How fast can you sprint on the flat?

[GrasB]

Hmm, your top gear is 22% higher than my Basso's so you ought to be able to pedal faster than that. That corresponds to a cadence of only about 93 rpm which is about what I would aim for in normal riding.

I live at 100-125rpm averaging around 105rpm.

I'm hitting mid-40s on 53/13 with a 20-622 tyre & 140-145 rpm. That's a like an 12t sprocket with a 50t chainring. On fixed I'm typically touching 175rpm.

EDIT: just looked I reached 162rpm at around 32mph this morning on the 'bent.

 

[ColinJ]

Well, there you go then!

I think 175 rpm is pretty amazing, but a top rpm of 93, er, isn't!

 

[BentMikey]

Blow the actual cadence figure, I think that "I start to spin out and bounce in my saddle too much" speaks for itself - undergeared!

So, jonny - what is your top gear?

I think he rides a fairly standard Spesh Allez, I imagine last years model in red if that helps narrow down sprocket sizes.

I think what Colin is trying to say is more spinning needed, Jonny.

 

[BentMikey]

isn't there a good one somewhere of Origamist 'breezing' past all and sundry?

Yup, they were going faster there.

 

[jonny jeez]

I think he rides a fairly standard Spesh Allez, I imagine last years model in red if that helps narrow down sprocket sizes.

I think what Colin is trying to say is more spinning needed, Jonny.

Yep Allez Elite...if that helps...no mods.

I tried a quick google but got lost.

TBH its not a major problem worth investing too much time solving. Its tons better than my old MTB (which was the objective) but not as good as i thought it would be.

or perhaps I'm just too used to it now.

 

[semislickstick]

20-22mph was the fastest on my mtb, I can't keep that up for very long though....I was quite chuffed with that til I saw this thread.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

Mines high 20's early thirtys depending on traffic! mighest recorded on the flat is 34.5 MPH

cant wait to get on a big descent though!!!

 

[Matthew_T]

I dont understand all these rpm's, I have never been able to work mine out until a fellow club member pointed out that I would be more comfortable spinning faster (I was in 5th (7 speed big chainring) doing 18mph).

I had another go at setting off the camera (with a car behind me). I made sure I wasnt going to obstruct him though by accellerating. Only reached 31 as I changed up gear too soon so was having difficulty going any faster. I had a slight tailwind though.

 

[Andrew_P]

I think you no read my post, at no point did I say spun out

 

[simon.r]

I dont understand all these rpm's, I have never been able to work mine out until a fellow club member pointed out that I would be more comfortable spinning faster (I was in 5th (7 speed big chainring) doing 18mph).

Sheldon's calculator allows you to put 'MPH at x RPM' (in the Gear Units box). If you then add your sprocket sizes and tyre size you can work out how fast you're spinning (i.e. your cadence) at a particular speed.

Sheldon's Gear Calculator

So for example, if you put 700x28 in the wheel size box, 44 in the chainring box, 16 in the custom sprocket box and MPH@80RPM in the gear units box the result shows as 17.5mph i.e. if you're doing 17.5mph on that gearing your cadence is 80RPM. Simples innit

FWIW my top speed on the flat is approx 30mph, but only for very short bursts!

 

[ColinJ]

You've got me curious now ... I'm doing a forum ride on Sunday which has hardly any flat on it but there are two short sections where I might get a clear run to have a quick blast. (Mind you, I'm very lacking in miles this year so it might be more sensible to leave it a month or two.)

 

[MattHB]

Had a little try on the way back this evening. I was full of about 2 pizzas (and a little bit of cake) and managed 31mph on the flat with no run up off any hills. Was quite pleased with that.