Yes. I’m a light rider with a low absolute power. I have a hard time riding against heavier and more powerful riders on shallower grades, because I lack the absolute power needed to overcome wind resistance, even when I’m drafting behind them. Once the road kicks up I leave them in the dust. As a small rider I also do poorly when climbing with a headwind. Again, I lack the absolute power needed to overcome the wind resistance. A heavier and more powerful rider is more likely to do better on a windy climb than a lighter and less powerful rider. I do very well on a steep climb with a tailwind. When the aero drag is zero then my superior power to weight ratio really shines.RyanH wrote:If it was very simple, then so many in this thread wouldn't be wrong. CdA matters as long as you're moving forward. On a 3% gradient, if rider A weighs 70 kilos and puts out 280w with a CdA of 0.3, they will travel at 28.2 kph. If Rider B weighs 70kg and puts out 265w with a CdA 0.25, then they will also travel at 28.2 kph. Obviously this diminishes as the gradient gets steeper but for many, 3% grade can be considered uphill, even if moderate.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk