Originally Posted by burnthesheep

The larger the numerator in the w/kg calculation, the more effect the denominator will have. The smaller the denominator, the more effect improving the numerator has. It's just math.

It's all about where you currently exist. What size is each right now?

If the denominator is big and the numerator small.......a fancy lightweight bike won't mathematically matter for squat.

So, for a pro let's assume:

400w/75kg = 5.3 (rider plus bike)
400w/74kg = 5.4 (rider plus bike minus a 1kg improvement)

So, for a B-group rider let's assume:
230w/90kg = 2.55 (rider at 80kg plus 10kg bike)
230w/89kg = 2.58 (rider at 80kg plus 10kg bike minus 1kg improvement)

The 1kg improvement got the pro an entire tenth in w/kg improvement. The Joe only one third of one tenth in w/kg improvement.

I can't say that a rider should focus on the kit aspect (if money is an issue) until the balance of w/kg makes buying such things actually work........by the math.

If buying it is a stretch, and it only gets you 0.03 better w/kg.......that's a waste!

But, if buying is a stretch and it gets you an entire 0.1 w/kg........that's a score!


But, that's the math.