General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Your Average Bike Speed? Rss Feed  
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2016-10-04 2:39 PM
in reply to: mike761


319
100100100
Sarasota, Florida
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
Flat here in Florida but wind will challenge. I'm on a vintage road bike with a bit of heavy stuff in my saddle bag. No wind and no traffic I average 18-19 mph. With brisk winds it usually drops 16-17 mph.


2016-10-04 3:39 PM
in reply to: 0

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6

Spokane, Washington
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?

About 14.5mph on the way to work and about 16mph on the way back. Just started riding a road bike in March.

I did push harder my commute home one time and averaged 17.7mph but there's a very fast downhill on the way home so that skews it a bit. 



Edited by Aplcr0331 2016-10-04 3:40 PM
2016-10-04 4:46 PM
in reply to: mike761

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Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?

Originally posted by mike761
Originally posted by Nightbird95 Hi, I'm a newbie here and I realize this is a seven year old thread, but I'm wondering what the current average speeds are for common triathletes. The technology and training techniques have evolved through the years so is it safe to say that the present day triathletes are faster than the triathletes seven years ago?
Not really, the biggest factor is the engine! Since more high tech is on the market at lower prices then it was seven years ago, more people are using it. The advantages are not that big when talking speed. If you were on a tri bike with good race wheels from 7 years ago and the same from today, you would find it difficult to find the speed advantages. If you did a good job of testing the advantages you would probably come up with about .1 to .2 mph faster on the new tech (maybe)

I'd say that frame and wheels might be around 0.1 to 0.2 mph difference in just their aerodynamic performance.  But there has also been advancements in how much more adjustable these bikes are which could improve fit, as well as a big advancement in clothing available, especially for triathlon now that short sleeve suits are being used compared to sleeveless tops.

2016-10-04 6:21 PM
in reply to: briandelmo

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Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?

once you get a power meter- you'll stop thinking about average speed.  conditions are very variable, and wind plays such a significant part.  a 3mph wind, which you'll barely notice just standing there, will slow you down 3mph.  

it's all about FTP, your size, and how aerodynamic you can be.  (ok, tires too)

2016-10-04 8:56 PM
in reply to: briandelmo

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Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
I'm in my 60's and have been doing triathlons for four years. On long rides I cruise around 19 mph and in a race I can get up to 22 mph in a sprint triathlon.
2016-10-04 10:08 PM
in reply to: Nightbird95

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233
10010025
Ventura, California
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?

I am fairly new, only been riding since July of last year at 45yrs old. I am currently averaging around 17-19mph...On a vintage 27yr old steel frame road bike with 12 speeds! Take that you 21 speed, carbon fiber, tri bike weenies!

 

 

 



2016-10-04 10:33 PM
in reply to: 0

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1731
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Denver, Colorado
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
My best was 19 mph during training. During Olympic race I had 18, but I wanted to stay conservative for the run.
So far I am biking with running shoes, so hoping for some great improvements once I have pedals & clips

Edited by marysia83 2016-10-04 10:34 PM
2016-10-04 10:34 PM
in reply to: rjcalhoun

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1731
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Denver, Colorado
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
Originally posted by rjcalhoun

I am fairly new, only been riding since July of last year at 45yrs old. I am currently averaging around 17-19mph...On a vintage 27yr old steel frame road bike with 12 speeds! Take that you 21 speed, carbon fiber, tri bike weenies!

 

 

 




haha love it!
2016-10-05 7:06 AM
in reply to: briandelmo

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754
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Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
It is so variable. I have never raced a truly flat course. My fastest was 19.6 average speed in an oly with about 800' of climbing. My slowest was 11.7 at the Savageman 70--compare that to 17.6 mph average at my first HIM two months earlier (only 1700' of climbing). All of those races were done on road bikes. I have only done one race on my tri bike--a HIM where I averaged 16.4 mph during the first two hours while it was raining, but jumped to 18.3 when the rain stopped.
2016-10-05 7:59 AM
in reply to: Daremo

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Veteran
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500100100
Naptown, IN
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
Originally posted by Daremo

Training 19 - 21.

Racing 22 - 25.


^^This is where I'm at on flat to rolling courses. Slightly slower on hilly courses.
2016-10-05 8:24 AM
in reply to: 0

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Master
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Eugene, Oregon
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Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
For my last three HIM, 19-20 mph. Haven't done many shorter races lately, except for one sprint, which wasn't a whole lot faster (about 20.5 mph). I think as the sprint course was really technical with lots of tight turns and 180's. I'm just not good at repeatedly slowing way down and then getting back to high power; much better at just getting into a bearably painful effort level and staying with it.

Training.....not sure. Most of my hard riding here is on the trainer. I only know watts and % of FTP. In Oregon, a more casual ride on my road bike would probably be about 16-18 mph, depending on distance, terrain and who I'm riding with.

Edited by Hot Runner 2016-10-05 8:28 AM


2016-10-05 9:03 AM
in reply to: briandelmo

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1508
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Cypress, Texas
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?

I was doing 14.8 MPH average on my 20+ year old mountain bike when I started Triathlon training 2 years ago.

Next I got a 15+ year old TT bike.  I was up to 20 MPH averages on that bike before I got another upgrade.

My first TT bike had a reach that was a too long for me and so my current bike was purchased to get me a better fit.  My averages are up to 20.6 MPH averages on that bike with my training wheels (not shown).

 

 

 

2016-10-05 10:26 AM
in reply to: BlueBoy26

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Master
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Loughborough, England
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?

