Would a road bike be any quicker?
zummerzet-lou
Posts: 95
In a bid to get fitter, and also to meet a few cycling peeps I've tagged along with a few ladies on their weekly training ride.
I thought I was Okish fit, but it turns out not. I'm riding a specialized sirrus (complete with mudguards, rear rack and rack pack) ... they all have super slick, carbon road bikes. I was just left for dust last night. (Not litterally, they did stop once for me to catch up, and then I was shortly dropped again).
Feeling a little dejected this morning, not to mention very, very unfit. However in my struggle to keep up, I did clock up my fastest average speed ever .... about 14.5 mph (guessing quite slow for most of you!).
So, my question to you all is, Is it my bike, me or both? I realise a super fit cyclist would probably manage on my bike just fine ... so it's probably primarily me?
Ta,
Lou
I thought I was Okish fit, but it turns out not. I'm riding a specialized sirrus (complete with mudguards, rear rack and rack pack) ... they all have super slick, carbon road bikes. I was just left for dust last night. (Not litterally, they did stop once for me to catch up, and then I was shortly dropped again).
Feeling a little dejected this morning, not to mention very, very unfit. However in my struggle to keep up, I did clock up my fastest average speed ever .... about 14.5 mph (guessing quite slow for most of you!).
So, my question to you all is, Is it my bike, me or both? I realise a super fit cyclist would probably manage on my bike just fine ... so it's probably primarily me?
Ta,
Lou
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Comments
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If these ladies are racers or regular club riders they will be a fair bit fitter than you. The positive side for you is you will improve rapidly. As you get fitter improvement gets harder. Your bike will be a bit slower than theirs but it is not a bad bike. I don't know what tyres it has but a set of 25mm slicks would probably help speed things up a little. Ultimately even if you got as fit as the others you would need to match their equipment as well to go as fast as them. I would try to get fitter first and then if you are still keen get a proper road bike. Spend as much as you can reasonably afford as you don't want to be buying upgrades too often. When you feel ready for a new bike pick the others brains, try out their bikes if you can to find what you like. And get a road test before you buy if at all posible. Keep the Sirrus for general riding, shopping trips etc.0
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John.T wrote:If these ladies are racers or regular club riders they will be a fair bit fitter than you. The positive side for you is you will improve rapidly. As you get fitter improvement gets harder. Your bike will be a bit slower than theirs but it is not a bad bike. I don't know what tyres it has but a set of 15mm slicks would probably help speed things up a little. Ultimately even if you got as fit as the others you would need to match their equipment as well to go as fast as them. I would try to get fitter first and then if you are still keen get a proper road bike. Spend as much as you can reasonably afford as you don't want to be buying upgrades too often. When you feel ready for a new bike pick the others brains, try out their bikes if you can to find what you like. And get a road test before you buy if at all posible. Keep the Sirrus for general riding, shopping trips etc.
15mm slicks :shock:0 -
zummerzet-lou wrote:In a bid to get fitter, and also to meet a few cycling peeps I've tagged along with a few ladies on their weekly training ride.
I thought I was Okish fit, but it turns out not. I'm riding a specialized sirrus (complete with mudguards, rear rack and rack pack) ... they all have super slick, carbon road bikes. I was just left for dust last night. (Not litterally, they did stop once for me to catch up, and then I was shortly dropped again).
Feeling a little dejected this morning, not to mention very, very unfit. However in my struggle to keep up, I did clock up my fastest average speed ever .... about 14.5 mph (guessing quite slow for most of you!).
So, my question to you all is, Is it my bike, me or both? I realise a super fit cyclist would probably manage on my bike just fine ... so it's probably primarily me?
Ta,
Lou
A road bike might see your avg increase by ~ 2 mph - dependant on terrain - certainly worth getting a Road bike if your thinking of getting into road-cycling more. Not sure whether you've got Sportive's or similar in New Zealand, but again, a Road bike will help you to get the best out of a longer ride.0 -
Thanks ... I'm kinda thinking that if I can almost keep up I might as well keep my bike for the time being on the basis that I'm having to work harder to do the same speeds? Bit of wierd logic I know, but hope that this way I may get fitter quicker?
