Road Cycling - Peloton vs. Single speeds

What would be the rough speed increase riding Peloton vs. riding single. I know what my average speeds are solo, but was wondering if there is a general prediction of what it would be in a Peloton with similar riders.

The more hills on your route, the less effect drafting will help.

However, assuming similar fitness and a relatively flat course, you should be able to average your "pull" speed, plus or minus. In other words, how fast are you going when you'd be at the front of the pack doing a pull. If the rest of your group can pull the same speed as you, then you should be able to average close to that speed.

Probably 2 to 5 mph.

I am not sure that there will be much of a speed increase due to the draft, but there is an decrease in engery exerted to gain a certain speed in a pack then solo. So basically you could go faster, but the entire group would also have to go a bit faster, for the most part you are saving energy while drafting.

A person drafting uses 30% less energy than the person pulling. If everyone in the group did a stint at the front at a good effort, you could easily go 6kph/4mph faster and sustain it over a good distance. This is all theory as I only ride solo or occasionally with my brother.

CHEERS.

Mark

Originally posted by Dutchy
A person drafting uses 30% less energy than the person pulling.

Mark

That much?!

Note that the effect of drafting is speed dependent. I would guess that the 30% figure is for a higher speed, like between 35-40 kmh (22-25 mph). For speeds more around 30 kmh (18 mph), 15-20% is more reasonable.

Cheers,
Jamie

Originally posted by webist


That much?!

it is a very noticable difference, when you get near someone's back tire you can actually feel yourself being pulled closer to their bike. it is very beneficial.

Lots!!!

The Pro Pelotons will hold 35+ mph for miles and miles and miles, even the VERY best single time trialists won't "hold them off" unless the leash he's been given is VERY long. The very best EVER, non-aerobar, average speed in a time trial is about 31-32 mph, and I think that was about 25-30 miles, ( Sean Yates).

Ride Faster With Friends
Pat

Well, you can get a big increase in speed by drafting. I did the Intercoastal Century 2 years ago and we had still air and a huge group going WAY TOO FAST. When I could snatch a look at my speedometer (when we were going slow), we were rolling at 26 mph or so. I was back a ways and the front of the peloton was not rotating back so it was nothing but wheel sucking. It did get hairy at times because inexperienced riders would hang on and then blow up and literally ride into the ditch and crash (there were 3 broken collar bones on that ride in less than 200 riders). I decided to hang with the fast group until I ran out of water. That happened at 60 miles. When I stopped I had an avg speed of 24 mph. I probably could have done 20 mph solo but I would have had to work harder than I did on this ride. The drafting effect increases with the speed. At 15 mph, drafting unless there is a huge headwind, is not really going to make a difference. At speeds over 25mph, drafting is going to have a very pronounced effect.

I wonder what would happen if the last two finishers of the 2002 Tour de France rode a tandem in the 2003 race...actually make it the 2004 Tour, I'd prefer to see Lance nail the 5-peat on the Tour's 100th anniversary.


BK