When riding a bicycle there is no iron box around you, like when riding a car, and you are open to the wind and other weather conditions. When you ride a bike, you don't have a heavy steel frame underneath you like you do when you ride a motorcycle, and you just fly above the ground. Speed in such conditions is felt as fully as possible.
Many new cyclists overestimate the speed at which they ride. Having noticed the numbers 25-30 km/h on the computer, many people think that they most often move at this speed, and this is true average speed. But this is not so, only an experienced cyclist can maintain such a speed, and athletes are also capable of unimaginable records.
Bicycle speed records
The maximum speed at the velodrome is 51.151 km/h. In a track race in Mexico City, Italian athlete Francesco Moser covered a distance of 51.151 km in one hour in 1984. This result is considered a record for speed and endurance. As the record holder himself admitted in 1999: to keep high speed and blood doping, which was not prohibited at that time, helped him not to slow down for a second.
when installing an aerodynamic fairing on a bicycle– 133.78 km/h. This world record was set by 26-year-old Dutchman Sebastian Bowyer in 2013 at a distance of 200 meters. The athlete lay on his back, this bike has pedals mounted at the front, and the velomobile itself is completely covered with an ultra-light carbon fiber fairing. This velomobile was built jointly by students from the Free University of Amsterdam and the Delft University of Technology.
Maximum speed in a straight line, when covering a bicycle in an air bag– 268.83 km/h. This absolute bicycle speed record was set by 50-year-old accomplished athlete Fred Rompelberg from the Netherlands in 1995. This result was achieved on the flat surface of a dry salt lake in Utah (Bonneville Salt Flats), and only by following the bicycle behind a moving racing car in front, the large fairing of which protected the cyclist from the oncoming air flow. Of course, a special bicycle was built that is impossible to ride under normal conditions.
The maximum speed is 222 km/h. This speed record was set on a mountain bike by the Frenchman Eric Baron in 2000 on an ice-packed ski slope in the French Alps. To set this speed limit, a bicycle was built with improved aerodynamics, but with a shock-absorbing fork and rear suspension. The athlete himself was dressed in an aerodynamic rigid suit-suit. In 2002, Eric Baron, already on the dry gravel slope of the Sierra Negro volcano in Nicaragua, was able to accelerate to 210.4 km/h. Having traveled about 400 meters, the bicycle under the daredevil was torn into two parts due to the unbearable load on the frame. Eric Baron suffered a severe hip fracture, a dislocated left shoulder and cervical spine spine, numerous bruises and cuts, but the athlete survived thanks to a helmet and protective suit.
The maximum average speed on a road bike is 41.654 km/h. American road racer Lance Armstrong was able to maintain this speed during the Tour de France in 2005. On the descents from the mountains, participants in this competition reach speeds close to 90 km/h.
Possibilities of an untrained cyclist
Difficult-to-achieve records inspire any athlete, but for an ordinary person who sometimes goes out on bicycle rides, it is much more interesting to know how fast one can move on ordinary roads without taking part in competitions.
To measure speed on a bicycle, not so long ago - fifteen to twenty years ago - large, heavy and unreliable mechanical speedometers were installed. Today, everyone can afford to buy a miniature electronic cycling computer, which, in addition to the current speed and total mileage, displays the average speed, maximum speed, route length, pace per minute, calorie consumption, travel time, and other useful information in more expensive models.
The average cyclist on a modern mountain bike can maintain an average speed of 18-20 km/h on the highway without excessive effort, covering 10 km in 30 minutes. The same cyclist on a road bike can move at an average speed of 20-25 km/h on a straight asphalt road, covering 10 km in 25 minutes. The gender of the rider doesn't matter at these speeds. An average cyclist is considered to be a person who rides approximately 20-50 hours per month or 1-2 hours per day.
