Do I Want a Fast Bike?
08-14-20, 04:26 AM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 226
Bikes: 1991 Diamondback Apex, 2015 Trek Verve 3, 2020 Specialized Diverge
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
58 Posts
Do I Want a Fast Bike?
I have been thinking of getting a better bike. A faster bike. I am not sure why. I do not ride with a group. Why do I want to ride faster. I suppose riding faster allows me to ride further. But my principle objective is to become fitter. That requires effort over time. I can ride a slow heavy bike a short distance and get a similar exercise benefit as riding a light fast bike a long distance.
And riding slower is probably safer.
I got my hybrid up to 30 mph the other day. That is boarding on fast enough to wear my motorcycle helmet.
I am probably going to get a light new fast bike because I want one and they are cool. But I am not sure I really need one.
Maybe I will find a group to ride with and I will need a light fast bike to keep up.
And riding slower is probably safer.
I got my hybrid up to 30 mph the other day. That is boarding on fast enough to wear my motorcycle helmet.
I am probably going to get a light new fast bike because I want one and they are cool. But I am not sure I really need one.
Maybe I will find a group to ride with and I will need a light fast bike to keep up.
Likes For Sorg67:
08-14-20, 04:43 AM
#2
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1548 Post(s)
Liked 940 Times
in
504 Posts
When it comes to bikes it's best to have one of each.
08-14-20, 05:17 AM
#3
Hack
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,207
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), 90's Giant Innova (now with drop bars), Yess World Cup race BMX, Redline Proline Pro24 race BMX Cruiser
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 330 Post(s)
Liked 159 Times
in
111 Posts
Getting one because it's fun is ok. I don't group ride or race road bikes. I have a road bike with 2x10 gearing. It's fun to ride. I have another road bike with a 3sp Sturmey Archer hub. It's a fun, reliable bike to ride to work on. I think it's cool.
I race BMX bikes. I have an older BMX race bike with plain tubing (FMF) - I probably could have gotten a new one that would be lighter with more modern geometry for the same price. I don't care, it's a blast to ride, and I like it.
Bikes are fun. Don't overcomplicate it with 'need'
I race BMX bikes. I have an older BMX race bike with plain tubing (FMF) - I probably could have gotten a new one that would be lighter with more modern geometry for the same price. I don't care, it's a blast to ride, and I like it.
Bikes are fun. Don't overcomplicate it with 'need'
Likes For Viich:
08-14-20, 05:53 AM
#4
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 226
Bikes: 1991 Diamondback Apex, 2015 Trek Verve 3, 2020 Specialized Diverge
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
58 Posts
I do like to complicate everything. It is how I roll. But to be fair, I did not say "need", I said "want". I definitely "want" a faster bike. I am just not sure why.
There would be a lot of things I have that I would not have if I only had what I need. Do I need a bicycle at all? Probably not.
There would be a lot of things I have that I would not have if I only had what I need. Do I need a bicycle at all? Probably not.
08-14-20, 06:12 AM
#5
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,339
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3584 Post(s)
Liked 5,186 Times
in
2,631 Posts
In that case your hybrid is all you need. Maybe add a backpack filled with canned goods or other heavy stuff. An indoor trainer will be convenient and keep you out of the weather. Some folks actually enjoy riding some distance out on open roads and a lighter more responsive bike can be more fun. Others enjoy shorter distances at a pace that allows them to sightsee and appreciate the birds and wildflowers. That's a good scenario for a hybrid. It's nice to have choices to fit our principal objectives.
08-14-20, 06:21 AM
#6
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 226
Bikes: 1991 Diamondback Apex, 2015 Trek Verve 3, 2020 Specialized Diverge
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
58 Posts
In that case your hybrid is all you need. Maybe add a backpack filled with canned goods or other heavy stuff. An indoor trainer will be convenient and keep you out of the weather. Some folks actually enjoy riding some distance out on open roads and a lighter more responsive bike can be more fun. Others enjoy shorter distances at a pace that allows them to sightsee and appreciate the birds and wildflowers. That's a good scenario for a hybrid. It's nice to have choices to fit our principal objectives.
