Comfort vs speed
03-23-21, 07:48 PM
#1
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Comfort vs speed
I have 5 vintage bicycles from the 1980s. 2 Centurion Ironmen, 1 Fuji Team, 1 Univega Super Strada
and 1 Lotus Unique. At 66 years old I tend to ride the less pedigreed Unique more do to the level of
comfort. Being 3 or 4 pounds heavier and having tires about 4c.m. wider makes this bike smoother
and takes bumps a lot easier and I really don't think it's that much slower.
and 1 Lotus Unique. At 66 years old I tend to ride the less pedigreed Unique more do to the level of
comfort. Being 3 or 4 pounds heavier and having tires about 4c.m. wider makes this bike smoother
and takes bumps a lot easier and I really don't think it's that much slower.
03-23-21, 08:17 PM
#2
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Nice stable you have! Just ride what makes you happy. The nice thing about the small variety you have is that you can satisfy an impulse for a different ride or feel.
03-23-21, 08:40 PM
#3
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BF: "The nice thing about the small variety you have..."
I kid of course, but I can't help but laugh/cry at myself. Joined bikeforums with a single bike. Years later... don't ask.
Luckily, "Just ride what makes you happy" still applies
03-24-21, 05:28 AM
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Some days I want comfort. Some days I want speed. Mostly I settle for comfort (or, more accurately, I’m just not that fast).
03-24-21, 05:37 AM
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i am only comfortable finding speed! It is a long hard search!
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03-24-21, 06:57 AM
#6
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I pick one of my two racing bikes and just tool around anymore. I like their geometry.
68 years old
68 years old
03-24-21, 07:29 AM
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This thread must be reading my mind.
For a long time, the top racing dog in the stable was always what I looked for...
These days, user friendliness is high on my rider list...
But I still like to find, build and ride lesser steeds, like this one that is still waiting for the cold and snow to go, so that I can go on this relaxed geometry old lady...
The question now is "which project next"?
Comfort...
Or speed...
For a long time, the top racing dog in the stable was always what I looked for...
These days, user friendliness is high on my rider list...
But I still like to find, build and ride lesser steeds, like this one that is still waiting for the cold and snow to go, so that I can go on this relaxed geometry old lady...
The question now is "which project next"?
Comfort...
Or speed...
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03-24-21, 08:18 AM
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Unless it's for a short distance/time, being uncomfortable on a bicycle will actually slow you down.
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03-24-21, 09:45 AM
#9
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Rider happiness above all else!
If contorting yourself into a racers position is not something you enjoy doing don't do it. Put a tall stem on your Ironman, throw a sprung saddle on there if that's what you want to do! It makes nerds mad which is even cooler
If contorting yourself into a racers position is not something you enjoy doing don't do it. Put a tall stem on your Ironman, throw a sprung saddle on there if that's what you want to do! It makes nerds mad which is even cooler
03-24-21, 10:02 AM
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I very much doubt that being 3-4 lbs heavier "makes this bike smoother and takes bumps a lot easier." However, riding on skinny tires will both make the ride less comfortable, and make rolling resistance higher. How wide are the tires you are talking about? If there's any extra clearance you can probably switch to fatter tires on your skinny-tired bikes and have both lighter and more comfortable steeds. Bonus points if you go with relatively supple tires that will further enhance comfort and speed.
03-24-21, 10:06 AM
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03-24-21, 10:28 AM
#12
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OP: "I have 5 vintage bicycles..."
BF: "The nice thing about the small variety you have..."
I kid of course, but I can't help but laugh/cry at myself. Joined bikeforums with a single bike. Years later... don't ask.
Luckily, "Just ride what makes you happy" still applies
BF: "The nice thing about the small variety you have..."
I kid of course, but I can't help but laugh/cry at myself. Joined bikeforums with a single bike. Years later... don't ask.
Luckily, "Just ride what makes you happy" still applies
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03-24-21, 10:33 AM
#13
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I have 5 vintage bicycles from the 1980s. 2 Centurion Ironmen, 1 Fuji Team, 1 Univega Super Strada
and 1 Lotus Unique. At 66 years old I tend to ride the less pedigreed Unique more do to the level of
comfort. Being 3 or 4 pounds heavier and having tires about 4c.m. wider makes this bike smoother
and takes bumps a lot easier and I really don't think it's that much slower.
and 1 Lotus Unique. At 66 years old I tend to ride the less pedigreed Unique more do to the level of
comfort. Being 3 or 4 pounds heavier and having tires about 4c.m. wider makes this bike smoother
and takes bumps a lot easier and I really don't think it's that much slower.
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
03-24-21, 10:54 AM
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Bigger tires are the way to go for me, these days. My Bianchi, that I keep in Jamaica, shredded its tires one day...
The only tires that I could find in rural Jamaica (Black River bike shack, and I do mean shack, but the owner knew his stuff) were 700c x 32. I did not think they would fit the Bianchi, but I was wrong. From that day on, bigger tires for me...
