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How much speed can I buy?

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How much speed can I buy?

Old 12-07-19, 04:01 PM
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DeathCurse7
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How much speed can I buy?

Alright so I am wondering how much faster I could get if I get some actual decent cycling gear. Currently I have an aluminum entry level bike (trek 1.2), alloy wheels, not the best fitting clothing, a non aero helmet, and a kinda old drive train. So if I got the top of the line equipment (carbon fiber rim, aero helmet, etc) how much faster do y'all think I can get. I am curious since I a have a hard time staying with some people even though I train more than them and also I can't descend that fast.
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Old 12-07-19, 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by DeathCurse7
Alright so I am wondering how much faster I could get if I get some actual decent cycling gear. Currently I have an aluminum entry level bike (trek 1.2), alloy wheels, not the best fitting clothing, a non aero helmet, and a kinda old drive train. So if I got the top of the line equipment (carbon fiber rim, aero helmet, etc) how much faster do y'all think I can get. I am curious since I a have a hard time staying with some people even though I train more than them and also I can't descend that fast.
1.5 - 2 mph.
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Old 12-07-19, 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by DeathCurse7
Alright so I am wondering how much faster I could get if I get some actual decent cycling gear. Currently I have an aluminum entry level bike (trek 1.2), alloy wheels, not the best fitting clothing, a non aero helmet, and a kinda old drive train. So if I got the top of the line equipment (carbon fiber rim, aero helmet, etc) how much faster do y'all think I can get. I am curious since I a have a hard time staying with some people even though I train more than them and also I can't descend that fast.
Aero gains are marginal gains, just like cutting weight. I'd guess you could add 3mph max by buying it. The motor matters the most.
Buying 'speed' will definitely help the motor, though the legality is questionable.
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Old 12-07-19, 04:16 PM
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Are e-motors out of scope?
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Old 12-07-19, 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
Are e-motors out of scope?
Yes 😂
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Old 12-07-19, 04:27 PM
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Very little TBH.
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Old 12-07-19, 04:33 PM
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Structured training will make you faster! Ride with people that are faster than you.
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Old 12-07-19, 05:06 PM
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Not a whole lot. But there are 50 mph eBikes if you really want to but speed.
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Old 12-07-19, 05:20 PM
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Good tires and tight fitting clothing will make a noticeable difference.

I also registered gains from deeper rims, and even from helmet upgrade,

but sadly, a recent bout of slacking has cost me all that speed, and more...
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Old 12-07-19, 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by DeathCurse7
Alright so I am wondering how much faster I could get if I get some actual decent cycling gear. Currently I have an aluminum entry level bike (trek 1.2), alloy wheels, not the best fitting clothing, a non aero helmet, and a kinda old drive train. So if I got the top of the line equipment (carbon fiber rim, aero helmet, etc) how much faster do y'all think I can get. I am curious since I a have a hard time staying with some people even though I train more than them and also I can't descend that fast.
To answer your thread's title question: for all practical/legal/ethical purposes? None.
Caveat: as others have mentioned, e-bikes, PEDs, and so on will certainly make a noticeable difference. If it matters that much, go one of those routes.
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Old 12-07-19, 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by badger1
To answer your thread's title question: for all practical/legal/ethical purposes? None.
Not a big fan of science are you?
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Old 12-07-19, 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by asgelle
1.5 - 2 mph.
That's a little optimistic, but I guess it depends on how low the starting point is, and how much he wants to spend.
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Old 12-07-19, 05:57 PM
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The process of trying out all the aero and equipment enhancements, aka exercise, may also result in speed increases that could be conflated with the results of said purchases. However, if it gets you on the bike, then it's worth it (at least in my mind when compared to the alternative).
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Old 12-07-19, 06:04 PM
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By the way I'm just 17 and I don't want to dope/get an ebike. I was just curious about how much more effort I was Putting in compared to everyone else in group rides and if its fair to compare myself to people with really good equipment. Hopefully in the future if I get some more money so I can make a couple of upgrades.
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Old 12-07-19, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by DeathCurse7
By the way I'm just 17 and I don't want to dope/get an ebike. I was just curious about how much more effort I was Putting in compared to everyone else in group rides and if its fair to compare myself to people with really good equipment. Hopefully in the future if I get some more money so I can make a couple of upgrades.
Make sure the equipment is tuned properly, and make sure your clothing isn't flapping in the wind. It won't cost much to do that.

