An Interesting Comparison: Old School vs. New
11-12-10, 12:26 PM
#26
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Sounds high to me too. I rode my mtn bike with fat knobbies on the road and was only about 3 mph slower than my CAAD8
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11-12-10, 02:24 PM
#27
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When someone posted a little while back about their Cervelo being faster than their Roubaix, the consensus was that it was because he had a much more agressive position on the Cervelo and no drop at all (maybe even higher bars) on the Roubaix. I would bet that Barrettscv's observed speed difference could be explained by fit and position.
Both bikes have the same modern pedals and make & size tire.
The slighter smaller Schwinn has a slightly more aggressive saddle to bar drop. The Planet X has a good aero position, but is fitted more for long distance riding.
In a group ride or a hilly ride with lots of changes in pace, the modern bike is much faster. Shifting on a modern bike is much faster. Having a good gear range, with tight spacing is golden.
But if you think older bikes are slow and obsolete, think again.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 11-12-10 at 02:29 PM.
11-12-10, 02:27 PM
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I've owned both bikes since new. I keep plenty of records and use a 19 mile loop that is free of traffic and allows non-stop travel. Newer bike are better, have the right gear options, shift faster and keep the rider in the right cadence range more easily. But on a flat route, it's more about tires and aerodynamics than anything else. Good pedals and shoes matter too, and these are the same on both bikes.
Both bikes have the same modern pedals and make & size tire.
The slighter smaller Schwinn has a slightly more aggressive saddle to bar drop. The Planet X has a good aero position, but is fitted more for long distance riding.
In a group ride or a hilly ride with lots of changes in pace, the modern bike is much faster. Shifting on a modern bike is much faster and has a good gear range, with tight spacing is golden.
But if you think older bikes are slow and obsolete, think again.
Both bikes have the same modern pedals and make & size tire.
The slighter smaller Schwinn has a slightly more aggressive saddle to bar drop. The Planet X has a good aero position, but is fitted more for long distance riding.
In a group ride or a hilly ride with lots of changes in pace, the modern bike is much faster. Shifting on a modern bike is much faster and has a good gear range, with tight spacing is golden.
But if you think older bikes are slow and obsolete, think again.
BTW, has anyone read about Merckx when he went for the hour record? Look at his speed (over 1 HOUR) vs. the OP's pathetic 10km...
https://www.wolfgang-menn.de/merckx.htm
11-12-10, 02:45 PM
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If the ride is flat and "is free of traffic and allows non-stop travel", then why do you need to shift at all?
11-12-10, 02:59 PM
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UMD: It's a road course and not a velodrome.
11-12-10, 03:00 PM
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It'm just saying, if it's FLAT then really how much is "speed of shifting" really going to affect your speed? I'm sure there are tons of factors going on that makes you faster on one bike vs. the other and the age of it is not one of them.
11-12-10, 03:15 PM
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If you have never used an older bike with half-step gearing, you don't know what your missing
Last edited by Barrettscv; 11-12-10 at 03:20 PM.
11-12-10, 03:18 PM
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We are in agreement. If you read my post, I say that on flatter routes (with a steady pace) the older bike with 2x5 with downtube shifters are not much slower than a modern bike. It's when you need to shift due to pace-line dynamics or rolling terrain that a modern bike become substantially faster.
11-12-10, 03:23 PM
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Yes, the newer bike has better power transfer and the riding position produces more power.
11-12-10, 03:30 PM
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But it's more than aerodynamics. Its also about good breathing and other factors.
11-12-10, 03:39 PM
#39
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Power transfer and aerodynamics is where it's at. Those older cranks were very inefficient compared with current external bearing or BB30. Cone hub bearings, exposed brake and shift cables, it all adds up.
11-12-10, 03:57 PM
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You mean this?
When someone posted a little while back about their Cervelo being faster than their Roubaix, the consensus was that it was because he had a much more agressive position on the Cervelo and no drop at all (maybe even higher bars) on the Roubaix. I would bet that Barrettscv's observed speed difference could be explained by fit and position.
11-12-10, 04:03 PM
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BTW, gaspipe tubing is more aero than all this OS crap.
11-12-10, 04:09 PM
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Totally OT, but this is a cool video of Robbie Ventura pretty much showing that what umd said (fit & position) > equipment (in a big way, almost to the point of trivializing the equipment part of the equation). The thing umd left out was CONFIDENCE and the "Killer Instinct"--this is HUGE IMO--not just in cycling.
11-12-10, 04:11 PM
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11-12-10, 04:11 PM
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Totally OT, but this is a cool video of Robbie Ventura pretty much showing that what umd said (fit & position) > equipment (in a big way, almost to the point of trivializing the equipment part of the equation). The thing umd left out was CONFIDENCE--this is HUGE IMO--not just in cycling.
11-12-10, 04:22 PM
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11-12-10, 04:31 PM
#48
Has coddling tendencies.
A heavier steel bike while descending with less fear (full tuck, braking before the turns with only the front brake and using momentum, etc.) adds up too. The first part is cheaper, the second part cannot be bought.
BTW, gaspipe tubing is more aero than all this OS crap.
BTW, gaspipe tubing is more aero than all this OS crap.
11-12-10, 05:07 PM
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The video is crap, the steel bike looks less agressive than my touring rig! The frame was way too big, of couse the pedals were a problem, he said he felt strecthed out, you'll never be efficient like that. Plus there should have been a significant drop from the saddle to the bars.
11-12-10, 05:12 PM
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While downtube shifters may be inconvenient from a bike handling perspective, they don't really slow you down that much. The only thing that makes the older bike slower involve 1. the rider, 2. the weight of the bike (marginal) and 3. The advantage of having more closely spaced gears. This is assuming the older bike is in good mechanical condition, fitted optimally, has comparable wheels and tires to the new bike, etc...