What is a good speed?
08-05-14, 01:36 PM
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08-05-14, 02:23 PM
#127
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Before being incredulous about these numbers, or any posted by folks outside of the USA, remember that they speak in Km/hr, not mph.
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08-05-14, 03:58 PM
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08-05-14, 04:47 PM
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"Hitting" 30 mph, as in achieving a peak speed of 30 mph is one thing. That requires about 580w for me (assuming 178cm/75kg rider on flat ground, no wind). Hitting 36 mph is another thing. That requires about 975w for me. Maintaining 975w for a "few minutes," which I take to mean at least 120 seconds, is otherworldly.
08-05-14, 04:55 PM
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I'm sorry, I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt before my BS meter hit the end of the scale. But 30mph under power on level ground is NOT easy even for a short while for people who are only slightly in shape. And sustaining it for any length of time is a serious achievement limited to those in the best of condition.
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08-05-14, 06:14 PM
#131
Bike rider
On my road bike I usually do about 13-15 mph on long rides, and on my mtn bike about 9-12mph.
08-06-14, 02:51 AM
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I'm sorry, I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt before my BS meter hit the end of the scale. But 30mph under power on level ground is NOT easy even for a short while for people who are only slightly in shape. And sustaining it for any length of time is a serious achievement limited to those in the best of condition.
08-06-14, 09:53 PM
#133
contiuniously variable
Clearly this is a good speed.
- Andy
08-07-14, 10:08 AM
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My average daily commute on my loaded FX is 12-15 mph, depending on traffic and weather, I am one of those fortunate commuters that has head winds going to work and they so kindly shift so I have them when I head home. When I started commuting it was about 10-11. I don't really care though I just enjoy riding.
08-07-14, 02:22 PM
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I usually average anywhere from 12-16 mph average during my 17 mile commute. Not too worried about the speed, but rather that I make the commute in one piece.
08-07-14, 05:11 PM
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As caloso posted, even hitting 30 mph requires a rider to be able to put out about 6-700W for any decent-sized cyclist. That's about one horsepower. And you have to get yourself up to that speed from, say, 18 mph. So you have to put out one horsepower or so for a good while - 20-30 seconds, probably.
30 mph is NOT something cyclists can easily hit, despite rampant braggadocio.
Sustaining 30 mph or even faster for any decent length of time is even harder.
Yeah, a lot of people go faster. Downhill or downwind, usually. Even just a 5 mph/8 kph tailwind reduces the power needed to go 30 mph from 6-700W down to 400-450W.
But on level ground? Without a tailwind? You ain't doing 30 mph for long, if at all.
30 mph is NOT something cyclists can easily hit, despite rampant braggadocio.
Sustaining 30 mph or even faster for any decent length of time is even harder.
Yeah, a lot of people go faster. Downhill or downwind, usually. Even just a 5 mph/8 kph tailwind reduces the power needed to go 30 mph from 6-700W down to 400-450W.
But on level ground? Without a tailwind? You ain't doing 30 mph for long, if at all.
10-12-14, 08:28 PM
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I do 30 miles around in warehouse i work. One lap is half mile. My cyclocomputer show me average speed 15.3 miles. On hilly bike trail with 700 feet to 900 feet elevation. Is 10 miles ride. I do around 50 minutes my average speeds is was 12 miles.
