Rolling resistance is one of the most important of a series of forces required to move forward when riding a bicycle.
When cycling uphill, you are also fighting gravity while gaining potential energy that can be put to good use when going downhill.
In a review of bicycle aerodynamics published in the Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics in 2020, Malizia and Blocken noted that when you ride a bicycle at speeds of more than 40 km/h, about 90 percent of the drag is air drag. So road enthusiasts are fascinated by all things aerodynamic.
In addition to this, the friction (or rolling resistance) between the tire and the road or trail is the main source of force you need to overcome when riding and riding faster.
Here we will tell you what rolling resistance is, how it is measured, and the factors that affect it. Although it's often thought of as a road riding thing, we'll explain why it's also important for mountain bikers and gravel riders.
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Rolling resistance is the amount of energy a tire loses when it rolls. This energy loss comes from a variety of sources, the main one of which is the energy lost by the deformation of bicycle tires during riding.
There is also an element of friction between the tires and the road surface, which is why riding on flat asphalt is much easier than riding on gravel or off-road. When a soft tire surface rolls over, there is still more opportunity to lose energy due to compression.
The deformation or hysteresis experienced by the tire can lead to the generation of heat and sound, as well as the loss of energy from the system. In bicycle tires, it is affected by tire width, diameter, and pressure. Other factors, such as the flexibility of the tire housing and the composition of the rubber mixture used in the tread, also play a role.
On the other hand, if you ride on rough roads or trails, or just hate fixing punctures (don't you?) You may be prepared to accept some extra rolling resistance for better tire protection, grip, and increased tire mileage.