rumrunn6

I test rode a couple of 22 lb road bikes today. They are entry level bikes but very modern compared to my other old steel bikes. I found them a bit twitchy and in need of fit tweaking - but nothing I couldn't address with the LBS help.

So I'm thinking a new road bike would make me faster, yes?

KiuBWhy

If you got a specialized Allez you could post in that one thread about how fast you can go.

Scorer75

How long is a string?

AngryScientist 

what is the importance of speed anyway? unless you are racing, what difference does it make if you go down the road at 18mph or 19 mph exerting the same effort?

i dont understand these "will i go faster?" threads.

the simple answer is - yes. a lighter stiffer bike will go faster assuming the same input, but who cares?

Fixitman

I do

DeweyJuice

Chicks dig guys who ride fast(er).

sijray21

i get better fuel economy with lighter bikes

rumrunn6

lol

BobLoblaw

No.

Speed comes from the legs, not the bike. Comfort, performance, handling might all improve with a new bike versus an old clunker, but unless your old bike is seriously speed impaired, you probably won't see a noticeable difference in speed.

BL

crazyskillz07

I am in that thread

Dheorl

Main reason I like to go faster is it means I can go further, and I find that more fun.

AngryScientist 

just admit it: thats the bottom line here, and its a perfectly valid one. new bikes are more fun to ride. period.

dont dilute yourself into thinking that going faster will let you go further or pass some guy on the MUP or anything silly, but a new bike for the fun to ride factor and be done with it.

Cycho

Perhaps, but not guys who finish faster.

Cycho

And I am much faster when I ride my 19lb road bike with 23's than my 35lb hybrid with 35's.

Dheorl

I'm sorry, but are you really that dumb?

Say on your old bike, by putting out 200 watts you can go 15mph (just pulling numbers out my arse here), and on your new bike putting out 200 watts will get you up to 17mph.

Therefore you can go an extra 4 miles on a 2 hours ride. Exploring the country on my bike is a main part of the fun of riding, the further I can ride in a given time, the more of the country I can explore.

AngryScientist 

if exploration is your goal, you should actually slow down, and take in the scenery.

p.s. - i'm just busting your stones here, if you want a new bike and can afford one, by all means you should get it, no matter the motivation.

Dheorl

Well yea, but some stuff (like the miles of fields bewteen interesting places) can be explored at speed. Also on a bike, even going fast, I find I can still take alot in.

A main part of the exploring for me is heading off with the thought "I wonder where this road goes" in my head, and I find out sooner the quicker I go.

rumrunn6

was on my converted hybrid with drop bars and slicks and I passed a fellow on a road bike. he caught back up and said: "hey, I can't get dropped by a hybrid" as he pointed to my suspension fork. at which point I smiled and just left him behind. I was all loaded up for 50 miles to the beach with food, drinks, towel, bathing suite, etc.

I do pretty good on that bike but I see others doing real well on stripped down new road bikes and I wonder if something lighter would be liberating.

another bike of mine is an old steel Varsity. it must be 40 lbs, plus the stuff I carry. one guy at work couldn't even lift it and looked at me like I was crazy for riding it. I like that bike but the converted hybrid is more comfortable and faster.

basically I think I've earned a new joy-ride to add to the stable. I won't use it for commuting but I might want to carry a towel and suit for the beach ... :-)

spry

The more dough you blow,the faster you go.
Don,t listen to those common sense fitness weenies,it,s easier to buy stuff.

dsx724

If you want faster, get a koenigsegg ccx and mount your bike on the roof. oh wait...

DeweyJuice

Hey man, I'm working on that!

Dantebfd

Do you work at a daycare? I mean really.

rumrunn6

daycare? huh? what? I don't get the joke or the insult

Dantebfd

A grown man could not pick up your 40lb + gear bike? The daycare comment was alluding to your coworker being an infant. :lead balloon:

joe_5700

Some will argue that there should not be much of a difference between the 2 performance wise on flat surfaces. I have been tracking my times on a short 4 mile loop in my neighborhood that shows that i am getting consistantly better times on a 105 equipped bike compared to a 4 pound heavier Sora bike. Of course in the thread there were plenty who thought the bikes to be near equals regardless of the times.