adamant

i am 5'10'' and weight 270 ,i have a trek 7200 that i been riding for a year now .we did a 25 mile ride today and one thing i noticed was that the other riders with the 100% road biked took off from a stop and with in a few strokes they where almost out of site.. i under stand that they are in shape and been riding sometime but there was some guys there that where bid as me and they had the same "pick up and go" could it be the bike? or will my bike do the same thing there bike do but i need more time on it..?

flip18436572

Yes and no. Yes, road bikes are faster, but it really doesn't take much time to get my road bike, comfort or mountain bike up to 15 mph. Much easier to keep the road bike above 15 mph than the others. I think it depends upon the person. I can get up to speed quickly, but my wife takes time to get to speed. Each person is different in how they ride, just like some people climb hills much better than others.

bill_pfaff

I'm with you, or at least was. I have a Trek 7300 and I'm having a real hard time breaking a 13 MPH average on a 20 mile trip. My son just bought a Trek 1.2 and I got to ride it. Talk about a world of differance. I hit 17 MPH and wasn't even breathing hard. I think our bikes just aren't made for that kind of speed but I wish more people would respond to this to see if it is us or it is truly the bikes.

flip18436572

My comfort bike is similar to the 7200. Can I get up to speed exactly the same on that bike compared to my road bike? The answer is no. Does it take me two hundred feet more? Again, the answer is no.

What do you mean by out of site in a few strokes? Clearly that can't happen, unless you have poor vision, or they turned a corner very shortly after taking off. Were they 5 or 10 bike lengths in front of you? What gear were you leaving from a dead stop? Some people like to leave in Granny gear and others want to be more towards a 4 to have some power. It also depends upon where you start to pedal from. Do you use clipless pedals and shoes?

jtgotsjets

yes you are on the wrong bike

Pamestique 

Nine times out of ten its technique... not the bike. I have a beautiful expensive road bike and my buddies on less expensive bikes can beat me off a light. One) I always forget to down shift before a light so my take off gear is too big and frankly 2) I am just not that quick. If that is important to you, practice starting and exceleration. It will come with time.

Mr. Beanz

Remember, half the time riders are showing off. I was on a ride (25 riders) where the first mile was at 26 mph. I was 100 yards behind EVERYONE thinking I should have stayed home in bed.

10 miles down the road only 5 other riders could hold my wheel doing 18 mph!

I've seen it a thousand times!

I say yes, a bike can make a difference but training is the biggest factor. I have 275 lb buddy that makes fajitas out of some 150 lb roadies.