General Cycling Discussion - Better speed on a hybrid

Hi folks--
I'm riding a Giant Cypress with chubby (700x38cm) tires and I can't seem to get my average speed much over 12 mph. How much would more narrow tires help?

I'm a big guy (6'2" and 240lbs), does that affect how the kind of tires I should try?

Also, I'm riding 25-35 miles regularly on this bike, but have started dreaming about doing a century later this summer. Am I crazy thinking of trying this on this bike?

Thanks in advance.
Dewbert

The speed isn't bad on that bike, you might be able to get away with more narrow tires, which would help if you can, but I wouldn't drop too far. I'm not sure how narrow you can go on those rims without it being a problem. I did a metric century in very hilly country last September, about 2 months after I started riding again, on a Specialized Expedition. I think you can do it just fine on the bike, even if it's not the ideal situation.

BTW, I'm 5-10 and about 200lbs., and I'm on a road bike with 23mm tires, so don't fret too much.

I started riding at almost age 53 on a comfort bike which had 1.95" tires. They had some knobbies on the side, but they wouldn't make contact unless you got into sand or something.

After 6 months, I switched to 1.5" tires and and less tread. The 11 mile route I normally follow had a record of 49:38 just before that. The first ride after the new tires, I dropped that to 48:12 and less than a week after that it was 47:18.

Hard to tell how much was the tires and how much was just me getting in better shape though.

As for the century, I did one on my comfort bike just over 7 months after starting to ride. Took a long time with some pretty big breaks though. I think I did the first 63 miles while only stopping for rest rooms. But at 63 miles I took a long (90 minute) lunch break. Then I rode another 20 miles when I ran into rain. I caught a bus away from that area and then started riding again. Don't recall how long the bus ride was, but I would say at least 30 minutes or so.

When I got off and resumed riding, I was really stiff and just forced the last 17 miles. I think if I could have just kept riding, it would have been easier, but I needed that first stop for lunch.

I've had a Cypress SX for 11 months as of today, and the odometer is sitting just shy of 5,000 miles. I started with 700x28s, then the LBS talked me into 700x35s which I hated, so I went back to 700x28s last fall -- and, this spring, the latest version of 700x28 Specialized All-Condition Armadillos (1,000 miles so far, and no flats).

I'm no pixie, either -- 5'11 and 200 lbs, and the 28s work just fine. In fact, just rode 'em yesterday for the full 100 miles in the Delta Century (third century on this bike, with countless metric centuries as well). If anything, the 28s were highly preferred to anything narrower, since the rough Delta roads caused lots and lots of other riders to flat.

Average speed is so dependent on external factors, particularly when you're in an urban ride with stoplights and such, so don't stress over that. If you're planning on that big century, start building your miles slowly now, and pick a ride that keeps the course open long enough for you to finish at a pace that's right for you, so you don't have to get sagged in. Also remember that the century is as much as test of your mind as your body, and especially on a first century, you'll have a serious mindtrip. Expect it, recognize it, and embrace it.

Hi folks--
I'm riding a Giant Cypress with chubby (700x38cm) tires and I can't seem to get my average speed much over 12 mph. How much would more narrow tires help?

I'm a big guy (6'2" and 240lbs), does that affect how the kind of tires I should try?

Also, I'm riding 25-35 miles regularly on this bike, but have started dreaming about doing a century later this summer. Am I crazy thinking of trying this on this bike?

Thanks in advance.
Dewbert
I'm 6'1" about 155 (a bit heavy, long slow winter, behind desk).Usally ride to work with about 20 lbs in panniers. Switched stock wheelset on my BBU to 38 conti top touring 2000 pumped up to 65lb, and picked up a bit in speed. I know the tires are much heavier than the 23mm that came with the bike, but I can go faster with the bigger tires, not worring so much about potholes, road debris etc. Even @ 120 psi pinch flats were a real problem, and I'm a light weight. I would not go to smaller tires, I doubt they would help. Inflate the ones you have to the max, and see what happens.
On my commute I average a little better than 12, on the open road 13- 15. Not so far off what I can do on my road bike. But I do work much harder pushing the hybrid, looking to do a century this coming weekend on the Bad Boy, see how it goes.... 80 of that will be on a rails to trails bike path.