At short distances of about 10 km, everyone can reach an average speed of 18 km/h, including teenagers from 12-14 years old. A more experienced cyclist who travels thousands of kilometers a year will cover the same distance twice as fast. He has greater physical strength better technology ride and generally a better quality bike. Such people, thanks to trained endurance, can maintain a speed of about 30 km/h over a distance of 100 km on the highway. The average cyclist rarely rides such distances, or does not ride at all.
In urban conditions it is necessary to: drive around stopped cars and public transport, stop at intersections and crossings, slow down before entering turns and in front of pedestrians, so the average speed of a cyclist in the city is always lower than on the highway, by approximately 5-10 km/h.
Although a road bike can be ridden faster on asphalt than a mountain bike, it is not recommended for city riding. The biker sits low on the road bike and has poor visibility, and it’s impossible to stop in an emergency on such a bike without skidding. A mountain bike, although slower than a road bike when riding on hard surfaces, is more preferable for riding around the city. The mountain bike is very easy to maneuver thanks to the wide handlebars, and the excellent grip of the wide tires on the asphalt will allow you to instantly freeze in place.
When riding on rough terrain, even on a mountain bike, it is impossible to reach a maximum speed of 30 km/h. Because outside the asphalt, there are often holes, bumps, and sand on the road, and when driving through them, the speed will decrease significantly. When riding a mountain bike on a forest road, the average speed is usually 15 km/h.
On the other hand, a road bike, having thin tires and greater weight distribution over front wheel, actually not suitable for riding in the forest. Average driving speed road bike when driving on sand, fallen leaves, snow it will be 5-8 km/h. When trying to ride through deep sand or snow on a road bike, the front wheel will skid to the side or hit crushed sand, possibly ejecting the rider over the handlebars. In addition, when riding a bicycle without shock absorbers on a gravel or tracked road, fatigue accumulates very quickly due to impacts on the arms and spine.
Factors affecting driving speed
Cyclist training level
The speed of movement depends most on physical strength and rider endurance. The rider's experience has a greater influence on riding speed than the type of bike he chooses. When riding on the road, an experienced mountain biker will be able to keep novice road bike riders on their tail, maintaining a higher speed even when going uphill.
Oncoming air resistance
At speeds of 25-27 km/h, air resistance significantly slows down the movement of the bicycle. If a headwind blows, it becomes difficult to move even at a speed of 10-15 km/h. On a mountain bike with wide and high handlebars, and especially with a low saddle, it is much harder to pedal at a speed of 30 km/h than on a road bike. The road bike has a special detail - a narrow handlebar with a lower grip (ram's horns). If there is noticeable headwind resistance, a road bike rider can bend down to the handlebars, grabbing the handlebars at the bottom of the arc, thus significantly reducing the load.
You can completely get rid of oncoming air pressure only by driving into an air bag, under the protection of a bus or truck in front. But getting behind a bus or truck is very dangerous, as they can suddenly brake or turn when going around a hole.
Rolling resistance
This opposition is especially felt at the beginning of the movement. It takes more energy from both the cyclist and the car engine to accelerate from a standstill. Once you start moving, rolling resistance has less of an impact on the amount of force required for acceleration. As the speed increases, this resistance gradually decreases.
Increasing the friction between the tire and the road primarily increases the amount of rolling resistance. A narrow tire that has pressed through soft ground is difficult to tear off the ground. A tire with a wide-spaced tread rubs excessively on hard asphalt surfaces and also wears out quickly. Therefore, you should choose tires based on width, tread area and depth, taking into account the roads on which you will ride your bike.
The pressure in the tube significantly affects the friction between the tire and the road. The more the chamber is inflated, the easier the wheel rolls on asphalt and hard ground. To make driving on crushed stone, sand, mud, and snow easier, it is recommended to reduce the pressure in the chambers.
Heavy weight bicycle greatly increases the rolling resistance. Accelerate and push heavy uphill mountain bike always more difficult than an easier road bike.
