Can someone explain this?
In: Physics
To put the power from an engine that needs to be transferred to the ground through the tires into perspective for this example, a good recreational cyclist makes 250-300watts of power average and maybe can do 1000watts in an all out start from a stop for a couple seconds if they are a big guy. Tadej Pogacar is very dominant in the pro races and can do 470watts but keep in mind he is a fairly light guy and raw power isn’t the biggest factor in pro races. Big muscle pro sprinters can do 1500-2000watts in a sprint for tens of seconds.
A 2025 Toyota Camry has 232hp between its engine and hybrid. That is 173,000 watts! That power is not nothing and can get you up to highway speeds on an on ramp nicely but no one is saying the Camry is a fast car. A new Ferrari GTB 296 makes 819hp combined which is 610,000 watts! A top fuel dragster makes 11,000hp or 8,202,000 watts! All that power needs to go to the ground through the tires in order for the car to move forward. More rubber equals more grip. Bikes just don’t need it and smaller aerodynamic and low resistance tires are better for the application.
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