Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

What's the average speed of your road bike?

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

What's the average speed of your road bike?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-18-14, 07:24 AM
  #26  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Haunchyville
Posts: 6,407
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by halfspeed
Why do you ask?
He wants to relocate to the fastest area.

Why buy speed when you can move to speed.
canam73 is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 09:17 AM
  #27  
Bike rider
 
alexaschwanden's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: san jose
Posts: 3,167

Bikes: 2017 Raleigh Clubman

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I like to enjoy the scenery, so about 13-14mph.
alexaschwanden is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 09:27 AM
  #28  
Speechless
 
RollCNY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 8,842

Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times in 16 Posts
I once made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.
RollCNY is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 09:55 AM
  #29  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Tewksbury, MA
Posts: 76

Bikes: Giant TCR, 03 Haro V3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Birthday
I took my road bike over to a different area and checked it again.

Road bike still doing zero.
I have a similar thought whenever I see a bike advertised on CL as "Fast". I want to go visit, push the bike around with my hand and complain that it's no faster than my other bike.

My apologies for not adding anything of value to this thread with that thought. I will try here:

As others have stated, comparing your average speed to others' is a generally a fruitless endeavor. Unless you are riding with a paced group that will be riding at an advertised range of speed. Then it is important to know where you fall in the average speed range so that you don't A) get dropped, or B) get bored with too slow a group.

If you are riding by yourself, then avg speed is just another number. Keep a log and have a known route that you can ride from time to time. Compare the times over the course of time to track progress. However, in order to track progress you must have goals and a plan.
jefft72 is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 09:58 AM
  #30  
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,105 Times in 1,369 Posts
Does this include time the bike spends on top of the car?
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 10:06 AM
  #31  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times in 1,510 Posts
Really slow on any ascent. But like a runaway 18 wheeler going down the other side.

If you want to gain some speed, just reset your bike computer for a different size of tires. You can pick up some good speed or slow down that way!
seypat is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 10:26 AM
  #32  
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
Does this include time the bike spends on top of the car?
It does on Strava, so I'd say yes! Strava is the last word on everything.
wphamilton is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 10:29 AM
  #33  
Senior Member
 
JTGraphics's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 2,678
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Varies greatly depending on the ride, flat, hilly 4-8% grades or extremely hilly and steep! up to 20%
__________________
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
JTGraphics is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 10:35 AM
  #34  
Senior Member
 
IcySmooth52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Portland, ME
Posts: 1,620
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
My overall average is 19.8, and my average ride is ~30 miles. I averaged 18.2 on my last full century.
IcySmooth52 is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 10:37 AM
  #35  
well hello there
 
Nachoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430

Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times in 206 Posts
I average about 25mph. Up hill. I'm that good.
__________________
.
.

Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
Nachoman is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 10:54 AM
  #36  
Senior Member
 
goenrdoug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,416

Bikes: 2019 Supersix Evo, 2002 Trek 2000

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 273 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 32 Posts
2,565 miles
207,000 ft of climbing
14.7 mph average

(as calculated by Veloviewer.com looking at my Strava data for the year for my main bike.)
goenrdoug is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 11:07 AM
  #37  
Solo Rider, always DFL
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beacon, NY
Posts: 2,004

Bikes: Cannondale T800, Schwinn Voyageur

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Birthday
Just checked on my road bike. It's doing a steady zero.
Yours must have the same setup as mine... mine's doing the same speed whenever I check on it.

Overall for the year, I'm averaging I think around 0.05 mph or thereabouts, but I DID get a late start on the season.
superslomo is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 11:09 AM
  #38  
Please Insert Title Here
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have found a difference between my bikes.

My 2015 Z3 (Just picked up Sunday) on my standard morning commute was 17.9 mph this morning (17.7 yesterday & 17.3 on Monday).
My 2014 Z5 (Just traded in Friday) on my standard morning commute was anywhere from 15.5 - 17.2mph
My new Bike Friday PR Pro is right around 17.2mph for the same morning commute.

I use my morning commute as my standard as everything is usually the same, including effort. I wear a backpack with my work clothing, etc. With the temps dropping, I am wearing more gear though.

If I did the same route NOT in commute mode, without a backpack, I would expect to be faster.