Hi folks--
I'm riding a Giant Cypress with chubby (700x38cm) tires and I can't seem to get my average speed much over 12 mph. How much would more narrow tires help?

I'm a big guy (6'2" and 240lbs), does that affect how the kind of tires I should try?

Also, I'm riding 25-35 miles regularly on this bike, but have started dreaming about doing a century later this summer. Am I crazy thinking of trying this on this bike?

Thanks in advance.
DewbertThat's about what I do on my MTB with knobby tires. I can average a couple MPH faster with slicks but I was still getting fatigued after 2 - 3 hours of riding. I ended up buying a road bike for 1 reason and that was that I also wanted to do a century. I don't think I would have ever made it on my MTB. At least not within the time frame I had set for myself.

I ended up getting an '04 Specialized Seqoia Elite. I'm 44 and weigh 245 so I wasn't into the bent over racing position - not to mention mashing the particulars against the saddle! :eek: With a summer of longish endurance rides and a good many 50 milers I was able to do my first century with an average speed of 15.9 MPH and 3 brief stops (short stops not stops to change my shorts). A week later I did a 50 miler with an average speed of 17 MPH and no stops. I never would have been able to do that on my MTB but there are many people on this forum that can. They are much fitter than I. :D

Option #1:
Now, back you your dilemma ... in order to see if you can reduce fatigue and pick up the speed a bit, tires and wheels are the best area (most bang for the buck) for you to consider upgrading on your current bike. Getting your rotational weight down will definitely help. Start with tires first to see if that's all the changing you'll need. No need to spend more money than you have to. At your weight you may want to keep the width around 25 - 26mm. Nashbar currently has some Continental 700x28 Ultra 3000's for $12.95. Don't be fooled by the 28 as Conti's measure smaller than their stated size. Their 700x28 is more like a 700x25 and their 700x25 is more like a 700x23. Talking from experience here as I have a significant stash of Conti road tires.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=121&subcategory=1085&brand=&sku=3403&storetype=estore&estoreid=366&pagename=

Option #2:
If tires aren't enough to cut your rolling resistance and rotational weight, then you may want to consider upgrading your wheels. My recommendations aren't going to be what the regular roadies and non-clydesdale's will give you as I'm against crazy light low spoke count wheelsets for 95% of the populace. Something like Mavic Open Pro rims with 105 or Ultegra hubs with 32 spokes are more suiting to us larger types. They're a practical quality made traditional wheelset - something that has fallen out of favor with many cyclists in recent times. Not enough bling I suppose.

Option #3:
If neither of the previous 2 options cut the mustard you may even want to buy a road bike. That was my solution as upgrading tires and wheels on my MTB wasn't the answer. If you're like me and aren't out to set the hour TT record, a more upright riding position will be more comfortable and sustainable for the hours necessary to complete a century. There are many models to chose from depending on what you like and how much long green you are willing to part with. A few models are Trek Pilot, Trek 1200C, Giant OCR 1, 2 & 3 aluminum, Giant OCR 1,2 & 3 composite, Specialized Roubaix, Specialized Sequoia, and various flat handlebar road bikes as well. The list goes on and on.

If it were me I'd try the thinner tires first. The Giant Cypress appears comfortable enough to do very long rides. The weight of the bike shouldn't be all that important unless you're climbing hills. The rotational weight is another story. You may want to consider getting clipless pedals and corresponding shoes as that can help you with your pedaling efficiency.

Option 4 (and it's free!):
Another thing that will help is improving your fitness levels. Although I'm not fit enough to do a century on an MTB, there are many people who are. Improving the engine is the least expensive and best (in terms of your health) option available to you. Riding 25 - 35 miles is nothing like doing a century. You're going to need to be conditioned enough to be able to do at least a metric century (62 miles) and probably 75 miles in order to do it well.

