What makes a bike quick

[tyred]

Adding one of these makes a bike a lot faster

 

[Dogtrousers]

I saved ten minutes on a 20k loop by buying a new bike.

Did you pay for it in 2p coins that you had previously been carrying round in your panniers?

 

[Tin Pot]

Did you pay for it in 2p coins that you had previously been carrying round in your panniers?

Panniers?! Wash your mouth out!

No, but my Trax TFS.1 was quite likely made out of 2p coins.

 

[Banjo]

Tyres make a big difference. I use heavy bomb proof tyres on my commuter in winter and much lighter racing slicks in summer. The difference is immediately noticeable .

 

[Andywinds]

Thanks all for your responses all really interesting. I went out on a short 9m ride last night and there is a short section that I really put everything into and I felt the frame flex, but this maybe just me as this was only my second time out on a road bike since I was 13. I know this is down to my riding ability or lack of but I started to snake a bit as I hit speed. I know my climbing is really bad, on a local climb on a hardtail MTB my best time is 12mins and there are others I know that can do this well inside 7mins and that killed me.

 

[Andywinds]

This is the bike that I've borrowed. It's been in a lock up for about 7 years so I have no idea it's age.

 

[vickster]

I'd say it's at least 7 years old

 

[Spoked Wheels]

I saved ten minutes on a 20k loop by buying a new bike.

Ahhh I guess you can't afford the coffee brake now, after you bought the new bike and all

 

[cyberknight]

This is the bike that I've borrowed. It's been in a lock up for about 7 years so I have no idea it's age. View attachment 99245

Nowt wrong with that , i rode mine ( self build claris r501`s ) yesterday on a loop as my weekender has a bust spoke and it has to be ordered in .
https://www.strava.com/activities/362787479/

 

[Supersuperleeds]

You need to get the frame resprayed and the tyres and bar tape changed

 

[MikeW-71]

This is the bike that I've borrowed. It's been in a lock up for about 7 years so I have no idea it's age.

Absolutely fine to get started with. Just ensure everything is properly lubricated. It may be an idea to replace the cables and outers if they've been sat for 7 years.

 

[Andywinds]

It's only a borrowed bike, the chap that owns expects it back in a couple of week, don't know why he's not touched it and will go back into storage. I think if I re-sprayed it he'd have a fit!

 

[Andywinds]

That's good to know thanks Cyberknight. As routes go this is where I have been going, there is a nice little stretch which is all I can manage.

https://www.strava.com/activities/362728674

Nowt wrong with that , i rode mine ( self build claris r501`s ) yesterday on a loop as my weekender has a bust spoke and it has to be ordered in .
https://www.strava.com/activities/362787479/

 

[biking_fox]

Legs. The next biggest difference I've found is tyres. Narrower smoother lighter tyres (upto a point) make a notable difference to the feel, acceleration, and cruising speed than changing the frames. I doubt they'd have much effect on hill climbing times though.

 

[Cyclist33]

For the biggest single gain, I would recommend a set of Zonda wheels, because everybody who's bought a pair has noticed a big difference, although strangely none have been able to say exactly how much!