Respect For A Folder

[jefmcg]

As someone once said, It's not about the bike...

To a certain extent, yes .. but ...

Imagine me and Lance Armstrong riding side by side. He's on his Madone (hey, I googled it: sue me if it's wrong) and I'm on my mezzo. I'm in top gear (78 inches), he's in a similar gear and we are both cruising along with a cadence of 90 at about 21 mph. Then he changes up and increases his speed to .. um ... 25 mph and where can I go? Nowhere!
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbVKWCpNFhY[/media]


This is particularly about the mezzo. I'm very aware that with the right gearing a small wheeled bike can be competitive with a road bike, http://www.moultonbicycles.co.uk/heritage.html#recordsracing

I still pass a lot of commuters on my bike - and lots pass more, too - but I'm not coming anywhere the numbers that are posted here. I can't hit an average of 20kmh (excluding stops) while I keep seeing ~20mph reported here fairly regularly.

 

[TheDoctor]

Really? Have you upgraded it? The mezzo is notoriously under geared. I'm not sure of my cadence, but my top speed on the flat is a little over 20mph. from http://www.mezzobike.../UK/d9specs.php

GEAR INCHES
Gear ratios for 54 x 11-26t are:

11t: 78.9 17t: 51.0
12t: 72.3 19t: 44.0
13t: 66.8 21t: 41.3
15t: 57.9 23t: 37.7
26t: 33.4

That's a cadence of about 80, for 20 mph in a 79" gear. I'm quite spinny, and I could get that gear up to 30 mph.

If I had the power, which I don't

Can you get a bigger ring on there?

 

[jefmcg]

That's a cadence of about 80, for 20 mph in a 79" gear. I'm quite spinny, and I could get that gear up to 30 mph.

If I had the power, which I don't

Can you get a bigger ring on there?

I make it a little under 19mph for that cadence - but I've never done that calcs before, so my maths may be out.

Cardio trainer had me maxing 40kmh today (25mph) but I'm inclined to think that was a software glitch, as my route was very flat. Average was still 19.6kmp

 

[lilolee]

Really? Have you upgraded it? The mezzo is notoriously under geared. I'm not sure of my cadence, but my top speed on the flat is a little over 20mph. from http://www.mezzobike.../UK/d9specs.php

GEAR INCHES
Gear ratios for 54 x 11-26t are:

11t: 78.9 17t: 51.0
12t: 72.3 19t: 44.0
13t: 66.8 21t: 41.3
15t: 57.9 23t: 37.7
26t: 33.4

Yes I have. I use the i4 which is the Nexus internal hub and I changed the single rear ring from 18 to 15 I think and the front from 44 to 46. Don't know what ratio that gives me but it is far better. Mind you I wouldn't want to go up any real hills but my commute is usually pretty flat.

 

[jefmcg]

That would make a difference. I think it's simple ratios, so that would bring your top gear from 72.3 to 90.7 inches. According to Sheldon Brown, top speed on a road racing bike is 108-110.

I'm not surprised you keep up.

(I don't spend that long at my - much lower - top speed. Fitness, traffic conditions and my perceived reaction time are the limiting factors on my commute. I like to be sure I can brake when the cycling/driver/pedestrian inevitably and predictably does something unpredictable)

 

[smokeysmoo]

There were quite a few pretty serious looking guys on folding bikes doing the Manchester to Blackpool last weekend. They certainly ride them pretty seriously.

I see the obvious attraction for inner city commuting, but fail to see the point in using a folder for weekend riding, (unless it's your only bike of course), in which case I'll shut up

 

[BentMikey]

As someone once said, It's not about the bike...

Sam Whittingham/Varna Diablo. 83mph on the flat. End of story.

 

[Arch]

There were quite a few pretty serious looking guys on folding bikes doing the Manchester to Blackpool last weekend. They certainly ride them pretty seriously.

I see the obvious attraction for inner city commuting, but fail to see the point in using a folder for weekend riding, (unless it's your only bike of course), in which case I'll shut up

Well, try getting back from anywhere on a train, and a folder becomes more attractive. Even on a regular day, it can be a gamble getting a full sized bike on a train. On a day when some train operators have banned bikes (helpfully, so as to prevent overcrowding, I gather from the local press), you're stuffed.

A good folder is a very useful mount, and if it's set up right for you as good as any other bike. Mate of mine rides a Brom all over the place. Another friend did LEJOG on one - albeit over three separate holidays. Her idea was that if she got tired on any one stage, she could get a bus. She never had to, but it was an option. She's in her 70s or 80s, btw. So you can increase you range by riding one way, and easily getting public transport home (or vice versa).

I don't actually have a folder myself, yet. I'm on the verge of being able to afford a second hand Brommie.

 

[BSRU]

The original idea of the thread was for people like me, ignorant/uninformed about folders, that folders are a serious option for commuters. Not just because they are handy when using public transport for part of the journey but in my case the security issue, being able to store it under my work desk knowing it's perfectly safe, instead of having to use 3 D locks, a heavy Almax chain and an alarm.

 

[kedab]

being able to store it under my work desk knowing it's perfectly safe, instead of having to use 3 D locks, a heavy Almax chain and an alarm.

blimey, that's some serious security - where do you work, National Acadamy of Lockpicking & Bike Thievery Excellence?!

 

[BSRU]

blimey, that's some serious security - where do you work, National Acadamy of Lockpicking & Bike Thievery Excellence?!

Should be just 2 D locks, one is a spare that should be at home but just haven't got around to taking it yet.

On a business estate with lots of shiny new C2W bikes with locks that should be sold with a warning that they should not be used to lock anything of any value.

The thieving barstewards know from experience where the easy pickings are .

 

[lilolee]

There were quite a few pretty serious looking guys on folding bikes doing the Manchester to Blackpool last weekend. They certainly ride them pretty seriously.

I see the obvious attraction for inner city commuting, but fail to see the point in using a folder for weekend riding, (unless it's your only bike of course), in which case I'll shut up

I absolutely agree, my folder is for commuting and trips to town/post office, never for that 50 mile jaunt into the Chilterns

 

[jefmcg]

I absolutely agree, my folder is for commuting and trips to town/post office, never for that 50 mile jaunt into the Chilterns

Agreed. My Sunday Jaunt was only 44 miles and I didn't quite make it to the Chilterns.

I was very happy on my folder however, and relaxed to not worry about it when I folded it under the table at the cafe in Windsor, and if I'd need to use the rail replacement bus to get home from Reading I'd have been ok (probably) but they weren't taking "bicycles"

 

[BSRU]

I saw the folder again this morning, managed to confuse him because I was cycling the opposite way and then confused him even more by saying "good morning".

 

[Arch]

Well, I became the proud owner of a Brommie yesterday so once I've collected it, we'll see how nippy it is. I suspect the answer will the same as any bike I ride.

Ponderous!