Which weight should I enter?

Total weight: you, the bike and your kit, which is the mass you have to lift uphill.

Which power should I use?

The power you can hold for the length of the climb: for about an hour, your FTP.

Watts/kg and climb time calculator

Watts per kilo is the number that matters uphill. Enter power and weight (rider + bike) to calculate it and get a time estimate for a chosen elevation gain.

Power (W)Total rider + bike weight (kg)Elevation to climb (m)

Watts/kg

3.47

Estimated time

34 min

Rough estimate, ignoring wind and friction.

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Why watts/kg matter

Uphill the main resistance is gravity: at equal power the lighter rider is faster. That is why riders are compared in watts per kilogram, not absolute watts.

As a reference, 2.5 W/kg is a good starting level, 3.5 W/kg a well-trained cyclist, above 4.5 W/kg a strong racer. These are rough thresholds for efforts of about one hour.

How to read the time estimate

The estimate ignores wind, friction and air resistance, so it is most reliable on steep, slow climbs (above 6-7% gradient). On gentle slopes it underestimates real times.

FAQ

Which weight should I enter?: Total weight: you, the bike and your kit, which is the mass you have to lift uphill.
Which power should I use?: The power you can hold for the length of the climb: for about an hour, your FTP.