Originally Posted by Choccy
How do you people hit 50+ on these bikes. I've hit 39-40 on 1.10x26 slicks with 44x11 gears on a very long downhill but couldn't pedal anymore. I remember a similar thread about how gast you ride on the flat and some of the speeds people came out with meant that they rode 20% faster than Lance has ever ridden. I think you all need to check your computers.
I've hit over 55MPH twice
First, I was coming down nice long fairly steep hills both times.
Second, I was riding my low, very aerodynamic recumbent.
I max out pedaling a little over 40MPH on a down hill, with a 53x11 gear on a 26x1 tire. Beyond that I have to let gravity do the work.
If you are riding a 26x1 then I can guess it is an MTB style bike. Even crouched down these are very poor aerodynamically due to an upright riding position an wide handlebar. A road bike in the tuck position is much more aero and my previously mentioned recumbent is much better than that. In both cases I hit my high speeds the hills were steep but not so steep you couldn't ride up it at a good pace. I imagine most cyclists who have hit 50+ on a road bike have been coming down some crazy steep hills to do so.
Craig