21mph - 23mph which bike?

[AndStilliRise]

I have asked this before, but just had my bike knicked (underground secured carpark, in a secure cage) and trying to gauge how much a new bike which I can use to commute (14m each way) and do sportives will cost me. I am hoping to spend as little as possible to get fast as possible.

Currently 5'6/60kg and did Ride100@21mph last year if that helps at all.

Thanks for your help.

[anonymous-user]

eBay

Search based on frame size, order by price and have a look

[brianthemagical]

Surely it depends what bike you had before?

Easiest way to go faster is sit on a faster group.

[Usget]

My bike is fabulous between 15 and 19mph and also between 24 and 26, but totally useless between 21 and 23. Really sorry I can't be of more help.

[AndStilliRise]

Seriously considering this

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/ultimate/ultimat...

What do you boys think?

[Joey Ramone]

Usget said:

My bike is fabulous between 15 and 19mph and also between 24 and 26, but totally useless between 21 and 23. Really sorry I can't be of more help.

[Usget]

AndStilliRise said:

Seriously considering this

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/ultimate/ultimat...

What do you boys think?

I think Dizzee on here has got one and found it a little more sluggish than he expected, with accompanying videos. Worth looking up the thread...

That aside, nice bike although it looks too nice for crappy weather winter commuting. Any scope for two bikes, a fast "best" bike and a London Road for commuting (with rack mounts, guard mounts and hydro discs)?

[ALawson]

Why would you want to commute on a £3k bike, will not just get nicked?

Get a wiggle/ribble alu frame carbon frame bike with disks and guards and as above spend the rest on a weekend / fast bike. Any bike which fits properly with 105 and £300 wheels can be pushed along at those speeds if you have the lungs and blood!

[anonymous-user]

AndStilliRise said:

Seriously considering this

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/ultimate/ultimat...

What do you boys think?

I have 3 thoughts
I smell a rat
It seems a little expensive as the brief was to spend as little as possible
I'd give it 5 minutes before it is punched, given the track record if the underground car park security

[okgo]

Any bike. Get fitter! Job done!

I think possible this forum told you last time that the best way to get these meaningless average speeds in events like Ride London was to either get better at drafting or get fitter, nothing much has changed. Any bike of a certain quality is going to be up to the job. A chap I ride with did it in 4 hours on some ste felt. Makes little odds.

[mikecassie]

It's not the bike it's the legs. Of the guys you're drafting.

I've a Supersix, can edge up to 20mph avg on my own on good days. Did the Fred Whitton last weekend, managed to get in a small group of 4 and worked together and I got a sub 7hr time. TF for 32 cassettes tho ;-)

I find avg speeds misleading, it's the NP power I've got at the end I use as a guide to how good or bad a ride I've had.

[ALawson]

mikecassie said:

It's not the bike it's the legs. Of the guys you're drafting.

I've a Supersix, can edge up to 20mph avg on my own on good days. Did the Fred Whitton last weekend, managed to get in a small group of 4 and worked together and I got a sub 7hr time. TF for 32 cassettes tho ;-)

I find avg speeds misleading, it's the NP power I've got at the end I use as a guide to how good or bad a ride I've had.

That is a great time for the Fred!

What was your NP if I may ask (weight would be handy as well)!

[cat with a hat]

Get a second hand special.

You can pick up a decent bike for less than 300 quid if you keep an eye out on eBay/gumtree/other classified.

[HardtopManual]

AndStilliRise said:

I am hoping to spend as little as possible to get fast as possible.

Any bike with Tiagra/Veloce or above will be fine. Spend the rest on a power meter.

[MadDad]

okgo said:

Any bike. Get fitter! Job done!

I think possible this forum told you last time that the best way to get these meaningless average speeds in events like Ride London was to either get better at drafting or get fitter, nothing much has changed. Any bike of a certain quality is going to be up to the job. A chap I ride with did it in 4 hours on some ste felt. Makes little odds.

^^^^^this^^^^^

In fact, buy something made of pig iron so you have to push harder then in 6 months time upgrade to a cheap alu bike and you'll be flying!!!

In all seriousness set a budget, get a fitting then figure out what's best for you from there - on here (and any forum) you'll get lots of opinions based on what people have read in magazines, what they ride, what their mates ride, what the guy at the local club who has pistons for legs rides etc etc etc...

As for ave speeds - you're on a hiding to nowhere if you use that as a benchmark.........a bike that fits well is more important (IMHO - but what do I know!!)...

[Magic919]

Usget said:

I think Dizzee on here has got one and found it a little more sluggish than he expected, with accompanying videos. Worth looking up the thread...

That was an Endurace, FWIW.

[battered]

cat with a hat said:

Get a second hand special.

You can pick up a decent bike for less than 300 quid if you keep an eye out on eBay/gumtree/other classified.

This, and 2 or 3 locks. Leave 2 at work. A D lock and one other as a minimum. If you buy a 3k bike it won't last a month if your parking area is preyed upon by thieves. Get a 3k bike for weekends.

[Usget]

Magic919 said:

Usget said:

I think Dizzee on here has got one and found it a little more sluggish than he expected, with accompanying videos. Worth looking up the thread...

That was an Endurace, FWIW.

Ah, my bad. Still worth reading the thread though

[yellowjack]

ALawson said:

mikecassie said:

It's not the bike it's the legs. Of the guys you're drafting.

I've a Supersix, can edge up to 20mph avg on my own on good days. Did the Fred Whitton last weekend, managed to get in a small group of 4 and worked together and I got a sub 7hr time. TF for 32 cassettes tho ;-)

I find avg speeds misleading, it's the NP power I've got at the end I use as a guide to how good or bad a ride I've had.

That is a great time for the Fred!

What was your NP if I may ask (weight would be handy as well)!

Just last night I brought in what I suspect is my first sub-7 hour century. And that only had 5,200 feet of elevation in it. I know people say to work on power, not average speed, but average speed is all I have to go by. I'm hoping to do a century this year with an average speed greater than 15mph. It might not sound much to most decent riders, but I'd be over the moon with that!

[okgo]

Even a 'small group of 4' reduces effort required by a massive percentage. Huge. So I wouldn't be comparing yourself to that if you're on your own.

Hence nearly anyone who does Ride100 comes away with an avg speed 3 or 4mph more than they would ever manage solo.