I love my bike, and as I have the Sirrus, and a cheapo mountain bike not sure I can justify a third bike ....
The alternative is to upgrade the sirrus to road bars (new shifters, gear/brake cables etc), and skinny tyres but I fear this may cost just as much as buying a road bike?0 -
Why not just change the tyres and remove the rack, pack and mudguards - the less weight you can carry the better!0
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I already have quite skinny tyres ... 700 x 28c. Would 25s make much difference?
As for the guards, and rack ... I occasionally use my bike to commute, which was the reason why I chose this bike so is a pain in the arse taking these on and off.
Could perhaps take the rackpack off, and just leave the rack?0 -
Not wierd logic at all. It is just hard work but if you can stand it effective. Taking some weight off is a good idea.zummerzet-lou wrote:Thanks ... I'm kinda thinking that if I can almost keep up I might as well keep my bike for the time being on the basis that I'm having to work harder to do the same speeds? Bit of wierd logic I know, but hope that this way I may get fitter quicker?
I love my bike, and as I have the Sirrus, and a cheapo mountain bike not sure I can justify a third bike ....
The alternative is to upgrade the sirrus to road bars (new shifters, gear/brake cables etc), and skinny tyres but I fear this may cost just as much as buying a road bike?
You should never have to justify a new bike. You can not have too many (my wife does not believe that one).
Converting the Sirrus is not a good idea. It would cost quite a bit and would only be a compromise. 'Neither nowt nor summat' as we say round here.0 -
Can i make a suggestion?
If you are serious about getting fit and have gone to the trouble of tagging along with a few ladies on their road bikes
Buy a road bike... 8) and join them
You have done the difficult part by joining them...ask for their advice on a bike
You will be amazed at the difference the machine will make. Keep your other bike for commuting but that road bike will be your motivation for getting seriously fit...you will sometimes hate it but it will always be there staring you in the face saying 'ride me'0 -
Have a Sirrus which I no longer ride. If you feel you eventually end up on a road bike, which you seem to indicate, then just get the road bike now as there will a period of adjustment between riding such an upright bike and drop bar bike. If buying now would mean you end up with a budget road bike that you are not sure would excite you long term then I would hang on to the Sirrus with a view to saving for a bike that really excites you that way you will be more likely to want to ride and it and less likely to end up spending more money upgrading the road bike too.
Moving from 28 to 23mm tyres will make a big difference to your speed as will changing the Armadillo tyres if they still come with those. The Armadillos are seriously slow. I changed to Michelin Pro2 Race from Armadillos and immediately seen a big jump in average speeds. I now ride Michelin Pro3 Race just because I like the superior cornering on them.
As for the differnce between average speeds on a road bike and Sirrus well my best times on my Sirrus are now my normal times on my drop bar road bikes on my commute. It wasn't as huge a difference as I was really expecting but still a much appreciated increase.0 -
[quote=
I love my bike, and as I have the Sirrus, and a cheapo mountain bike not sure I can justify a third bike ....
The alternative is to upgrade the sirrus to road bars (new shifters, gear/brake cables etc), and skinny tyres but I fear this may cost just as much as buying a road bike?[/quote]
Can never have toooo many bikes :-).
Would sudgest (like majority here) some new fast / light tyres...23mm Conti GP4000 be a good start and light tubes. Your be amazed at the difference.
Have you tried changing your stem position?, negative rise and remove any spacers below it, should get you more aero and be less a shock when you get a road bike.
Best get saving and get a road bike...your not look back !0 -
Mettan wrote:zummerzet-lou wrote:In a bid to get fitter, and also to meet a few cycling peeps I've tagged along with a few ladies on their weekly training ride.
I thought I was Okish fit, but it turns out not. I'm riding a specialized sirrus (complete with mudguards, rear rack and rack pack) ... they all have super slick, carbon road bikes. I was just left for dust last night. (Not litterally, they did stop once for me to catch up, and then I was shortly dropped again).
