Smallguy

with all the threads about watts and how it is probably the best measure of improved fitness/ability.

what are respectable numbers to be able to sustain

I see some guys are able to push 1k+ for a sprint (umd I believe)

but

what would the average person be able to do?

what would be respectable beginning cyclist average

an avid cyclist ?

Cat 1 or 2 racer?

someone racing in the tour sustain?

I'm trying to get a rough idea of what to set for short term intermediate and longer goals

Smallguy

I actually just found this at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_performance


The average "in-shape" person can produce about 3 watts/kg for more than an hour (e.g., around 200 watts for a 70 kg rider), with top amateurs producing 5 watts/kg and elite athletes achieving 6 watts/kg for similar lengths of time. Elite track sprinters are able to attain an instantaneous maximum output of around 2,000 watts, or in excess of 25 watts/kg; elite road cyclists may produce 1,600 to 1,700 watts as an instantaneous maximum in their burst to the finish line at the end of a five-hour long road race. Even at moderate speeds, most cycling energy is spent in overcoming aerodynamic drag, which increases with the square of speed; therefore, power needs increase approximately with the cube of speed.

asgelle

https://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/...11/profile.asp

Smallguy

is FT on that chart what one can maintain for an extended period of time?

https://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/...profile_v4.gif

I looked around but didn't really find the answer

asgelle

"Index efforts of 5 s, 1 min, 5 min, and at functional threshold power (see "What is threshold power?" on this website) were chosen ..."
https://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/.../threshold.asp

Smallguy

so in short yes to "is FT on that chart what one can maintain for an extended period of time?"

mp123

FT=functional threshhold=max power for one hour

mp123

Also, as far as the Wikipedia article goes I'd have to say that the "average in shape person" is probably not producing 3 w/kg for more than an hour. I'd guess that less than 10% of the people you see riding bikes around are doing that. Depends on what you mean by "average" I guess...

Smallguy

my definition of average would be someone who rides a day or 2 a week or commutes a short distance a few times a week

3w/kg for me would mean I'd be pumping out 292.5. I can do 200 watts currently but not for an hour more like 20 mins but you gotta start somewhere.

so it's time to loose some weight and get more power too.

ottsville

Amen.

umd

Haha, that's funny using my pitiful sprint as an example.

JohnKScott

Wow...I knew I sucked but...

I hoped I didn't suck that much.

umd

Note that power scales somewhat with weight, so we look at power/weight as watts/kg. So, for what it's worth, since I was used as example... I've had a few single samples over 1000W but my best 5s power is about 950W. I weigh for practical purposes 63kg, so that puts my 5s at the bottom of the "good" range. I can hold a relatively high level for 20-30 seconds but it falls off quickly after than and my 1m power is somewhere in the middle of the "fair" range. My 5min is actually my "strongest" duration, and I don't have my data in front of me right now but I believe it was well into the "very good" range. My FT at my peak was somewhere in middle of the "very good" range but I did not yet have a power meter and with my injury and now kind of "off season" I haven't put in a good test and have only done in the high "good" range.

Smallguy

so if your sprint is "pitiful" what would you consider to be a good number?

umd

Ok, so my sprint is probably better than many BF'rs that don't race, but I always get my ass kicked whenever I am up against anyone who can really sprint, i.e. most people I ride with. First though, you really have to look at more than just the peak number; that gets you a jump, but you have to be able to sustain it. 5s gives you a better idea but really a sprint is going to last a while and it's more important how fast you are going than how much power you are putting out. Anyway, as to what isn't pathetic? Waterrockets can do, what, 1600, something like that? I was talking with a teammate, and although he may have been messing with me, said he could do 1500. A local pro I was talking to said he could do 1800 but that was as a junior and he hadn't used a power meter for a while...

8Lives

I had a performance assessment done earlier this year as a 48th birthday present. I thought "some present" but it was actually a lot less painful than I anticipated. I came in at 4.3 w/kg at FT which is in the "very good" range.

cslone

That's also dependent on weight. It's about the w/kg. I have done 1600w 5 second sprints before, but I weight almost 90kg. While that puts me solidly in the "Cat 2" sprint range, someone who weighs 165lbs and has a 1325w 5 second sprint has a similar w/kg. I'm hoping to drop down to around 84kg AND keep that sprint power. My threshold is what sucks though at 315w(3.5 w/kg). I'm doing lots of Sweet Spot Training, hoping to be up around 340+ by crit season.

This chart, known as the "e-wang" chart shows the general ranges put out buy tested riders.

https://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/...profile_v4.gif

127.0.0.1

that's the e-wang ?

cripes I am much stronger than I thought

it is the weight I need to trim. power I have. holy crap I am waaaaaaay remotivated

cslone

You can have all the power you want. It's results that count.

asgelle

Not exactly. Only the high and low values come from riders and these were not necessarily taken during tests.
https://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/...11/profile.asp

cslone

Ah, I took this "available data" as testing.

fatallightning

i would think, on a flat sprint, as most finishes are, w/cdA would be more important. i would think the weight difference going from 25 in the peloton to 35 in a field sprint would be trumped by pure power.

umd

It's acceleration, weight is still important, but probably less important than on a climb.

TechKnowGN

So if I understand right 1007W isnt very good max power if you weigh 143 kg? That puts me at about 6.97 w/Kg, right?

127.0.0.1

if you can hold 400 watts for 30 minutes

then......then.....you got some balzak