top speed
#29
Oscillation overthruster
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 1
From: Duncan, BC
Bikes: Cinelli Mash / CAAD9 5
I got going 71 on the old road bike going downhill this summer. I got the speed wobble so bad I was sure it was gonna buck me off. A little back brake saved me a big dental bill. Genuine tank slapper.
#33
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 0
From: Flagler Palm Coast, FL
Bikes: 1986 Fuji Allegro 12 Spd; 2015 Bianchi Kuma 27.2 24 Spd; 1997 Fuji MX-200 21 Spd; 2010 Vilano SS/FG 46/16
With a constantly blowing 25 mph NE tail wind just yesterday, I had no problem doing at least that. The ride into the headwind was miserable. Those in the touring threads seriously need to get a multi-gear bike for those riding conditions. But the tailwind was strange, normally you can hear the air in your ear canals while riding that fast, this was the quietest 25 mph I ever rode. And moving with the wind, the air flow seemed non-existent and made for a hot ride. Easiest 15 miles I probably ever rode. I wish I knew how fast I did get it going to though ?
#35
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 0
From: Flagler Palm Coast, FL
Bikes: 1986 Fuji Allegro 12 Spd; 2015 Bianchi Kuma 27.2 24 Spd; 1997 Fuji MX-200 21 Spd; 2010 Vilano SS/FG 46/16
I wouldn't recommend breaking the sound barrier on a bicycle without a pair of training wheels installed. That and a helmet, just in case of a crash and burn ?
#36
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
#38
top speed
aww, now I gotta do math?
fixed gear I do about 30-32 mph on my daily commute with a little hill assistance (48/16 ratio, and only if I feel like going fast that day)
I did >40 once on my old road bike, and really had to trust my wrenching skillz since it was the first ride I was on after a complete disassemble/reassemble after getting it powdercoated. That was fun. Or stupid.
Even better was doing 35-40 mph on a steep road on my dirt jumper with 26x2.6 knobbies (they make a helluva sound at that speed)...
fixed gear I do about 30-32 mph on my daily commute with a little hill assistance (48/16 ratio, and only if I feel like going fast that day)
I did >40 once on my old road bike, and really had to trust my wrenching skillz since it was the first ride I was on after a complete disassemble/reassemble after getting it powdercoated. That was fun. Or stupid.

Even better was doing 35-40 mph on a steep road on my dirt jumper with 26x2.6 knobbies (they make a helluva sound at that speed)...
#39
Comanche Racing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of Texas
Bikes: Presto NJS build, Specialized Allez Pro w/ full Dura Ace and Ksyrium SLs, 1990something Specialized Sirrus
The fastest I've gone on a bike is n+1, where n=the fastest you've ever gone on a biek.
#41
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
By my math at 42mph and 77gi you are doing 183 rpm. Even if you computed gi using a 27" diameter tire, but were were really using say 700 x 23c clinchers with a 26.3" diameter, you would still only be doing 188 rpm. Still, that's pretty good spinning.
#42
Nü-Fred
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: Torelli Tipo Uno (stolen), Peugeot Nice, Mercier Kilo TT

Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver
The perfect number of bikes can be mathematically expressed as as N+1 where N is the number of bikes you currently own.
Last edited by ichitz; 10-07-10 at 11:20 AM.
#43
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
32 mph is the fastest I've done on my FG (43x15). 54 mph is the fastest ever (road bike down a mountain, obviously).
#44
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
I haven't had a computer on any of my bikes since a couple months after I finished the sweet fixie, and was teaching myself how to spin. I recall trying really hard to break 32 mph and coming up a couple tenths short, on 46x18.
Fastest I've gone otherwise was probably around 100 in the Volvo.
Fastest I've gone otherwise was probably around 100 in the Volvo.
#47
Used to be in Carlton's league when it came to flat out speed in a sprint and once got a ticket for doing 60 in a 50 zone while I was out training... used to race cars over a 3 mile section and my goal was to be able to keep pace with them and would sometimes pass them.
The cop who ticketed me was my next door neighbour and he said he could tear up the ticket... I said f that as it was only a $30.00 fine on those days.
The police here have set up speed traps on the bike trails and have not given out tickets but rather, used their data to give warnings to cyclists who ride at dangerous speeds on multi use pathways as you can get up to nearly 80km on a few descents.
There is one hill in the middle of the city where I think one could hit 90 but the roadway is not very pretty... have done 90 kmh on nicer descents (geared) and have pulled away from people on descents on my fg and have been told they were doing 70kmh when I did this.
You need a tall gear and the ability to spin like a gerbil on crack to get any crazy dh speed on a fixed gear.
#49
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
I would trust a phone/gps based measurement as far as I could throw it.
I'm not really sure how far I could throw a measurement but probably not far.
I'm not really sure how far I could throw a measurement but probably not far.