By the way, the June 2005 issue of Bicycling Magazine (normally a pretty useless rag) has a 10 week program for century training by Ashley Kipp of Carmichael Training Systems. There are several other century training programs on the net (easily googled) but they aren't as detailed as this one. I plan to use it the next time I get the century bug.

I"m 450 and ride 38c tires @ 100psi...you could easily go to a 30c

Dewbert - Before I bought my road bike I was riding a hybrid with 700X35 tires. I also wanted to go faster so I dropped the bars a bit to get more aero, added some bar ends to stretch out more, got rid of the suspension seat post, and then switched to 700X28 Armadillos. I thought the switch to the narrower tires made a huge difference. The bike felt nimbler and much quicker although less cushy. However, I was never able to go more than about 50 miles. After a while I wanted to go even faster and longer and decided to buy a road bike. But, I would definitely recommend switching to a narrower tire if you want more speed from your hybrid. Just make sure your rim can handle the narrower tire.

Hi folks--
I'm riding a Giant Cypress with chubby (700x38cm) tires and I can't seem to get my average speed much over 12 mph. How much would more narrow tires help?

I'm a big guy (6'2" and 240lbs), does that affect how the kind of tires I should try?

Also, I'm riding 25-35 miles regularly on this bike, but have started dreaming about doing a century later this summer. Am I crazy thinking of trying this on this bike?

Thanks in advance.
Dewbert

Honestly at your current speed skinnier tyres aren't going to make a big difference. I would hazard a guess that you just need to ride more and get a bit fitter to increase your speed. Once you start averaging over 15mph then it may be worth getting some thinner tyres but until then more riding will be the quickest way to gain speed.

In reality a strong rider could average well over 20pmh with the current tyres, it's all about fitness, which takes time.

CHEERS.

Mark

Hate to sound like the negative nellie, but about 14mph was as good as it got for me on my hybrid. I used it to get back in shape from my flabby 260 to my now fairly low bodyfat (15%) 218. After that not only was I slow, but once I could actually do more than 10 miles at a time my body just hurt constantly from knees to butt. I blame it solely on the suspension.

I never thought I'd be able to ride a roadbike, but I gave it a shot and ended up buying a full carbon fiber trek pilot. The CF gave me tremendous shock absorption with NO discomfort whatsoever, and I can now hit 18.5-20mph on the flats without a problem, and I'm getting faster.

YMMV, of course, but even now I would find going back to the hybrid I had impossible for a century. I can do 40 miles in two hours with no problem on the road bike, and have no concerns about doing a century. On the hybrid I would be in agony after 15.

Tires might make a little bit of difference, but they won't make a lot of difference. You're right at the speed where aero drag starts to pick up. The faster that you go, the imor significant aero drag becomes. Compared to the energy required to push your torso through the air, everything else on a bicycle is small potatoes.

Dewbert-

I'm the same size guy as you are (in mid 40's) and have been riding my Cypress since last August. Great inexpensive bike for shorter (under 30 mile) rides. Mine now has over 1200 miles on it and still rides well. Last fall, I did a moderately hilly 45 mile course on the Giant and afterwards it felt like someone had beat my backside with a 2x4.

Switching to 700x28c tires (I have Continental Ultra 2000's on mine and like them), will give you less rolling resistance vs the stock 38c. If you're doing mostly roads, it's a worthwhile and inexpensive upgrade.

Clipless pedals. Crank Brothers Candy or Mallets (if you want a full platform) are great on that bike. I chose the Mallet C's for the Cypress and got Candys for the road bike I recently bought. After you use them for awhile, you'll wonder why you waited so long to try them.

I'm working towards being able to do a century. I wouldn't dream of doing it on the Cypress though. Once you get into longer distances or club rides, the necessity of a road bike will reveal itself to you.