Badger12

Hello everyone. I recently got put on a permanent no run/walk profile for the Army physical fitness test which means I will have to take the bike event. The standards for the army bike test is 6.2 miles (10K) in 24:30 minutes or less. I've just recently started training for it and I'm having trouble with biking that fast. Right now, using some $100 bike I bought to just bike to school, ect, I can't finish 6.2 miles in anything faster than 26-27 minutes.

So my questions are: what sort of bike should I buy to bike as fast as possible? I'd like to try to stay below $500. And what is the best technique for biking 6.2 miles as fast as possible? I've tried alternating biking in and out of the saddle and I actually finished the first 3.1 miles in under 12 minutes but was unable to keep up that pace for the other half. Thanks for your help in advance

Edit: Also I should mention that for whatever stupid reason, the army requires that you stay in one gear the whole time regardless of incline/decline or be disqualified

corrado33

Go buy a road bike on bikesdirect. Plenty on there for <$500.

Pump up the tires on any bike you're riding to more than you think you'd need. Given the time you're currently taking to ride this distance, I'd say you probably need about 45-50 PSI in the 1.95 inch tires. That's a bit on the high side, I'm just being safe.

Pull your seat up. With your heel on the pedal and the pedal at the bottom of the stroke, your knee should be very slightly bent. (Obviously you don't pedal like this, but it's a good metric for your saddle height.)

Sitting is more efficient than standing.

If the bike has "suspension" find a way to make it so that the "suspension" is rigid.

jefnvk

That is only a 15.5MPH pace. Not blisteringly fast, you shouldn't need much but conditioning to get you there.

What kind of biking do you actually have to do? Big difference between flat ground road biking and hilly mountain biking. You may gain some speed from just a tire change and a lube on the bike you have, for example.

kevindsingleton 

Seems like an odd test for the Army. I've never seen combat cyclists engaging the enemy on the MUP! Sounds like a Sylvester Stallone movie, featuring "The Rock"!

making

I have never heard of the Army bicycle fitness test. Something new?

ThermionicScott 

"Military intelligence" for you.

jefnvk

If it is paved, any road bike that fits you should more than accomplish that. If not, many road bikes still can be of use, so long as you are careful to buy something that allows a bit bigger tires. A hybrid should be able to hit those speeds easy enough as well, and tackle rougher roads if necessary. Try looking at a bike shop that sells used bikes, you don't need anything fancy, and you can get a nicer bike that has been gone over and possibly has a warranty for cheaper than new.

Do know that just buying something nicer isn't going to mean you can automatically pass, though. I don't know what you currently have, $100 bike can mean almost anything. If you're going from an older road bike to a new one, the improvement isn't going to be as drastic as from a mountain bike to any road bike.

Marcus_Ti

First, what is your budget? That will limit your equipment choices somewhat. A road bike or hybrid with higher-pressure slick tires, and no other suspension (or that suspension locked out).

2nd. Matter of training. A 15.5MPH pace isn't a blistering one, especially since the regs specify a flat route. But it does take regular athletic paced riding.

making

Maybe an ebike. We need to see the regulation.

Marcus_Ti

Odds are that anything that smells of a moped or "assist" would be right out...Or if not right out in the reg, the person administering it would fail you right off.

JanMM

15.5 mph could be quite a challenge for some.
Just get a bike, and a bike computer, and start riding. Gradually increasing speed and mileage. Once the test challenge is met, keep riding.

indyfabz

6.2 Mile Bicycle Test



Alternate Aerobic Events for APFT | Army.com


No eBikes allowed.

making

It is hard to be funny on the internet, but I have worked for the Federal govt since 1980 and cannot imagine them requiring a bicycle for a fitness test, without providing the bicycle.

jefnvk

Interesting that only one gear can be used for the test. Definitely means you need to pay attention to what one you can do the test in most effectively, so you know what one to lock for use

Any model or name on it?

Marcus_Ti

And then they provide you with aa 20 year old walmart MTB with bouncy seat post and fork, 2 sizes too small or large), with 2" underinflated tires, and rubbing brake shoes. After all, this is the military we're talking about, right?

fietsbob

OK Train the Body, You dont need To replace the Bike .

jefnvk

Depending on the actual gearing, that may not be best solution. Generally easier to go faster spinning faster with less resistance than tiring out trying to force the faster gears if you aren't putting out the power.

Marcus_Ti

Only way to know is to have a bike computer that tell you how fast you are moving and what RPM you're turning the pedals. Even a cheap one will do.

02Giant 

Sounds like you are starting off too fast and can't maintain it. Slow down slightly at the start to maintain a faster overall time/speed.

Inara220

I would try it in a lower gear (even just the next one down) and pedal at a higher cadence. You might be putting too much strain on yourself in the beginning and wearing yourself out too fast. I am one of those people the prefer to put it in the hardest gear and have a "steady" pace, but I know that I wear out my legs faster that way so I have been working on trying to go in a lower gear and get the cadence up as eventually I would like to take on more challenging rides.

kevindsingleton 

Your superior officers can't convince the PF to evacuate? That sux, big green ones.

Pain that won't go away is the worst kind. I get a touch of PF, now and again, which I can manage with orthotics, so I've felt a tiny fraction of your pain. I can't imagine what it would be like to have to march or hike with what you're feet are facing.

Here's hoping it gets better.

ypsetihw

+1 for spinning a lower gear, and definitely get that bike computer

bikepro

It's an alternate test you can take if you have a physical condition that prevents you from taking the standard test.

Mobile 155

The test: 6.2 Mile Bicycle Test
or
Alternate Aerobic Events

It should be no problem to get 16 MPH on a Single speed and there are lots of low cost Single speed /fixed gear bikes for under 500 bucks.

I am 68 and can ride a 44x16 gear at a average speed of of 17 or 18 for 30 miles. A 46x16 on a flat road should be no problem. https://www.amazon.com/Critical-Cycl...ixed+gear+bike

kevindsingleton 

Yeah, it just seems strange, if cycling is never used in military duty.