Increasing the wheel diameter reduces the amount of rolling resistance. A bicycle for adults coasts in a straight line much longer than a bicycle for children. In addition, a large wheel overcomes road unevenness more easily, rolling over small holes.
Friction in transmission mechanisms
An unlubricated or dirty chain, as well as worn bushings and carriage will likely reduce the speed of the bike. If you want to achieve high speed, then you need to buy expensive bushings and a carriage mechanism, and then monitor the condition of their lubrication.
Shock absorbers on a bicycle, especially ones that are too soft, reduce speed on smooth asphalt. But they turn out to be indispensable when overcoming road sections with minor irregularities. The shock-absorbing fork turns out to be irreplaceable when driving around the city, while the rear suspension can be abandoned.
In general, you shouldn’t strictly adhere to the above average speeds, especially the maximum ones. You should ride your bike at a speed that is comfortable for you and enjoy the ride.
Edited 05/19/2019
When riding bicycles, sometimes you need to calculate the speed at which you can get there.
The average speed of a bicycle under normal environmental conditions and with a cyclist without much physical training is about 15-20 km/h.
But the speed can be either higher or lower, because... Such a concept as “bike speed” is very relative. This is influenced by quite a lot, which is described below.
Average bike speed depending on terrain
There are usually three types of terrain that are most relevant for a cyclist:
- city or urban locality
- track
- rough terrain
Average bike speed in the city
It is difficult to develop high speed in the city: there are many road users. A cyclist usually has to move along the roads, clinging to their right side, in the general flow of cars. You have to be doubly careful so as not to accidentally get run over.The average speed also depends on how often there are intersections with traffic lights along the way, as well as on the degree of traffic congestion. Traffic jams are not scary for a cyclist, but often there is a need to maneuver among cars. But in small cities with not very dense traffic It's easier to accelerate.
Depending on all these conditions the average speed of a cyclist in urban conditions ranges from 10 to 15-17 km/h. If the city can boast of having bicycle paths, then it increases to 15-17 km/h. Provided, of course, that they are used for their intended purpose and pedestrians do not move on them.
Average bike speed on the track
On the highway, the average speed increases due to the absence of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.It depends on the quality of the road surface and the type of bicycle.
On small, specially designed ones, it is unlikely that you will be able to exceed the mark of 20 km/h. But if we take into account ordinary universal bicycles, then we can talk about an average speed of 20-25 km/h. On you can accelerate to 28-32 km/h, but only experienced cyclists with excellent physical fitness can maintain higher speeds.
Average bike speed over rough terrain
The concept of "rough terrain" is quite abstract. It may include off-road conditions that are quite convenient for driving, and valleys replete with ravines. Therefore, the difference between the minimum and maximum speed limits is large: from 5 to 15 km/h.Average speed depending on bike type
Different types of bicycles have different speeds on average
Road bikes
These models are the simplest: large, quite heavy, and, as a rule, do not provide for gear shifting. They are intended mainly for movement around the city and highways with good coverage. Their speed is low: you should not expect to exceed the mark in 13-15 km/h even on a perfectly flat surface
City bikes.
They are also often called walking ones. They are already much more functional compared to road ones. Light weight, convenient, functional design and the ability to switch speeds provide an average speed within 12-17 km/h in and around the city 20 km/h on the track
MTB bikes (mountain bikes)
If you drive on the highway, you can usually reach average speed at 25 km/h. If you change tires to ones designed for driving on asphalt, the speed increases by 3-4 km/h. In rough terrain, the speed is typically between 10 to 15 km/h.
Hybrid
Speed on the highway - approx. 25-28 km/h, off-road - approx. 10 km/h
Factors affecting speed
Movement speed is affected by various factors. This is why the same section of road can be driven at different speeds and in different times.
That is why every cyclist should carefully consider and take them into account.
Cyclist training
The speed of movement depends most on the physical strength and endurance of the cyclist.A cyclist's experience has a greater impact on riding speed than the type of bike he chooses.
