How fast do you descend?
#101
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#102
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why not a downhill helmet? They’re usually vented and protect your face.
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#103
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Ive been riding in the hills this past week and find myself sticking to about 30 on the decents and just aerotucking to save energy and be safer instead of peddling like a madman like I was before
#104
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Hey guys, I test rode my brothers new bike yesterday and bombed down a hill. I was wearing a helmet so I felt confident to just take the bike to close to its maximum speed, I didn't record it on Strava but ive never gone that fast and was probably approaching 40 mph. It was low-key sketchy as ****, normally I max out at around 33 and even that seems sketchy. I crashed hard on a descent 5 years ago and I think im subconsciously afraid now. How fast do you descend before you start feeling unsafe? Are you more likely to go full send if youre wearing a helmet?
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I need steeper hills than I have around here to get much past 35-38mph - I spin out past that or at least don't feel like cranking high cadence just to hit the brakes in a bit (we're talking 200 ft of descending max).
After coming across 10 deer crossing the road a couple weeks ago in the middle of a 35+ descent, I'm thinking I'll be a bit more circumspect before commencing bombing.
After coming across 10 deer crossing the road a couple weeks ago in the middle of a 35+ descent, I'm thinking I'll be a bit more circumspect before commencing bombing.
#106
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I usually go between 39-41mph during a straight downhill I am familiar with... fastest ever was 43... I want to hit 50+ one day but I am not there yet.
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like that one ?
That does not seem very comfortable on road bike with your hands on drops. I could see how mountain bikers like because they ride more up right.
#108
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down hill helmet
like that one ?
That does not seem very comfortable on road bike with your hands on drops. I could see how mountain bikers like because they ride more up right.
like that one ?
That does not seem very comfortable on road bike with your hands on drops. I could see how mountain bikers like because they ride more up right.
Of course, they don't climb at those events, and I would rather just slow down on the descents than wear a full face helmet and body armor here in the heat.
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Last edited by urbanknight; 04-13-21 at 10:55 AM.
#109
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I hit 85 the other day, but then remembered I had switched my readout from imperial to metric the night before. I guess I’ll shoot for 100 now ...
#111
Senior Member
Haven't found a speed I feel uncomfortable at yet. I think 52 is my max. Most rides since I live on a hill I hit 40-45 just starting out.
Biggest risk IMO is deer. Couple years back my buddy and I were starting a gravel ride, going slowly up a mild incline on a dirt road that had been freshly graded, and two deer came through the roadside brush and t-boned us. The one that hit me actually hit my rear wheel, legs through the spokes. THe other hit my buddy right in the body. All four of us went down. The deer extracted themselves more quickly than we did and went on their way.
Would hate for that to happen on tarmac while descending.
Biggest risk IMO is deer. Couple years back my buddy and I were starting a gravel ride, going slowly up a mild incline on a dirt road that had been freshly graded, and two deer came through the roadside brush and t-boned us. The one that hit me actually hit my rear wheel, legs through the spokes. THe other hit my buddy right in the body. All four of us went down. The deer extracted themselves more quickly than we did and went on their way.
Would hate for that to happen on tarmac while descending.