PipinFan

Hello there... I don't know how to properly ask this question but here I go,what % you think a bike influence in a ride and what % the actual rider ??

I think is Bike 30% and rider 70% what do you think ??

patentcad

99.99999999999999999999% rider.

.000000000000000000001% bike.

Hope that adds up. Somebody check my math.

asherlighn

All about the engine.

PipinFan

So is almost 99% bike and 1% Bike ?? Nahh ,so no chance to a light good bike ?

snoboard2

i disagree. My first dive into cycling was on my dad's flatbar hybrid with big ol' tires for light trail use. I averaged 12mph over ~30 miles. The next week my road bike came in and I averaged 16 on the same route because of the position the road bike put me in (more aero), less rolling resistance from the tires (you know you feel a HUGE difference), and the placebo effect the bike gave me.

plus if the bike didn't matter, pros would ride their road bike in the TTs ladies and gentlemen.

There is no fixed ratio of rider/bike, but a major part of it is the rider. It all really depends on how the bike is fit to you anyway.

PipinFan

I agree,I know there is not fixed % ratio but I think that Lance would not perform the same with a 19 pound bike vs a nice sub 16 pound bike with nice aerodynamic wheels etc.. I beleive is about 30-70 or maybe 20-80 for the rider but you have to give some credit to the bike man !!

Winter76

I'd say 90 rider and 10 bike. I'm sure than any TDF rider on a * Mart bike could clobber anybody here on a $10000 bike.

beebleb

I think it's 90% rider AFTER about $1,000 spent on a bike (RRP). I suspect massively diminishing marginal returns as you spend more on the bike.

patentcad

F the bike.

It's not about the bike.

kwrides

I knew it! P-Cad is LA!



I guess that means you're not RyanF?

patentcad

Correct.

Also, if today's ride is any indication, I am also not Lance.

I am a 49 year old OCP moron. I am in the right place.

2Tired2Shift

95/5 at most.

slvoid

There was a post I made with some aerodynamic information that mentioned that going from a regular road bike to a full on TT bike cut wattage at something like 26mph down from 400 someodd watts to 290 something. So that's 25% better. I'd imaging going from a fully upright hybrid with big tires to a full TT bike would be like, a 50% if not more difference in watts to push pass 20mph.

In that case, it would be 50/50??

You'll have to more precisely define where you're starting from. There is evetually going to be a point of diminishing returns.

crtreedude 

I think in the beginning it is mainly you. Let's face it, if you weight 400 lbs, getting a bike that is 10 lbs lighter isn't going to matter much - and you aren't particularly aerodynamic either.

But, as you start to approach your perfect weight and conditioning, a better bike will make a difference. Not sure how much difference once you get above say 2,000 dollars though.

maddyfish

It depends on the bike. I bet I'm faster than a pro rider if he is riding a 16" kids bike, and I'm riding my TREK.

Between modern road bikes? It is all rider. Would Lance A. have won the tours on a Cannondale? Sure. A Cerverlo? Sure.

2Tired2Shift

What % instrument and what % maestro?

sogood

It's not quantifiable in a generic sense. As others have pointed out, both contribute and all depends.

CrimsonKarter21

Once you get to a certain point, the bike makes more and more of a difference.
If you're the best climber in the world and have 1800g wheels compared to a guy who is 90% as strong as you on 1100g wheels, he'll beat you every time.
Once you get to Cat 1-2 or pro, the bike starts making a difference, but not a huge difference. I don't think Michael Rasmussen riding a 2003 Colnago instead of a 2008 Colnago would make too much of a difference.

mloywhite

98/2 rider over bike.

2Tired2Shift

You're saying the 90% rider will beat the world's best climber?

patentcad

Here's my real thinking on this: in certain situations, when push REALLY comes to shove, like in competitive riding or racing conditions, the right bike/wheel setup can give you that last 5% push - and at times that can be the difference between getting shelled or hanging on, or couple of places in the sprint. My Cannondale Six13 with Zipp 404s really helps me hang on and climb better on the tough Sunday racer hammerthon I regularly participate in. Noticable difference when I don't have the Zipps, particularly on the steep little grinding 1/2 mile climb that breaks up the ride 5 miles from the finishing climb @ the end. I hung on today without them, but it was touch and go. With the Zipps I would have crested the that climb with the gap closed - not having to hammer some more to close a 10+ bike length gap - which was another 1/2 mile of 28-30mph big ring chasing, most of which was me (got some help at the end by some other guys who were on my wheel).

That's the only time I notice the difference. If you don't do rides where getting shelled is a regular possibility, the money you spend on crap doesn't buy much performance. But I do and it does. At the end of one of those rides you're really happy that gear was there to help you. I don't think that's in my head. Those Zipps are 3/4 of a POUND lighter, the tubulars are pumped up to 150lbs+ and they make a real difference in racing situations. I feel it.

Do I NEED this stuff? Only pros really need it. But it sure makes those tough rides more fun.

2Tired2Shift

Pcad: how old are you

patentcad

That's not a great question on the first date.

Actually, I'm 49. Older than all of the 40+ dudes I finished in front of on this ride today. However there are some guys older than me on this ride some Sundays. And a couple of them are faster than me.

SmoothRide

Here's my real thinking on this: in certain situations, when push REALLY comes to shove

Your grammar disagrees.

MONGO!

I'm going with PCad.