Will road/CX make difference on 11mph average speed?
TheGardenGnome
Posts: 170
On my hybrid, my average speed is 11mph over 90mins (180 min round trip), 1/3 of the journey is hills and I'm 40kg overweight. Will me getting a road/CX bike save any time or make the trip easier for me (I know the hills will not become easier on road/CX) considering my average speed on a hybrid- I'm only considering wind resistance here as it makes no sense for me to worry about the weight of the bike.
Note: I have no intention of wearing lycra.
Note: I have no intention of wearing lycra.
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Comments
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To be honest it probably won't make a massive amount of difference until you get sttonger/lose weight but you will find it easier against a headwind than you do now.
Unless you just wanna get a new toy I'd hold off for the moment, make some gains with the hybrid then treat yourself in the sales later?0 -
Depends on the relevant position.
Cross bikes tend to be a bit higher than road bikes - or mine is anyway but the position is very similar to my road bike.
If you have massive wide bars on your hybrid then road bars will be more aero.
If you have flappy clothing then consider getting something more slippier through the air.0 -
Clothing and position make a big difference.
Fast riders not only out out more power but they are more aero too.http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.0 -
I'm not in a hurry to buy a new bike, but I'd like to have a a new toy- something a bit different (with the old bike being a spare). I'll hang fire on the new bike and reward myself with a new one when I lose 10kg which should be reasonable I hope.0
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Going by my old rides I was about 1 and a 1/2 miles an hour faster on drop bars.0
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Nope. Well maybe a little if you use the drops (which will still be higher than a proper road bike).
Drop the front end on your Hybrid if you can handle the lower position. Flip the stem so it points down if you have to so you can get lower and more aero. Cut an inch off each side of the handlebars. Get some narrower and faster tyres. Those things will make a difference.
But in reality just lose weight and get fitter, but you already knew that. :-) Enjoy!0 -
So there we have it, a resounding no unless you use the drop bars :?I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
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40kg overweight is massive, lose at least half of those before even think to buy an other bike. Even 5kg less on your body will do wonders on your speed, so just work harder, and eat less/better.0
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If a nice new road bike will encourage you to ride more, get the n+1.
I'd expect your average speed, depending upon junctions and lights, to improve on a more aero bike that also weighs a bit less.================
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo0 -
If you are 40kg overweight, then bike choice is going to be largely irrelevant...0
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Don't listen to the naysayers. Get on a new race bike.
It will be faster and you may be inspired to ride it a bit more.0 -
What hybrid have you got now? And what tyres have you got on it?0
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Ridgeback Meteor 2013-2014
700x32 tyres
It's not that I need more inspiration to cycle, I'm beginning to see the benefits already and feel better for it anyway, I can manage cycling to work everyday now so I'm pretty committed. Good thing they have showers at work...0 -
Tyres there rolling resistance & weight make a difference.
Hybrids often have crap tyres.
700x32c can be fast or slow dependent on tyre model & brand.
Downside is Fast tyres usaully puncture more easy though can & wear out faster
I have theese on my cx
https://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/speci ... gKFbvD_BwE0 -
TheGardenGnome wrote:Ridgeback Meteor 2013-2014
700x32 tyres
It's not that I need more inspiration to cycle, I'm beginning to see the benefits already and feel better for it anyway, I can manage cycling to work everyday now so I'm pretty committed. Good thing they have showers at work...
That bike is pretty heavy at over 13kg compared to a modern road bike, but since you mention your extra weight probably not a major concern. It's also quite an upright/comfortable geometry - so you would definitely benefit from something that puts you in a more aero shape, even if you'e not on the drops - but possibly at the expense of comfort depending how natural that position is for you.
You would definitely be faster on a new road bike, and I suspect you'll enjoy being on something new and shiny!0 -
I had a one month old rear wheel that just gave up on me. I would love to be able to ride faster as long as I could find a tank on bike wheels, I'm not too miffed about the weight, I have no right to be at this point, but I'd need something very robust to allow me to continue to bike without worry. I'm trying to see if I can get down to 100kg first, maybe there will be more bikes open for me to try?0
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New bike with decent tyres will help. PLUS your 90min ride will take you further, encouraging you to stay out on longer rides. This will get you fitter..rinse and repeat...0