How to increase Biking Speed? (Page 2)

Well I can speak from experience about going from a walmart bike (denali) to a entry level road bike (specialized allez). I did notice difference in speed. My first ride on my new bike I went from 15.4 to 17 mph on the same ride. I don't know if I push myself harder or it was that a I had a few more gears. On the denali I got flats all the time and my chain came off every ride at least once. I had it tune up once but I wasn't going to put a ton of money into the bike. I haven't had any problems with my new bike. It got to the point that I hated riding the denali and my training suffered from it. I love the new bike and ride it every chance I get even if it is a couple miles. I agree that it is the motor but I think the mind can play a part too.

carbon doesnt mean lightr on its own. an entry level carbon bike will be heavier than some alum ones out there. if you have weight to loose, i would work on that first, and then once you get where you are happy, look towards a bike;-) FWIW i just got on a new tri frame (deal happened my way), old bike was alum, as was the one before that (first was carbon), back on carbon now.

the two alum bikes were the same weight as the current carbon one, and both were more comfortable to ride.

Absolutly a lot of mind over matter goes on.

If you can't get your mind into it.... it doesn't matter what you do, you are not going to love it.

I  actually rode bikes for years as little as possible on the cheapest ride I could find.  It was never something that I really look forward to.

Then I bought a mid level Giant (07 OCR2 about $800) and got the putor with it ($0) I accidently left it set to metric which made me think I was going farther and faster than I was (priceless) and it got me hooked.

I would say you are on the right track though with the clipless pedals (you can always take them to the next bike) clip on aero bars (see previous) and while I have joined in with the ride more (that is a lot of it)  you can get more ROT by doing different types of rides (3 or 4 intensity rides and 1 endurance per week)  I have recently started doing hill repeats 1 time per week.  3 different kinds of group rides all 30 miles in length 1) R&R  2) fast pace but I can almost always hang on until the end and 3) hanging on for dear life and never ever being able to finish all 30 miles with the group.(just about to go away with the weather)

I was wondering if someone was going to suggest "ride more"...

All good advice.  The only thing I'll add is whatever bike you go with, get it fitted properly for you.  A great bike that doesn't fit you will be far worse than a bike that is cheap but fits like a glove.

Thanks for the feedback.

If it is the Indian, and not the arrow, as one poster stated, then why do some folks decide to spend upwards of $4K on either a road or tri bike? 

I would think increasing bike speed is a function of the following in descending order of importance:

1. Time in the saddle
2. A good bike
3. Aero bars
4. Clip on bike shoes or pedals

One other question--is there a difference between aero bars and just riding in the aero position (lower handle bars) on a road bike?  Isn't the lower handle bar an aero position? If so, I'm confused why folks might state that aero bars will increase speed by 1 to 2 MPH?  Any further thoughts? 

I'm not 100% on this but I think that may have to do with strain and fatigue.  I would think you would be more aero with your hands down ready to brake but you are holding your weight up with your arms (muscles).  In the aero position on a properly fit bike, I believe your bones support your weight, thus you are aero and able to relax more.

Somebody can clean that answer up I'm sure.  LOL

When you are in the drops, you are obviously more aero than on the hoods, but on the aero bars you are in a better position overall.  You can feel the difference if you have clip-ons and switch back and forth when you are going fast.  Get up to 30ish and go from drops to aerobars and you can certainly tell. 

When you are in the drops, even though you can get prettly low, the position of your arms creates alot of drag and the wind is hitting your chest and arms and shoulders.  On aerobars, you are piercing the wind leading with your hands and arms and the wind starts to wrap around accordingly. 

Think of a diver...sort of like that

For the same types of reasons a sports car enthusiast would buy a Ferrari over a Corvette. Among other reasons, I guarantee that I am faster on my bikes than I would be on a lower-end bike (such as aluminum with 105s).


I'd put clipless pedals far ahead of aero bars.