what makes a fast bike?

[dpopiz]

bicycle, not motorcycle
1. weight?
2. perfect size for rider?
3. quality of gears/chain/derailer?
4. wheels?
5. tires?
6. rigidity of frame?
7. quality of bearings?
8. maintenance of bearings?
9. lubrication of gears/chain?
10. something else?


what are the most important factors to look for when shopping used bikes?
and what does all the money pay for when you buy an expensive bike?

 

[MBentz]

The rider.

 

[suicidalpigeon]

Doesn't matter as long as you have a hot chick riding with you.

 

[notfred]

More than anything, your legs. The money you spend on high-end bike pays for parts that work absulutely smoothly, and light weight. Light weight bikes are easier to ride up hills. Bikes where the shifting, braking, etc, are prefectly smooth are just nice to ride.

A bike that fits well doesn't make you much faster, but it makes you a LOT more comfortable.

Skinny, smooth, high-pressure tires are much faster than fat knobby 40psi mountian bike tires.

 

[UTmtnbiker]

It's all about the motor, meaning you, if you're looking for speed.

The 1/2 lbs. you save between one frame and components vs. another is very negligible for us commoners. Only at the point of the elite riders does that type of stuff really make a difference between winning and losing. So look for a bike that fits correctly, feels right, and that you'll want to ride.

That being said, bike bling is very cool and fun (and expensive). It's just like computers and upgrading to get that extra 1fps or highest 3dmark score.

 

[EmperorIQ]

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
It's all about the motor, meaning you, if you're looking for speed.

The 1/2 lbs. you save between one frame and components vs. another is very negligible for us commoners. Only at the point of the elite riders does that type of stuff really make a difference between winning and losing. So look for a bike that fits correctly, feels right, and that you'll want to ride.

That being said, bike bling is very cool and fun (and expensive). It's just like computers and upgrading to get that extra 1fps or highest 3dmark score.

yup, it usually isn't all about the bike. I went riding with someone (mt biking) who is a cross country person in HS. This person completely killed me, and she was only riding a cheap walmart bike. She is the type of person that can run for about 7 miles and finally feel a little tired, but i'm not. Getting owned by a gir sucked, but the fact that she had a cheapo bike just made it worse.

 

[jagec]

Streamlining and a >>1000cc motor that's tuned for racing.
Case in point.

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
It's all about the motor, meaning you, if you're looking for speed.

The 1/2 lbs. you save between one frame and components vs. another is very negligible for us commoners. Only at the point of the elite riders does that type of stuff really make a difference between winning and losing. So look for a bike that fits correctly, feels right, and that you'll want to ride.

That being said, bike bling is very cool and fun (and expensive). It's just like computers and upgrading to get that extra 1fps or highest 3dmark score.

yup, it usually isn't all about the bike. I went riding with someone (mt biking) who is a cross country person in HS. This person completely killed me, and she was only riding a cheap walmart bike. She is the type of person that can run for about 7 miles and finally feel a little tired, but i'm not. Getting owned by a gir sucked, but the fact that she had a cheapo bike just made it worse.

Horribly incorrect. The fact that she beat you with a cheap walmart bike only indicates that either a) your bike wasn't much better b) she is very fit or c) you're a lazy slob that can't make it up a flight of stairs, or a combination.

The bike makes a massive difference regardless of what riding level you are. Going 35 on my aluminum frame with Shimano 105 and Vittoria tires, on the same route with my dad's stock steel frame touring bike anything past 25 becomes exceedingly difficult. And that's just max speed, accelerating on my dad's bike feels like I'm pushing a cow; and in the city there's no shortage of acceleration. And I'm not a professional rider, nothing close to it.

Just about everything mentioned makes for a fast bike. Each individual component might not make a massive difference in itself, but it all adds up.

I'd say the tires are probably the most important, followed by drive train efficiency (which includes frame rigidity to the rear tire) if you're doing leisure rides around bike lanes and such, and bike weight becomes increasingly important with a lot of stop-points such as city commuting.

Keep in mind that road bikes are not generally built for comfort. While you can get one that's fairly comfortable, if you have the option, you should consider a recumbent bicycle... but then it all depends on where you're going and how fast you want to get there.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

I was looking at Ellsworth Truth frames on eBay this AM. Sure would like one...but not for
$800. Ellsworth has some nice titanium road bikes. Take a look at them.

They are made in Calif close to the Southern boarder.


...Galvanized

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: NanoStuff

Keep in mind that road bikes are not generally built for comfort. While you can get one that's fairly comfortable, if you have the option, you should consider a recumbent bicycle... but then it all depends on where you're going and how fast you want to get there.