When driving on the highway, an experienced cyclist will not be able to stay on the tail of novice riders, maintaining a higher speed even when going uphill.
At short distances of about 10 km, everyone can reach an average speed of 18 km/h, including teenagers from 12-14 years old. A more experienced cyclist who travels thousands of kilometers a year will cover the same distance twice as fast. He has greater physical strength, better riding technique and, as a rule, a better quality bike. Such people, thanks to trained endurance, can maintain a speed of about 30 km/h over a distance of 100 km on the highway. The average cyclist (who rides approximately 20-50 hours a month or 1-2 hours a day) rarely rides such distances, or does not ride at all.
Tire pressure
The most easily corrected factor is tire pressure. The higher it is, the better the roll and the easier it is to gain speed.
When driving on highways and city roads, you can inflate the tires all the way, but for unpaved roads it is better to reduce the pressure.
By the way, the overall hardness of the bike also affects the ease of rolling. This refers to bicycle suspensions. Please note that you will have to pay for the softness of riding a (even single-suspension) bicycle increased complexity pick up speed.
Tires
The next factor is the width of the tire and the shape of its tread.
First of all, it is worth considering that the real need for thick wheels appears only on open off-road conditions. In urban conditions, the law “the thinner the tire, the better” applies. Therefore, when choosing a bicycle, you should be clearly aware of how it will be used.
As for the tread, almost bare tires are suitable for the city; studded tires are suitable for the primer. The opposite situation is fraught with huge problems when driving.
Weight and wheel size
How larger size wheels, the more favorable the energy conversion when driving.
For the city, the best option would be 29-inch wheels. For extreme driving - 24-inch wheels.
Regarding the weight of the wheel, we can say the following: it is not so much the diameter that affects the weight, but the quality of the equipment. A hub, spokes, and rim made of aluminum will weigh much less than steel ones.
It is worth realizing that nothing affects acceleration dynamics more than the weight of the wheels.
"Eight" wheels
"Eight" is a deformation of the wheels. It appears due to an impact on the wheel and is corrected by tightening the spokes. Small "eights" on the wheel can be eliminated. To do this you need to contact a workshop."Eight", like any other defect, affects speed.
General bike geometry and aerodynamics
The length of the frame and the rider’s position on it are important (i.e. it is necessary). For example, with a low saddle and a wide handlebar configuration, riding will not only be difficult, but also dangerous to health.
The most aerodynamic design is. They are distinguished by a low rider position, in which his body is approximately parallel to the surface of the ground, a narrow handlebar and a long frame. Its opposite is highly specialized bicycles, designed strictly for stunts.
You can completely get rid of oncoming air pressure only by driving into an air bag, under the protection of a bus or truck in front. But getting behind a bus or truck is very dangerous, as they can suddenly brake or turn when going around a hole.
Total weight of the bike
In general, the mass factor manifests itself only in specific conditions, such as descents/ascents and off-road conditions. A light bike, of course, is comfortable to ride in any conditions, while a heavy bike is only convenient for descending.
Weather conditions
Accelerating over 15 km/h is not an easy task. But with a tailwind, only a bumpy road will force you to drop below 30 km/h.
By the way, bicycle wheels, which have blades instead of spokes, suffer greatly from side winds.
Pedaling technique
With the same average speed, in one case you can drive almost without expending any effort, and in the other, struggling with exhaustion.
Cadence
Cadence should always be in the range of 60-90 rpm.
Most beginners make the same gross mistake - they pedal jerkily, periodically letting the bike roll by inertia. At the same time, they constantly have to overcome the cadence threshold. And this takes much more effort than constantly turning at the optimal speed. Special cycling computers help you monitor your cadence.
Friction in transmission mechanisms
If the transmission mechanisms (chain, bearings) are dirty, they need to be cleaned. To do this you need to use special detergents. Don't forget to lubricate them afterwards. If you do not lubricate the transmission mechanisms in time, the speed of movement will decrease significantly (experts say up to 15%).
