Bicycles

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Why am I so slow at cycling? (discuss.online)

submitted 5 days ago by ThePiedPooper@discuss.online to c/bicycles@lemmy.ca

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Today I did my first 20 mile (33km) ride on my hardtail XC bike. I learned how to ride a bike about 1.5 months ago, but I've been riding pretty consistently since I learned. I ride exclusively in the city, it's a very walkable city, but the paths aren't always the best. I did 33km in 2 hours 53 minutes, not including breaks for water or to eat.

I see people saying that 10MP/H (16KM/H) average is a good average to shoot for, but i can't even get my average above 7.1MPH (11.5KM/H), even on shorter rides. What am I doing wrong here? How are people going so freaking fast on bikes in cities?

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[–] HejMedDig@feddit.dk 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Try playing around with the pressure. Find what you like. Suspension is a real speed killer, on even surfaces. With every pedal stroke you compress the suspension, and that power doesn't make it to the rear wheel. If you don't have a lock out, adjust to as little suspension you feel works for you.

There are a lot of rules of thumbs, but in the end it needs to work for you. Stiff suspension and hard tires will give you speed, soft suspension and soft tires give comfort

[–] ThePiedPooper@discuss.online 1 points 5 days ago

What will hard tires and a soft suspension give me? I just want to make sure I don't break something going up and down curbs and stairs and when I don't see the occasional pothole and ride right over it 😅