I think I probably will enjoy the lighter more responsive bike. And the appeal of bicycle riding for exercise rather than an indoor trainer is that it is more fun.
Likes For Sorg67:
08-14-20, 06:52 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,902
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1342 Post(s)
Liked 1,606 Times
in
796 Posts
Welcome to bikeforums Sorg67 . This has been discussed many times before and irrefutable scientific research and testing proves that the correct number of bikes is n+1.
And the cure for "buyer's remorse" (if any) is to pedal harder until you forget what you were thinking about.
And the cure for "buyer's remorse" (if any) is to pedal harder until you forget what you were thinking about.
Likes For BobbyG:
08-14-20, 07:00 AM
#8
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 226
Bikes: 1991 Diamondback Apex, 2015 Trek Verve 3, 2020 Specialized Diverge
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
58 Posts
Welcome to bikeforums Sorg67 . This has been discussed many times before and irrefutable scientific research and testing proves that the correct number of bikes is n+1.
And the cure for "buyer's remorse" (if any) is to pedal harder until you forget what you were thinking about.
And the cure for "buyer's remorse" (if any) is to pedal harder until you forget what you were thinking about.
08-14-20, 07:05 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Chapel Hill NC
Posts: 1,683
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 645 Post(s)
Liked 795 Times
in
445 Posts
I have been thinking of getting a better bike. A faster bike. I am not sure why. I do not ride with a group. Why do I want to ride faster. I suppose riding faster allows me to ride further. But my principle objective is to become fitter. That requires effort over time. I can ride a slow heavy bike a short distance and get a similar exercise benefit as riding a light fast bike a long distance.
And riding slower is probably safer.
I got my hybrid up to 30 mph the other day. That is boarding on fast enough to wear my motorcycle helmet.
I am probably going to get a light new fast bike because I want one and they are cool. But I am not sure I really need one.
Maybe I will find a group to ride with and I will need a light fast bike to keep up.
And riding slower is probably safer.
I got my hybrid up to 30 mph the other day. That is boarding on fast enough to wear my motorcycle helmet.
I am probably going to get a light new fast bike because I want one and they are cool. But I am not sure I really need one.
Maybe I will find a group to ride with and I will need a light fast bike to keep up.
Likes For Litespud:
08-14-20, 07:13 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 685
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 349 Post(s)
Liked 395 Times
in
234 Posts
Just don't have unrealistic expectations about what "fast" means. A bike with racier geometry may well feel much faster, but in actual practice it may only be a few tenths of a mile per hour faster, in the mph/kph sense, over the course of a ride.
I have two bikes, a 90's aluminum touring bike with 35mm tires, rack and fenders; and a custom steel "stage race" geometry bike with 25mm tires (which is, unfortunately, hors de combat until I get a broken rear dropout fixed). The racier bike feels much faster - quicker to accelerate, quicker handling, lighter when pedaling out of the saddle and when going uphill. The actual difference in speed is less than 1 mph, however, average speed over a ride. It is definitely a significant difference, but moving from one to the other doesn't all of a sudden make me a contender for the Tour de France (or even a Cat 5/citizen race).
That said, I obviously didn't get the racier bike because there is any real benefit to having it, but exactly because the feeling of speed is fun. Does it matter to anyone that I can ride up that 7% grade at 8.1 mph rather than 7.3 mph? (Those numbers are fantastical, but in the ballpark.) No. It doesn't matter even to me. It is a fun feeling to accelerate up to speed after a stop light, beating the car beside me for a few yards, it feels fun to swoop through a corner and to go up a climb feeling a bit lighter and quicker. That's all, and that's enough, for me, to justify the purchase.
