Loaded and Coasting - How Fast?
12-21-20, 08:13 AM
#76
I’m a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
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Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
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I don’t go fast on bicycles or motorcycles I’ve broken too many bones on both for it to be fun.
12-22-20, 04:47 PM
#77
Harsh Adventurer
I find that it depends on how much load you are carrying and how you are carrying it. I carried between 44 and 67 lobs in four panniers plus a small handlebar bag and a stuff sack on top of the rear panniers on my 2010 Trek 520 on a trip across the country. ('The Lonely Road' - Crazyguyonabike.com).Generally I tried to limit my downhill speed to 25 mph. At that speed, I felt safe, in full control of the bike and did not have to overstress the rim brakes to maintain that limit, or stop the bike. At 67 lbs. of gear, I held my speed to 20mph. If I purposely packed my heavy item low in the panniers, balanced my load between the panniers (55/45 front/rear) and cinched my panniers to the bike frame to reduce oscillation (wobble) I could confidently go to 30-32mph, but I only went through that trouble if I knew my day involved long downhill sections.
12-22-20, 06:19 PM
#78
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
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Holy - I'm not sure I've ever gone down a hill without riding the brakes! (My bike is nearing 50 years old and likes to remind me it could break at any moment, which might have something to do with this). Maybe one day I will be as brave as you guys whipping down hills at 45 MPH
