How fast do you cruise?
05-07-12, 03:15 PM
#28
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1: For short bursts I've hit 27-28mph on the flats. I can hold that for probably 20-30 seconds
2: Depends on the distance. If I'm riding somewhere without too many traffic lights and junctions I like to maintain 15-16mph over 30-40 miles
3: No idea. It's a 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport with a rack on the back. I'm sure you can Google it as easily as I can
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05-07-12, 03:40 PM
#29
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I bought my first, cheap road bike for $70 out of some guy's backyard a few months ago. It's made out of 1010 mild steel and feels about as heavy as my old mountain bike, if not heavier!
Two days ago I tested out my max speed: 26mph. A little disappointed, hoping for at least 30 on a road bike! I cruise comfortably at about 15mph.
I want to be able to comfortably cruise a little over 20mph, which requires a little higher max speed, huh? So,
1) How fast can you guys sprint?
2) What speed do you cruise at? and
3) How heavy are your bikes?
Thanks! -Michael
Two days ago I tested out my max speed: 26mph. A little disappointed, hoping for at least 30 on a road bike! I cruise comfortably at about 15mph.
I want to be able to comfortably cruise a little over 20mph, which requires a little higher max speed, huh? So,
1) How fast can you guys sprint?
2) What speed do you cruise at? and
3) How heavy are your bikes?
Thanks! -Michael
05-07-12, 04:21 PM
#30
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Just FYI, around 1997 most road bikes started coming with "power dials" that let the riders select their power level. At that time, 400 watts for an hour was pretty high end. Now, you can get over 600 on the nicer carbon frames, letting you cruise at 26mph+ on the flats without raising your heart rate at all. Sadly, your older bike was built before these helpful controls, so you're SOL. You'll see many references on this board to "dialing it up" to a certain power for a length of time, that is what those riders are referring to.
05-07-12, 05:21 PM
#31
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I average around 16.5 MPH solo, not counting stops which I do just for the heck of it if I come across a lake, and make up for it by interval training the last 1/4 of the ride. It's amazing how much wind does really make a difference. I'll get down to 12MPH with a headwind... there are not trees out here so most days have head and tail winds.
When I'm on the ozaukee interurban trail in WI while visiting the father I'm treated to having trees lining the path through 2/3 or more of the route, now that's a treat.
I let me legs tell me when I'm going about where I should be... just fast enough to enduce some pain and fatigue without going overboard...straddling the fine line... until the last 1/4 then I beat on those legs.
When I'm on the ozaukee interurban trail in WI while visiting the father I'm treated to having trees lining the path through 2/3 or more of the route, now that's a treat.
I let me legs tell me when I'm going about where I should be... just fast enough to enduce some pain and fatigue without going overboard...straddling the fine line... until the last 1/4 then I beat on those legs.
Last edited by dissident; 05-07-12 at 05:25 PM.
05-07-12, 06:49 PM
#32
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I can cruise steady state at 11.753426 mph, with a 20 mph head wind, I cruise at 13.7896354847463636 mph with a 20 mph tail wind.
Plot, curve fit and you can extrapolate the rest of the data.
or for god's sake just ride, who the f care what other's ride at.
Plot, curve fit and you can extrapolate the rest of the data.
or for god's sake just ride, who the f care what other's ride at.
05-07-12, 06:51 PM
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05-07-12, 09:23 PM
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32-35 on a sprint - only 5-10 second hold at that speed. I've almost hit 40 on a flat with a crazy tail wind.m
I typically always ride 18+mph on flats and no wind. 20-22mph for 10-15 miles burns out my legs but my cardio is fine.
I think my bike is +/- 17 lbs but as others have said for high speed crusing I don't think weight of the bike would matter at all. I weigh 220.
I typically always ride 18+mph on flats and no wind. 20-22mph for 10-15 miles burns out my legs but my cardio is fine.
I think my bike is +/- 17 lbs but as others have said for high speed crusing I don't think weight of the bike would matter at all. I weigh 220.
05-07-12, 09:57 PM
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My FTP just crept over 300 watts
On a flat, smooth road with no wind, down on the drops as aero as poss that translates to about 25mph for 1 hour. However I wouldn't call that cruising, its more of a 1 hour death ride.
If you want a cruising speed, you have to specify the time period that you cruise for.
On a flat, smooth road with no wind, down on the drops as aero as poss that translates to about 25mph for 1 hour. However I wouldn't call that cruising, its more of a 1 hour death ride.
If you want a cruising speed, you have to specify the time period that you cruise for.
