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i can get over 1000lb-ft from a bicycle... (archive)
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Posted by dp on January 09, 2001 at 15:32:06:

In Reply to: HP means nothing, It is TORQUE that wins races.... posted by JP///M3.2 on January 08, 2001 at 04:17:54:

... at less than 1 rpm ;)

it is the TORQUE figure that means nothing, because the torque at the wheel (the only place it matters) is totally a function of gearing. HP is a rate of ENERGY PRODUCTION, which is how fast a motor can add energy to the car's mass. velocity is simply a square root of energy divided by mass. the faster you can increase the energy, the faster you gain velocity. that means POWER. plain and simple. if power band is narrow, a lot of gear changes are needed and the car is harder to drive. wide power band (what many people mistakenly call 'torque') makes it much easier on the driver and requires fewer/wider gears. a properly geared high-hp car will ALWAYS win (look no further than F1 for examples).

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