Bicycle speed records
The maximum speed at the velodrome is 51.151 km/h. In a track race in Mexico City, Italian athlete Francesco Moser covered a distance of 51.151 km in one hour in 1984. This result is considered a record for speed and endurance. As the record holder himself admitted in 1999: blood doping, which was not prohibited at that time, helped him maintain high speed and not slow down for a second.
The maximum speed in a straight line, when installing an aerodynamic fairing on a bicycle, is 133.78 km/h. This world record was set by 26-year-old Dutchman Sebastian Bowyer in 2013 at a distance of 200 meters. The athlete lay on his back, this bike has pedals mounted at the front, and the velomobile itself is completely covered with an ultra-light carbon fiber fairing. This velomobile was built jointly by students from the Free University of Amsterdam and the Delft University of Technology.
Maximum speed in a straight line, when covering the bike in an air bag – 268.83 km/h. This absolute bicycle speed record was set by 50-year-old accomplished athlete Fred Rompelberg from the Netherlands in 1995. This result was achieved on the flat surface of a dry salt lake in Utah (Bonneville Salt Flats), and only by following the bicycle behind a moving racing car in front, the large fairing of which protected the cyclist from the oncoming air flow. Of course, a special bicycle was built that is impossible to ride under normal conditions.
The maximum speed when descending the mountain is 222 km/h. This speed record was set by the Frenchman Eric Baron in 2000 on a well-worn icy ski slope in the French Alps. To set this speed limit, a bicycle was built with improved aerodynamics, but with a shock-absorbing fork and rear suspension. The athlete himself was dressed in an aerodynamic rigid suit-suit. In 2002, Eric Baron, already on the dry gravel slope of the Sierra Negro volcano in Nicaragua, was able to accelerate to 210.4 km/h. Having traveled about 400 meters, the bicycle under the daredevil was torn into two parts due to the unbearable load on the frame. Eric Baron suffered a severe hip fracture, dislocation of the left shoulder and cervical spine, numerous bruises and cuts, but the athlete survived thanks to a helmet and protective suit.
The maximum average speed on a road bike is 41.654 km/h. American road racer Lance Armstrong was able to maintain this speed during the Tour de France in 2005. On the descents from the mountains, participants in this competition reach speeds close to 90 km/h.
When riding a bicycle there is no iron box around you, like when riding a car, and you are open to the wind and other weather conditions. When you ride a bike, you don't have a heavy steel frame underneath you like you do when you ride a motorcycle, and you just fly above the ground. Speed in such conditions is felt as fully as possible.
Many new cyclists overestimate the speed at which they ride. Having noticed the numbers 25-30 km/h on the computer, many people think that they most often move at this speed, and this is the average speed. But this is not so, only an experienced cyclist can maintain such a speed, and athletes are also capable of unimaginable records.
Bicycle speed records
Maximum speed at the velodrome– 51.151 km/h. In a track race in Mexico City, Italian athlete Francesco Moser covered a distance of 51.151 km in one hour in 1984. This result is considered a record for speed and endurance. As the record holder himself admitted in 1999: blood doping, which was not prohibited at that time, helped him maintain high speed and not slow down for a second.
when installing an aerodynamic fairing on a bicycle– 133.78 km/h. This world record was set by 26-year-old Dutchman Sebastian Bowyer in 2013 at a distance of 200 meters. The athlete lay on his back, this bike has pedals mounted at the front, and the velomobile itself is completely covered with an ultra-light carbon fiber fairing. This velomobile was built jointly by students from the Free University of Amsterdam and the Delft University of Technology.