Feeling a little dejected this morning, not to mention very, very unfit. However in my struggle to keep up, I did clock up my fastest average speed ever .... about 14.5 mph (guessing quite slow for most of you!).
So, my question to you all is, Is it my bike, me or both? I realise a super fit cyclist would probably manage on my bike just fine ... so it's probably primarily me?
Ta,
Lou
A road bike might see your avg increase by ~ 2 mph - dependant on terrain - certainly worth getting a Road bike if your thinking of getting into road-cycling more. Not sure whether you've got Sportive's or similar in New Zealand, but again, a Road bike will help you to get the best out of a longer ride.
How do you quantify this?0 -
John.T wrote:If these ladies are racers or regular club riders they will be a fair bit fitter than you. The positive side for you is you will improve rapidly. As you get fitter improvement gets harder. Your bike will be a bit slower than theirs but it is not a bad bike. I don't know what tyres it has but a set of 25mm slicks would probably help speed things up a little. Ultimately even if you got as fit as the others you would need to match their equipment as well to go as fast as them. I would try to get fitter first and then if you are still keen get a proper road bike. Spend as much as you can reasonably afford as you don't want to be buying upgrades too often. When you feel ready for a new bike pick the others brains, try out their bikes if you can to find what you like. And get a road test before you buy if at all posible. Keep the Sirrus for general riding, shopping trips etc.
Not quite true IMHO
Without trying to sound sexist he should be able to stay with ladies easily if he has similar fitness levels.
In addition to this if he slipstreams behind them he will only have to push approx 70 to 80% of their power to keep up due to the drafting effect.
As others say the OP will improve quickly though.
In a nutshell it is your legs and fitness that will make you go faster, not so much the bike.0 -
Oh as an example last year in italy we were out on hotel bikes, weighed a ton, huge tyres, basket on the front etc and we were riding round Treviso to go eat when a very stylish Italian guy went past on a pinarello so we shouted heloo and he ignored us so we sprinted after him (looked like that kid in the ET film) and sat on his wheel for about 3 miles as he tried to drop us and we managed to stay behind him pedalling furiously. I knew all that track training would eventually be of use. I sweated in the resteraunt for about an hour later
I have a pic of us on the bikes will have to post them on here 0 -
heres some pics well the cleanest ones !!
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For those who require a closer look at the italian ladies, go to link below and look under treviso album 0
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Thanks oldweshman ....
Just a couple of comments:
"Without trying to sound sexist he should be able to stay with ladies easily if he has similar fitness levels. "
I'm female ...
"Oh as an example Very Happy last year in italy we were out on hotel bikes, weighed a ton, huge tyres, basket on the front etc ...."
Whilst my bike is not a road bike, it's not that far off ... it's got carbon forks, and rear stays, nearly skinny tyres (28s) ... so I don't think that's really comparible to heavy mountain type bikes is it?
True of the matter is that I'm unfit and slow. Sounds as though a proper road bike will make me faster, but I think without improving my fitness, even the bestest, most expensive road bike will get me that much more speed.
However saying that, I do have a little more ammunition to take to my hubbie to justify that new purchase ;-)0 -
You beat me to that Lou."Without trying to sound sexist he should be able to stay with ladies easily if he has similar fitness levels. "
I'm female ...
OW. I did not mean to be able to sit in. I said to match them. Given equal ability the bike does then make a difference. Lou's bike is the same as my sons which I have ridden. Other than the riding position it is as good as any road bike for the same money. Quite light, stiff and responsive. I was pleasently suprised when I rode it. It would not be my first choice for the club 10 though.0 -
Also, are you using clipless pedals ? I've read that using clipless pedals can make a big difference.0
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beegee wrote:Also, are you using clipless pedals ? I've read that using clipless pedals can make a big difference.