The only tires that I could find in rural Jamaica (Black River bike shack, and I do mean shack, but the owner knew his stuff) were 700c x 32. I did not think they would fit the Bianchi, but I was wrong. From that day on, bigger tires for me...
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03-24-21, 11:01 AM
#15
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Bigger tires are the way to go for me, these days. My Bianchi, that I keep in Jamaica, shredded its tires one day...
The only tires that I could find in rural Jamaica (Black River bike shack, and I do mean shack, but the owner knew his stuff) were 700c x 32. I did not think they would fit the Bianchi, but I was wrong. From that day on, bigger tires for me...
The only tires that I could find in rural Jamaica (Black River bike shack, and I do mean shack, but the owner knew his stuff) were 700c x 32. I did not think they would fit the Bianchi, but I was wrong. From that day on, bigger tires for me...
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"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
03-24-21, 12:17 PM
#16
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I have been gravitating toward somewhat wider tires -- no more 700Cx23 or 27" x 7/8" for me. Heavier tires ****** your acceleration slightly, but a wider tire at a slightly reduced pressure can have optimal rolling resistance.
I have also been putting a lot of road miles on my mountain bike, because it carries grocery and other loads well, and because it rides comfortably and has a granny chainring I use more frequently than I like to admit.
I have also been putting a lot of road miles on my mountain bike, because it carries grocery and other loads well, and because it rides comfortably and has a granny chainring I use more frequently than I like to admit.
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03-24-21, 12:57 PM
#17
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Twelve years and a few bikes later I have learned that I like the responsive geometry of the racing bike but also like the comfort of a light touring bike.
Currently I am approaching this from both sides, to see if I can bring them together in one - ultimate - machine. Where I am currently at:
From the racing bike side: a ~1980 Reynolds 531 Jonkers, with added fenders, which weighs in at a little over 10kgs:
From the touring bike side: a Roy Thame, with lightweight parts, at a little under 12kgs:
The Roy Thame is slightly ahead of the Jonkers ...
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03-24-21, 01:03 PM
#18
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I finally tried 32s about a year and half ago - and I love 'em.
I still have 25s on a couple bikes, one because it won't take bigger (okay, it might take 28s, maybe) and one because it won't take bigger with fenders. I reach for the bike with the 32s most of the time. Truth be told, I reached for the same bike most of the time when it also had 25s (best overall ride of any bike I've ever owned), but the 32s reinforce the choice.
I still have 25s on a couple bikes, one because it won't take bigger (okay, it might take 28s, maybe) and one because it won't take bigger with fenders. I reach for the bike with the 32s most of the time. Truth be told, I reached for the same bike most of the time when it also had 25s (best overall ride of any bike I've ever owned), but the 32s reinforce the choice.
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03-24-21, 04:05 PM
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Since 'speed' is relative for each and 'comfort' is subjective for all, one can only offer perspective.
Pictures speak more loudly than words.
Speed
Comfort
Speed
Comfort
Pictures speak more loudly than words.
Speed
Comfort
Speed
Comfort
Last edited by Wildwood; 03-24-21 at 04:20 PM.
03-24-21, 04:17 PM
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So you're implying that blue bikes with brakes that don't work that well are fast and black bikes with french cranksets are comfortable? Am I missing something?
03-24-21, 04:24 PM
#21
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maybe you are missing something.
but how would I know what that might be?
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Last edited by Wildwood; 03-24-21 at 04:41 PM.
03-24-21, 04:42 PM
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03-24-21, 04:46 PM
#23
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edit: as @davester implied - those classic crappy brakes have to be serviced regularly so to not affect in any way = my Speed.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 03-24-21 at 04:50 PM.
03-24-21, 04:56 PM
#24
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Speed - Giuseppe Martano won Worlds on a similar bike.
Frejus 01 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Speed - Similar to Gino Bartali's first team bike
Frejus001 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Speed - Viktor Kapitonov won gold in the road race on a similar bike
Cinelli_Model_B 004 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Comfort - Nobody won **** on this bike and I'm too old and fat to go fast
Cinelli XCR with Super Record 001 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Frejus 01 by iabisdb, on FlickrSpeed - Similar to Gino Bartali's first team bike
Frejus001 by iabisdb, on FlickrSpeed - Viktor Kapitonov won gold in the road race on a similar bike
Cinelli_Model_B 004 by iabisdb, on FlickrComfort - Nobody won **** on this bike and I'm too old and fat to go fast
Cinelli XCR with Super Record 001 by iabisdb, on Flickr
03-24-21, 04:57 PM
#25
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Please -- let's not let this thread deteriorate into,
Why does Wildwood constantly bombard us with pics of less-than-complete bikes in early Spring?
Why does Wildwood constantly bombard us with pics of less-than-complete bikes in early Spring?
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