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Total Time and Avg Speed

  • 11-07-2009 2:21pm
    #1
    Ausdubliner
    Closed Accounts Posts: 71 ✭✭


    Just wondering if anyone can help me out. I just did a 40km cycle on my mountain bike and finished in 1:32mins with an average speed of 25.8km/hr.

    I was wondering how these times might be altered if I was on a road bike? Does anyone have any suggestions as to what sort of difference in time and avg speed a road bike would make?

    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    DirkVoodoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,505 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    It all depends.

    If you were on a mountain bike and averaging that going downhill on a XC trail, then it would be pretty hard to get close to it on a road bike. If this was on the road, you would be faster of course, but it is hard to put a number on it exactly. All you can do is get on a road bike, ride the same route at the same effort in the same conditions and compare.

    That's a pretty good time in fairness.

    I don't place too much faith in averages, my averages always suffer and come out around the 23-25 km/hr mark.

    There are a lot of variables, I guess the only accurate measures are HR and power output, one of which is cheaper and less accurate, but a good deal better than just going by average speed over distance.

    Are you considering getting a road bike? (Something of a rhetorical question around these parts)


  • #3
    Ausdubliner
    Closed Accounts Posts: 71 ✭✭Ausdubliner


    yeah I would love to get a road bike. Since moving to Dublin I just bought a mountain bike instead of a car so I have noticed my fitness and strength on the bike has improved. It has become very enjoyable!! I cycled to galway and back on the same bike and am looking to do a few of the cycle sportiffs. I have only ever cycled alone because I thought i'd be too slow for a group but I really enjoyed the group cycle to Galway (I was the most experienced...cycled with students) so am considering the road bike option.

    I guess in asking the question i knew it would be tough to answer, but cheers for giving some insight!


  • #4
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    Ausdubliner wrote: »
    Just wondering if anyone can help me out. I just did a 40km cycle on my mountain bike and finished in 1:32mins with an average speed of 25.8km/hr.

    I was wondering how these times might be altered if I was on a road bike? Does anyone have any suggestions as to what sort of difference in time and avg speed a road bike would make?
    1h 13m 42s at an average speed of 32.5km/h.


  • #5
    jwshooter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,612 ✭✭✭jwshooter


    im thinking the same myself i have a trek 7100 and im doing 20km most eves on it and 40km s on days off.

    i did 20km in 45mins yesterday eve in the wind and rain and hit 41km/h in one spot .
    now the wind killed me on one hill .

    im thinking of a road bike also would i benefit much also.im looking forward to my spin now every eve except in the wind.


  • #6
    victorcarrera
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,059 ✭✭✭victorcarrera


    Ausdubliner wrote: »
    I just did a 40km cycle on my mountain bike and finished in 1:32mins with an average speed of 25.8km/hr.
    Thanks.

    Thats pretty good going I would say.
    Here are some rough estimates from my own experience.
    21 Kilo Alu Hybrid, 40Km Flat course, medium intensity, non aero = 25Kph.
    11 Kilo Alu Road bike, 40Km Flat course, medium intensity non aero = 30Kph.
    8 Kilo carbon road bike,40Km Flat course, high intensity, non aero = 34Kph.
    7.5 Kilo carbon TT bike, 40Km Flat course, high intensity = 38Kph. (with Aero helmet, skin suit, wheels and handlebars.
    I may have been getting fitter and more technical as I upgraded the bikes but so will you if you decide to invest.


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  • #7
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    I got that number from playing around with the calculators here. Basically you need to estimate your power from your speed and bike setup and then apply that to the different bike setup to get the new speed.

    On a flat course the key differences between the MTB and the road bike will be (1) aerodynamics due to rider position and (2) rolling resistance due to the tyres. Weight is important only on a hilly course; if there are hills you will go faster again on the road bike, but in general the other two factors will be more significant.

    The increase from 25.8km/h to 32.5km/h presumes you are moving from an upright position with knobblies on the MTB to staying in the drops on slicks on a road bike. Obviously this is a rough estimate as a lot will depend on the exact rider position, bike and tyres.


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