Does 531 make you faster?
05-02-10 | 05:18 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,529
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From: The other Maine, north of RT 2
Bikes: Seriously downsizing.
Does 531 make you faster?
Yeah, I know, not really. But bear with me.
I've done most of my riding this spring. on the Gitane Super Corsa I built up over the winter. It's not any lighter than some of my other bikes, nor geared differently. But I can push higher gears up hills on it and seem to just plain ride faster.
Today I did two ten mile loops. The first was early in the morning, well rested, on a Viscount Aerospace Pro. The second was late afternoon, also well rested, on the Gitane. Both bikes have computers calibrated to their actual wheelsets rather than off a chart. The Gitane was a full two minutes faster over the same route.
What gives? Magic? Perfect fit? Head games?
Top
I've done most of my riding this spring. on the Gitane Super Corsa I built up over the winter. It's not any lighter than some of my other bikes, nor geared differently. But I can push higher gears up hills on it and seem to just plain ride faster.
Today I did two ten mile loops. The first was early in the morning, well rested, on a Viscount Aerospace Pro. The second was late afternoon, also well rested, on the Gitane. Both bikes have computers calibrated to their actual wheelsets rather than off a chart. The Gitane was a full two minutes faster over the same route.
What gives? Magic? Perfect fit? Head games?
Top
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
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05-02-10 | 05:44 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 962
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Of course the Reynolds framed bike was faster! I've noticed my Reynolds framed Vent Noir is faster, and stiffer than my much more modern Mercier Corbus made of butted aluminum. I suspect the stiffer, more efficient frame has a lot to do with it. However, the reynolds framed Vent Noir is a LOT harsher on poorly paved roads. Luckily I used a modified Brooks anatomic saddle.
05-02-10 | 06:09 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: San Diego
Bikes: 1989 Schwinn World Sport. 1994 Diamond Back Response Elite MTB. 1964 Schwinn Typhoon. 1974 Bridgestone Sprinter, 2015 Scott Sub 10 Citybike.
The state of tuning and efficiency of the vehicle's engine would affect performance more than a couple of pounds of steel tubing. 
That's logical, but still...
That's logical, but still...
Last edited by Shp4man; 05-02-10 at 06:49 PM.
05-02-10 | 06:21 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,901
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From: SW Ohio
Bikes: Puch Marco Polo, Saint Tropez, Masi Gran Criterium
Interesting query about it being the frame tubing. But I have another hypothesis for the difference. Could it be slight variations of frame fit and geometry? Give us some information about yourself, your cycling inseam etc.. And then tell us what is the center to center size of the seat tube and the head tube of each bike. What stem length are you using. How comfortable are you on the faster bike. How does the slower bike feel comfort wise? Just curious since I have different road bikes of different sizes and have observed some dramatic differences in the average speeds attainable on identical courses dependent on which steed I use...I'm just sayin'
05-02-10 | 06:24 PM
#6
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Loves Park, Illinois
Bikes: 1897 Crescent Tandem, 1904 Rambler shaft drive, 1921 Schwinn Henderson, 1958 Schwinn Tiger, 1973 Raleigh International, 1982 Trek 420, 2010 Trek 720
05-02-10 | 06:29 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,630
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From: Rhode Island (an obscure suburb of Connecticut)
Bikes: one of each
I've been toying with a pair of Treks, a 412 and a 612. The 412 is Ishiwata 022 steel, 42/52 crank and a 6 speed freewheel on relatively fat tires. The 612 is 531, 50/45/28 crank and a 7 speed with similar range of gears on nice think rims and tires. It seems to have better hubs and bearings and a few other nicer details. The 612 is also a prettier color. That seems to help.
The 612 is faster. I've tried switching wheels between them. It helped narrow the gap but it didn't close the gap. I haven't tried switching cranks yet.
Everyone likes the Ishiwata steel and says it's comparable but I go faster on the 531. Don't really know why.
The 612 is faster. I've tried switching wheels between them. It helped narrow the gap but it didn't close the gap. I haven't tried switching cranks yet.
Everyone likes the Ishiwata steel and says it's comparable but I go faster on the 531. Don't really know why.
05-02-10 | 06:37 PM
#8
one life on two wheels
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 24
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Of course the Reynolds framed bike was faster! I've noticed my Reynolds framed Vent Noir is faster, and stiffer than my much more modern Mercier Corbus made of butted aluminum. I suspect the stiffer, more efficient frame has a lot to do with it. However, the reynolds framed Vent Noir is a LOT harsher on poorly paved roads. Luckily I used a modified Brooks anatomic saddle.
your steel frame is stiffer and has a harsher ride than your aluminum bike?
05-02-10 | 06:38 PM
#9
Bianchi Goddess
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
you are faster on the 531 bike because of all the C&Vers chasing you to get the frame!
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One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
05-02-10 | 06:44 PM
#10
05-02-10 | 07:46 PM
#12
It's the frame. There's something special about Reynolds-framed Gitanes. I felt it the first time I rode mine. I can't put my finger on what it is, but I know I'm not the only one that feels that way about them.
05-02-10 | 08:01 PM
#14
www.theheadbadge.com
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From: Southern Florida
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EDIT: Can't be, your Peugeots are metric 531...
-Kurt
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