13.5mph for a 2h15 ride at the weekend.  Then again that was with my front brake clamped on (pretty hard)...rookie mistake.

 

2016-10-05 4:36 PM
in reply to: briandelmo

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6

Spokane, Washington
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?

Somebody mentioned elevation. I never really thought about that, what is the average elevation for a Triathlon bike portion? I only ride back and forth to work (for the most part) so I imagine once start actually training for a race (Olympic Distance) I'll need to find out what the courses are in my area.

 

2016-10-05 5:31 PM
in reply to: briandelmo

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Pro
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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
It depends on the race... elevation, good/bad day, wind, etc. Usually stay between 19-23MPH, which commonly puts me somewhere top 5 in my AG.
2016-10-06 12:05 PM
in reply to: 0

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22

Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
All other things being equal, 16-19 mph in training, and 18-21 mph racing, all on the tri bike. I've been training hard on the bike for a year, so I look forward to seeing how those numbers look after a few years of consistent training. I'm usually right around the top third OA on the bike in my races.

Edited by Baboon 2016-10-06 12:06 PM


2016-10-06 12:15 PM
in reply to: Baboon

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Extreme Veteran
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Maryland
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?

17-23 mph training.   24-26 mph racing

2016-10-06 1:40 PM
in reply to: briandelmo

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Extreme Veteran
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Greenwood, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
My training area has some hills but I'm normally 19-21 MPH.

Race speed 20 - 24 MPH.

Had a great HIM at 24 MPH speed which included stopping once to mix my own energy drink.

Power intervals and hill repeats are key to develop motor.

Tri bike, no special helmet or wheels and don't shave my legs.

52 years old
2016-10-06 1:43 PM
in reply to: briandelmo

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1502
1000500
Katy, Texas
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
I would say training speed is all over the place as even pros do super easy spins all the way up to pretty darn fast tempos. I think you're better gauging on races.

I've been at triathlon for about 2 1/2 years and here are all the speeds from the sprints I've done. I've done all the way up through IM, but just grabbed sprint times to show progression.

Another big factor is the bike type, accessories (wheels, helmets etc) and fit. Training is also big. I saw the biggest gains when I started training with power.

5/11/2014 - 17 mph (on a hybrid bike with no training)
2/1/2015 - 21 mph (on a triathlon bike, stock)
7/19/2015 - 21.5 mph (on triathlon bike, aero'ed out (wheels, helmet, suit, etc) and good fit)
4/2/2016 - 23.4 mph / 211 watts (on triathlon bike, aero'ed out, good fit and after training with power for 4 months)
10/1/2016 - 24.2 mph / 224 watts (on triathlon bike, aero'ed out, better fit and after training with power but on tired legs, I did two 100 mile rides and a 16 mile long run in the 7 days preceding the race)

All the races were similar topography and conditions.
2016-10-07 5:55 AM
in reply to: Jason N

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Champion
7136
5000200010025
Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
pretty slow. It's common for those of us without big motors. Such is life.
2016-10-07 6:37 AM
in reply to: Leegoocrap

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Member
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Exton, PA
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
training 15 to 20 mph (I live in a very hilly area)

racing 21 to 25 mph, I was top 5% on the bike of IMAC a couple weeks ago.


2016-10-07 7:40 AM
in reply to: mike761

Master
10208
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Northern IL
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?

Average anywhere from like 7 mph off road to 25+ in races. I've barely made 20 in one race on more power than it took to break 25 in another.

2016-10-07 4:55 PM
in reply to: #2251521

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New user
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Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
As others have pointed out, there are a ton of factors that go into average speed (bike type, wheelset, hills, wind, turns, distance etc). You can't really compare speeds without knowing these things.

For me, given an average type of course and good conditions, my last few races have been:
Sprint: 25-26 mph
Olympic: 24-25 mph
HIM: 23.3 mph

Now, it should also be noted that how fast you go isn't necessarily how fast you "can" go. Some people might go 25+ in a sprint and then run 8 min miles off the bike.

As for training ride, it is dependent on the above mentioned items as well as the intention of the ride. Looking back at training logs I'll ride anywhere between 17-23 mph

I agree that watts/ kg in combination with speed is the best way to compare rides or people
2016-10-23 6:01 PM
in reply to: jmhpsu93

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8

, Ormoc City
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?

I'm surprised they even let you race with a tri bike.

...

No I was not allowed to join the regular 2-day race using my tri bike. I was only allowed to join the 17 mile executive race which was open to all types of bikes. :-)

2016-10-25 8:07 PM
in reply to: 0

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8

, Ormoc City
Subject: RE: Your Average Bike Speed?
Originally posted by Jason N

Originally posted by mike761 Not really, the biggest factor is the engine! Since more high tech is on the market at lower prices then it was seven years ago, more people are using it. The advantages are not that big when talking speed. If you were on a tri bike with good race wheels from 7 years ago and the same from today, you would find it difficult to find the speed advantages. If you did a good job of testing the advantages you would probably come up with about .1 to .2 mph faster on the new tech (maybe)

I'd say that frame and wheels might be around 0.1 to 0.2 mph difference in just their aerodynamic performance.  But there has also been advancements in how much more adjustable these bikes are which could improve fit, as well as a big advancement in clothing available, especially for triathlon now that short sleeve suits are being used compared to sleeveless tops.




0.1 to 0.2 mph difference would mean about 161 to 322 meters advantage per hour of pedaling. Not of much significance maybe for some but a big factor for me especially if the person 161 meters behind me is about as fast as I am in the running segment. :-)

Edited by Nightbird95 2016-10-25 8:19 PM
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