Maybe some good training tires would help. Before I went to fat tubeless tires, Michelin Pro4 Endurance(25mm wide) worked well. They don't cost much, the ride is nice, and they are quite durable.
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Old 12-07-19, 06:23 PM
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A couple of older presentations on buying speed

From Velonews and Cyclingtips:
And from the Specialized Win Tunnel YouTube channel:
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Old 12-07-19, 06:33 PM
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New wheels, carbon fiber frame, and the latest and greatest drive train will buy you close to zero more speed. It would gain some proportional to the fraction of weight saved and grade of incline, on the steeper hills (maybe a tenth or two mph overall). Some people put a lot of stock in "stiffer" giving better "power transfer" and while we lose some power with a noodly feeling bike, it's usually overblown IMO. Not counting flexing the brakes to the rim, it surely isn't more than a fraction of a percent of power lost in flex, which comes to even less of a fraction of speed.

Racing tires & tubes, aero equipment and freer bearings is where the speed gains are. Body position. How much depends on how you're riding that Trek.
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Old 12-07-19, 06:40 PM
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Briefly said, it's all in the motor. Try looking through the training and nutrition threads for ideas, and try a couple of free workouts from GCN (if you already have a trainer or rollers).
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Old 12-07-19, 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by DeathCurse7
By the way I'm just 17 and I don't want to dope/get an ebike. I was just curious about how much more effort I was Putting in compared to everyone else in group rides and if its fair to compare myself to people with really good equipment. Hopefully in the future if I get some more money so I can make a couple of upgrades.
How long have you been riding?
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Old 12-07-19, 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by DeathCurse7
Alright so I am wondering how much faster I could get if I get some actual decent cycling gear. Currently I have an aluminum entry level bike (trek 1.2), alloy wheels, not the best fitting clothing, a non aero helmet, and a kinda old drive train. So if I got the top of the line equipment (carbon fiber rim, aero helmet, etc) how much faster do y'all think I can get. I am curious since I a have a hard time staying with some people even though I train more than them and also I can't descend that fast.
How fast are you going now? and what are the conditions? up hill, down hill? flat and level? i have the exact same bike you have and have been riding it for about 12ish years, my helmet is crappy but i do have decent fitting bike shorts and shirts. i have no intention of upgrading (although i would like to). i have gotten faster by riding more. i climb more and have descended at 50 mph.
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Old 12-07-19, 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Athens80
From Velonews and Cyclingtips:
Those all seem additive? Therefore about 9 minutes overall could be gained over the 40km distance?
I wish though that the chart had the effect of tuck but without aerobars.
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Old 12-07-19, 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
How long have you been riding?
I have been riding for about a year my strava is "Rayan Jamshidian" i cant post URLs sorry I have been using strava to track my rides for a couple of months.
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Old 12-07-19, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by spelger
How fast are you going now? and what are the conditions? up hill, down hill? flat and level? i have the exact same bike you have and have been riding it for about 12ish years, my helmet is crappy but i do have decent fitting bike shorts and shirts. i have no intention of upgrading (although i would like to). i have gotten faster by riding more. i climb more and have descended at 50 mph.
I have descended only up to 38 mph mostly because im scared lol but you can see my rides on strava "Rayan Jamshidian" is my username there.
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Old 12-07-19, 07:30 PM
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You'd have better luck adding an intake, header and exhaust.

Last edited by Princess_Allez; 12-09-19 at 10:01 PM.
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Old 12-07-19, 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Unca_Sam
Briefly said, it's all in the motor. Try looking through the training and nutrition threads for ideas, and try a couple of free workouts from GCN (if you already have a trainer or rollers).
I already do train and take care of nutrition haha and i have a nice schedule but thanks for the advice
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