What makes a bike quick

[Cyclist33]

The "flex" you felt was more likely to be the whole bike yawing on its horizontal axis as you hammered along exerting alternate levels of pressure on each side.

 

[MontyVeda]

the rider.

I'm on a 90s steel MTB with big fat balloon tyres, went for a 30 miler today with a mate riding his super lightweight hybrid, and i had to constantly ride slowly so he could keep up ...and i don't consider myself quick by any means.

 

[Big Dave laaa]

Me

 

[Mugshot]

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!

Sorry, I didn't know you'd asked the question. As to how much, when I got my Zondas I noticed a difference of exactly 4.

 

[ayceejay]

Back in the early 80's I was marshaling on the TOB. The Russian team all rode Colnago's that were at least twenty years old. They were going really fast and winning a bit in spite of this. Some cynics said it was because of what they had for breakfast and some 'vitamins'.

 

[gbb]

My analogy is...when I first started cycling seriously I had a basic heavy Raleigh, heavy steel frame, gazillion spoked wheels, comparatively basic components now I have a carbon fibre, super stiff, much better components, light wheels....I don't go that much faster. The new bike may be compensating for me being 15 years older..but what the newer bike does do is give you a smoother, infinitely more pleasurable ride over the one 15 year ago.

 

[MontyVeda]

heavy bikes go down hill faster

 

[winjim]

heavy bikes go down hill faster

No they don't.

 

[Andywinds]

When I go out on the MTB in a group I am always hitting the brakes as my extra weight seems to increase my downhill speed compared to the lighter guys.

heavy bikes go down hill faster

 

[bpsmith]

I love replies saying it's not the bike, it's the rider. I have to totally agree that this is the case, no question.

The bit that amuses me is that these replies assume that the rider in question can either have better legs or a better bike!

The OP is asking whether they may gain from a better bike. They have the same legs, whatever bike they choose.

Similarly, the riders with "better" legs may be able to beat people on "lesser" bikes, but they would be even faster on the "better" bike.

 

[gbb]

It's not any one thing, it's the whole package, rider fitness , bike weight, quality of wheel hubs, how aero the wheels are,etc etc etc. ..there loads of variables .

 

[bpsmith]

That's my point @gbb. Many of the replies above suggest that it's mutually exclusive though.

 

[Andywinds]

i do not doubt that having a better bike might not hurt, weight wise, I think it's cheaper to lose some weight then to buy an ultra light carbon bike. Legs, I need to get stronger and fitter. I went out last night and did a climb, I've just posted my 3rd best time, the two faster times were done on my 29" Hardtail weighing 15Kg. This time was set 2 years ago when I weighed 14.5 stone now I am 15.75 stone.

 

[Andywinds]

With this bike I am struggling to climb, someone said before that this bike does not have any short gears which makes sense, but from the pic does the small front chain ring look a bit large?

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

 

[jowwy]

With this bike I am struggling to climb, someone said before that this bike does not have any short gears which makes sense, but from the pic does the small front chain ring look a bit large?

It looks like it could be a 42 or even a 39 inner chainring as it doesnt look to much smaller than its larger chainring

It could well be the reason your finding it difficult to climb, but there also other variables which might not be helping