I was having a discussion with a friend and this topic came up. How do you know if you're holding the bike back or is the bike hold you back?
any thoughts?
any thoughts?
Is my bike holding me back?
Madeirafelt
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I was having a discussion with a friend and this topic came up. How do you know if you're holding the bike back or is the bike hold you back?
any thoughts?
any thoughts?
What's the bike? Or namely, what components are on it and are they in working order? How much does it weigh? Does it fit you?
In all likelihood the answer is "No," unless you have some extreme answers to those questions. If the bike were "holding you back," you'd know.
In all likelihood the answer is "No," unless you have some extreme answers to those questions. If the bike were "holding you back," you'd know.
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Yes, buy a really expensive bike. Send the old one to me.
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Each pound above the UCI limit is costing you 30 seconds per hour of climbing off the front to an up-hill finish, so if a few minutes are all that's standing between you and the podium (or a one-hour Mount Diablo t-shirt) you might upgrade.
Conversely, if you don't have a structured training plan you're pitifully slow and no equipment is going to bridge the gap between you and people who aren't so lazy.
In between it's probably you.
Only way the any significant performance will be inhibited by the bike is if it's not sized and fit for you or the gearing doesn't allow you to hit the speeds your physical ability is able to achieve.
If you are looking are doing time trials and racing where your measuring by the seconds, then a higher end bike might make a bit of a difference.
If you are looking are doing time trials and racing where your measuring by the seconds, then a higher end bike might make a bit of a difference.
Yea, parts mean nothing unless seconds count. The more I ride the more I learn this.
Now if your climbing up and down hills, perhaps that late 1980's vintage down tube shifters will hold you back because it takes too long to shift gears compared to modern STI levers, but assuming a bike with a modern drivetrain, the difference between a $999 aluminum/Tiagra bike and a $8000 carbon/Dura-Ace/Zipp bike is not much for the typical road rider
Now if your climbing up and down hills, perhaps that late 1980's vintage down tube shifters will hold you back because it takes too long to shift gears compared to modern STI levers, but assuming a bike with a modern drivetrain, the difference between a $999 aluminum/Tiagra bike and a $8000 carbon/Dura-Ace/Zipp bike is not much for the typical road rider
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Says the crowd of guys on $5,000+ bikes.
The real answer is "maybe". That, and there's no possible way for us to be any more clear until we learn more, e.g. the level at which you're currently ridding and the bike you're on. Once, we know that, we'll be able speculate like only the interwebs know how.
The real answer is "maybe". That, and there's no possible way for us to be any more clear until we learn more, e.g. the level at which you're currently ridding and the bike you're on. Once, we know that, we'll be able speculate like only the interwebs know how.
Gentlemen:
The Bike does not hold 99.99 % of us back
A lack of Desire
A lack of Determination
A lack dedication
Holds 99.99 % of us back
It is easy to get faster
Ride 4 days a week
Increase mileage to 150 to 200 miles a week
Ride hills one day a week
Do speed intervals one day a week
Recovery ride one day a week
Group Ride - High Pace Ride one day a week
Lift weights to gain core strength and promote fast lost
Get 8 to 9 hours sleep recovery
Clean Up your diet, No Sugars,clean carbs and clean protein only.
Drop weight by fat loss to get more efficient on hills.
Dedicate your self to the above training methods for six months and I will bet you will be faster than if you buy a $ 8,000.00 dollar bike by a considerable amount. The bike does not make the cyclist - the motor makes the cyclists.
Speed is gained through dedication through painful training. 99.99 of us want cycling to all enjoyment - the great cyclists have the ability to push through the pain on a daily basis while training.
Sean
The Bike does not hold 99.99 % of us back
A lack of Desire
A lack of Determination
A lack dedication
Holds 99.99 % of us back
It is easy to get faster
Ride 4 days a week
Increase mileage to 150 to 200 miles a week
Ride hills one day a week
Do speed intervals one day a week
Recovery ride one day a week
Group Ride - High Pace Ride one day a week
Lift weights to gain core strength and promote fast lost
Get 8 to 9 hours sleep recovery
Clean Up your diet, No Sugars,clean carbs and clean protein only.
Drop weight by fat loss to get more efficient on hills.
Dedicate your self to the above training methods for six months and I will bet you will be faster than if you buy a $ 8,000.00 dollar bike by a considerable amount. The bike does not make the cyclist - the motor makes the cyclists.
Speed is gained through dedication through painful training. 99.99 of us want cycling to all enjoyment - the great cyclists have the ability to push through the pain on a daily basis while training.
Sean
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What about rule #4
Velominati ? The Rules
Just kidding assuming you are on a modern road bike. I agree with the general sentiment here it is probably you. If your riding $100 WalMart Mountain Bike you may look into upgrading. Even well made older bikes with down tube shifters aren't a huge obstacle if you train. I used drop people on the hills all the time despite there newer bikes and modern shifting. Of course they were carrying quite a bit in there jerseys in some cases... I don't mean in the pockets either.
Velominati ? The Rules
Just kidding assuming you are on a modern road bike. I agree with the general sentiment here it is probably you. If your riding $100 WalMart Mountain Bike you may look into upgrading. Even well made older bikes with down tube shifters aren't a huge obstacle if you train. I used drop people on the hills all the time despite there newer bikes and modern shifting. Of course they were carrying quite a bit in there jerseys in some cases... I don't mean in the pockets either.
Crap! I knew I was doing something wrong the whole time
Be careful. There are some who won't take you kindly for being negative about sugar.
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Never heard that one before. Is that accurate? If so, that is really a great piece of data to have in your back pocket every time the spending urge hits.
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So my 15 lbs over bike is holding me back 7 1/2 minutes in that hour? Sounds like a lot to me. Not that I care enough about it to "upgrade" but now I can add this to my excuses.
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UCI weight limit is 14.9 lbs, no? Not sure how you are coming up with your 7.5 minutes at 15 lbs. More like a 30 lb bike would give you that 7.5 minutes, based on that assertion.
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