I have two bikes, a 90's aluminum touring bike with 35mm tires, rack and fenders; and a custom steel "stage race" geometry bike with 25mm tires (which is, unfortunately, hors de combat until I get a broken rear dropout fixed). The racier bike feels much faster - quicker to accelerate, quicker handling, lighter when pedaling out of the saddle and when going uphill. The actual difference in speed is less than 1 mph, however, average speed over a ride. It is definitely a significant difference, but moving from one to the other doesn't all of a sudden make me a contender for the Tour de France (or even a Cat 5/citizen race).
That said, I obviously didn't get the racier bike because there is any real benefit to having it, but exactly because the feeling of speed is fun. Does it matter to anyone that I can ride up that 7% grade at 8.1 mph rather than 7.3 mph? (Those numbers are fantastical, but in the ballpark.) No. It doesn't matter even to me. It is a fun feeling to accelerate up to speed after a stop light, beating the car beside me for a few yards, it feels fun to swoop through a corner and to go up a climb feeling a bit lighter and quicker. That's all, and that's enough, for me, to justify the purchase.
08-14-20, 07:13 AM
#11
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 226
Bikes: 1991 Diamondback Apex, 2015 Trek Verve 3, 2020 Specialized Diverge
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
58 Posts
It really depends on your route if it's safe to ride fast. If it's mostly low density traffic roads (and the traffic is quite predictable) and you think it's safe to ride fast in there then by all means, get a fast bike if you think it's more fun.
But if your route is mostly in the city with medium/high density traffic, sharing the streets with pedestrians, motorists, couriers (that make lots of random stops), etc, it would be dangerous to reach high speeds in a bike in such conditions (bicycles have very poor/dangerous emergency braking performance/handling compared to cars or motorcycles, thus, unsafe to use at high speed in chaotic city traffic, ironic exceptions are cruiser bikes with low saddle height). A hybrid or MTB or even a fatbike is better suited to such conditions (so that even if you ride slow, you'll still get a very good workout because an MTB or fatbike has considerably greater drag than a road bike.
I'm actually training myself at the athletic level with cycling. But since most my route is along busy city streets, I'm using a MTB that is setup with road bike geometry. The tires are stock, wide knobby ones for higher drag. To further increase drag, I installed full fenders, large mudflaps, and train with very loose hoodie jacket. The bike is 40 lbs in the training setup.
I did that so I can train really hard and avoid getting too fast (in the city streets) at the same time. It's actually quite effective if you are unable to train along low traffic roads.
But if your route is mostly in the city with medium/high density traffic, sharing the streets with pedestrians, motorists, couriers (that make lots of random stops), etc, it would be dangerous to reach high speeds in a bike in such conditions (bicycles have very poor/dangerous emergency braking performance/handling compared to cars or motorcycles, thus, unsafe to use at high speed in chaotic city traffic, ironic exceptions are cruiser bikes with low saddle height). A hybrid or MTB or even a fatbike is better suited to such conditions (so that even if you ride slow, you'll still get a very good workout because an MTB or fatbike has considerably greater drag than a road bike.
I'm actually training myself at the athletic level with cycling. But since most my route is along busy city streets, I'm using a MTB that is setup with road bike geometry. The tires are stock, wide knobby ones for higher drag. To further increase drag, I installed full fenders, large mudflaps, and train with very loose hoodie jacket. The bike is 40 lbs in the training setup.
I did that so I can train really hard and avoid getting too fast (in the city streets) at the same time. It's actually quite effective if you are unable to train along low traffic roads.
Even on my hybrid, I get up to borderline dangerous speeds in some places. But I think I would have difficulty keeping up with some of the local group rides on my hybrid. OTOH, the group rides have different levels and there are certainly rides I could keep up on.
