Last updated: March 2, 2026 by Sarah Chen

Cycling Power and Speed Relationship

Formula

Cycling power is determined by three main forces: rolling resistance, aerodynamic drag, and gravity. At higher speeds, aerodynamic drag dominates, which is why power increases cubically with speed on flat terrain.

Understanding power helps cyclists train more effectively and predict performance. Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is a key metric representing the highest power sustainable for one hour.

Common use cases:

  • Estimating power for target speeds
  • Hill climbing performance prediction
  • Equipment optimization analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sarah Chen

Financial Analyst, CFA

Sarah is a Chartered Financial Analyst with over 8 years of experience in investment management and financial modeling. She specializes in retirement planning and compound interest calculations.

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