i no theres special racing bikes with thin wheels and all but is there a way that i could go at least 10 miles an hour faster
2007-10-20 04:43:17 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
Not after much are you? OK firstly, the bike. Road tyres are faster because they offer less roling resistance. Bump up the tyre pressure. Normal pressure would be about 90 psi, but race pressures can be as high as 130 psi. This will make for a bumpier, but faster ride.
Next, buy clip in peddles. The problem with normal peddles is that you can apply power to only 1/3 of the arc at a time and only on one side. Being clipped in will mean that you can apply power in a push me pull you fashion for 2/3 of the revolution. This means that you should be able to power more efficiently up hills.
The final thing is to ensure that the set up is corect. At the lowest revolution of the pedles, your leg should be nearly straight. If you rock from side to side when you ride, your seat is too high.
Now for you. Many athletes will go to extreme length to shave a few grams off of the bike. Fine, but that will only help in fast competitions, when you are in peak form. The first place that you should look to lose those grams is yourself. Get fit, lose the weight. Do NOT bulk up, so stay off of the protien. The best way to achieve this is to get out on the bike. The more miles you do, the better/more efficient your riding will become, the fitter/lighter you become. Start off easy - 10 mile rides and build yourself up to 60 - 100 mile runs at the weekend if you want to, but I would look at a couple of 20 mile hops per week. This should keep you trim.
Lastly, fuel. Let us say that you eat a big bowl of pasta about 2 hrs before your ride. You have kept well hydrated and your tanks are showing F. This will give you about 2 1/2 hrs of energy in your muscles. You will have another 1/2 an hour in you liver. This means that you will hit the wall after about 3 hrs. You would probably cramp up before this, due to all of the sweating that you would be doing. So you want to replace the energy that you are using. It should be quick access energy. This means carbs and sugars. You also want to keep hydrated and to replace all of those salts. So, get yourself a hydration back pack and fill it up with an isotonic, high carb, sports drink (I prefer Go, but will settle for Holland and Barrats own). An energy bar is a good idea, as is a pocket full of jelly babies (Instant carb/sugar fix).
Now all of this advice may not add 10 mph to your rolling speed over short hops, but should make you more efficient and you will notice the difference over distance. Other than that, you are looking at spending a few grand on a carbon race rep and spending time in a wind tunnel being studied by serious men in white coats with clip boards.
Luck
2007-10-20 09:40:03 · answer #1 · answered by Alice S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
10 MPH faster than what? For how long, dirt or road, uphill or down? With so little info, all I can say is pump up your tires to the max and peddle harder. Possibly lighter, narrower, higher pressure tires if your talking road bike.
2007-10-20 09:09:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
find a steep hill (downwards)
attach a motorbike engine
pedal faster
remove brakes
get trained athlete to pedal for you while you ride tandem at rear ( no need to be at the front, that involves steering)
obtain a large, strong catapult!
look for strong tail winds
Tally -h0 and good luck
2007-10-20 04:50:40 · answer #3 · answered by Trevor h 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go faster, go to the top of a hill, put an engine on your bike, pedal faster etc etc etc
2007-10-20 04:46:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, but then it would be a case of, "Hey look mum, no hands and 30mph." Followed by, "Hey look mum, no teeth."
My advise is just take it easy kid. On a bike speed is a short term pleasure, generally followed by long term pain. Take my advise or learn the hard way
2007-10-20 04:48:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Strap a bloody steak to your butt, and ride in a neighborhood with pitbulls and rottweilers running around loose.
Works for me.
2007-10-20 05:48:26 · answer #6 · answered by . 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alter the gears or push the pedals faster...
2007-10-20 04:46:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
push your self harder if your havin trouble to do only ten miles an hour you need to get out there and ride harder and longer
2007-10-21 06:25:56 · answer #8 · answered by floorguy28 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use WD40 on your axels instead of oil.
You have to top up more often but it does work.
See also bigger wheels with narrow tyres.
2007-10-20 04:51:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah if you are a slow runner than your most likely not going to be able to peda as fast a a fast runner.
2007-10-20 04:47:13 · answer #10 · answered by mdnhs01 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