I have a running background and have done a few triathlons. I want to increase my speed on the bike and don't really know how other than just logging long miles.
2006-10-30 08:25:16 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
LOL, i know this answer ! bikes is my specialty. i will answer this using only TWO WORDS ! BETTER BIKE !!!! cheers
2006-11-02 04:57:22 · answer #1 · answered by Isaac 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you want to get faster or be faster add some speed intervals in your training also some miles and build your endurance. You can also incorporate some strength training, all will help.
If I were training for triathlons I'd ride at least five days a week and work on one thing every time out, spinning one day, sprint intervals the next and lets not forget the climbing.
Lastly try finding one of those group rides on the weekend, 50 or 100 mile thing to break up the boredom of riding alone.
2006-10-30 10:59:56 · answer #2 · answered by Ric 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forget lightening the bike or changing gear ratios. As Keith Bontrager says "Cheap. Light. Strong. Choose two."
First, I would recommend either joining a spinning class over the winter or working hard to increase your cadence. Increasing your cadence (pedalling RPM) will do more than any carbon fiber or titanium doo dad.
I still (and always will) ride a steel framed bike with decent wheels and drive train, it weighs around 19 or 20 pounds (I don't know for sure because I never weighed it) and, at 45 years old and wearing cutoff shorts and a t shirt I can still blow by riders in all the race stuff riding the latest in ti or carbon fiber...and they can't catch me (I love that part).
Full disclosure: I am a Grandmaster cyclist and am a little embarassed to admit I also own a magnesium framed bike, but I hardly ever ride it.
2006-10-30 09:17:51 · answer #3 · answered by bikeworks 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are you trying to increase you sprint speed or are you trying to ride faster overall?
If you are trying to increase your sprint speed, you need to increase your leg speed. This can be done by improving your pedaling motion by riding rollers or a fixed gear bike, and then increasing leg strength either by lifting weights or riding (lots of) hills. Finally, you should practice your sprints and do interval training when possible.
If you are trying to increase your overal speed, you should also improve your pedaling motion, but do more lactate threshold workouts (LT is basically the maximum effort you can sustain continuously for about an hour) to improve your sustained power output.
Logging long miles certainly won't hurt either. Just don't try riding as hard as you can the entire time during such workouts.
Also, be sure to have proper recovery between workouts or else you will overtrain (phyiscally and mentally), which will cause you to plateau in your fitness.
2006-10-31 09:32:12 · answer #4 · answered by Andrew H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a lighter bike and try shedding a few pounds (no offense) upgrading the frame, fork, and seatpost to carbon fiber make an amazing difference in weight. get titanium for the higher stress areas (derailleurs, cranks, etc...) a lighter bike means more speed. its expensive but well worth it, you can cut the weight of your bike in half.
also, hit the gym and work those leg muscles. the simplest (and cheapest) way is to change the gearing. if your spinning your legs like crazy and have no more gears to use, then get lower gearing. 53t chainrings and a 12t rear are as good as it gets. you should be able to pedal to about 40mph, mayb hit 45 or 50 on the downhills.
2006-10-30 11:06:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can get thinner lighter tires, better rims, bladed spokes, lighter shoes, wind-efficient helmets, make sure your cranks are the proper length, have your seat and handlebar position checked. Push, push push. Long miles improve cardiovascular efficiency more than they increase your speed. You need to do intervals like you would in running. Short bursts of high speed with short spinning between. You have to teach your body to go faster.
2006-10-30 08:36:47 · answer #6 · answered by Old Cripple 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1)pedal harder
2)take off the extra load that is not nessersary on ur bike
3) use ticarbon parts instead of steel or replace the steel with aluminum also works
4)get thinner and bigger wheels & new tyres
5)GET BIGGER GEARS for the front
6)get the smallest gears possible for the back
7) get a chain that fits tightly on the gears
8)get a ticarbon frame
9)make sure your cloths are tight so that they give less resistance
10)check the tyre pressure
11)also drink lots of WATER H2O!! they are good 4 u!! lol
2006-11-01 16:08:02 · answer #7 · answered by Jason Z 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sprint all out for 30 seconds every 5 minutes.
2006-10-30 10:38:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Intervals and, if you have the means, motor pacing.
Nothing seems to increase speed faster than motor pacing.
Maybe better equipment.
2006-10-30 11:39:30 · answer #9 · answered by Jeff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-01-27 19:53:15 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
high speed bearing,carbon fiber parts,lose weight(not saying your fat)and do leg press at the gym moremuscle more power and speed
2006-10-30 08:29:13 · answer #11 · answered by Shroomz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