20 mph on a bike..
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 1,834
Bikes: 05 Trek 5200, 07 Trek 520, 99 GT Karakoram, 08 Surly 1X1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A couple weeks back my mom was telling me how she and her brother (my uncle) used to ride a lot as teenagers. She said that she could do about 35 mph on flat ground but she was slow because she had a mountain bike with fat tires. Her brother had a road bike with skinny tires so he could ride a lot faster, more like 45 mph. I just said, "No mom, you did not ride that fast."
Go back and apologize. Tell her you wish someday you could ride as fast as her! lol
No way can I average 20 on my heavy commuter with a load.
On my roadie I have a 20 mile after-work route (when not commuting) that I average 17.
But I'm old.
#53
I am a caffine girl
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,815
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I use it only on downhill runs. I have a friend drive me and my bike to the top. I suspect that average will be higher this summer as I hope to take it to the ski slope.
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Boise, ID.
Posts: 1,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
LOL... In my case, the Giant came with a flat bar. I thought having a hybrid was the greatest thing as I used it for commuting, touring, recreational, and could somewhat keep up with some of the roadies. Then when I started playing around with some drop bars, I remember how much fun they were. Now, the bike is drop bar converted, but it served amazingly well as a flatbar (w/ extenders) road bike for much of the usual stuff.
Now that I know better though, I prefer drops on my "ride everywhere" bikes, if only to fight headwinds.
All that being said, on my drop-bar motobecane, its not unusual for me to cruise along @ 20mph.
#55
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
Actually, I paid attention on the way home this evening, and I think the answer is "yes." Every time that I was on a flat or even a mild incline, and I looked down, I was going in excess of 20 MPH, and I am riding with a chest cold right now. There was no significant wind today. My average for the trip was 17.2, but that's because the last 40% of my ride is on gravel road, badly potholed and with constant up/down hills.
Typically I'd be going 22 on the flat, 20.x on a slight incline, drop to about 17 on bigger inclines, and down to the range for 12 to 14 for actual hills.
And I'm not really trying to go fast, I'm just clocking along at what seems comfortable and sustainable.
Typically I'd be going 22 on the flat, 20.x on a slight incline, drop to about 17 on bigger inclines, and down to the range for 12 to 14 for actual hills.
And I'm not really trying to go fast, I'm just clocking along at what seems comfortable and sustainable.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#56
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 87
Bikes: KHS Urban Express
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Since I've started commuting I've been wanting to go faster and faster, on the flats and the inclines, which is why I asked. I don't have a computer on my bike and have been figuring out my average speed using the "dirt" formula. As for sustained, I really meant the whole ride. I should have worded it better. This morning I averaged 15mph, and its usually anywhere between 13-15. I felt like I was doing at least 20 on a slight downhill, I just tucked a bit and sprinted. I didn't last very long and my legs were killing me for the minute or two it took to recover. But all and all it was pretty cool.
The bike I have is the KHS Urban Express with 700c x 32 tires. Its the fastest bike I've ever owned. (only 24) And I really can't wait to get a bike with drop bars. I used to go to and from school on a MTB, but after the 3 or 4 miles it took to get there I was soaked. On this bike I can travel the 17 miles it takes to get to work, be just as sweaty, but not as tired.
Jeremy, Memphis is like Chicago in the urban setting but with way worse drivers. There might be more cars and people in Chicago but people here don't know how to drive.
The bike I have is the KHS Urban Express with 700c x 32 tires. Its the fastest bike I've ever owned. (only 24) And I really can't wait to get a bike with drop bars. I used to go to and from school on a MTB, but after the 3 or 4 miles it took to get there I was soaked. On this bike I can travel the 17 miles it takes to get to work, be just as sweaty, but not as tired.
Jeremy, Memphis is like Chicago in the urban setting but with way worse drivers. There might be more cars and people in Chicago but people here don't know how to drive.
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,894
Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone 7, Jamis Sputnik
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't have a speedo on my bike, but I track my commute sometimes with my phone gps and 'my tracks' app. My average 'moving speed' to work seems to be in the 16-18mph range (around 13 miles one way), with the occasional max speed of around 30-32. I think if it were all flat with no lights, a close to 20mph average would be possible.
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Detroit
Posts: 61
Bikes: kona smoke, POS Heinz 57
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
when i first started commuting, i was really bummed i couldn't get over 15 mph (huffin' and a puffin'). after a few months (4 or 5), i could sustain 18 mph easy. my lungs and legs had caught up with what i was doing, and all was well. i'm on a fixed gear bike where 90rpm is 19.4mph. pushing hard i'm in the low to mid twenties. if, and i say //if// everything is perfect, i can easily sustain 25+ with a nice tail wind. that's all on flat ground. i max out at around 30mph downhill. 'can't pedal any faster.
i would like to get a road bike with bigger gear selection, to see what i can do.
i would like to get a road bike with bigger gear selection, to see what i can do.
