Originally Posted by
Trackr
So why get a road bike? Might as well get a cushy 29" mountain bike if it's all the same.
Has to be the rider. I have and have had a lot of bikes, and not a one of them has gone anywhere at any speed without a rider.
I'd like to know which Cannondale the OP rides? And also, what are his/her goals? is this an academic question, or is the OP seriously about to embark on a program to increase his/her speed, and if so, how far is s/he going to take it?
As far as perceived speed increases, lighter wheels and tires allow quicker acceleration, which makes a bike "feel" faster, though in terms of top end, pretty much nada. Hard skinny tires Might decrease rolling resistance, but there is a lot of debate there.
Some tires offer a lot less rolling resistance than others, but not so much that you would Be much faster, just maybe would Feel a little faster taking off and speeding up.
Aero actually increases top end, but unless you are hitting 25 mph on the flats regularly the difference is negligible. And there is a website which says the important thing is matching actual tire width to actual rim width (that 23-mm tire might actually be 24.5 mm wide, and if it wider than the rim, Huge aero loss!!)
For the people who really want to squeeze the last few inches per hour out of their machines, these are the things they look at.
Most riders would gain a Lot more speed by using a regimented training program designed to maximize gas transfer, circulation, and in-ride recovery. At the very least you need to get a power meter and a bunch of ride-analysis software to figure out how to make the most of the power you do produce, and also how to produce more.
Going really fast on a bike is a pretty advanced science. And to really max out, you have to be prepared to make a lot of sacrifices.
Easy answer, I guess, is to buy an aero frame with really light wheels, spend a lot of money of lightweight components, and upgrade constantly. That will make the Bike faster---or at least increase its performance potential.
The most important thing of course, is wearing the right kit when you pull up at the cafe.
Having fun is for losers. If you are enjoying the ride you aren't trying. Push 'til you puke or park it and watch the "real" riders go by. You know, the ones with the right logos on their gear.
