Bicycle Mechanics - Ironhorse Adv. Deluxe Hybrid Bike: How to change to be faster?

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Mediated Life
08-06-05, 11:26 AM
Hi. I currently have an Ironhorse Adv. Deluxe and on average, I average about 17-21mph. However, I'm just looking to get some more speed on it. It's a decent hybrid bike, (cost about 400 dollars) so I was wondering what would be my best to get any advantage out of it. Should I switch the tires? Or is there anything else that I could do that would make my bike faster? I realize to a certain limit that I wouldn't be make it.

Also, would the aerodynamic bars work? Those that just attach on to it? Thanks, I'm just doing a tri for fun (I don't intend to win anything or goal for that) but I want to get some more speed out of it.

It's similiar to this. http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/pavement/adventure.shtml

I'm dirt poor now, so I'm looking for cheap solutions that would work well. Thanks again.

Post42K
08-06-05, 02:05 PM
Narrower tires made a big difference for me. Here's a thread that should help:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=104029
DannoXYZ
08-06-05, 03:02 PM
Yeah, narrow high-pressure slicks would make it roll faster. But at those speeds, you can probably make a bigger difference with aero bars. Then a straight-block cluster would help you fine-tune your spinning at just the perfect RPM for your power-output as well.

Mediated Life
08-06-05, 05:59 PM
May I ask what a straight-block cluster is?

Also, where could I buy online for new "tire wheels"? Nashbar doesn't stock Hybrid :( I'm quite a beginner to bikes.

Thank you so much for the help so far!
DannoXYZ
08-08-05, 02:54 PM
You can get some non-knobbie road tyres, like the Panaracer CTX (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=121&subcategory=1085&brand=&sku=8377). Then straight-block cluster is just a gearset for the rear wheel that has small teeth increments to allow to pick just the right gear at any given speed when you're at your threshold. So the tooth-count may go like 12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19t, although something in the mid-range like a 12-24t might be more useful for you.
Retro Grouch
08-08-05, 04:50 PM
Smooth tires are good but if you really want to go fast, nothing compares to improving your body position on the bike. Compared with the energy required to push your torso through the air, everything else combined is small potatoes.