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,952
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Trust me - almost all members of racing clubs, if plopped onto a mtn bike with 2" knobbies would easily be able to hold 20mph for a long, long time solo on a flat. Not easily, but it wouldn't be incredibly difficult for them.
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 854
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Miyata 310 (conversion)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I average around 16-18mph on my Surly Cross-Check with 1x9 gearing and loaded pannier for sustained periods in average varying terrain. If i was out in a flat area on my fixed gear with flat bars, no wind I think I could sustain 20mph for a few miles. But those are never realistic conditions
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 794
Bikes: 1997 Schwinn Searcher GS, 2007 Dahon Curve D3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you like the Urban Express otherwise, why not just put drop bars on it? I guess it might be expensive, hardware-wise, but still much less than a new bike.
#62
Flying Under the Radar
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Northeast PA
Posts: 4,116
Bikes: 10' SuperiorLite SL Club | 06' Giant FCR3 | 2010 GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You talk like we have notoriously good drivers here. My experience from going to TN is that drivers are a lot more polite there.
If you like the Urban Express otherwise, why not just put drop bars on it? I guess it might be expensive, hardware-wise, but still much less than a new bike.
If you like the Urban Express otherwise, why not just put drop bars on it? I guess it might be expensive, hardware-wise, but still much less than a new bike.
#63
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 87
Bikes: KHS Urban Express
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sorry just speaking from my experiences. I can deal with Chicago traffic alot better than Memphis traffic highway wise. People seem really suicidal here.
#64
Share the road.
If, and I mean if, I reach 20mph during my commute, I am overjoyed. I aspired to average just under 20mph with my CrossxCheck, but the Big Dummy doesn't get up there that much. It does much faster after removing the winter studs.
#65
Perineal Pressurized
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: In Ebritated
Posts: 6,555
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
__________________
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
#66
Senior Member
I tried to keep up with some cute young thing cranking along on a road bike yesterday when I was on my commuter/mtb, and I could barely do it. She didn't seem to be an experienced rider but it was all I could do to keep up with her. On my road bike I'd have easily blown past her, not that I would.
#67
Hot in China
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: China
Posts: 961
Bikes: Giant Lava
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I ge3nerally sit on 32 - 35 kmph, about 20 - 22 mph, unles I have a headwind.
My record ride to work for my 12.4 km was with an average of just a tad over 32kph.
I ride a cheap Giant mtb, with 1.95 tyres, rack, guards, two locks and a backpack.
z
My record ride to work for my 12.4 km was with an average of just a tad over 32kph.
I ride a cheap Giant mtb, with 1.95 tyres, rack, guards, two locks and a backpack.
z
#68
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 794
Bikes: 1997 Schwinn Searcher GS, 2007 Dahon Curve D3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
{regarding 20 mph average}
Originally Posted by dobber
Well it was in a headwind with loaded panniers.
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 737
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I lack a computer, but imagine than I can get up to 20 on the flats, if not a little higher. I usually ride a drop bar touring bike, but when it was in the shop earlier this year, I borrowed a flat bar, and actually found it faster (it had an aluminum frame, higher pressure tires). Harsher ride quality, though, and I don't know how far I could keep it up...there's not that many places I regularly ride that I can just open up for more than a few blocks at a time, and when I do longer rides I'm more concerned about endurance than speed.
#71
Unlisted member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,192
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times
in
297 Posts
I can get going that fast, but can't maintain it for long. Partly because I'd get tired, but partly due to traffic, cross streets, pedestrians, dogs, potholes and the other stuff that makes my riding interesting.
#73
.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times
in
12 Posts
[QUOTE=JeremyZ;10861014]You talk like we have notoriously good drivers here. My experience from going to TN is that drivers are a lot more polite there.
If you like the Urban Express otherwise, why not just put drop bars on it? I guess it might be expensive, hardware-wise, but still much less than a new bike.[/QUOTE]
the drivers in memphis have to be some of the worst in the entire lower 48.
they suck. and suck hard.
If you like the Urban Express otherwise, why not just put drop bars on it? I guess it might be expensive, hardware-wise, but still much less than a new bike.[/QUOTE]
the drivers in memphis have to be some of the worst in the entire lower 48.
they suck. and suck hard.
#74
Senior Member
i've worked my way up in the last month to being able to push 20mph for a mile now on my gary fisher kaitai on schwalbe marathon cross 700x38 tires, which have a pretty decent knobby pattern on them. i figure i can get to where i can push it for 2+ miles within the next week or so.
#75
curmudgineer
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chicago SW burbs
Posts: 4,417
Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 263 Post(s)
Liked 112 Times
in
70 Posts
My commute is over 12 miles 1 way address to address according to Googlemaps, probably closer to 13 miles start to stop (since I park my bike some distance in from the front gate at work).
I ride road bikes, on the drops most (~80%) of the way.
If my elapsed time start to stop is >40min, that is typically due to adverse wind or other circumstance (laziness being one possibility).
I ride road bikes, on the drops most (~80%) of the way.
If my elapsed time start to stop is >40min, that is typically due to adverse wind or other circumstance (laziness being one possibility).