I disagree. While they aren't built specifically for comfort, it should be comfortable. The key here is getting a bike that fits you (and setting things up properly to fit you). If you're new to cycling then yes it will probably be uncomfortable just starting out as you don't normally use those muscles, but in the end the right bike should feel good.

One good example is the pedals, I recently switched to speedplay zeros and I really like them so much more than SPDs.


As for what makes a fast bike: Rider is #1. And to put it very generally, I think most bikes you see that go for around $1000 is a good starting point for what can be considered a nice bike with good equipment. I"m talking about hopefully mostly shimano 105, carbon fork and seat post, aluminum frame. imo you don't need better than 105 if you're not doing anything competitive, some would disagree.

 

[Glayde]

Things that can make a bike faster.


1. It is geared for speed. Mountain bikes and road bikes differ in gearing. You may get the same number of gears but the gears are set for speed (requiring more power) for road bikes, and more variety for offroading on mountain bikes, sacrificing the high end.

2. Positioning of handlebars/seat/frame. Mountain bikes are more sitting straight up where road bikes force you into a more aerodynamic position. You can improve both road and mountain bikes with handlebar extensions and aero-bars in this regard.

3. Tires. Road tires(slicks) are thin and give less rolling resistance. Mountain bike tires slow you down. Also make sure your tires are properly inflated.


4. Pedals, clipless and toe-clip pedals allow you to work pulling up so you get more energy into pedaling, rather then just when you push down.

5. Shocks slow you down, since you lose energy, front and back.

6. Weight of the bike matters to some extent as well but the previous things i listed have a bigger effect. Though an old old heavy bike will be slower, and feel less responsive.


Personally I have an old heavy mountain bike, which i can unfortunately max out the top(fastest) gears fairly easily. I do have handlebar extensions (bar ends that also meet in in front of the bike so i can assume an 'tuck' position. this helps a lot. No shocks (it's too old!), no special pedals so overall it's not a very fast bike at all, though i can make pretty good speed on it due to the handlebars and riding somewhat frequently). I can't wait to upgrade it, maybe in a year or two.

 

[EmperorIQ]

Originally posted by: NanoStuff

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
It's all about the motor, meaning you, if you're looking for speed.

The 1/2 lbs. you save between one frame and components vs. another is very negligible for us commoners. Only at the point of the elite riders does that type of stuff really make a difference between winning and losing. So look for a bike that fits correctly, feels right, and that you'll want to ride.

That being said, bike bling is very cool and fun (and expensive). It's just like computers and upgrading to get that extra 1fps or highest 3dmark score.

yup, it usually isn't all about the bike. I went riding with someone (mt biking) who is a cross country person in HS. This person completely killed me, and she was only riding a cheap walmart bike. She is the type of person that can run for about 7 miles and finally feel a little tired, but i'm not. Getting owned by a gir sucked, but the fact that she had a cheapo bike just made it worse.

Horribly incorrect. The fact that she beat you with a cheap walmart bike only indicates that either a) your bike wasn't much better b) she is very fit or c) you're a lazy slob that can't make it up a flight of stairs, or a combination.

The bike makes a massive difference regardless of what riding level you are. Going 35 on my aluminum frame with Shimano 105 and Vittoria tires, on the same route with my dad's stock steel frame touring bike anything past 25 becomes exceedingly difficult. And that's just max speed, accelerating on my dad's bike feels like I'm pushing a cow; and in the city there's no shortage of acceleration. And I'm not a professional rider, nothing close to it.

Just about everything mentioned makes for a fast bike. Each individual component might not make a massive difference in itself, but it all adds up.

I'd say the tires are probably the most important, followed by drive train efficiency (which includes frame rigidity to the rear tire) if you're doing leisure rides around bike lanes and such, and bike weight becomes increasingly important with a lot of stop-points such as city commuting.

Keep in mind that road bikes are not generally built for comfort. While you can get one that's fairly comfortable, if you have the option, you should consider a recumbent bicycle... but then it all depends on where you're going and how fast you want to get there.

I'm not a lazy slob that can't make it up a flight of stairs. More back story to this is that she took me on a trial that she does on a regular basis every week. Also to add to that, I broke my leg 6 months prior to this, wasn't as conditioned, and NO I AM NOT A LAZY slob.

Either way, there were other people on that trial with us that day, she is an incredibly fit person man, people with bikes better than hers were barely keeping up.

Your guess in option b is correct. She is very very very fit compared to me. I am pretty sure I pointed out that she is one of those people that can run 7 miles and barely start getting tired.

