How fast can you sprint on the flat?
- Thread starter Matthew_T
- Start date
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benborp
Guru
- Location
- further from Penge
Hit 38mph yesterday without any tow on the road bike on a slight rise. On fixed with a lowish gear of 79 inches I've held 40mph after coming out of a tow - that was quite spinny.
Roadrunner78
Senior Member
- Location
- Scotland
I tried the Garmin fit app and did 715 miles in 6 min 36 sec. Whats that in mph?
34.5mph on fixed around 69". 32.5mph roadie & gears cause i pick the big ring too fast and fail, been a while since i speed tested it. 32.4mph on MTB with a hefty tail wind.
34.5mph on fixed around 69". 32.5mph roadie & gears cause i pick the big ring too fast and fail, been a while since i speed tested it. 32.4mph on MTB with a hefty tail wind.
Simba
Specialized Allez 24 Rider
- Location
- Tottington - Lancashire
The question should be how long can you maintain your top speed on a flat and what is that top speed.
Mine is 36mph for 10-15 seconds on a flat. My top speed ever was 47mph but that was downhill.
And this is with 52x41x30 chainrings and an 11x28 cassette.
Mine is 36mph for 10-15 seconds on a flat. My top speed ever was 47mph but that was downhill.
And this is with 52x41x30 chainrings and an 11x28 cassette.
TheSandwichMonster
Junior Senior
- Location
- Devon, UK
Well, I had to check to find out, now that you asked. I used this segment on Strava as the basis for my calculations. I went out on Tuesday night's ride home to see if I could get anywhere near the top of the rankings. I went out far too fast, paced myself really badly and at one point thought I was going to hurl. However, I remember being at or above 30mph for a stretch before backing off...
According to Strava, I was at approx 30mph between the 0.07mile and the 0.34mile points. I calculate that to be about 430 metres. I wasn't actually sprinting, as such, it was more of a super-high effort TT pace before realising that I was going to puke. If I was going for a full on sprint, then I'd obviously try and go even harder over an even shorter distance... Need to give that one a go!
According to Strava, I was at approx 30mph between the 0.07mile and the 0.34mile points. I calculate that to be about 430 metres. I wasn't actually sprinting, as such, it was more of a super-high effort TT pace before realising that I was going to puke. If I was going for a full on sprint, then I'd obviously try and go even harder over an even shorter distance... Need to give that one a go!
TheSandwichMonster
Junior Senior
- Location
- Devon, UK
Sorry, I forgot, this is the internets.
I can sprint at 45mph over 2 miles and anybody who can't just isn't trying
I can sprint at 45mph over 2 miles and anybody who can't just isn't trying
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
around the 30mph mark here but not for very far and it needs a fair old wind up, I don't really do out of the saddle balls out effort.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
30mph for the fast bit of the video. I should point out that Gaz trashed me totally going over Vauxhall Bridge just before this, and I suspect that he was off form this day. Anyway, I played sneaky here and maximised the aerodynamics of the 'bent and minimised my own sprint weakness by accelerating slowly and spending a longer distance at a higher speed.
(I'm quite aware that I'm far from a fast rider, there are lots of people on here who I know can kick my butt).
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
isn't there a good one somewhere of Origamist 'breezing' past all and sundry?
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
I don't like this thread any more, I used to think I was ok on a bike but I've just thrown my teddy bear in the corner reading about some incredible muscular feats on a bike that I could never match. Do not come on my forum rides......please.
Liar Liar
Unless you've gained 100lbs and lost both legs since the last time you were on a ride with me. 
Attachments
I decided once to try to stick with Origamist and Thom on a long hill climb on Delzeqq's ride last summer. Needless to say I failed and that by the time I got to the top I was trying my best to not look like my lungs were wanting to burst forth out of my chest Alien style.
arallsopp
Post of The Year 2009 winner
- Location
- Bromley, Kent
How fast in a sprint? Fast enough to let ILB know I had him licked. I'd imagine we were both upwards of 30.
For how long? Long enough for us to be stopped by police men on horseback.
This was my slow 'bent (marathons, full susser, heavy framed, hub gear), but I'll concede he's probably a lot faster now. Bike upgrades have been installed, and I reckon on the right terrain and inside the right shell, I've still got him
For how long? Long enough for us to be stopped by police men on horseback.
This was my slow 'bent (marathons, full susser, heavy framed, hub gear), but I'll concede he's probably a lot faster now. Bike upgrades have been installed, and I reckon on the right terrain and inside the right shell, I've still got him
jonny jeez
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chislehurst, Kent, UK
I can happily cruise at 20-24...but I really struggle to reach 30 (even downhill) as I start to spin out and bounce in my saddle too much.
which is annoying as one thing I specifically wanted from a road bike was the ability to lower my cadence at high speeds.
which is annoying as one thing I specifically wanted from a road bike was the ability to lower my cadence at high speeds.
GrasB
Veteran
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
I promise that I'll never go into the adrenaline hyped climb or sprint on a forum ride if I ever make it to oneI don't like this thread any more, I used to think I was ok on a bike but I've just thrown my teddy bear in the corner reading about some incredible muscular feats on a bike that I could never match. Do not come on my forum rides......please.
... well unless a cat 1 ride starts to go for it 