08-14-20, 07:18 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Paradise, TX
Posts: 2,087
Bikes: Soma Pescadero, Surly Pugsley, Salsa Fargo, Schwinn Klunker, Gravity SS 27.5, Monocog 29er
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 186 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times
in
166 Posts
"faster" is only about the motor, that's you. If you are going to be riding roads a lot, get a road bike. There are reasons they have developed into what they are. Get into some group rides, it will keep you motivated.
Likes For c_m_shooter:
08-14-20, 07:21 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,367
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 656 Post(s)
Liked 523 Times
in
349 Posts
You want a bike that moves your soul. People on here understand that.
If that happens to be a faster bike than go for it
If you want a utilitarian touring bike with racks and bomb proof components then that is what you should do.
If you want a bike so expensive it makes you feel guilty, and you aren't raiding your kids college fund to get it, than indulge.
If you want an old Schwinn Varsity with yellow bar tape because that is what all the cool kids rode back when you were too poor to afford one, than full fill your childhood dream
Bikes are a lot like women, sometimes they don't make sense but sometimes a man just knows what he wants.
If that happens to be a faster bike than go for it
If you want a utilitarian touring bike with racks and bomb proof components then that is what you should do.
If you want a bike so expensive it makes you feel guilty, and you aren't raiding your kids college fund to get it, than indulge.
If you want an old Schwinn Varsity with yellow bar tape because that is what all the cool kids rode back when you were too poor to afford one, than full fill your childhood dream
Bikes are a lot like women, sometimes they don't make sense but sometimes a man just knows what he wants.
Likes For Pop N Wood:
08-14-20, 07:23 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Thornhill, Canada
Posts: 725
Bikes: United Motocross BMX, Specialized Langster, Giant OCR, Marin Muirwoods, Globe Roll2, VROD:)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 227 Post(s)
Liked 378 Times
in
233 Posts
Consider getting a Single Speed......
I recently re-discovered my '09 Langster. After climbing a few hills my legs are pumped and my fitness level has increased vs riding my geared bikes (over the same route)..
I recently re-discovered my '09 Langster. After climbing a few hills my legs are pumped and my fitness level has increased vs riding my geared bikes (over the same route)..
Last edited by Speedway2; 08-14-20 at 07:27 AM.
08-14-20, 07:26 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,449
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1717 Post(s)
Liked 1,267 Times
in
731 Posts
When you have an itch....scratch it. Enjoy your new bike.
Likes For bruce19:
08-14-20, 07:28 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 2,597
Bikes: 2021 S-Works Turbo Creo SL, 2020 Specialized Roubaix Expert
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 757 Post(s)
Liked 3,918 Times
in
1,390 Posts
Likes For MattTheHat:
08-14-20, 07:38 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,192
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
This is exactly what I am thinking. I like to ride bikes, but I also want to get into better shape for other things. Most notably snow skiing. I go to Breckenridge in the winter time and ski with friends who live there. Difficult to keep up when you come from Florida.
Even on my hybrid, I get up to borderline dangerous speeds in some places. But I think I would have difficulty keeping up with some of the local group rides on my hybrid. OTOH, the group rides have different levels and there are certainly rides I could keep up on.
Even on my hybrid, I get up to borderline dangerous speeds in some places. But I think I would have difficulty keeping up with some of the local group rides on my hybrid. OTOH, the group rides have different levels and there are certainly rides I could keep up on.
Likes For jadocs:
08-14-20, 07:51 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 685
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 349 Post(s)
Liked 395 Times
in
234 Posts
This is exactly what I am thinking. I like to ride bikes, but I also want to get into better shape for other things. Most notably snow skiing. I go to Breckenridge in the winter time and ski with friends who live there. Difficult to keep up when you come from Florida.
Even on my hybrid, I get up to borderline dangerous speeds in some places. But I think I would have difficulty keeping up with some of the local group rides on my hybrid. OTOH, the group rides have different levels and there are certainly rides I could keep up on.
