Sorry alienator, but 53-11 is mostly correct on this one, I think his verbiage was a little too strong and it may seem counter intuitive, but he is right. If you analyze the total sum of the forces involved (especially when it is you that condescendingly suggest a better grasp of physics ), you will see that while reducing wheel weight (esp at the rims) will reduce the wheels inertia measurably, but the net effect is not very large at all in the whole system. That said, reducing wheel weight will have a SLIGHTY greater effect than reducing static weight on the bike and or rider(for acceleration) as Smartie pointed out, but a generic ratio is not possible because of all the variables involved. The "50% reduction of wheel weight gives .03% more power", is probably a good rough approximation but it will change depending on speed (aero drag on the rider, etc.), elevation gain/loss, and so on. It is certainly much closer than the 5:1 that those with only a high school grasp of physics subscribe to .
If you really want a wheel that accelerates much better, stiffness is at least as important as weight, but in terms of speed, unless you are doing a Mtn time trial, aero has much better benefits. As evidenced by the popularity of the heavy, Aero, and very stiff Cosmic Carbones in the Pro Peloton.
Call it placebo effect or whatever, but don't dismiss the psychological aspects. Seriously, if someone truly believes that their new lightweight wheels are making them faster, they probably will, and conversely if they think their heavy wheels are holding them back, they will. I know I have done many technically worthless upgrades that at the time really did make me faster because I believed they would. Sometimes ignorance truly is bliss.
If you really want a wheel that accelerates much better, stiffness is at least as important as weight, but in terms of speed, unless you are doing a Mtn time trial, aero has much better benefits. As evidenced by the popularity of the heavy, Aero, and very stiff Cosmic Carbones in the Pro Peloton.
Call it placebo effect or whatever, but don't dismiss the psychological aspects. Seriously, if someone truly believes that their new lightweight wheels are making them faster, they probably will, and conversely if they think their heavy wheels are holding them back, they will. I know I have done many technically worthless upgrades that at the time really did make me faster because I believed they would. Sometimes ignorance truly is bliss.