I can say that I FEEL faster on my new Z3, the numbers are there, but in actuality, I'm not that much faster.

With all that said, I'm 46 and not a professional rider. I do this for fitness and fun. While I want to get faster, I don't NEED to get faster.

My centuries usually average 15.5 mph for some odd reason. In century mode, I hold back on purpose.
PhotoBiker1968 is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 04:16 PM
  #39  
Senior Member
 
BigJeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 563
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Jens v. Just did a one hour record covering 51k does anyone know fast he rode?
BigJeff is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 04:18 PM
  #40  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 4,770
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 630 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 369 Times in 206 Posts
Originally Posted by BigJeff
Jens v. Just did a one hour record covering 51k does anyone know fast he rode?
51k/hr
Elvo is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 04:56 PM
  #41  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 364
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Elvo
51k/hr
lmao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1H_AlQuzHg

Last edited by wallrat; 09-18-14 at 05:04 PM.
wallrat is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 05:01 PM
  #42  
Senior Member
 
goenrdoug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,416

Bikes: 2019 Supersix Evo, 2002 Trek 2000

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 273 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 32 Posts
Originally Posted by Elvo
51k/hr
No, wait, don't you have to divide by 2 or.. ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhm7-LEBznk
goenrdoug is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 05:07 PM
  #43  
Serious Cyclist
 
Dan333SP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308

Bikes: Emonda SL6

Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times in 99 Posts
In the ~16,400 miles I've logged in the last few years on my phone's GPS cycling app, it says my average speed over that time was 18.45 mph. If you take that number, add 3, and then divide by 0, you'll find out the percentage of relevance that this number has to any qualitative assessment of my riding.

I'm going on a road trip tonight with my bike... anyone know if my bike's average speed will increase while it's mounted on my rack?
Dan333SP is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 05:10 PM
  #44  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 564

Bikes: 1976 Raleigh,2015 Bianchi Intenso, 2012 Specialized Secteur.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Used to be 17 to 19 when I lived on the Gulf Coast where they have gasoline taxes and have some money to pave roads. Now in South Carolina where gas is cheap and all the roads are pig trails it's 15 to 17. The word according Strava,,,,,,,,, and sometimes Map My Ride.
sevenmag is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 05:21 PM
  #45  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Apopka, Florida
Posts: 1,476

Bikes: Santa Cruz Stigmata

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 202 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times in 20 Posts
Originally Posted by jefft72
As others have stated, comparing your average speed to others' is a generally a fruitless endeavor. Unless you are riding with a paced group that will be riding at an advertised range of speed. Then it is important to know where you fall in the average speed range so that you don't A) get dropped, or B) get bored with too slow a group.
I agree with this, if I ride solo I stay pretty much the same and believe I'm giving it my all but if I tag along with a group or get passed like I'm standing still, I suddenly find some hidden power and hang with them so there's always more in the tank.
dvdslw is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 05:31 PM
  #46  
Senior Member
 
WhyFi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520

Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo

Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times in 4,672 Posts
490,000 mi/hr, give or take.
WhyFi is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 05:35 PM
  #47  
Senior Member
 
woodcraft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 6,016
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1814 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 923 Times in 569 Posts
Rolling average, or true average?
woodcraft is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 05:40 PM
  #48  
Serious Cyclist
 
Dan333SP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308

Bikes: Emonda SL6

Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times in 99 Posts
Originally Posted by woodcraft
Rolling average, or true average?
Don't forget the Athlete's Average, which some would argue is the truest gauge of fitness.
Dan333SP is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 05:42 PM
  #49  
Speechless
 
RollCNY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 8,842

Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times in 16 Posts
Originally Posted by Dan333SP
If you take that number, add 3, and then divide by 0, you'll find out the percentage of relevance that this number has to any qualitative assessment of my riding.
Your equation makes average speed infinitely relevant, as division by 0 results in infinity.
RollCNY is offline  
Old 09-18-14, 05:46 PM
  #50  
Serious Cyclist
 
Dan333SP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308

Bikes: Emonda SL6

Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times in 99 Posts
Originally Posted by RollCNY
Your equation makes average speed infinitely relevant, as division by 0 results in infinity.
Exactly. You didn't know that the yellow jersey for the TdF is awarded to the guy with the highest average speed for the distance? Average speed is everything.
Dan333SP is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.