Hi, I just got a 2013 Raleigh Hybrid and it was around $400 when it came out. Before that I have a 1991 Trek 830 Mtb.
According to this article
It is 32lbs. The 2013 Raleigh is 26lbs. How much sppeed improvement can i expected to see theoretically? and practically?
Before i got the bike i usually go from home to bus stops about 2 miles. Whats you guys average commute speed? I know that Google maps is calculated at 10/mph-hills.
I have done 12 mile round trip and my speed closely matched Google maps. speed.
1. My bike has triple chaining and 7 speed. Would it be better to have compact crankset 50-34 to avoid cross chaining. Is it really big no-no to pedal 48x28. I mean 2nd chaining(38 seems much slower like only half speed).

Vuelta Corsa Comp 50T/34T SQ 110/BCD Crankset ( Fits square taper 110mm bottom bracket )

is $36 from Amazon. Can i put it on my bike? Would it be much harder to pedal than 48-38-28 crankset?
Thank you, any comments are appreciated.

I wouldn't change a thing for now. The hybrid will feel faster but the difference will probably be no more than 1 mph ave. I would enjoy the lighter bike more!

oh~~~NO~~~~. When the first guy said 1 mph I said to myself 'No, you are wrong'. I even got the Sella Italia Flight Gel Titanium Saddle( i have paid $20. But i thought about securing with bicycle chain). Well if that's the case I might need a ebike like Copenhagen Wheel or Electron Wheel.

If you ran knobby tires on the Trek 830, and there are slick tires on the Raleigh hybrid, you'll do a little better than 1 mph average. If they both have slick tires, the average speed difference will be minimal.

It is the stop lights/signs that kill averages.

In my many decades of commuting, I have not found average speeds to vary significantly no matter what bike I ride (from 50+ pound loaded commuting bike, to 20 lb single speed). Tires, road surface, traffic, intersections all have more effect than bike. My recommendation is to ride the new bike for a few months before you start to make changes. Once you become familiar with it's function and performance, you will be in a better place to make good decisions.

+1

I have three bikes (OCD weight stats here)


My MTB based commuter is 6lbs heavier than my new steel commuter. The difference in in average speed from lightest to heaviest under ideal conditions is about 1 MPH. So a 13.5 mph average speed versus a 12.5 mph average speed over a 9 mile commute should translate to 40 minutes at 13.5mph vs 43 minutes at 12.5 mph...


Three minutes faster rolling time.


But total ride times are longer by 5 to 10 minutes or more due to traffic conditions. Then you add to the equation diet, fatigue levels, weather (wind, heat, rain, snow), all which make bigger differences than weight. Three inches of snow, which is my practical limit can double my commute times.


In my decades of experience, the three biggest factors in commuting speed are route choice, tire choice and riding position.


Sometimes a longer route can be be faster due to less traffic and fewer cross streets.


Here in hilly Colorado Springs a longer route may circumvent hills, or substitute a short aggressive climb for a long, gradual rise.


Smooth, supple-sidewall tires have proven faster than firm tires and especially treaded tires (like MTB tires). And a more aggressive, less upright position makes a big difference.


Infact, my heaviest bike is my fastest on the flat sections, due to taller gearing and especially aero bars. I'm running 26x1.85 slicks and they are the fastest tires I've ever had on that bike in 21 years. Even faster than the 1.5 firmer slicks. They just don't feel fast because they're "cushy".


Bottom line...


Tires, riding position, and route choice make a bigger difference in total ride time for me...and it's not much of a difference.

I didn't want op to think he bought the new bike for no reason, my estimate of one mph improvement was based on the new bike being more fun! I ride three different bikes on my commute depending on my mood and there isn't much difference. My three speed slows me down on the hills coming home some days.