Cycling Power Heatmap

Estimated pedaling power (watts) needed to hold a given speed on a given road grade. Adjust rider + bike weight and aerodynamic drag to fit your setup. Hover a cell for watts and watts per kilogram.

Body + bike weight 165 lb Total system weight (rider, bike, kit, bottles).

Aerodynamic drag CdA 0.27 m² Lower = more aero. ~0.27 suits a small rider on a fast bike in the drops.

Rolling resistance C_rr 0.005 ~0.005 for good road tires on smooth pavement.

Wind 0 (calm) Positive = headwind (slows you), negative = tailwind (helps).

Drafting None Sitting in a group cuts your aero drag. 0 none · 1 ok · 2 good · 3 great.

Color scale max 400 W Anything above this pins to the top color — set it to your sustainable ceiling.

Physics: P = (mg·sinθ·v) + (mg·C_rr·cosθ·v) + (½·ρ·CdA·v³), divided by a 0.976 drivetrain efficiency. Air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m³ (sea level, ~15 °C), g = 9.807 m/s². Grey cells = descents where no pedaling is required (≤ 0 W; you'd coast or brake). W/kg uses total system weight. Estimates only — real-world numbers vary with wind, position, and surface. ← back to datatommy.com