What’s your top end sprint speed?
#2
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I'm taking the question to be about whether you can realistically expect to improve that, and maybe how.
This probably isn't the right forum for that. Try this one instead:
https://www.bikeforums.net/training-nutrition/
This probably isn't the right forum for that. Try this one instead:
https://www.bikeforums.net/training-nutrition/
#3
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With a leadout or no?
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#4
I ride all the bikes
This is a horsepower question. So basically, whoever has the biggest highest output will have the highest top speed on a flat. So, basically, a muscle car.
I'm a Miata myself.
I'm a Miata myself.
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On flat gravel w/o wind, 3 min around 23-24mph. There may be a higher peak in there somewhere. Never tried on blacktop. It's just a HIIT interval though, no relationship to racing or other riders. Does this actually matter to anyone?
#6
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Seriously, I'm now my old college day's 1963 VW Beetle. Not even an extra helping of Blazing Saddles dinner would help. In my BC time (before cancer) managed low 30mph
Last edited by cb400bill; 08-21-19 at 05:51 PM. Reason: clean up
#7
Fredly Fredster
Road bike... 25mph, give or take.
Gravel bike.... 18mph, give or take.
Mountain bike... slow
Gravel bike.... 18mph, give or take.
Mountain bike... slow
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I assume the question meant I (or you) go out on my bike alone and am on a flat section and there is no wind - and I sprint. Funny, in 40 plus years of cycling, I really don't know, I never did that.
Been in some group sprints over 40 on a single. Tandem (flat, no wind) you had to do 45 to come around us. Then that was when "we" turned out 3,000W. I was very good at picking the right partner.
Been in some group sprints over 40 on a single. Tandem (flat, no wind) you had to do 45 to come around us. Then that was when "we" turned out 3,000W. I was very good at picking the right partner.
#11
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#12
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There is a neighborhood near me that has the radar equipped speed indicating signs. It takes at least 15 mph to make them turn on. The speed limit in that neighborhood is 25 mph.
Let's just say I've never been in fear of getting a speeding ticket on my 8-speed, 7-speed, and single speed bikes I've taken through there.
Let's just say I've never been in fear of getting a speeding ticket on my 8-speed, 7-speed, and single speed bikes I've taken through there.

#13
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#14
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We just deleted a bunch of non-helpful posts. If you can't, or won't, help out a new forum member asking a legitimate question, I suggest moving on to a different thread.
#15
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I don't know why this wouldn't be helpful, but a bigger gear seems obvious. Post what you are currently using.
#16
Senior Member
Wouldn't swear it was completely flat, but after about 65 miles of riding last Sunday, I gave it all I had with an all-out sprint on a stretch of road before I hit the MUP again, and the top speed was 35 mph.
#17
on your lawn
When I was in my 20s and 30s I could go about 35 MPH on level pavement with no wind. The last 10 years or so I can't seem to ever get over 28.
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The only place I feel safe enough doing a full sprint is on Zwift and it gives to the benefit of better aerodynamics than I can probably manage on my own.
That being said, I can do 700 watts in the drops for 45 seconds and I'm a terrible sprinter out of the saddle. And that's probably good for 33-34 mph.
I doubt I can do much better. My FTP is up from about 245 to 285 over the previous three months but my top end has gone basically nowhere. Apparently I did 900 watts for 15 seconds in June and I still have no idea how I managed that.
That being said, I can do 700 watts in the drops for 45 seconds and I'm a terrible sprinter out of the saddle. And that's probably good for 33-34 mph.
I doubt I can do much better. My FTP is up from about 245 to 285 over the previous three months but my top end has gone basically nowhere. Apparently I did 900 watts for 15 seconds in June and I still have no idea how I managed that.
#19
Senior Member
As someone wrote in an unhelpful, deleted post, the first liar always loses in these kinds of threads. I can say that one of my flat KOMs on Strava is 31.+ mph. For a mile. But that'll never matter to you.
#20
Senior Member
I have a short section of flat good quality paved road near me. I can sustain 34 kph on it or just over 21 mph. It is not even a mile long. On the rail trail with the same bike on crushed cinder I can do 29kph, or 18 miles per hour. Thats on a Giant toughroad, with 40mm tires at 50 and 55 psi, and me at 69 and still 15 pounds overweight. I have really just lost enough belly fat to get down in the drops comfortably and am now getting down in that position a few times a ride but those speeds are on the hoods.
#21
Senior Member
Sprinting to me ain't biking, that's working!
I sometimes wonder how fast I could sprint. It's nowhere near a serious ponder, but I have thought about it once or twice.
I sometimes wonder how fast I could sprint. It's nowhere near a serious ponder, but I have thought about it once or twice.
#22
Super Moderator
I was never in top gear in criterium race sprints.
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#23
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I agree completely. For my purposes even 50t is fine. OP apparently has a specific goal, unrelated to overall suitability. Why is another question....