Why am I so slow compared to road bikes?? lol
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Why am I so slow compared to road bikes?? lol
I feel I'm in pretty damn good shape. I ride from 150-200km a week on my Trek Checkpoint ALR5 with quite a bit of climbing each ride. But I get these guys that zoom ass past me on their road bikes! I dont get it. I know it doesn't really matter, it's just weird. Sure, I know a gravel bike (well mine with the stock 40x700 Bontrager GR1 tires) is slower but the way some of these roadies fly by me?? lol. oh well.. just ranting here...
Last edited by eaglesandcycling; 08-26-20 at 03:38 AM.
#2
Senior Member
I feel I'm in pretty damn good shape. I ride from 150-200km a week on my Trek Checkpoint ALR5 with quite a bit of climbing each ride. But I get these guys that zoom ass past me on their road bikes! I dont get it. I know it doesn't really matter, it's just weird. Sure, I know a gravel bike (well mine with the stock 40x700 Bontrager GR1 tires) is slower but the way some of these roadies fly by me?? lol. oh well.. just ranting here...
Likes For DeadGrandpa:
#3
n00b
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,397
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Twin Six Standard Rando
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
273 Posts
most likely, they are pedaling hard than you are, thus propelling their bicycles at a higher speed.
Likes For mack_turtle:
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Likes For eaglesandcycling:
#5
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Southeastern PA
Posts: 294
Bikes: Niner RLT RDO, Trek Remedy 9.8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 108 Post(s)
Liked 117 Times
in
70 Posts
I think it is mostly tire choice. I have the Bonty GR2 tires in 40c and while I like them for gravel events and unknown terrain, they are slower than the Gravel King slicks in 38c I use on a regular basis. I caught some roadies the other day with the Gravel Kings on and still thought that it was a lot of effort to catch these guys (I just chalked it up to bad tire choice for me on the road at that particular moment).
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 2,880
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1461 Post(s)
Liked 1,485 Times
in
870 Posts
1. There will always be faster riders.
2. Your tires are designed for gravel/off road and are heavier and slower rolling on pavement than pure road tires. If you want to go faster on road, try installing some road tires. I see a noticeable difference between 35c gravel tires and 32c road tires, for example.
2. Your tires are designed for gravel/off road and are heavier and slower rolling on pavement than pure road tires. If you want to go faster on road, try installing some road tires. I see a noticeable difference between 35c gravel tires and 32c road tires, for example.
Likes For msu2001la:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 524
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
first find out if you're actually fast or slow
You might consider getting an inexpensive GPS and a free-tier Strava account. Then go out and record some of your rides, upload them to Strava and see how you stack up against other Strava riders to find out whether you're fast, slow or in-between.
150–200 km/week to me is respectable but not a whole lot (on-road, it's a lot if it's all/mostly off-road). You also say "quite a bit of climbing" but don't quantify (perhaps because you don't have a GPS?). Is it 3000 m or more a week in those 150–200 km? That would be "a lot".
150–200 km/week to me is respectable but not a whole lot (on-road, it's a lot if it's all/mostly off-road). You also say "quite a bit of climbing" but don't quantify (perhaps because you don't have a GPS?). Is it 3000 m or more a week in those 150–200 km? That would be "a lot".
Last edited by dorkypants; 08-26-20 at 03:33 PM.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,468
Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 427 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 339 Times
in
229 Posts
Put on the high thread count Challenge Strada Bianca or Rene Herse tires, either in a 35 mm width and if the roadies are still faster at least you will know it is not your tires. Really good tires make a substantial difference. The difference in power required to maintain 20 MPH between really good and really bad gravel tires can be as much or more than 20 watts per tire. If your legs cannot make up the difference then you will need to start riding a different route with more gravel to avoid the roadies!
Likes For dwmckee:
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
You might consider getting an inexpensive GPS and a free-tier Strava account. Then go out and record some of your rides, upload them to Strava and see how you stack up against other Strava riders to find out whether you're fast, slow or in-between.
150–200 km/week to me is respectable but not a whole lot (on-road, it's a lot if it's all/mostly off-road). You also say "quite a bit of climbing" but don't quantify (perhaps because you don't have a GPS?). Is it 3000 m or more a week in those 150–200 km? That would be "a lot".
150–200 km/week to me is respectable but not a whole lot (on-road, it's a lot if it's all/mostly off-road). You also say "quite a bit of climbing" but don't quantify (perhaps because you don't have a GPS?). Is it 3000 m or more a week in those 150–200 km? That would be "a lot".
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stillwater, OK
Posts: 7,827
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1872 Post(s)
Liked 692 Times
in
468 Posts
I can't believe you haven't gotten faster than them since last month.
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...shape-lol.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...shape-lol.html
__________________
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I can't believe you haven't gotten faster than them since last month.
