How fast (or slow!) should I expect to be able to go?
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How fast (or slow!) should I expect to be able to go?
I have a Breezer Uptown Infinity that has a Yepp Mini hooked up to the front, and a Trail-a-Bike hooked up to the back. I carry my 1.5 year old daughter in the Yepp and my 4 year old son rides the Trail-a-Bike. I have a rack and paniers that I use to haul groceries/library books/whatever.
I always feel like I am going SUPER slow. I average 7-8 mph fairly comfortably with this setup. Is that normal? Is it me and my ability, or is it just that I'm hauling a LOT of stuff on my bike?
Thanks
I always feel like I am going SUPER slow. I average 7-8 mph fairly comfortably with this setup. Is that normal? Is it me and my ability, or is it just that I'm hauling a LOT of stuff on my bike?
Thanks
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Well it depends? is it flat ground? Are you in great shape or just getting into shape? Is the avg what comes from you bike computer for avg speed or is it the number you see on the bike computer or is best guess.
I think that considering your bike (not a speedster per se ) your high value cargo up front, and trail a bike helper in back your are not doing too bad to start.
to put it in perspective I have a flat 5 mile one way commute that the bike computer says I average around 11.3 to 12 mph. I am not in super shape, am a clyde and my bike is probably naturally a little faster than your bike to apples to oranges it doesn't sound too bad..... and the more you are out the faster you go.
have fun
I think that considering your bike (not a speedster per se ) your high value cargo up front, and trail a bike helper in back your are not doing too bad to start.
to put it in perspective I have a flat 5 mile one way commute that the bike computer says I average around 11.3 to 12 mph. I am not in super shape, am a clyde and my bike is probably naturally a little faster than your bike to apples to oranges it doesn't sound too bad..... and the more you are out the faster you go.
have fun
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
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I think you are doing fine with that rig. I figure about 10-12mph on my upright city bikes and 15mph or so on my drop bar bikes. I have found, especially with the upright bikes you are going to hit a certain point and it isn't worth the effort to try to ride faster.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
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Well it depends? is it flat ground? Are you in great shape or just getting into shape? Is the avg what comes from you bike computer for avg speed or is it the number you see on the bike computer or is best guess.
I think that considering your bike (not a speedster per se ) your high value cargo up front, and trail a bike helper in back your are not doing too bad to start.
to put it in perspective I have a flat 5 mile one way commute that the bike computer says I average around 11.3 to 12 mph. I am not in super shape, am a clyde and my bike is probably naturally a little faster than your bike to apples to oranges it doesn't sound too bad..... and the more you are out the faster you go.
have fun
I think that considering your bike (not a speedster per se ) your high value cargo up front, and trail a bike helper in back your are not doing too bad to start.
to put it in perspective I have a flat 5 mile one way commute that the bike computer says I average around 11.3 to 12 mph. I am not in super shape, am a clyde and my bike is probably naturally a little faster than your bike to apples to oranges it doesn't sound too bad..... and the more you are out the faster you go.
have fun
The bike is brand new (just bought last weekend!) and wasn't really intended to be a speedster, just a nice ride around town (which is flat aside from a few overpasses). I took my teenager for a ride today, and she was complaining that I was really slow though I still have the Trek in my avatar for when we want to do longer family rides, but I find the Breezer to be a lot more comfortable.
The average mph is a guess on this bike (DH hasn't hooked up a computer yet), based on how long it took me to ride someplace. It was my average with the Trek though.
I think you are doing fine with that rig. I figure about 10-12mph on my upright city bikes and 15mph or so on my drop bar bikes. I have found, especially with the upright bikes you are going to hit a certain point and it isn't worth the effort to try to ride faster.
Aaron
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Denelle, I think 8mph with all that gear and kids is pretty good, actually. I'm a strong rider and do something close to 10000 miles a year, and I doubt if i'd be that much faster in town under similar circumstances. For comparison, I did a long tour recently with about 50lbs of luggage on my bike. I probably averaged 12 mph but there were plenty of days when I was down around 10mph.
Look at it this way. If you get used to riding this bike with kids, groceries etc., you're going to get pretty strong. When you get the Trek out for the family rides, you'll be flying.
Look at it this way. If you get used to riding this bike with kids, groceries etc., you're going to get pretty strong. When you get the Trek out for the family rides, you'll be flying.
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The only way to know is to take a faster bike out for a ride without a load. If you are happy with your speed on that, then it is the load that is slowing you down. By the way, your speed seems fine to me with all that precious cargo you are hauling. Keep it up.
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I have a teenager also...more focused on tracksttands and being able to go backwards on his fixie...but am sure would be quick to critique my speed given a chance.
but what you could do is swap bikes with the teenager and see who is faster? May not stop the teenage roll of the eyes, but good for the parental soul.
really it sounds like you are doing really good and getting the kids out on the bike is more points.
but what you could do is swap bikes with the teenager and see who is faster? May not stop the teenage roll of the eyes, but good for the parental soul.
really it sounds like you are doing really good and getting the kids out on the bike is more points.
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
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You're doing fine. I ride a big dummy with toddler and gear most places and do a bit faster usually, but add groceries or a hardware run and that's probably what I end up at. Still much faster than walking. To put it in perspective, you're probably hauling 100# extra on a regular basis figuring 50 to 60 lbs of kid, plus the weight of the bike seat, trail a bike and misc junk. Take a ride with your teenager without the younger ones and I bet it would be a very different story. Without a child, on a bike that comes in at about 25 lbs I'm amazed at how fast I can go. But I usually ride about 10 miles a day or so with kid etc... Take a solo ride someday, I bet you'll be surprised.
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My cargo bike friend was thinking that she was a little slow until she went mountain biking with her friends and found that she could now ride away from the folks she used to not keep up with. It's not a race.
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I have a Breezer Uptown Infinity that has a Yepp Mini hooked up to the front, and a Trail-a-Bike hooked up to the back. I carry my 1.5 year old daughter in the Yepp and my 4 year old son rides the Trail-a-Bike. I have a rack and paniers that I use to haul groceries/library books/whatever.
I always feel like I am going SUPER slow. I average 7-8 mph fairly comfortably with this setup. Is that normal? Is it me and my ability, or is it just that I'm hauling a LOT of stuff on my bike?
Thanks
I always feel like I am going SUPER slow. I average 7-8 mph fairly comfortably with this setup. Is that normal? Is it me and my ability, or is it just that I'm hauling a LOT of stuff on my bike?
Thanks
I estimate you may have that much weight. 7-8 mph is typical on mostly flat terrain.
Weigh a typical load and come back here if you can, I would be interested to see how much weight you are pedaling. One thing that will help you go a little easier is high pressure smooth tires.
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I have a Breezer Uptown Infinity that has a Yepp Mini hooked up to the front, and a Trail-a-Bike hooked up to the back. I carry my 1.5 year old daughter in the Yepp and my 4 year old son rides the Trail-a-Bike. I have a rack and paniers that I use to haul groceries/library books/whatever.
I always feel like I am going SUPER slow. I average 7-8 mph fairly comfortably with this setup. Is that normal? Is it me and my ability, or is it just that I'm hauling a LOT of stuff on my bike?
Thanks
I always feel like I am going SUPER slow. I average 7-8 mph fairly comfortably with this setup. Is that normal? Is it me and my ability, or is it just that I'm hauling a LOT of stuff on my bike?
Thanks
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I had the pleasure of riding without the 4 year old on the trail-a-bike and it felt SO much better. I guess his extra 45 pounds plus the weight of the TAB really makes a difference!
Anyways, thanks for the encouragement too
Anyways, thanks for the encouragement too
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