How slow can you go?

[Cyclebum]

How fast is more popular, but how slow is more practical. Talking for climbing that rare 16% or more grade?

As bents have a bad rep for climbing, one of my first test for the TE was exactly that. Found myself a grade up in Arkansas and started spinning. Proved I could wobble uphill at about 3 mph for several hundred feet before stopping to rest. Better than on the DF.

I think I can stay upright on the bent slower than on the DF because I have no fear of falling over.

What has been your experience with bents vs how slow you can move along? Can a lwb be pedaled along slower than a swb and thus climb a steeper grade?

[BlazingPedals]

I can get down to 2.2 or 2.4 mph on a bent, but I can go slower still on an upright. Unless you count putting a hand down and stopping, the upright has the bent beat in that regard.

[JanMM]

Have spent too much time climbing hills at 3mph on our Screamer. Very steady at slow speeds.

[Dudelsack]

Not me. On the Giro (SWB) I'm good only to 5-6 MPH. I feel as wobbly as I did when I was in a ridiculously low gear whilst mountain biking.

[Steamer]

On my Giro, I am ok own to about 4.0. On my Musashi, I am ok down to 2.5 or 3.0 mph. And .0001 on my trikes.

[gcottay]

A steady two or three mph on my SWB Volae Century is easy. Below that I can briefly approximate a track stand with emphasis on both approximation and brevity.

[cranky old dude]

A steady two or three mph on my SWB Volae Century is easy. Below that I can briefly approximate a track stand with emphasis on both approximation and brevity.

+1 here with my Volae Tour.

Not quite as steady on my Tour Easy.

[Peter_C]

On my trike I often go up a hill slower than my computer can register (1.8mph), and I do not even wobble or risk falling

[BlazingPedals]

It goes without saying that trikes don't require balancing at all, and are not included in the query.

[Sayre Kulp]

On my trike I often go up a hill slower than my computer can register (1.8mph), and I do not even wobble or risk falling

And here I thought I was gonna be the wise ass to make that comment!

[dcrowell]

I've only ridden my LWB 'bent, and it gets bad under 3mph. I can grind 2.5mph on an upright.

[tctdvm]

I can do about 3-4mph on the corsa. that's pushing it.

On the Giro 20, with a 24t-32 I could climb my whole 14% hill without activating the speedo... so <2mph

T

[Cyclebum]

On the Giro 20, with a 24t-32 I could climb my whole 14% hill without activating the speedo... so <2mph

Interesting. A buddy recently switched from a Bella to a Giro and noted that slower was easier on the Giro. Maybe the steering is not as twitchy. Very twitchy on the TE @3 mph, least in my hands.

[vic303]

4mph so far on the Giro 26. Big hills are in short supply here, so it's harder for me to judge.

[Dudelsack]

It goes without saying that trikes don't require balancing at all, and are not included in the query.

If it goes without saying, how come you just said it?

I was just wondering.

[BlazingPedals]

If it goes without saying, how come you just said it?

I was just wondering.

Someone was going to say it anyway, so I was just saving time!

[rydabent]

I can take my Stratus down to 3 or 4mph with almost no wobbling at all.

[Northwestrider]

2.5 to 3.0 mph, and usually closer to the 3.0 I'd have to admit

[bent4me]

I drafted off a guy who was walking

[Profgumby]

On my trike I often go up a hill slower than my computer can register (1.8mph), and I do not even wobble or risk falling

This is of great interest to me. I would love a trike and get blasted with the "they are slow" and "you can't climb a hill"

[delcrossv]

About 2 mph on my Ryan Vanguard (slower than walking). It's a very stable bike. I also have an M5 lowracer and it's hard to manage at speeds under , say, 8mph. Seems to be very bike specific for me. The P-38 just isn't that slow up hills

[Jeff Wills]

I rode a supported tour in British Columbia a couple years back that featured 7km of 10 to 15% grade- at the beginning of the ride. My wife and I spent about 2 hours chugging in our lowest gears at 3 to 4 mph. No problem doing it, and the scenery later in the day was worth it. Here's the route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1064945

[raymeedc]

DFs by design are easier to control at low speeds, with such a large percentage of a rider's weight bearing down on the steering wheel. Consequently, Bents are usually lighter & twitchier at very slow speeds.

[Peter_C]

This is of great interest to me. I would love a trike and get blasted with the "they are slow" and "you can't climb a hill"

Most riders *are* 2-3mph slower on a trike than on their bike. You *can* climb a hill, and actually easier and/or steeper, just slower, but since balance is no longer a factor, do you care if you are slower? After having my trike for a 1+yr, I am still pleased with the change. Yes, I am slower, but I can ride many more hours/miles further than I could on my bike. Something to ponder - not for everyone, but if speed is not a critical factor, then trikes can give you everything else.

[vic303]

3.4mph on the Giro26.