Can you really average 20MPH?

[Angelfishsolo]

Indeed it would

Now THAT would be telling!

 

[Noeyedear]

Kevin, have you tried a specialised toupe ? I have tried a fair few over the years including a brooks B17 for 3000 miles which felt as uncomfortable on the last day as the first until I tried the toupe.

I have now used this on rides of up to 100 miles and have to say for me it has been a joy to sit on

Why would a toupe be any better? I get advice all the time then someone else contradicts it. It's so confusing and you can't just keep laying out money until one fits. Last Sunday just about did it for me, it was making my backside painful and the top of my inner thighs as well.
If anyone knows how you can test a saddle without buying it please let me know, I might get close to 20mph average if I can get comfy.

Cheers,

Kevin.

 

[wlc1]

Test one in a LBS on a turbo trainer... or just put up with it... your arse and inner thighs will get used to it. Ya big girl

 

[Vitesse]

Pah! Who needs a saddle?

 

[4F]

Why would a toupe be any better? I get advice all the time then someone else contradicts it. It's so confusing and you can't just keep laying out money until one fits. Last Sunday just about did it for me, it was making my backside painful and the top of my inner thighs as well.
If anyone knows how you can test a saddle without buying it please let me know, I might get close to 20mph average if I can get comfy.

Cheers,

Kevin.

In the specialised shop your sit bones (piece of memory foam) are measured and then this determines the width required. It certainly is a minefield out there as before that I bought a brooks B17 and found it bloody awful despite giving it 3000 miles to "break in" and being told it was the best thing since sliced bread. You could go to a specialised shop with the intention of buying one, get measured up and then change your mind before purchase. Then look around for a 2nd hand one to try before purchasing a new one as I admit they are quite pricey if it does not become friends with your backside

 

[subsonicgroover]

Bikes make a difference to average speed

I used to ride a mountain bike with a touring group. It had big road going tyres and I used a short handlebar and dropped it low so it would go faster. When on my own I used to log my average speed for a 10mile cruise at around 17mph. I assume a road bike wouldnt be much quicker. I was wrong. When I eventually got one I could maintain 19mph average on the same rides with same effort. Everthing counts: the high pressure tyres, smaller frontal area, lighter bike, no fork bounce up hills, better saddle, lower riding position, better bars for powerful posture, less frame flex etc. Somehow the bike always felt quicker too. Of course when I joined a faster group to tour with it became much quicker.

http://www.heronsplace.com

 

[ASC1951]

You mean it's possible to go even faster than 17mph?

My red flag man only does 15 mph flat out downhill.

 

[summerdays]

I'm afraid my average is much much lower than all the above - I don't get into double figures as an average according to my computer. I will add though that this includes walking time with the bike, red lights, traffic, slow kid cycling and hills which I tend to do at 4 mph! But I still manage to overtake about a third of the Bristol cyclists (I obviously pick out the slow ones to overtake).

 

[alecstilleyedye]

cyclists' average speed are akin to fishermen's tales of the one that got away…

this morning i hit 30mph on a slight incline btw

 

[johnnyh]

I seem to have an average of between 13.5 and 15 mph route dependant, that on my Giant Boulder with 26x1.95 road tyres. Parts of a journey can go along at 20mph, a couple of downhills can top 30mph, but by the end it is always about the same.

I'm guessing not to expect too much more out of a mountain bike, other than improving my stamina and distance/overall fitness.

 

[wafflycat]

cyclists' average speed are akin to fishermen's tales of the one that got away…

this morning i hit 30mph on a slight incline btw

Heck, I'm quite content pootling along at 10 - 12mph average! Mind you a long downhill, with a tail wind, did get me up to 42mph. Once.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I seem to have an average of between 13.5 and 15 mph route dependant, that on my Giant Boulder with 26x1.95 road tyres. Parts of a journey can go along at 20mph, a couple of downhills can top 30mph, but by the end it is always about the same.

I'm guessing not to expect too much more out of a mountain bike, other than improving my stamina and distance/overall fitness.

You are my doppelganger. The only difference is I've got a Rincon with 26x1.85s on it. Other than that, snap!

 

[johnnyh]

You are my doppelganger.

well I had to be someones somewhere

 

[Cyberdad]

I'm afraid my average is much much lower than all the above - I don't get into double figures as an average according to my computer. I will add though that this includes walking time with the bike, red lights, traffic, slow kid cycling and hills which I tend to do at 4 mph! But I still manage to overtake about a third of the Bristol cyclists (I obviously pick out the slow ones to overtake).

You're quicker than me . My 5.5 mile each way commute on my BSO sees me struggle to average 9 mph. Although when I started I was struggling to get 6.5 mph, so I am pleaseed with the progress .

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Just never meet. That is supposed to be very bad news!!!

well I had to be someones somewhere