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Introduction: Bicycle Design
Why Upright Bikes?
Why Recumbents Cost More
Types of Recumbents
Seat Height
Handlebars
How Much To Spend?
The Importance of Wheels
Types of Wheels
The Importance of Weight
Frame Materials
Frame Alignment
Parts, Derailleurs etc
Brakes
Suspension
Are Recumbents Invisible?
Acclimatizing to a Recumbent
Hills on a Recumbent
Clip-On Pedals
Racks & Mudguards
Bicycle Trailers
Trikes
How to Ride a Tandem
Credit Card Touring
Information Sources
Vancouver, British Columbia
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The Importance of Weight

Although some recumbent bicycles are as light as the lightest upright bicycles, most recumbent bicycles are heavier than comparable uprights because of the extra parts required to create a comfortable and aerodynamically efficient seating position. The extra weight is more than made up for by the aerodynamics of a recumbent bicycle. A heavier recumbent will be faster and more efficient than a lighter upright bicycle on a fairly flat course.

The importance of the aerodynamics of a bicycle cannot be overestimated, especially in headwinds and at high speeds where wind resistance increases exponentially with speed. Most of the resistance to the forward motion of a bicycle consists of wind resistance. The internal resistance of the mechanical parts of the bicycle is nearly negligible when compared to wind resistance. Similarly, small additions of weight do little to alter the rolling resistance of the tires on a bicycle.

While adding weight to a bicycle makes little difference to its performance on flat ground at steady speed, weight will make a difference when a bicycle is accelerating or decelerating and when it is going uphill or downhill.

While resisting the forces of gravity on an uphill slope it is preferable to carry a smaller weight because less energy will be required to raise the weight up the hill. On the other hand, the greater weight will allow the bicycle to go down the other side of the hill at a greater speed than an otherwise identical bicycle and rider because the ratio of weight to frontal area has been increased. Under any circumstance, a recumbent bicycle will reach the bottom of the hill in much less time than an upright bicycle because of its lower wind resistance. The net effect is that even on hilly terrain a heavier recumbent bicycle can reach a destination at the same time (or sooner) than a lighter upright bicycle with the same output of energy from the cyclist.

It is also important to remember that the weight of the rider, bicycle accessories and other accoutrements are going to be more important than the weight of the bicycle itself. For example, adding 4 lbs of weight to a 25 lb bicycle with a 185 lb rider and 10 lbs of panniers and clothing is less than a 2% addition in total weight. That 2% addition is only going to make a slight difference while going uphill or while accelerating and will have a net negligible effect on overall trip speed.

Differences in the weights of bicycles might make a difference to a professional cyclist on an upright bicycle competing in the Tour de France because he is riding an upright bicycle and because success is being measured in seconds. To a person racing as an amateur or touring across France or riding to work, the weight difference is inconsequential.