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...shape-lol.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...shape-lol.html
how is life being super bored?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,437
Bikes: SuperSix Evo | Revolt
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 733 Post(s)
Liked 815 Times
in
414 Posts
I dunno, I have no problems keeping up with road bikes on my gravel bike, even with 44mm tires.
But I also average over 500km a week with around 14,000m of climbing, that might have something to do with it. (and there are still plenty of folks around here way faster than me)
Ride as much as you can, your fitness will keep improving, but just remember that there is always someone faster, just how it goes.
But I also average over 500km a week with around 14,000m of climbing, that might have something to do with it. (and there are still plenty of folks around here way faster than me)
Ride as much as you can, your fitness will keep improving, but just remember that there is always someone faster, just how it goes.
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I dunno, I have no problems keeping up with road bikes on my gravel bike, even with 44mm tires.
But I also average over 500km a week with around 14,000m of climbing, that might have something to do with it. (and there are still plenty of folks around here way faster than me)
Ride as much as you can, your fitness will keep improving, but just remember that there is always someone faster, just how it goes.
But I also average over 500km a week with around 14,000m of climbing, that might have something to do with it. (and there are still plenty of folks around here way faster than me)
Ride as much as you can, your fitness will keep improving, but just remember that there is always someone faster, just how it goes.
jeeez. well, i'm a complete effing ***** to you lol.. u must have a ton of free time!!
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
It looks like the stock drive train is 50/34 chainring with a 11-34 cassette. With 40mm tires, 50x11 is 126.5 gear inches. 33.9 mph at 90 rpm. It's not the gearing that's holding him back.
#17
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,540
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3672 Post(s)
Liked 5,427 Times
in
2,757 Posts
I can't believe you haven't gotten faster than them since last month.
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...shape-lol.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...shape-lol.html
#18
Senior Member
Tires make the huge difference as others already said. Night and day difference. This is why I now have two wheelsets for my gravel bike - for gravel and road rides (it is much easier to change wheels than tires). Clothes - if instead of tightly fitting road clothes you use something flapping in the wind - makes a huge difference, again. Your bike fit can be poor - body position can hugely affect muscle involvement (saddle height and setback mostly).
#19
Senior Member
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,799
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,024 Times
in
723 Posts
If they're running 25s with matching aero rims which are popular on bikes today and you're runnings 40s on a basic gravel rim you should expect to be slower, if they've got better hubs expect to be even slower. Add in riding position of a gravel bike vs optimized road fit and clothing as someone else said and also expect bigger differences. Either pedal faster or get a road bike.
#21
Non omnino gravis
Those people flying by you are doing it because they're faster than you. It has very little to do with what kind of bike they're riding, what kind of shoes they're wearing, or how much they spent on components A, B, or C.
Faster is faster. I blow by people on my SSCX and I'm nowhere near fast (as I enjoy pointing out, according to the FTP chart, my power output is "Untrained") because there are people slower even than me.
Ride more, get faster. Or if all you want to do is blow past people, get a Spesh Turbo Creo SL and go run down some youngsters. Note: you still wouldn't catch all of 'em.
Faster is faster. I blow by people on my SSCX and I'm nowhere near fast (as I enjoy pointing out, according to the FTP chart, my power output is "Untrained") because there are people slower even than me.
Ride more, get faster. Or if all you want to do is blow past people, get a Spesh Turbo Creo SL and go run down some youngsters. Note: you still wouldn't catch all of 'em.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,025
Bikes: Blur / Ibis Hakka MX / team machince alr2 / topstone 1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 426 Post(s)
Liked 274 Times
in
201 Posts
I have a gravel bike and road bike.
from faster to slower:
road bike clip less pedals 28mm tires
gravel bike flat pedals with 28mm tires and wheels stolen from my road bike
gravel bike flat pedals with gravel tires
around town with stop lights the times are about the same no matter what bike I ride.
Sections time with no lights there is a HUGE difference between my road bike and my gravel bike with gravel tires.
The gravel bike is probably with tires/wheels stolen from my road bike for short distance is about fast as my road bike. Over an hour+ the difference start to add up. More aero position, pedaling smoother and higher cadence being clipped in etc..
from faster to slower:
road bike clip less pedals 28mm tires
gravel bike flat pedals with 28mm tires and wheels stolen from my road bike
gravel bike flat pedals with gravel tires
around town with stop lights the times are about the same no matter what bike I ride.
Sections time with no lights there is a HUGE difference between my road bike and my gravel bike with gravel tires.
The gravel bike is probably with tires/wheels stolen from my road bike for short distance is about fast as my road bike. Over an hour+ the difference start to add up. More aero position, pedaling smoother and higher cadence being clipped in etc..
#23
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Semi knob tires are not doing you any favors.