Road Cycling - Duh Question

I ride a trek 7100 now. For those that do not know this is a hybrid bike. I picked up 4-5 mph when i bought this bike. Was on an old beater mtn bike. Now I am looking at a road bike, I have ridden a lemond tete de course(SP?) on this bike I found that my top speed was faster and easier to maintian. Besides the obvious weight, posistion, rolling resistance etc. the gain seems out of proportion can anyone shed some light on this? usually on slight climbs on the trek I keep around 15 mph. the same climb on a trek 5200 was more like 28. This seems awesome and way out of proportion to me. just curious. Also how long does it take to shake the feeling you are going over the front wheel?? LOL that was weird.

I ride a trek 7100 now. For those that do not know this is a hybrid bike. I picked up 4-5 mph when i bought this bike. Was on an old beater mtn bike. Now I am looking at a road bike, I have ridden a lemond tete de course(SP?) on this bike I found that my top speed was faster and easier to maintian. Besides the obvious weight, posistion, rolling resistance etc. the gain seems out of proportion can anyone shed some light on this? usually on slight climbs on the trek I keep around 15 mph. the same climb on a trek 5200 was more like 28. This seems awesome and way out of proportion to me. just curious. Also how long does it take to shake the feeling you are going over the front wheel?? LOL that was weird.

I can't answer that, but I hope it is consistent! I ride a Trek beater right now and am going to probably buy a 5200 next spring. I hope I gain that much speed!

There are reasons, of course. The 5200 is a lot lighter, the components are better, the wheels are much better suited to road cycling, and you were probably pumped!

I can't answer that, but I hope it is consistent! I ride a Trek beater right now and am going to probably buy a 5200 next spring. I hope I gain that much speed!

There are reasons, of course. The 5200 is a lot lighter, the components are better, the wheels are much better suited to road cycling, and you were probably pumped!


I imagine i was pumped riding the trek alright it is sweet and LIGHT. The 7100 is aluminium so the carbon was a much smoother ride as well.

Porkins,

have you calibrated the speedometer? if so, a 13 mph increase on a slight climb is honkingly good.

On a somewhat related note: I road a new Specialized S-Works E5 road today. It was absoultely silent.... Just the wind and tire noise. I think I need a new bike.

I have to agree with smoothie, is the speedometer calibrated for the right tire size? Almost doubling your average on a hill is a lot!

Porkins,

have you calibrated the speedometer? if so, a 13 mph increase on a slight climb is honkingly good.

On a somewhat related note: I road a new Specialized S-Works E5 road today. It was absoultely silent.... Just the wind and tire noise. I think I need a new bike.
ha ha the speedo on mine was installed and all that noise by the lbs by the watch seems to be accurate. as far as the one that was on the 5200? who knows??

isn't the lack of noise on a new ride weird?

No , the lack of noise is a good thing on any ride, old or new.:D

I tried using my xc mtb on one of my routes (roadbike routes -- highway), just a few minutes ago.

The experience was cool.. here's what I have found out.

Total Distance: 26km
Road: Very smooth asphalt road (highway)
Traffic: light, high speed; 100kmh speed limit(cars)
Weather: slight headwind, cloudy, cool (about 28 deg C).

Roadbike
Gearing: 52T-42T. 12T-23TCassette; didn't have the chance to use the big ring.
Wheels/Tires: 700c, 700x23C Maxxis
weight: 18.5lbs
Top speed: 46kmh
Ave speed: 32kmh
Fun Level: Excellent :)


MTB (hardtail)
Gearing:44-32-22T. 11-32TCassette
Wheels/Tires: 26", 26x2.1 WTB NanoRaptor
Weight: 26lbs
Top speed: 35kmh
Ave speed: 23kmh
Fun Level: Good workout; won't be taking this route again on this bike... ;)

Anyway, this numbers seem to be correct..

I tried using my xc mtb on one of my routes (roadbike routes -- highway), just a few minutes ago.

The experience was cool.. here's what I have found out.

Total Distance: 26km
Road: Very smooth asphalt road (highway)
Traffic: light, high speed; 100kmh speed limit(cars)
Weather: slight headwind, cloudy, cool (about 28 deg C).

Roadbike
Gearing: 52T-42T. 12T-23TCassette; didn't have the chance to use the big ring.
Wheels/Tires: 700c, 700x23C Maxxis
weight: 18.5lbs
Top speed: 46kmh
Ave speed: 32kmh
Fun Level: Excellent :)


MTB (hardtail)
Gearing:44-32-22T. 11-32TCassette
Wheels/Tires: 26", 26x2.1 WTB NanoRaptor
Weight: 26lbs
Top speed: 35kmh
Ave speed: 23kmh
Fun Level: Good workout; won't be taking this route again on this bike... ;)

Anyway, this numbers seem to be correct..


I am FLATTERED I asked a duh question dexmax does some reasearch! you guys are great! I am seriously going to get a roadie asap! the decision becomes do i buy a classic steel frame and build it to suit or buy a flashy new bike already assembled?? descions descions LOL.

I am FLATTERED I asked a duh question dexmax does some reasearch! you guys are great! I am seriously going to get a roadie asap! the decision becomes do i buy a classic steel frame and build it to suit or buy a flashy new bike already assembled?? descions descions LOL.

The best advice is research. Of course, after you determine your budget. Personally, I have looked into custom bikes and have found that while they are attractive, to get what I want I have to spend more than my budget.

However, if I buy a ready-made, I can get more for my money. Plus, there is also the factor of buying locally for better customer service.

I am FLATTERED I asked a duh question dexmax does some reasearch! you guys are great! I am seriously going to get a roadie asap! the decision becomes do i buy a classic steel frame and build it to suit or buy a flashy new bike already assembled?? descions descions LOL.

You're giving me too much credit :) :) :D :D ;)

Well, I ride a classic geometry CrMo frame + carbon fork. 105/ultegra mix. The ride is great. bumps and vibrations are absprbed well by the frame and fork..

Going from 15 mph to 28 is not likely, assuming about the same effort, no matter how good the bike is. My guess is that the computer on the Lemond was registering and displaying 28 kph or about 17 mph.

More of a "Doh!" than a duh.

Computer needs to be set up correctly. The bike doesn't make that much of a difference. It makes a difference, sure, but not that much.

I think RainmanP might have the answer for you there. Expect to see a difference, but not quite that much.

I think RainmanP might have the answer for you there. Expect to see a difference, but not quite that much.
That is possible I never looked to see if the thing was in kph or mph i just rode. Now i feel like quoting home simpson DOH!!!

On a somewhat related note: I road a new Specialized S-Works E5 road today. It was absoultely silent.... Just the wind and tire noise. I think I need a new bike.


SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!