What's up with 400W?
09-23-13, 09:30 AM
#1
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What's up with 400W?
As recommended in another current thread about online power estimators I went to one of the sites and calculated my approximate power output for cruising at a constant 18 mph into a 10 mph headwind. I was surprised to see that it came out at 406 W for my weight, road bike weight, riding position, etc. I usually don't pay any attention to all this power stuff, because it doesn't mean a whole lot to me, but now I am curious. When folks just cryptically talk about 400 W like it's an inside joke, what are they saying? It's nothing special, it's minimum adequate, it's great, what's the point? Thanks.
Robert
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09-23-13, 09:39 AM
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400 watts in a vacuum is unimpressive.
But "dialing it up to 400 watts" takes skilz.
But "dialing it up to 400 watts" takes skilz.
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09-23-13, 09:42 AM
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09-23-13, 09:44 AM
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09-23-13, 09:49 AM
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The guy who came up with it was before my time, and I can't remember his name. But I do recall seeing the link to the original thread a while back, and it included a lot of the gems of the 41 vernacular. IIRC, it is where "drope the hamer" and "giving the look" came from, in addition to the ever popular "dial it up to 400 watts" line.
I also remember that the guy posted a picture of himself, and I seem to recall word of t-shirts being made with the picture and some of these quotes.
I also remember that the guy posted a picture of himself, and I seem to recall word of t-shirts being made with the picture and some of these quotes.
09-23-13, 09:56 AM
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The guy who came up with it was before my time, and I can't remember his name. But I do recall seeing the link to the original thread a while back, and it included a lot of the gems of the 41 vernacular. IIRC, it is where "drope the hamer" and "giving the look" came from, in addition to the ever popular "dial it up to 400 watts" line.
I also remember that the guy posted a picture of himself, and I seem to recall word of t-shirts being made with the picture and some of these quotes.
I also remember that the guy posted a picture of himself, and I seem to recall word of t-shirts being made with the picture and some of these quotes.
It was before my time, too, but I've read that amazing thread a few times. Always good for a laugh.
09-23-13, 09:59 AM
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I would check that with another online calculator. 400W seems awfully high for 18mph even with some wind.
09-23-13, 10:17 AM
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The first one was kreuzotter (or some such) and the result was 406. I just redid it on bikecalculator.com and got 382. 400W results at 18.38 mph on bike calculator. Pretty similar. I should mention I specified riding on the TOPS. That could have a lot to do with it.
09-23-13, 10:19 AM
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The first one was kreuzotter (or some such) and the result was 406. I just redid it on bikecalculator.com and got 382. 400W results at 18.38 mph on bike calculator. Pretty similar. I should mention I specified riding on the TOPS. That could have a lot to do with it.
09-23-13, 10:33 AM
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That's interesting. For comparative purposes, I weigh 170lbs. On my road bike, hands on the tops at 18mph, flat ground, power displayed on my SRM ranges from roughly 90w to maybe 180w. I can go up a short local climb (@350' vertical, 1mi) at 10-12mph and never get above 300w.
09-23-13, 10:37 AM
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That's interesting. For comparative purposes, I weigh 170lbs. On my road bike, hands on the tops at 18mph, flat ground, power displayed on my SRM ranges from roughly 90w to maybe 180w. I can go up a short local climb (@350' vertical, 1mi) at 10-12mph and never get above 300w.
09-23-13, 10:42 AM
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Your post suggest you think this was a measured value. Not so. It is calculated based on various inputs and assumptions, and hard inflated tires is certainly one of them. Never said I believed it, just those were the results.
09-23-13, 10:50 AM
#18
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As recommended in another current thread about online power estimators I went to one of the sites and calculated my approximate power output for cruising at a constant 18 mph into a 10 mph headwind. I was surprised to see that it came out at 406 W for my weight, road bike weight, riding position, etc. I usually don't pay any attention to all this power stuff, because it doesn't mean a whole lot to me, but now I am curious. When folks just cryptically talk about 400 W like it's an inside joke, what are they saying? It's nothing special, it's minimum adequate, it's great, what's the point? Thanks.
Robert
Robert
I would expect a Cat 3 racer who can ride at the front of the field to be able to hold 400W for about 5 minutes.
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09-23-13, 11:06 AM
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Before my time, too, but when he got outed at cat4 pack fodder, he became the BF version of Charlie Wenzel.
09-23-13, 11:08 AM
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At 135lbs, you'd be one of the lighter guys, so yea, averages and all that.
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09-23-13, 11:15 AM
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400 watts is high enough that for almost all amateur racers, it's a pace that's going to blow them up in a matter of minutes (if you're good), and seconds if you're not so good.
l
It's used a lot because it's the first real round hundred number that you can throw out there, and expect 99% of amateurs to not be able to say "I can do that", well, at least if talking about for more than a few short minutes.
Even though only a small fraction of RACING road cyclists can average 300 watts for an hour (FTP-level), it's a low enough number that nobody will be impressed with you saying you dropped the hammer at 300 watts, despite the reality that in virtually any non-racing roadie ride, if you crank up the watts to 300 watts for more than 5 minutes, you'll drop everyone stone cold almost every time.
l
It's used a lot because it's the first real round hundred number that you can throw out there, and expect 99% of amateurs to not be able to say "I can do that", well, at least if talking about for more than a few short minutes.
Even though only a small fraction of RACING road cyclists can average 300 watts for an hour (FTP-level), it's a low enough number that nobody will be impressed with you saying you dropped the hammer at 300 watts, despite the reality that in virtually any non-racing roadie ride, if you crank up the watts to 300 watts for more than 5 minutes, you'll drop everyone stone cold almost every time.
09-23-13, 11:16 AM
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09-23-13, 11:19 AM
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LoL you're both slow actually given how many other references followed shortly after my typo typo 
I wish that guy would post still, I enjoy his threads.
I wish that guy would post still, I enjoy his threads.