Power Data Estimates for the climbing stages

[PhiLiz]

Nibali went solo with what, over 10kms to go? He probably could have gone a lot faster with Kuss and Wout working for him...

Something like that, yes. Before that he was with Horner (yeah, it's really funny) following an acceleration which he absolutely didn't need to match since Horner was 18th at the time.

 

[Scarponi]

love that this tour has been so obscene this thread has made a massive come back haha

 

[Bronstein]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1550255451748679681

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1550255451748679681

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1550212076790026247

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1550212076790026247

 

[WheatThree]

Has there ever been a scientific test to compare modern bikes to bikes from different eras on a climb? It should be fairly easy to do on a set climb using a steady effort.

My guess would be that modern bikes are materially faster than the early to mid 90s bikes, mainly due to being a few kgs lighter and stiffer.
However I think the gains from the early to mid 00s bikes would be almost negligible once they were generally down to the weight limit. There might be more of a difference on the flat and downhill with improvements in brakes and aero, but not up the hills.

It would be good if there was something like this to put some more context on comparing climbing times from decades ago.

 

[Red Rick]

Has there ever been a scientific test to compare modern bikes to bikes from different eras on a climb? It should be fairly easy to do on a set climb using a steady effort.

My guess would be that modern bikes are materially faster than the early to mid 90s bikes, mainly due to being a few kgs lighter and stiffer.
However I think the gains from the early to mid 00s bikes would be almost negligible once they were generally down to the weight limit. There might be more of a difference on the flat and downhill with improvements in brakes and aero, but not up the hills.

It would be good if there was something like this to put some more context on comparing climbing times from decades ago.

The crazy thing is just the increase in performance since 2019 alone.

 

[WheatThree]

The crazy thing is just the increase in performance since 2019 alone.

I'm not for a second claiming that technological advances (or training, nurtition etc. advances) makes current performances in any way believable.

It was more just out of interest to put the climbing time/power comparisons in a better context.

 

[Forever The Best]

The crazy thing is just the increase in performance since 2019 alone.

I remember discussing this in 2020, especially during Giro when random riders were suddenly becoming world beaters after looking average the previous day.

 

[NFTtiddies]

Has there ever been a scientific test to compare modern bikes to bikes from different eras on a climb? It should be fairly easy to do on a set climb using a steady effort.

My guess would be that modern bikes are materially faster than the early to mid 90s bikes, mainly due to being a few kgs lighter and stiffer.
However I think the gains from the early to mid 00s bikes would be almost negligible once they were generally down to the weight limit. There might be more of a difference on the flat and downhill with improvements in brakes and aero, but not up the hills.

It would be good if there was something like this to put some more context on comparing climbing times from decades ago.

It's not like they didn't know that lighter=faster uphill. There's plenty of articles about modifications done to bikes back in 90s.
One of Pantani's climbing bikes used in 1998 is claimed to weigh 6.96kg, which is lighter than most pros use nowdays.

http://imgur.com/a/fbZyKzf

View: https://imgur.com/a/fbZyKzf

 

[fbjim]

Light/aero bikes (and riding practice) will probably make the most difference on steadier 6%-7%-ish climbs - it would be interesting to calculate if the "estimated" VAM/WKG numbers have increased more on climbs like Peyresorude, Arcalis or even La Plange versus something with really steep ramps (that's not a new, novelty-climb) like the Marie-Blanque.

Not putting this as an explanation for everything but even a few years ago it seemed like every team had a special super-light bike for the climbers- even these now have aerodynamic elements and it's no longer unusual to just see teams straight up use the "aero bike" on mountain stages (or like Jumbo when they had Bianchis, just using the Oltre all-rounder bike for everything)

 

[Mayomaniac]

I remember discussing this in 2020, especially during Giro when random riders were suddenly becoming world beaters after looking average the previous day.

Back then I was of the opinion that some teams/riders had just abused the Covid related lack of OOC testing for months, but the trend continued and I was proven wrong.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Possibly the chain mechanism has improved. Team Sky had those Osymetric chainrings. Jumbo uses Dynamic Speed Wax. I don't know what difference it makes.

 

[meat puppet]

I think gearing would be the most important drivetrain factor. Now they have 2x12, in the 90s 2x8 (or were 9s already available?). Will surely help.

 

[Riek s]

Possibly the chain mechanism has improved. Team Sky had those Osymetric chainrings. Jumbo uses Dynamic Speed Wax. I don't know what difference it makes.

The different form was never proven to make a difference.
The dynamic speed wax... didn't pog also use something similar? if it mattered even a single W, all teams would use it since it is an easy thing to add.