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I went for a bike fitting today and the guy that did the fitting was incredibly knowledgeable about all things bikes. He told me that due to the "physics" invol

I went for a bike fitting today and the guy that did the fitting was incredibly knowledgeable about all things bikes. He told me that due to the "physics" involved that wheels were 2 to 3 times heavier at speed. Turns out he was talking nonsense! I wonder where this old wives tale about wheel weight comes from?

ben_bai 10y ago
a 26inch wheel when spinning at 80 roations per minute (20km/h or 12mph) will have a Centripetal Acceleration of about 5g (G-Force) on the outermost spot. That does not make the wheel "heavier", but due to the gyroscopic effect and air resistance loose ever more energy, when spinning faster. Fun wheel videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeyDf4ooPdo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeyDf4ooPdo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty9QSiVC2g0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty9QSiVC2g0
- vlehto 10y ago
  The gyroscopic effect makes you lose energy only if you turn. Of course you turn a little all the time while cycling.