Increasing Speed

[CycleChic06]

I was out riding on a charity ride this weekend and it was my first time riding in any type of group, as up to now I've been riding by myself. I found that I would catch up and pass people on the hills, but when it came to the downhills, everyone would pass me! Even when I would pedal on the downhills when others were coasting, they would still go by. And it was very consistent through all 30 miles. I don't get it...it's so backwards. Does anyone have any reasons for this and suggestions as to what I can do to increase my speed?

Thanks!
Emily

[Veronica]

Tires can have a big impact on your downhill speed.

If you're light, you also won't go as fast as someone heavier.

V.

[mtkitchn]

I'm in the same boat, Cyclechic06. Just work on what you can! Heavier people will fly past you on the downhills without any effort at all.

[Nanci]

I'm your opposite! I suck on the hills and everyone passes me, except maybe a fat guy in a recumbent :-) but then on the downhills, I coast past everyone, and keep coasting long after others resume pedaling. I _know_ I weigh less than the 200 pound guys I pass downhill- so I wonder if it's the tires or what. I'm using light racing tires, at 90 psi.

Nanci

[CycleChic06]

90 psi seems so low...but I guess it all depends on the tires. I had my tires inflated to around 110, or as close that as I could get it. I'm not used to using the presta valves and my pump is kinda a pain in the butt to use.

I guess I'll just keep working on speeding past people on those hills. Maybe this long femur thing is true.

Thanks for your help.

[luv'nAustin]

What is your tire size? When I got a new bike it came with 650's and the smaller wheels just roll down those hills at a slower speed than the bigger size. I wasn't pleased at first, but I have made peace with the situation.

[Tri Girl]

I find that when I hit a big downhill, I change into my large front chain ring (I have 3) and the hardest rear ring, and then build up some mighty speed (of course, lots of times I coast). When riding with my dh, I pedal in the higher gear just so he doesn't fly past me then lose me on the next uphill. When riding alone most of the time I just coast, but it's fun to get that speed up there- feels so out of control crazy and yet so exciting...

[Kathi]

I'm not so convinced that wheel size makes a difference. I once rode with a woman who was riding 650's, same as me. She probably outweighed me by 50-60 lbs or more. I'd pedal like crazy to keep up, she'd coast, she always beat me to the bottom of the hill.

Last fall I took a 10 mile spin on a bike with 700c wheels. I didn't go down hill any faster on those than I do on my 650's.

When I ordered my new bike I asked if the sloping geometry would make me faster downhill. The answer was, no, weight makes you go downhill faster.
But, I can climb a lot better than most people.

A couple of years ago my SO and I did a tour in Nova Scotia. One day we were on a route with a series of rollers. He'd take off, be way ahead of me, I'd catch him about 1/3 way from the top of the hill. As soon as he crested he'd go flying down. I'd catch him again only to lose him. It was cat and mouse all afternoon.

On an organized ride I was climbing a hill and this very hefty lady was ahead of me. I easily caught her and started down the hill. Soon she passed me, she got near the bottom, didn't start pedaling and she kept going! She coasted for a mile and a half! Meanwhile, I'm behind her pedaling like crazy to catch her again. I just couldn't believe how long she coasted on the flats. I'm still not sure how she did that!

BTW, I'm now running 90-95 lbs in my tires. Seems the trend is to go with less air. Even Lennard Zinn recommends less.

[SadieKate]

Hub bearing quality can also be a factor as does one's ability to be streamlined. Anything that takes friction out of the system and reduce drag of any kind.

[RoadRaven]

No-one seems to have mentioned position...

That makes a big difference in the coasting down hill... tuck in knees, arms, bum up, head down... this will also ensure coasting for longer, faster, once at the bottom of the hill also

The other two major factors have been mentioned - combined weight of bike and rider... and slicks or knobblies or whatever tyres...

Some people also descend round corners crazily fast... it is about position of rider, confidence and the line you take on the road

When my sons and partner talk about descending in race situations at speeds upwards of 75km/ph I leave the room. I know they do it - i just don't want to hear about it or acknowledge it...

[CycleChic06]

My tires are 700c, I'm assuming that's somewhat standard tire size, it's what came on my bike. And when I first started noticing this trend, I would tuck in and get in a more aerodynamic position once I crested the hill and would go into a harder gear to get as much speed by pedaling...still all those coasting would pass me. It must be a weight thing as my tires are smooth.

I'm certainly not about to try to gain weight to increase my downhill speeds!

[Deborajen]

I have the same problem.

When I started riding several years ago, my son was smaller than me and he couldn't keep up with me going uphill or downhill. Then one spring, we went on a family bike ride and he was taller than me. I'd been running and exercising all winter and he'd been much less active, but except for going uphill I couldn't keep up with him.

Also, my husband is ten inches taller than me and on several occasions he's been behind me going uphill and he coasts past me going downhill (says he just stopped pedaling at the top of the hill) while I'm still pedaling my butt off.

Size is definitely a factor. (I kind of enjoy going uphill for that reason!)

Deb