Maximum speed in a straight line, when covering a bicycle in an air bag– 268.83 km/h. This absolute bicycle speed record was set by 50-year-old accomplished athlete Fred Rompelberg from the Netherlands in 1995. This result was achieved on the flat surface of a dry salt lake in Utah (Bonneville Salt Flats), and only by following the bicycle behind a moving racing car in front, the large fairing of which protected the cyclist from the oncoming air flow. Of course, a special bicycle was built that is impossible to ride under normal conditions.
During the race, Denis was in tow until the dragster pulling her reached 240 km/h, after which the girl got off the tow and continued moving on the bike, spinning the pedals. The athlete uses a special carbon fiber bicycle, which provides high stability and the ability to accelerate to enormous speeds. He helped her reach a top speed of 295.6 km/h. The 300 km/h threshold was not conquered, but the result is still impressive.
Maximum speed when going down the mountain is 222 km/h. This speed record was set on a mountain bike by the Frenchman Eric Baron in 2000 on an ice-packed ski slope in the French Alps. To set this speed limit, a bicycle was built with improved aerodynamics, but with a shock-absorbing fork and rear suspension. The athlete himself was dressed in an aerodynamic rigid suit-suit. In 2002, Eric Baron, already on the dry gravel slope of the Sierra Negro volcano in Nicaragua, was able to accelerate to 210.4 km/h. Having traveled about 400 meters, the bicycle under the daredevil was torn into two parts due to the unbearable load on the frame. Eric Baron suffered a severe hip fracture, dislocation of the left shoulder and cervical spine, numerous bruises and cuts, but the athlete survived thanks to a helmet and protective suit.
Possibilities of an untrained cyclist
Difficult-to-achieve records inspire any athlete, but for an ordinary person who sometimes goes out on bicycle rides, it is much more interesting to know how fast one can move on ordinary roads without taking part in competitions.
To measure speed on a bicycle, not so long ago - fifteen to twenty years ago - large, heavy and unreliable mechanical speedometers were installed. Today, everyone can afford to buy a miniature electronic cycling computer, which, in addition to the current speed and total mileage, displays the average speed, maximum speed, route length, pace per minute, calorie consumption, travel time, and other useful information in more expensive models.
At short distances of about 10 km, everyone can reach an average speed of 18 km/h, including teenagers from 12-14 years old. A more experienced cyclist who travels thousands of kilometers a year will cover the same distance twice as fast. He has greater physical strength, better riding technique and, as a rule, a better quality bike. Such people, thanks to trained endurance, can maintain a speed of about 30 km/h over a distance of 100 km on the highway. The average cyclist rarely rides such distances, or does not ride at all.
In urban conditions, it is necessary to: drive around stopped cars and public transport, stop at intersections and crossings, slow down before entering turns and in front of pedestrians, therefore the average speed of a cyclist in the city is always lower than on the highway, by approximately 5-10 km/h.
Although a road bike can be ridden faster on asphalt than a mountain bike, it is not recommended for city riding. The biker sits low on the road bike and has poor visibility, and it’s impossible to stop in an emergency on such a bike without skidding. A mountain bike, although slower than a road bike when riding on hard surfaces, is more preferable for riding around the city. The mountain bike is very easy to maneuver thanks to the wide handlebars, and the excellent grip of the wide tires on the asphalt will allow you to instantly freeze in place.
On the other hand, a road bike, with its thin tires and greater weight distribution on the front wheel, is actually not suitable for riding in the forest. The average speed of a road bike when riding on sand, fallen leaves, and snow will be 5-8 km/h. When trying to ride through deep sand or snow on a road bike, the front wheel will skid to the side or hit crushed sand, possibly ejecting the rider over the handlebars. In addition, when riding a bicycle without shock absorbers on a gravel or tracked road, fatigue accumulates very quickly due to impacts on the arms and spine.
