1. What is Cycling Climbing Power?

Cycling climbing power is the amount of power required to overcome gravity while riding uphill, plus additional forces like air resistance and rolling resistance. It's a key metric for cyclists to understand their performance on climbs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the climbing power equation:

Where:

• \( m \) — Total mass of cyclist and bike (kg)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.80665 m/s²)
• \( v \) — Velocity (m/s)
• \( \theta \) — Angle of incline (radians)
• \( Drag \) — Air resistance power (W)
• \( Rolling \) — Rolling resistance power (W)

Explanation: The equation calculates the power needed to overcome gravity on an incline, plus additional resistance forces.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Understanding climbing power helps cyclists train effectively, pace climbs properly, and select appropriate gearing for hilly routes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kg, velocity in m/s, and angle in radians. Include drag and rolling resistance if known for more accurate results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I convert km/h to m/s?
A: Divide km/h by 3.6 (e.g., 36 km/h = 10 m/s).

Q2: How do I convert slope percentage to radians?
A: Use atan(slope%/100), where slope% is rise/run × 100.

Q3: What's typical climbing power for cyclists?
A: Recreational cyclists might manage 2-3 W/kg, while pros can sustain 5-6 W/kg for extended climbs.

Q4: How important is drag on climbs?
A: Less important than on flats, but still significant at higher speeds (>15 km/h).

Q5: What affects rolling resistance?
A: Tire type, pressure, and road surface significantly impact rolling resistance.