Tips on increasing speed on hybrid
#26
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#27
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Since I started just a few months ago, I’m just calculating my speed by my distance vs time.
Im only averaging about 14 miles distance on my rides now but am working toward 20. Mostly, I’m going an average of 13.5 mph. But on one ride, I pushed it and averaged 14.8. So, definitely fitness is the biggest factor, I would think.
The loop I ride is interesting, it’s basically a flat, then downhill, then flat, them uphill to the original flat, it’s just about 3.4 miles. I see the fitness improvements most clearly on the hill and being able to do it in lower and lower gears with the same cadence.
The bike is 27 lbs, 700c hybrid type tires.
The biggest thing that slows me down compared to road bikes is the wind resistance from the upright posture. On steeper downhills, road bikes can coast and I’ll have to pedal to keep up. I crouched low one time just to see and it made a big difference. But, for now, I’m really just in it for fitness and my speed improvements are just measured against myself. I figure I’m actually getting an even better workout cycling through the wind anyway ; )
Im only averaging about 14 miles distance on my rides now but am working toward 20. Mostly, I’m going an average of 13.5 mph. But on one ride, I pushed it and averaged 14.8. So, definitely fitness is the biggest factor, I would think.
The loop I ride is interesting, it’s basically a flat, then downhill, then flat, them uphill to the original flat, it’s just about 3.4 miles. I see the fitness improvements most clearly on the hill and being able to do it in lower and lower gears with the same cadence.
The bike is 27 lbs, 700c hybrid type tires.
The biggest thing that slows me down compared to road bikes is the wind resistance from the upright posture. On steeper downhills, road bikes can coast and I’ll have to pedal to keep up. I crouched low one time just to see and it made a big difference. But, for now, I’m really just in it for fitness and my speed improvements are just measured against myself. I figure I’m actually getting an even better workout cycling through the wind anyway ; )
Last edited by CyclingBK; 09-30-19 at 12:22 PM.
#28
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Since I started just a few months ago, I’m just calculating my speed by my distance vs time.
Im only averaging about 14 miles distance on my rides now but am working toward 20. Mostly, I’m going an average of 13.5 mph. But on one ride, I pushed it and averaged 14.8. So, definitely fitness is the biggest factor, I would think.
The loop I ride is interesting, it’s basically a flat, then downhill, then flat, them uphill to the original flat, it’s just about 3.4 miles. I see the fitness improvements most clearly on the hill and being able to do it in lower and lower gears with the same cadence.
The bike is 27 lbs, 700c hybrid type tires.
The biggest thing that slows me down compared to road bikes is the wind resistance from the upright posture. On steeper downhills, road bikes can coast and I’ll have to pedal to keep up. I crouched low one time just to see and it made a big difference. But, for now, I’m really just in it for fitness and my speed improvements are just measured against myself. I figure I’m actually getting an even better workout cycling through the wind anyway ; )
Im only averaging about 14 miles distance on my rides now but am working toward 20. Mostly, I’m going an average of 13.5 mph. But on one ride, I pushed it and averaged 14.8. So, definitely fitness is the biggest factor, I would think.
The loop I ride is interesting, it’s basically a flat, then downhill, then flat, them uphill to the original flat, it’s just about 3.4 miles. I see the fitness improvements most clearly on the hill and being able to do it in lower and lower gears with the same cadence.
The bike is 27 lbs, 700c hybrid type tires.
The biggest thing that slows me down compared to road bikes is the wind resistance from the upright posture. On steeper downhills, road bikes can coast and I’ll have to pedal to keep up. I crouched low one time just to see and it made a big difference. But, for now, I’m really just in it for fitness and my speed improvements are just measured against myself. I figure I’m actually getting an even better workout cycling through the wind anyway ; )
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#29
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Thanks and great point! I’ve been so into the “fitness “ part but am appreciating the sights and sounds more and more. Today was actually the first time I got off the bike during a ride to take this pic
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#30
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You realize that the current speed to desired speed is 25%-33% improvement, right? I wish it were that easy to just change components and/or spin at 90 to get that increase. Your best way to get towards that goal is to reduce weight (yours) and just bike more to get your power up.
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How about a gear change? My Hybrid's large chain ring was a 48 and my road bike is a 52. Not sure what the OP is running but riding more and a bigger chain ring should help.
#33
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If you are running your tire pressure at the max, you may want to lower it a little. Evidently, running at max pressure might not make you faster (contrary to what we may have thought), at least according to this article: https://www.roadbikerider.com/the-ti...-jan-heine-d1/