Great from a feeling of security on the pedals point of view but overrated if you ask me in terms of their performance benefits. I heard silly figures of 30% increase in efficiency when I was making the change. It was nothing like that for me anyway. Even now I can jump on a bike without the clips and get avearge speeds close to what I do clipless. The tyres/wheels were the single biggest improvement I made, everything was an improvement not nearly as noticeable to me anyway.0 -
zummerzet-lou wrote:Thanks oldweshman ....
Just a couple of comments:
"Without trying to sound sexist he should be able to stay with ladies easily if he has similar fitness levels. "
I'm female ...
"Oh as an example Very Happy last year in italy we were out on hotel bikes, weighed a ton, huge tyres, basket on the front etc ...."
Whilst my bike is not a road bike, it's not that far off ... it's got carbon forks, and rear stays, nearly skinny tyres (28s) ... so I don't think that's really comparible to heavy mountain type bikes is it?
True of the matter is that I'm unfit and slow. Sounds as though a proper road bike will make me faster, but I think without improving my fitness, even the bestest, most expensive road bike will get me that much more speed.
However saying that, I do have a little more ammunition to take to my hubbie to justify that new purchase ;-)
Ooops lol sorry did not realise you were a laydeeee lol.
If you want a new bike just go for it
Keep riding with the group you will improve very fast, they will not improve a huge amount so eventually you will get there .0 -
doyler78 wrote:beegee wrote:Also, are you using clipless pedals ? I've read that using clipless pedals can make a big difference.
Great from a feeling of security on the pedals point of view but overrated if you ask me in terms of their performance benefits. I heard silly figures of 30% increase in efficiency when I was making the change. It was nothing like that for me anyway. Even now I can jump on a bike without the clips and get avearge speeds close to what I do clipless. The tyres/wheels were the single biggest improvement I made, everything was an improvement not nearly as noticeable to me anyway.
30% may be a bit of an exageration but they certainly improve efficiency. Maybe your technique is not quite as it could be.
Riding a fixed can help this, or even a road bike on rollers.
The biggest improvement is when climbing.
If you want to se how efficient your technique is, unclip one foot and pedal with one leg.0 -
Thanks ... from everything you've all posted, certainly sounds as though the slow times are down to me! :oops: (yes, I have clipless pedals so haven't even got that as an excuse!)
Oh well, back to plan A which was to persevere on my bike, get my fitness up and then once I'm keeping up I can decide whether a road bike is for me - and what I need from a bike! Nothing to stop me looking at the road bikes though (whilst I save a few more pennies) ... in preparation to a potential purchase
Thanks guys 0 -
let us know how things go zummerzet0
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oldwelshman wrote:doyler78 wrote:beegee wrote:Also, are you using clipless pedals ? I've read that using clipless pedals can make a big difference.
Great from a feeling of security on the pedals point of view but overrated if you ask me in terms of their performance benefits. I heard silly figures of 30% increase in efficiency when I was making the change. It was nothing like that for me anyway. Even now I can jump on a bike without the clips and get avearge speeds close to what I do clipless. The tyres/wheels were the single biggest improvement I made, everything was an improvement not nearly as noticeable to me anyway.
30% may be a bit of an exageration but they certainly improve efficiency. Maybe your technique is not quite as it could be.
Riding a fixed can help this, or even a road bike on rollers.
The biggest improvement is when climbing.
If you want to se how efficient your technique is, unclip one foot and pedal with one leg.
Well until you want to unclip and clip back in again then they are a nightmare (I'm talking steep climbs).
You may be right. What would I be looking for as regards efficiency by unclipping cycling one leg. Not sure what I'm looking for?0 -
doyler78 wrote:oldwelshman wrote:doyler78 wrote:beegee wrote:Also, are you using clipless pedals ? I've read that using clipless pedals can make a big difference.
Great from a feeling of security on the pedals point of view but overrated if you ask me in terms of their performance benefits. I heard silly figures of 30% increase in efficiency when I was making the change. It was nothing like that for me anyway. Even now I can jump on a bike without the clips and get avearge speeds close to what I do clipless. The tyres/wheels were the single biggest improvement I made, everything was an improvement not nearly as noticeable to me anyway.
