mrbuku

So I have noticed a trend via Strava that I am generally 1 mph+ faster on a limestone trail than on the road? For the gravel trail I ride a Giant Escape 1 and on the pavement I ride a Giant Defy 5 (both 2015). On average I am around 16-16.5 on the pavement and 16.5-17.5 on the limestone trail? Any input into why this might be? Certainly if I have been too vague let me know.

Damien09

Is one trail flater than the other? Does one have more stops or 90 degree turns. Lots of things could add up to why. Even could be you enjoy the limestonw trail so you push harder. This probaly wont answer your question but its hard to know with just thw above info

canklecat

Your favorite gravel trail might be sheltered from winds by trees, while your pavement route may have just enough wind to slow you down. Happens routinely on one of my favorite semi-rural routes, where I feel faster on the rougher residential gravel and asphalt pavement than on the smoother highway shoulders. But the east/west highway is very subject to a steady wind, often shifting from day to day and with time of day, so I'm often slower going home because the headwinds are just strong enough to make it a chore even on the gradual downslope. Meanwhile the rougher gravel and pavement roads are heavily sheltered by trees.

mrbuku

I do notice my watt output is higher on gravel. Elevation wise it is fairly similar or even has a bit of a higher elevation climb on the trail. I do know the trail rather well as it starts a block from my house and runs roughly 40 miles. Perhaps since I only have to make a few intersection stops plays into it. But I have also noticed that I am faster on my hybrid riding on pavement than my road bike. Perhaps a fit issue?

mrbuku

That could be? Though the trail runs through quite a bit of farmland with little shelter from the wind/crosswinds. I do know the trail inch by inch versus when I ride on the road. The other mystery I am trying to solve is why I am also faster on a cheapie Windsor Wellington I got off CL compared to my newer, more expensive Giant Defy? Perhaps I need to cough up the cash for the fitting on the newer road bike?

Drew Eckhardt 

No stop signs and traffic lights. Although the software filters out time not moving, it's still includes the time you spend accelerating and decelerating to some speed above your average.

fietsbob

<insert baseless opinion here > that answer your Question?

AlmostTrick

Because wider tires are faster. Duh.

habilis

I had an all-steel "10-speed" in the 1980's that I thought ran great. However, I was razzed by people who said things like: "I wouldn't be caught dead on a bike with cottered cranks." So I bought a sharp-looking road bike with double-butted tubing and alloy everything else. Nothing wrong with it, but I remember the immediate disappointment when it seemed to have less "drive" or momentum. Just a vivid impression, I never did measured comparisons of speed. However, I had the necessary street-cred.

Homebrew01

how much ?

mrbuku

Is this sarcasm or a real statement? I have 700x32 on the hybrid and 700x23 on the road bike.

mrbuku

Roughly 40-80 watts average per ride.

mrbuku

That is similar to what I am experiencing with the new bike. I bought the "bikes direct" Windsor Wellington 1.0, only changed the tires to a Continental Ultra Sport, no other modifications. But time after time, same routes, similar conditions I am observing a faster ride on the $150 CL bike than the $800 LBS bike. When I first started riding last spring to lose weight I bought a cheap Target Schwinn Solora that I certainly felt faster on, only thing with that bike was the further and more often I rode the components weren't able to hold up. Would have nickle and dimed me to death.

Needles

Some engines are better for sports cars; some engines are better for SUVs.

hueyhoolihan

all things being equal it's not likely, but really, there are too many variables to consider to make comparisons worth the effort.

Damien09

If your average is really 40-80 watts more on the hybrid. That could be a big part of the difference.If your faster on your cheap cl bike, you could measure its fit and transfer it to your new bike?

mrbuku

Yes, I have noticed the handlebar position on the Windsor is a better fit, I did have the stem on the new bike replaced which made a bit of a difference. But I still can't really ride the drops comfortably. The watts are based on the measurements of my last few rides on each bike.

StanSeven

You are working much harder on one bike to go faster. That's all.

Damien09

you could try raising them stem a little. But that may make your tops high .your cheap bike may have conpact bars and your new bike has deeper drops. Its hard to say as i cant see the two bikes. Seatpost hight could make some diffrence. but 40-80 watts more id say is more that you feel comfortable on the bikes you are makeing that much more power. unless your fit is way off. Its hard to say ,id say ride the new bike and try to adjust its fit. If you have $ you could go and get a pro bike fit. But rember all are not equal some bike fits dont change much

canklecat

Windsor specs and user reports indicate that bike weighs around 24 lbs, depending on tires. That's pretty light for a very affordable bike. And the Continental Ultra Sports may just be a very good match for that bike and your riding style. That combination sounds like a good value.

The Giant probably weighs closer to 30 lbs with the stock tires, which may be slower in exchange for the puncture resistance.

mrbuku

Oh wow, I would have thought the Giant weighed less than that? I put the same tires on the Giant. The only downside with the Windsor is I do not have much of a granny gear that makes climbs difficult and not a gear high enough to pedal all the way down descends. In my hardest gear I generally cannot pedal all the way down. The Defy's compact gears give me much better range.

AlmostTrick

Welcome to BF, mrbuku. Have fun riding your bikes and posting here... like I do.

Wheever

Lol, non, the giant does not weigh any 30 lbs. I had a defy 1 and it was like 21 lbs. canklecat either jests or had too much to drink tonight.

mrbuku

I had to look it up after that and seen a XL frame was 9.62 kg without pedals. I think my Escape doesn't even weigh 30...

ph0rk

My 2014 escape 2 weighs between 30 and 35 lbs, but that's with a rear rack, panniers, rear top bag, and a pair of Schwalbe Big Bens.

The Escape 1's since at least 2015 have had a carbon fork, so a stock one should be in the mid-20's.