6 Sep 1996: Chris Boardman of Great Britain breaks the world hour record by cycling 56.3759 km in an hour at the Manchester Velodrome in Manchester, England. Mandatory Credit: Gary M. Prior/Allsport
As an example, here are the standards for obtaining cycling-road ranks in the discipline “individual time trial” (RUSSIA):
| Rank/rank | Distance (km) | Time (minutes) | Average speed (km/h) |
| MSMK men | 50 | 64 | 46,88 |
| MSMK women | 25 | 35,5 | 42,25 |
| MC men | 25 | 33 | 45,46 |
| MC women | 25 | 37,5 | 40 |
| CCM men | 25 | 35,5 | 42,25 |
| CCM women | 25 | 40 | 37,5 |
A little history
According to the GTO standards in the USSR, in order to receive a gold badge, it was necessary to ride a bicycle:
Factors affecting driving speed
Cyclist training level
The speed of movement depends most on the physical strength and endurance of the rider. The rider's experience has a greater influence on riding speed than the type of bike he chooses. When riding on the road, an experienced mountain biker will be able to keep novice road bike riders on their tail, maintaining a higher speed even when going uphill.
Oncoming air resistance
At speeds of 25-27 km/h, air resistance significantly slows down the movement of the bicycle. If a headwind blows, it becomes difficult to move even at a speed of 10-15 km/h. On a mountain bike with wide and high handlebars, and especially with a low saddle, it is much harder to pedal at a speed of 30 km/h than on a road bike. The road bike has a special detail - a narrow handlebar with a lower grip (ram's horns). If there is noticeable headwind resistance, a road bike rider can bend down to the handlebars, grabbing the handlebars at the bottom of the arc, thus significantly reducing the load.
You can completely get rid of oncoming air pressure only by driving into an air bag, under the protection of a bus or truck in front. But getting behind a bus or truck is very dangerous, as they can suddenly brake or turn when going around a hole.
Rolling resistance
This opposition is especially felt at the beginning of the movement. It takes more energy from both the cyclist and the car engine to accelerate from a standstill. Once you start moving, rolling resistance has less of an impact on the amount of force required for acceleration. As the speed increases, this resistance gradually decreases.
Increasing the friction between the tire and the road primarily increases the amount of rolling resistance. A narrow tire that has pressed through soft ground is difficult to tear off the ground. A tire with a wide-spaced tread rubs excessively on hard asphalt surfaces and also wears out quickly. Therefore, you should choose tires based on width, tread area and depth, taking into account the roads on which you will ride your bike.
The pressure in the tube significantly affects the friction between the tire and the road. The more the chamber is inflated, the easier the wheel rolls on asphalt and hard ground. To make driving on crushed stone, sand, mud, and snow easier, it is recommended to reduce the pressure in the chambers.
The heavy weight of the bike greatly increases the rolling resistance. Accelerating and pushing a heavy mountain bike uphill is always more difficult than a lighter road bike.
Increasing the wheel diameter reduces the amount of rolling resistance. A bicycle for adults coasts in a straight line much longer than a bicycle for children. In addition, a large wheel overcomes road unevenness more easily, rolling over small holes.
Friction in transmission mechanisms
An unlubricated or dirty chain, as well as worn bushings and carriage will likely reduce the speed of the bike. If you want to achieve high speed, then you need to buy expensive bushings and a carriage mechanism, and then monitor the condition of their lubrication.
Shock absorbers on a bicycle, especially ones that are too soft, reduce speed on smooth asphalt. But they turn out to be indispensable when overcoming road sections with minor irregularities. The shock-absorbing fork turns out to be irreplaceable when driving around the city, while the rear suspension can be abandoned.
In general, you shouldn’t strictly adhere to the above average speeds, especially the maximum ones. You should ride your bike at a speed that is comfortable for you and enjoy the ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum speed of a bicycle on a velodrome?
The maximum speed at the velodrome is 51.151 km/h. In a track race in Mexico City, Italian athlete Francesco Moser covered a distance of 51.151 km in one hour in 1984. This result is considered a record for speed and endurance. As the record holder himself admitted in 1999: blood doping, which was not prohibited at that time, helped him maintain high speed and not slow down for a second.