30% may be a bit of an exageration but they certainly improve efficiency. Maybe your technique is not quite as it could be.
Riding a fixed can help this, or even a road bike on rollers.
The biggest improvement is when climbing.
If you want to se how efficient your technique is, unclip one foot and pedal with one leg.
Well until you want to unclip and clip back in again then they are a nightmare (I'm talking steep climbs).
You may be right. What would I be looking for as regards efficiency by unclipping cycling one leg. Not sure what I'm looking for?
First of all you should not be unclipping on a climb!! If you feel the need to do that, get lower gears, either a compact or tripple with larger rear sprockets so you have sufficently low gear ratios to allow you to get up any hill.
The benefits of clipless is that you can pull as well as push though you would be surprised how many do not pull up on the pedals.
Lots of riders push only.
Cycling with one leg will show you how much your pulling up. Try it on a slight uphill stratch of road 0 -
oldwelshman wrote:doyler78 wrote:oldwelshman wrote:doyler78 wrote:beegee wrote:Also, are you using clipless pedals ? I've read that using clipless pedals can make a big difference.
Great from a feeling of security on the pedals point of view but overrated if you ask me in terms of their performance benefits. I heard silly figures of 30% increase in efficiency when I was making the change. It was nothing like that for me anyway. Even now I can jump on a bike without the clips and get avearge speeds close to what I do clipless. The tyres/wheels were the single biggest improvement I made, everything was an improvement not nearly as noticeable to me anyway.
30% may be a bit of an exageration but they certainly improve efficiency. Maybe your technique is not quite as it could be.
Riding a fixed can help this, or even a road bike on rollers.
The biggest improvement is when climbing.
If you want to se how efficient your technique is, unclip one foot and pedal with one leg.
Well until you want to unclip and clip back in again then they are a nightmare (I'm talking steep climbs).
You may be right. What would I be looking for as regards efficiency by unclipping cycling one leg. Not sure what I'm looking for?
First of all you should not be unclipping on a climb!! If you feel the need to do that, get lower gears, either a compact or tripple with larger rear sprockets so you have sufficently low gear ratios to allow you to get up any hill.
The benefits of clipless is that you can pull as well as push though you would be surprised how many do not pull up on the pedals.
Lots of riders push only.
Cycling with one leg will show you how much your pulling up. Try it on a slight uphill stratch of road
Junctions and traffic lights can mean that unclipping isn't always avoidable. Also on narrow country lanes that I tend ride there can be cars parked on the side of the road and a car coming the other so its either stop or go for a head collision - suprisingly I chose life
Will give it a go on the commute tomorrow. I used to do one legged drills in the gym when I used it for cardio work so it will interesting to see how that translates to the road with its natural variation in terrain.0 -
oldwelshman wrote:How do you quantify this?
From personal experience, and hundreds of anecdotes across a wide variety of cycling forums - its an approximate guide/suggestion only.
Here's an example -
If Lou's currently doing a 14 avg over a rolling 45 miles on a Hybrid, she might find that on a road bike (when acclimatised) she manages a ~ 16 avg over the same course, in the same weather - it'd be highly unlikely imho for her to do a 12 or a 19 mph agv (in the same conditions ) - would you suggest otherwise ? - if so, what kind of figures? Of course, she might end up with a 15.3 avg or similar, but the suggestion still holds imo, and that is, she'll probably get a "nice boost" being on a Road bike and it might be in the region of ~ 2 mph over a sufficient distance and terrain (ie, not just going to the corner shop). The weight, aerodynamics (position), rolling resistance, wheel quality, Hub quality.... etc is much better (regards performance) on a typical roadie than a typical hybrid.
Knobly tyres on a 12.5 kg heavy hybrid to 23 Race tyres on a modest 8 - 9kg Road bike - no comparison imho. And then there's Aerodynamics/Body Position. And then there's much better Hubs on more aerodynamic road wheels........ etc etc.
I do agree with your sentiment OW re. training and fitness though - its vital.
(Lou - female/male?).0
