Actually, Brandaon, this is pretty much what I understood to true. Given the simple equation FxM=A, of course a lighter wheel is going to accelerate faster. But I still contend that wheel weight is n't materially different than any other bike weight, that bike weight is pretty much immaterial in the weight equation, and that all weight is dwarfed other factors--first and foremost being aerodynamic fprces.
Regards,
John Taglia
On Sun, 22 Apr 2001, Monkeyman wrote:
> >Unitl I see an equation, I will continue to believe that weigh of bike is
> >pretty
> >much immmaterial, and that wheel matters no more than any other.
> >
> >I guess I don't think it is too much to ask for proof via an equation.
>
> ARGH! I'm with John on this, it's "put-up-or-shut-up" time, though to be
> fair he is wrong. . . sort of. I've been staying out of until now since I
> think I've caused enough controversy this week. I did at the beginning of
> this discussion say that someone should check Frank Whitt and David
> Wilson's "Bicycling Science" book. This as far as I know is the only real
> documented scientific words on the subject, though they're almost 20 years
> old.
>
> >From the wheel section pgs. 106-138 it says on pg. 128 it says, "Although
> lighter wheels accelerate slightly more quickly for a given power and have
> lower air drag, they also have a higer rolling resistance on smooth roads
> because of the larger losses at the point of contact." Basically it comes
> down to tire pressure has more to do with it. All the things I've read over
> the last many, many years as a professional mechanic support this. Also
> remember if it accelerates quicker it also decelerates quicker.
>
> If you want more information on the subject check out the Bicycling Science
> list archives, buy your own book, call Jobst Bryant or Alex Moulton, but
> just don't bicker about science with opinions anymore. I'm going to go sit
> in the sun with a beer and a book, thank you.
>
> enjoy,
> Brandon"monkeyman"Ives
>
> PS: Can we now get back to bickering about Ken Denny or what whacky people
> those Ebay folks are?
>
> !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> Nobody can do everything,
> but if everybody did something
> everything would get done.
> -Gil Scott Heron-
> !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!