LAYOUTS

Because most of the spreadsheets contain so much information we have devised a system of colors, textures, shading and outlines as a way to lessen eye fatigue while playing your "What-if" games.

Each Spreadsheet has user inputs and calculated values. It is important to understand the difference. The user inputs are outlined in lighter colors and have underlines. Typical user inputs are Rider weight, Vehicle weight, Air resistance (CdA), rolling resistance (Crr), Velocity, Wind, Temperature, etc.

Solid colors represent calculated values (Power HP, and Watts, Total wt, Time, Rho, Beta). A dark box outline is another indicator of a calculated value. And no underlines.

The reason we clearly identify the calculated values is these cells contain formulas. CAUTION; if you accidentally type something in these cells you will destroy the formula. To protect yourself, make a backup copy before using the calculators.

1. Yellow section -- VEHICLE (what)

User inputs; four different weights (human, bike, wheel and cargo),

rolling resistance, air drag, and mechanical efficiency. These are

things we can change before getting on a bike. Total weight is a

calculated value.

2. Blue section -- TECHNIQUE (how)

User inputs: Velocity, Distance, Acceleration. These are things we

control while riding. Time is a calculated value.

3. Green section -- ENVIRONMENT (Where)

User inputs: Grade, Wind speed, Temperature and Barometric

pressure. These are things we do not have direct control over, and

must adapt to.

4. Red: EFFORT (why)

Calculated values, no user input: Displays power in HP and Watts.

This is the sum or consequence of our choices.

For the curious, you can click on the calculated cells and look at the formulas. These formulas have been generated from “A PRIMER on BICYCLE MECHANICS” written by Joel Sanders and available as a Monograph from the HPVA. If you read the Primer you can get a understanding of how the formulation is set up to do the calculations.