How much faster is a 5k bike to a 1.8k?

veterangaz

Random question. Basically treated myself to a ride on my good bike today (the one worth 1.8k last year) as normally do my work commute on my £220 Raleigh Equipe. My flat ride normally takes around 35 mins on the £220 over 7 miles depending on traffic, today, with normal traffic conditions it took around 25 minutes.

So was just wondering, if anyone has ever changed to a very high cost bike say over 5k from a 2k bike, how much time difference did you notice? I am not looking to buy a bike at that price, I don't deserve it as I do not know enough about maintenance yet, but would love to know what they are like!

markhewitt1978

No difference whatsoever. Now put the credit card down

marcusjb

A £5K bike is 2.5 times faster than a £2K bike. It's a linear relationship.

If you are riding 7 miles in 25 minutes on your £220 bike, it will take you 2 minutes and 46 seconds on a £2K bike and an amazing 1 minute and 6 seconds on a £5K bike.

Pross

marcusjb wrote:

A £5K bike is 2.5 times faster than a £2K bike. It's a linear relationship.

If you are riding 7 miles in 25 minutes on your £220 bike, it will take you 2 minutes and 46 seconds on a £2K bike and an amazing 1 minute and 6 seconds on a £5K bike.

Sorry, that's nonsense. Everyone knows the expensive bike is slower as if you go too fast no-one will be able to see it and get jealous at how rich you are and what a great bike you have. Meanwhile, on a supermarket BSO you go as quickly as you can to avoid being seen.

chris_bass

veterangaz wrote:

My flat ride normally takes around 35 mins on the £220 over 7 miles depending on traffic, today, with normal traffic conditions it took around 25 minutes.

I think this is your first problem, you are meant to ride on the bike not the money.

I think there is an equation that will help,

time = money

so no matter how far you go the time will be equal to the money, wherever you go it will take exactly 5,000 seconds. but remember to factor in inflation, next year it could take around 4 to 5% longer.

veterangaz

Was just wondering, may use my 10k bike for the commute next week but if it is only going to take me 45 seconds to get to work on that one then I can leave much later and catch more of BBC Breakfast TV.

ddraver

Nope - gonna make naff all difference....

Mccaria

There are so many intangibles to take into account. Probably the most important one is what colour is the £5k bike ?

According to my Garmin files it is about 2 mph, but it would be significantly more if only we could cycle through butter.

VmanF3

veterangaz wrote:

Was just wondering, may use my 10k bike for the commute next week but if it is only going to take me 45 seconds to get to work on that one then I can leave much later and catch more of BBC Breakfast TV.

Leave it locked up, with no more Ms. Reid, there's really no point!

cougie

Spend the money on training holidays in the Alps instead.

bsharp77

Ha ha! Usual fun responses I see....!
In fairness, this topic seems to crop up nearly once a week.

From my experience, roughly speaking, there are significant differences going from a low end, heavy alu bike, to something like a carbon framed bike around £1000 - £1500. For example there is a marked difference in my commuter bike compared to my weekend bike - times are faster and the bike itself feels so much more responsive.

However comparing 2 bikes over that threshold you will see diminishing returns - if you have a £1.8k bike, it should be more than enough for anyone - the only gains beyond this point would be for proper racers or pros.

But if we based everything on this logic, then no one would ever buy a dearer bike.....its personal choice and your own contentment at the end of the day

LegendLust

Well put it this way - I got my Legend out the other day for it's first ride this year. Rode my usual Tempo circuit.

Ave speed on my 653 Bob Jackson winter bike (mic of Veloce/Centaur kit and Parentini/CK wheels) - 19mph

Ave speed on my Legend - 21mph

I know my winter bike isn't 1.8k but i think if the difference in price between 5k and 1.8k is in the frame and wheels you would see a difference

cougie

I find new sunglasses are the best benefit.

And if its a bit sunnier, less wind, less kit - that will make a difference.

damocles10

Your heart and lungs will make a huge difference to your speed so it doesn't really matter about the bike. Having said that, if you are racing weight is an issue, both body and bike for those hills.....a 5k bike will look very nice and there are slight aero benefits.

If you want it and have the £££££...get it,

You will love it.

djhermer

markhewitt1978 wrote:

No difference whatsoever. Now put the credit card down

No difference whatsoever. Now dig out the credit card and make yourself happy anyway

Buckie2k5

the problem is if you find yourself faster on the 5k bike you are going to start wanting a 10k bike.

veterangaz

I wasn't looking to buy a bike for that price, was just generally intrigued as to what else it could do that my current bike can't. Blimey, if I had a bike worth 5k I would hate to use it, would be scared of getting smears on it that can't scrub off and I would have to move my daughter in to the shed and let the bike have her room.

Bobbinogs

veterangaz wrote:

... Blimey, if I had a bike worth 5k ...I would have to move my daughter in to the shed and let the bike have her room.

I've got a teenage daughter; that sounds like a win/win.

Father Faff

Hmmm - I have found that a bike that is twice as expensive goes at half the speed. My £1.5k Scott CR1 goes at approximately twice the speed of my £3k Commencal Meta 5. And I remember when I was younger I bought a bike for £500, a third of the price of the CR1 and it went approximately 3 times faster than the Scott - it was probably the Japanese technology what did it - a Honda CB175.

Serious Cat

Silly question to be honest, a fat tub or skinny on a 1.8k bike will suffer or excel just as much as a fat tub or skinny on a 5k bike, its the rider and not the bike.

cat_with_no_tail

veterangaz wrote:

How much faster is a 5k bike to a 1.8k?

At least 7.

navrig2

I bought a Honda VFR for £5k and it was much faster than my £1100 Ribble Gran Fondo. It was probably a parabolic relationship rather than linear.

crispybug2

42.

florerider

my mate on his £5k bike is faster than me on my £1.k bike - QED.

djhermer

florerider wrote:

my mate on his £5k bike is faster than me on my £1.k bike - QED.

and my mate on his £1k bike is faster than me on my £3k bike. There's the answer.

chrisaonabike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlJjbnrdjjw

Can't believe no one's posted that yet

veterangaz

ChrisAOnABike wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlJjbnrdjjw

Can't believe no one's posted that yet

That is brilliant, thank you.

damocles10

ChrisAOnABike wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlJjbnrdjjw

Can't believe no one's posted that yet

Hilarious!!

rayjay

I have a old super light 5900 weight weenied out, Its so light and I have a £5000 custom Guru photon Frame that I also built up WW style.
One is no quicker the other, but the Photon is incredible to ride. You do get what you pay for in most cases.

In-fact I bought another Photon . I just don't have the time to build it up . So if anyone is interested . Its brand new in the box and I will let it go for half price, 54cm.

rickeverett

Is this a serious question / thread ???


£3200 may make you 1 second quicker.

veterangaz

rickeverett wrote:

Is this a serious question / thread ???

.

Yes.

I could have phrased it better. the point was, I wanted to know what a bike valued at 5k could do far better than a bike already pretty pricey at 1.8k could do.