What is the maximum straight line speed in the aerodynamic fairing?
The maximum speed in a straight line, when installing an aerodynamic fairing on a bicycle, is 133.78 km/h. This world record was set by 26-year-old Dutchman Sebastian Bowyer in 2013 at a distance of 200 meters. The athlete lay on his back, this bike has pedals mounted at the front, and the velomobile itself is completely covered with an ultra-light carbon fiber fairing. This velomobile was built jointly by students from the Free University of Amsterdam and the Delft University of Technology.
What is the maximum speed when sheltering a bike in an air bag?
In 2019, American Denis Mueller-Korenek beat speed record, set by the Dutch athlete Fred Rompelberg, who accelerated to almost 269 km/h on a bicycle in 1995. The girl set a record on the famous track in Utah, which is actively used by racers all over the world. The racing area is the bottom of dry Lake Bonneville.
What is the maximum speed of a bicycle when descending a mountain?
The maximum speed when descending the mountain is 222 km/h. This speed record was set on a mountain bike by the Frenchman Eric Baron in 2000 on an ice-packed ski slope in the French Alps. To set this speed limit, a bicycle was built with improved aerodynamics, but with a shock-absorbing fork and rear suspension.
What is the top speed on a road bike?
The maximum average speed on a road bike is 41.654 km/h. American road racer Lance Armstrong was able to maintain this speed during the Tour de France in 2005. On the descents from the mountains, participants in this competition reach speeds close to 90 km/h.
What is the average speed on a bicycle?
The average cyclist on a modern mountain bike can maintain an average speed of 18-20 km/h on the highway without excessive effort, covering 10 km in 30 minutes. The same cyclist on a road bike can move at an average speed of 20-25 km/h on a straight asphalt road, covering 10 km in 25 minutes. The gender of the rider doesn't matter at these speeds. An average cyclist is considered to be a person who rides approximately 20-50 hours per month or 1-2 hours per day.
What is the average speed on a bicycle when descending a mountain?
When riding on rough terrain, even on a mountain bike, it is impossible to reach a maximum speed of 30 km/h. Because outside the asphalt, there are often holes, bumps, and sand on the road, and when driving through them, the speed will decrease significantly. When riding a mountain bike on a forest road, the average speed is usually 15 km/h.
What is the average speed of a bicycle when riding on sand, fallen leaves or snow?
The average speed of a road bike when riding on sand, fallen leaves, and snow will be 5-8 km/h.
What is the average speed of a bicycle over a distance of 100 km?
Experienced athletes are able to cover distances of 100 kilometers, moving at an average speed of about 30 km/h. So Rui Costa (winner of the 242 km group race) covered the distance at an average speed of 36 km/h in 2013.
What determines the speed of a bicycle?
Air resistance (aerodynamics).
Quality of the road surface.
Soil factor.
Wind.
Tire pressure and tread pattern.
Technical factors: friction in various parts of the mechanism, etc.
What is a comfortable speed on a bicycle?
In the city, a comfortable speed on a bicycle is considered to be about 15-20 km/h
On the highway, a comfortable bike speed is about 25-30 km/h
You can comfortably drive downhill at a speed of 40-50 km/h
What is the optimal speed on a bicycle?
Of course it all depends physical condition cyclist, as well as from the class of the bicycle. Today, the optimal speed for a bicycle is considered to be about 15-20 km/h
What is the speed record for cycling?
A new world bicycle speed record, 295.6 kilometers per hour, was set by American Denise Mueller-Korenek.
What is the maximum speed of a regular bicycle?
On a regular bicycle, a not particularly trained person reaches a maximum speed of 30-35 km/h, while riders on special bicycles, in a race for a leader, for example, a motorcyclist, reach speeds of more than 100 km/h. At competitions it reaches up to 50 km per hour.