Also, I was talking about mountain biking, not road bikes.

and how am I HORRIBLY incorrect? when I said "it isnt' ALL about bikes". Your response made it seem as if I was implying that bikes dont' matter at all. well, that wasn't what I intended. The addition of my story was just to point out that a lot of what can be done deals with a peron's ability. Now if there are 2 people who are equally fit, the one with the lighter bike and higher components will definately win, no doubt.

 

[silverpig]

I would say the two things that make the most difference are skinny highly pressurized tires and a stiff frame.

I went from using my brother's old steel fat-tired mountain bike to a new aluminum frame road bike for work commuting some time ago. My best time on the mountain bike was 22 minutes home going balls out. My first ride on the aluminum road bike shaved 4 minutes off that time, and I was going very tentatively. I can now bike almost twice the distance home, while going past my old work in under 18 minutes if I get a little luck with a few lights.

 

[cyclistca]

Legs, lungs, heart, then bike.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/index.cfm#A Read me, OP.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: dpopiz
bicycle, not motorcycle
1. weight?
2. perfect size for rider?
3. quality of gears/chain/derailer?
4. wheels?
5. tires?
6. rigidity of frame?
7. quality of bearings?
8. maintenance of bearings?
9. lubrication of gears/chain?
10. something else?


what are the most important factors to look for when shopping used bikes?
and what does all the money pay for when you buy an expensive bike?

The rider. All that other stuff only helps the rider be more comfortable in the saddle/bike last longer/bling factor. Weight of the bike really only comes into play for top atheletes.

The only way to improve performance is to go out and ride.

 

[NanoStuff]

"and how am I HORRIBLY incorrect?"

You agreed with the poster above that said bike quality is negligible as indicated by the first word; "yup". He was incorrect, thus you are also incorrect by default

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ

Originally posted by: NanoStuff

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
It's all about the motor, meaning you, if you're looking for speed.

The 1/2 lbs. you save between one frame and components vs. another is very negligible for us commoners. Only at the point of the elite riders does that type of stuff really make a difference between winning and losing. So look for a bike that fits correctly, feels right, and that you'll want to ride.

That being said, bike bling is very cool and fun (and expensive). It's just like computers and upgrading to get that extra 1fps or highest 3dmark score.

yup, it usually isn't all about the bike. I went riding with someone (mt biking) who is a cross country person in HS. This person completely killed me, and she was only riding a cheap walmart bike. She is the type of person that can run for about 7 miles and finally feel a little tired, but i'm not. Getting owned by a gir sucked, but the fact that she had a cheapo bike just made it worse.

Horribly incorrect. The fact that she beat you with a cheap walmart bike only indicates that either a) your bike wasn't much better b) she is very fit or c) you're a lazy slob that can't make it up a flight of stairs, or a combination.

The bike makes a massive difference regardless of what riding level you are. Going 35 on my aluminum frame with Shimano 105 and Vittoria tires, on the same route with my dad's stock steel frame touring bike anything past 25 becomes exceedingly difficult. And that's just max speed, accelerating on my dad's bike feels like I'm pushing a cow; and in the city there's no shortage of acceleration. And I'm not a professional rider, nothing close to it.

Just about everything mentioned makes for a fast bike. Each individual component might not make a massive difference in itself, but it all adds up.

I'd say the tires are probably the most important, followed by drive train efficiency (which includes frame rigidity to the rear tire) if you're doing leisure rides around bike lanes and such, and bike weight becomes increasingly important with a lot of stop-points such as city commuting.

Keep in mind that road bikes are not generally built for comfort. While you can get one that's fairly comfortable, if you have the option, you should consider a recumbent bicycle... but then it all depends on where you're going and how fast you want to get there.

I'm not a lazy slob that can't make it up a flight of stairs. More back story to this is that she took me on a trial that she does on a regular basis every week. Also to add to that, I broke my leg 6 months prior to this, wasn't as conditioned, and NO I AM NOT A LAZY slob.

Either way, there were other people on that trial with us that day, she is an incredibly fit person man, people with bikes better than hers were barely keeping up.

Your guess in option b is correct. She is very very very fit compared to me. I am pretty sure I pointed out that she is one of those people that can run 7 miles and barely start getting tired.

Also, I was talking about mountain biking, not road bikes.

and how am I HORRIBLY incorrect? when I said "it isnt' ALL about bikes". Your response made it seem as if I was implying that bikes dont' matter at all. well, that wasn't what I intended. The addition of my story was just to point out that a lot of what can be done deals with a peron's ability. Now if there are 2 people who are equally fit, the one with the lighter bike and higher components will definately win, no doubt.

