How much does wind slow a bike?

[Ming the Merciless]

Weight matters as far as acceleration goes, and in urban riding you have to use the brakes more, which turns momentum into heat. So you invest more energy in getting the mass up to speed but can't utilise all of the momentum created because of the need to brake. If weight didn't matter at all, no-one would care if racing bikes were heavy as they would be just as fast as light ones. Frictional drag from tyres and mechanicals is separate from aerodynamic losses.

Tyre drag is a not a big factor at 27 mph. Air drag is.

But you are missing the point I’m not maintaining these speeds because of superior tyres to a road bike. In fact the opposite recumbent often have tyres with higher rolling resistance. As to weight recumbents are on average heavier. Yet they still go far far faster than a road bike on the flat. Aerodynamics is king

Velomobiles typically around 20-30kg, three wheels, more tyre drag. Yet leave upright bikes in the dust.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Velomobiles typically around 20-30kg, three wheels, more tyre drag. Yet leave upright bikes in the dust.

Fastest on PBP (on the Plougastel Bridge outside Brest, btw):

(from PBP) when one of these comes past a draft line you hear it behind (and assume it's a quiet car), and then !!!