pretty great. Maybe when it's all finished I'll
bore you all with a full review.




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