Speed Versus Power For Different Cycle Types

These results were obtained by the NVHPV (Dutch HPV Club), using their SRM measuring thingummy-doodah. Test conditions were the same in all cases, viz. smooth asphalt, no wind, air pressure 1000 mbar, air temperature 20 deg. C, high-pressure tyres, rider wearing race-type clothing. The rider (one of the Baron brothers, I believe), is 1.84 m tall and weighs 75 kg, while the recumbent bikes have their bottom brackets approximately 20 cm above the seat, ASS of the "arms-straight" persuasion and a seat-back angle of 25 degrees.
Cycle Description Speed at 250 W (km/h) Power for 40 km/h (W)
"Standard" bike - upright position
29.0
622
Racing bike - "on the tops"
32.0
469
Racing bike - "on the drops"
35.0
362
Triathlon bike
37.0
310
Thys Roeifiets - "high" seat
38.0
288
Recumbent bike - seat height 60 cm
38.5
277
Recumbent bike - seat height 40 cm
39.5
259
Recumbent bike - seat height 20 cm
41.0
234
Aluminium Alleweder trike
42.0
220
C-Alleweder trike
45.0
185
Recumbent bike - seat height 20 cm, with tail fairing
45.0
180
Recumbent bike - seat height 20 cm, with foam full fairing
51.0
135
Recumbent bike with full hard fairing
69.0
75
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