Even on my hybrid, I get up to borderline dangerous speeds in some places. But I think I would have difficulty keeping up with some of the local group rides on my hybrid. OTOH, the group rides have different levels and there are certainly rides I could keep up on.
Shortly thereafter, he took up cycling.
Regarding "dangerous speeds": this is a lot more about experience and anticipation than it is about speed per se. An experienced rider can ride more safely at 30 mph than a newbie at half that speed. Personally, I find it unlikely that going 1mph or so faster on a new bike significantly increases the risk. I'm not you, and I don't ride where you ride, though, so perhaps I'm wrong.
Last edited by noimagination; 08-14-20 at 08:00 AM.
Likes For noimagination:
Get the one that you want.
08-14-20, 08:03 AM
#20
Junior Member
I have a touring bike which I consider my slow bike, but my usual ride is a Fuji Pro carbon. I also have a hybrid, but that's really slow and I reserve it for trails.
On hills, I strongly prefer the Fuji because it's lighter and feels much faster.
On the flats, the Fuji still feels faster, but I've timed myself several times on both bikes on the same route (flat commute to work) and the touring bike was effectively just as fast or at least the difference wasn't measurable. I think it's a case of perception outweighs reality.
Bottom line: ride what you enjoy.
On hills, I strongly prefer the Fuji because it's lighter and feels much faster.
On the flats, the Fuji still feels faster, but I've timed myself several times on both bikes on the same route (flat commute to work) and the touring bike was effectively just as fast or at least the difference wasn't measurable. I think it's a case of perception outweighs reality.
Bottom line: ride what you enjoy.
08-14-20, 08:11 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Posts: 1,281
Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 356 Post(s)
Liked 445 Times
in
234 Posts
I regularly get my 40# commuter up to 42mph on a long steep hill. Though my ave commute speed is 12 MPH in hilly terrain.
I love single speeds as well.
I love single speeds as well.
__________________
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Likes For stevel610:
08-14-20, 08:45 AM
#23
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,006
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,539 Times
in
805 Posts
While I can maintain and enjoy many bikes, and keep them in top condition with periodic care, I could not possibly care for more than one woman. Even trying would be a failure. They would be miserable, as would I.
Never commit to a course on which you cannot hope to achieve success, unless your goal is destruction...
EDIT: As for the OP and his want for a "fast" bike, well... he may or may not have the capacity to appreciate the qualities of a good bike that is responsive and expertly ridden. But, it's still worth a shot.
To the OP: the vast majority of bikes that you'll find are only so-so, functional but uninspiring. You're searching for the real thing, not some over-hyped dead-feeling racing machine, but something with a soul. You'll only know what this means when you experience it. Good luck in your journey.
Last edited by Phil_gretz; 08-14-20 at 08:49 AM.
Likes For Phil_gretz:
08-14-20, 08:45 AM
#24
Senior Member
Is this "fast" bike also the "gravel" bike you're considering in the other thread? In other words, are you buying one bike or two?
Likes For Reflector Guy:
08-14-20, 09:20 AM
#25
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 226
Bikes: 1991 Diamondback Apex, 2015 Trek Verve 3, 2020 Specialized Diverge
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
58 Posts
And yes, I am classifying the gravel bike as "fast" relative to my MTB and hybrid. But from other comments, I am getting that it won't be much faster.
It seems it is more the aesthetics of the ride at my level.
I do not yet have a good sense for my pacing. I average about 15 mph in my weekday morning rides - shorter 12 miles or so.
My weekend longer rides about 12 mph for about 40 miles. That is on varied terrain, side walks, stops, etc. Not sure what I could maintain on a longer ride that was all on smooth road with minimal stops. I suspect I am not too far from 15 mph.
Group "C" in the local rider group states 15 to 18 mph. I suspect I would have difficulty keeping up with them on my hybrid. Probably also on a "faster" bike. But I am just getting into this so I am on the fast progress part of the fitness curve. It will be interesting to see where I level out and progress slows.
