Boy am I slow...

[Jolt]

if you let your tires get soft, the "Give" will pinch your tubes and flatten your tires. Put enough air in your tires to meet the minimum pressure recommended if you are a lightweight; more if you are heavier than average.

You will move a lot faster on properly inflated tires!

ps 12mph is NOT slow

Sounds like I'd better add some air then--I don't need a flat!

[madscot13]

Oh yes I agree with the air thing, low psi makes me feel extra sluggish. However, I ride a trek 520, a nice little touring bike. Is there that much of a difference between a "road bike" and my "touring bike"?

[Geonz]

Please please *don't* be discouraged by your relative speed at this stage. If you try a group ride and can't keep up, get out there and work on your technique and distance and strength. You've only justbegun!!!

[madscot13]

Please please *don't* be discouraged by your relative speed at this stage. If you try a group ride and can't keep up, get out there and work on your technique and distance and strength. You've only justbegun!!!

Do you have any specific hints? i would love to hear them

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

For what it's worth, I don't agree with the rock-hard tires thing=faster speed.
Yes, seriously underinflated tires are not good. But there is a happy medium.
Super inflated tires will have less contact with the road and will bounce more on the upper surface of uneven pavement irregularities. The millions of tiny vertical bounces will add up to wasted forward motion. Medium inflated tires will make better road contact and thus transit forward motion energy better.
My tires say maximum inflation recommended is 105 lb/sq.inch....that's "maximum". I keep them at 95 on the rear wheel and 85 on the front. That is nowhere NEAR low enough to get a pinch flat, mind you. With these pressures, I have stable steering and a smooth quick ride, and I'm not bouncing off every pebble like a kangaroo or feeling every nasty bump right on my "keester".

[mimitabby]

Lisa, me neither. i use 90 lbs for my tires too.
but if they are "GIVING" they are too soft!

[DarcyInOregon]

For what it's worth, I don't agree with the rock-hard tires thing=faster speed.
Yes, seriously underinflated tires are not good. But there is a happy medium.
Super inflated tires will have less contact with the road and will bounce more on the upper surface of uneven pavement irregularities. The millions of tiny vertical bounces will add up to wasted forward motion. Medium inflated tires will make better road contact and thus transit forward motion energy better.
My tires say maximum inflation recommended is 105 lb/sq.inch....that's "maximum". I keep them at 95 on the rear wheel and 85 on the front. That is nowhere NEAR low enough to get a pinch flat, mind you. With these pressures, I have stable steering and a smooth quick ride, and I'm not bouncing off every pebble like a kangaroo or feeling every nasty bump right on my "keester".

Lisa, I keep my tires inflated to 130; the maximum is 145. I don't bounce on anything except large bumps; my daily rides are smooth and fun. I don't have road shock. My cruising speed is between 16 and 19 and I can increase my speed if I desire. I prefer more air pressure because it gives me a better ride. If I kept my tire pressure as low as 95 I would be slooooooooooooow.

Darcy