If you're talking about a pound or so difference I don't agree with you. It becomes more of a matter of conditioning, mental state, ambition even what you ate the day before at that point. There are no two riders who are equally fit in every way.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: dpopiz
bicycle, not motorcycle
1. weight?
2. perfect size for rider?
3. quality of gears/chain/derailer?
4. wheels?
5. tires?
6. rigidity of frame?
7. quality of bearings?
8. maintenance of bearings?
9. lubrication of gears/chain?
10. something else?


what are the most important factors to look for when shopping used bikes?
and what does all the money pay for when you buy an expensive bike?

The rider. All that other stuff only helps the rider be more comfortable in the saddle/bike last longer/bling factor. Weight of the bike really only comes into play for top atheletes.

The only way to improve performance is to go out and ride.

Read the OP.

 

[Rubycon]

This is a neat design.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: silverpig

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: dpopiz
bicycle, not motorcycle
1. weight?
2. perfect size for rider?
3. quality of gears/chain/derailer?
4. wheels?
5. tires?
6. rigidity of frame?
7. quality of bearings?
8. maintenance of bearings?
9. lubrication of gears/chain?
10. something else?


what are the most important factors to look for when shopping used bikes?
and what does all the money pay for when you buy an expensive bike?

The rider. All that other stuff only helps the rider be more comfortable in the saddle/bike last longer/bling factor. Weight of the bike really only comes into play for top atheletes.

The only way to improve performance is to go out and ride.

Read the OP.

Okay, that wasn't the original question but what the hell.

What are the most important factors to look for when shopping for used bikes?

I'd say price and wear on the bike. Try to find a relatively new bike that was ridden little. Under 1000 miles would be preferable. Used bikes can be a great bargain. Trouble is finding someone who either needs to sell or is motivated to sell. If you're patient though you should be able to pick up a great used bike for about half of what it would cost new. Even if you paid say 70% of full price on a very low mileage used bike you'd be doing okay.

and what does all the money pay for when you buy an expensive bike?

Lighter weight and more exotic materials. Carbon fiber is the material of choice right now for uber light road bikes and it's making it's way into mtb as well. There are tons of lightweight aluminum road bikes but for beginners who aren't really used to riding aluminum can be kind of harsh. I prefer steel or carbon fiber (of which I have one road bike of each material). I haven't ridden any titanium bikes but they are quite popular as having similar properties to a lightweigh steel bike but they are even lighter. Aluminum makes a lightweight bike but they tend to beat up the rider more and when they fail you cannot fix them (of course carbon fiber is even worse in this respect). IMO steel is one of the best materials to make bikes from. The great thing about steel is you can often find great used steel frames for little money and even the older ones can be cold formed to accept modern 9 and 10spd drivetrains. You can't adapt old aluminum or carbon bikes in this way.

If you really want to learn more about this I'd suggest Sheldon Brown's website It's a wealth of information.

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
This is a neat design.

Yup, that's a recumbent. The lightning F-40; aka ridingcock, is amongst the best. It can reach speeds more than double of a standard bike with no additional exertion.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
This is a neat design.

I see a guy who rides this to work every day. His legs are up around his heart.

 

[tommywishbone]

Originally posted by: dpopiz
bicycle, not motorcycle
1. weight? Your weight is more important than the bikes
2. perfect size for rider? Any shop should be able to properly size you very easily.
3. quality of gears/chain/derailer? Buy the best you can afford
4. wheels? Keep them true and properly inflated
5. tires? The harder the faster
6. rigidity of frame? Any good frame wil be fine
7. quality of bearings? Smooth & quiet
8. maintenance of bearings? Easy
9. lubrication of gears/chain? Use a good quality bike shop lube... Pedros
10. something else? not really


-what are the most important factors to look for when shopping used bikes?
-and what does all the money pay for when you buy an expensive bike?

-Good fit and quality components.
-Durability and function

Just my opinion, but don't sit there reading my nonsense... get out there and ride!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: tommywishbone

Originally posted by: dpopiz
bicycle, not motorcycle
1. weight? Your weight is more important than the bikes
2. perfect size for rider? Any shop should be able to properly size you very easily.
3. quality of gears/chain/derailer? Buy the best you can afford
4. wheels? Keep them true and properly inflated
5. tires? The harder the faster
6. rigidity of frame? Any good frame wil be fine
7. quality of bearings? Smooth & quiet
8. maintenance of bearings? Easy
9. lubrication of gears/chain? Use a good quality bike shop lube... Pedros
10. something else? not really


-what are the most important factors to look for when shopping used bikes?
-and what does all the money pay for when you buy an expensive bike?

-Good fit and quality components.
-Durability and function

Just my opinion, but don't sit there reading my nonsense... get out there and ride!

Durability and function between Shimano 105 and Dura Ace is very similar. The only difference really is weight and we're talking grams here. Same with Campgnolo Centaur to Record grouppos.