Old 04-19-15 | 07:34 PM
  #24  
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rm -rf
don't try this at home.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,218
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From: N. KY
It takes a lot more power to go just a little faster.

With the same riding position, it takes 50% more power to go from 14 mph to 16.5 mph.

See the default settings on this bike speed calculator. 85 watts is 14 mph, 128 watts (50% more) is 16.5 mph. Or 200 watts at 19.7 mph, 300 watts is just 22.9 mph.

I think riders go faster due to being more efficient and developing more power. Their pedal stroke gets smoother, and the muscles and cardio used in pedaling adapt to the long, steady power output.

Getting more aero can really help. Riding in the drops can boost your speed 1 mph or more. And sitting in the draft on group rides is a huge difference.

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Cross chaining.

I mostly try to avoid cross chaining the last two gears, but I don't hesitate to ride fully cross chained if it makes sense to go there temporarily. And at least a couple of times on each ride, I'm not paying attention, and end up cross chained anyway, only finding out when I try to shift one more cog.

My small chainring - small cog cross chain does make the chain tick against the pickup pins on the big chainring. That's annoying.

Last edited by rm -rf; 04-19-15 at 07:40 PM.
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