05-07-12, 09:59 PM
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I've reached 55mph. On FLAT road. I know that sounds like BS. So here's my proof:
https://youtu.be/LYTR8jKUIaY
https://youtu.be/LYTR8jKUIaY
05-07-12, 10:03 PM
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I can only bring my sprint up to 29mph, 31 on a good day. But, I haven't trained specifically to increase my sprint yet.
In a flat, with no wind, I'd have no trouble riding 20mph for 50 such miles. Possibly 22-23mph if I really dropped the hammer. (I'll be riding in completely flat conditions soon, so I'll know for sure in the next week)
My bike is about 19-20 pounds with the seatbag. I'm about 135-140lbs at 5"8'.
Evidence for my claims:
In a flat, with no wind, I'd have no trouble riding 20mph for 50 such miles. Possibly 22-23mph if I really dropped the hammer. (I'll be riding in completely flat conditions soon, so I'll know for sure in the next week)
My bike is about 19-20 pounds with the seatbag. I'm about 135-140lbs at 5"8'.
Evidence for my claims:
Last edited by Zei; 05-07-12 at 10:09 PM.
05-07-12, 10:13 PM
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I've reached 55mph. On FLAT road. I know that sounds like BS. So here's my proof:
https://youtu.be/LYTR8jKUIaY
https://youtu.be/LYTR8jKUIaY
true. and what's cruising? is it zone 2 (probably), zone 3, ?
05-07-12, 10:40 PM
#40
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I usually sprint in the low 30's (my sprint is pitiful)
My cruising speed on flat roads with little to no wind is around 22-25mph
My bike weighs in at 17ish with bottles, cages, and pedals.
My cruising speed on flat roads with little to no wind is around 22-25mph
My bike weighs in at 17ish with bottles, cages, and pedals.
05-08-12, 12:05 AM
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1) 30 max (assuming no wind), if there's headwind I usually cap at 25-26mph
2) 14-15 with wind and 18 without
3) 22 lbs
2) 14-15 with wind and 18 without
3) 22 lbs
05-08-12, 05:26 AM
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Where the hell are all of these perfectly flat with no wind places? I need to get there so I find out how fast I cruise.
05-08-12, 06:17 AM
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Let me check with my e-Wang-o-meter. BRB.
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05-08-12, 06:19 AM
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average ~17.5 over 39mi with 3,000 ft elevation gain + stoplights. fully charged set of legs, top sprint probably about 35.
05-08-12, 08:21 AM
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05-08-12, 08:25 AM
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I know you're getting razzed but here are honest answers, assuming flat and no wind.
1. Sprint: mid to upper 30's for a very short time, my sprint sucks.
2. Cruise: 21-23 mph for up to about 2 hours.
3. Weight: about 15 lbs.
When I started I was about 12 mph. Then I was happy when I regularly cruised at 15 mph after a few months of riding. Now, 5 years later, my average speed doesn't really climb anymore as going from 22 mph to 25 mph is a big difference for a significant time (1 hour +).
1. Sprint: mid to upper 30's for a very short time, my sprint sucks.
2. Cruise: 21-23 mph for up to about 2 hours.
3. Weight: about 15 lbs.
When I started I was about 12 mph. Then I was happy when I regularly cruised at 15 mph after a few months of riding. Now, 5 years later, my average speed doesn't really climb anymore as going from 22 mph to 25 mph is a big difference for a significant time (1 hour +).
My FTP is close to 300 watts, and I would consider it a great day if I could hold 21mph for 2 hours with no draft and on a road (not TT) bike.
05-08-12, 08:29 AM
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now the wind, that part we have covered.
I've ridden maybe 5 times this year with wind below 12 mph, and only once when it was truly calm.
05-08-12, 08:34 AM
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1) Not really sure, never really tried recording my max speed, but I can easily hit 30mph
2) I can sustain 19-21mph for a while on flats, the problem is that it's kinda hard to find flat places around here.
3) 21-22lbs
2) I can sustain 19-21mph for a while on flats, the problem is that it's kinda hard to find flat places around here.
3) 21-22lbs
05-08-12, 09:22 AM
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Maximum sprint: Just over 30 mph (on a rare calm day)
Last week cruising: Worked hard to maintain 8 mph into the wind. Was pretty worn out when I turned around, but still able to easily cruise at 32+ mph. So ... 2 hrs into the wind, then in less than 30 minutes you're back home.
Bike wt: Just guessing -- 17 lbs.
05-08-12, 09:22 AM
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If you could actually 'cruise' at 23mph for 2 hours without a draft without stopping and presumably without aero helmet or aero wheels, you win outright win almost all AG triathlon races short of a Ironman distance race, and that includes a good number of competitive cyclist crossovers in that mix. Just sayin'.