Yes, my disdain for Kincaid comes with credentials.
Here are some guidelines. Do not exceed these expenditure levels until you can maintain these speeds.
18-20 MPH $2000
20-22 MPH $2,500
22-25 MPH $3000
25-30 MPH $4000 +
Thanks so much! Now, I know how fast I need to go if I want to avoid being called a “poser.”
Seriously, I’d like to everyone for answering my question. I’m relieved to hear that I didn’t waste money buying a bike I’ll need to replace if I want to get faster.
I’m a newbie. I ride a $500 Giant FCR3 women’s road bike, and I average 14-15 mph. Last month at a race, I passed a few people who were riding bikes much more expensive than mine. From this, I deduce that for a certain level of cyclist, it doesn’t really matter what type of road bike one rides.
I’m curious about something. Is there a speed at which one “maxes out” one’s low-end road bike and must get a high-tech road or tri bike in order to go faster? How fast does one’s average speed need to be for the high-tech bike to make a noticeable difference?
Thanks in advance for your comments! that a good one it does remember me doing a race in austria,at that time i as a owner of bike shop and engineer of wheels i really had a good bike altough a good bike helps you keeping away from problems ,i was clinbing a mountain super material like i said suddenly heard lot of noise creeking and banging all the way something that make you getting a headace from the guy passed me like i was standing still it did not bothered him at all he came from russia huge power never seen him anymore ,only after the finish when i ask him things **all i want to say with this its in your legs and head ** ** ** cees
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is how having a nicer bike can improve your engine. If you have a nice bike that handles, shifts and brakes well, as well as stays in tune, you will likely put more miles on it and therefore improve your engine.
If you are just starting out, cheaper components can prevent you from learning to love and enjoy cycling as your bike won’t hold up to a lot of miles without constant visits to the shop. Learning to descend comfortably with the cheap brakes they seem to put on so many bikes is another issue.
Seems to me that about $1100 dollars for a 105 equipped road bike is about the sweet spot for an entry level bike that you can enjoy riding for a few years.
When I was buying my first nice bike I saw someone propose that one could justify the cost of a bike up to $1/mile ridden in the first year of ownership. Certainly, anything north of $4,000 can be considered excess, but think of it this way:
If you ride a lot, can afford it, and really enjoy it why not buy a Seven w/ Record? Who cares how fast you go. Every time you throw a leg over the bike you’ll love it. And it will love you…
Conversely, you won’t feel very good about the money spent on the fabulous bike that sits in the garage collecting dust.
I don’t think you need to ride any particular speed…
Are you using it a lot and enjoying it? If so I bet you would like and use a nicer bike even more.
I like these guidelines better:
Buy a $500 bike = put in your first 5,000 miles …
Upgrade to a $1,000 bike = put in 10,000 miles …
After 10,000 miles, buy a $2,000 bike and put in 20,000 miles …
etc.
I told myself I would get a sweet new tri. bike after I had put in 10,000 miles on my $1100 road bike … After 3 years and about 8,000 miles, I broke down and bought a sweet tri. bike in May. I already have 1200 miles on it and my old bike is pushing 10K.
If I was only putting in 1000 miles a year I would feel more lame about upgrading … For me its more about whether I am actually using my bike or not, not how fast I am getting.
My friend is really happy she bought a $2500 bike and it fits perfect, etc. as she ended up putting in 200 miles a week all summer long … I have other friends experiencing buyer’s remorse because they use their $1500 sea kayaks like 3 times a summer …
Here are some guidelines. Do not exceed these expenditure levels until you can maintain these speeds.
18-20 MPH $2000
20-22 MPH $2,500
22-25 MPH $3000
25-30 MPH $4000 +
There’s no distance listed. Any egghead can go 30+mph for a block.
For the sake of arguement, let’s say the distance is middle distance - an average half ironman followed by a solid run afterwards.
Speeds below which I begin to wonder:
18mph: $1000
20mph: $1500-1700
22mph: $1700-2500
23mph+: ride whatever you please
Of course, everyone is entitled to ride whatever they can afford and like. Just remember that people very much do snicker about fat guys on bling bikes. It might not be right, but it’s the way it is.
Not any egghead. Post a video of yourself going 30 for a block and I’ll believe any egghead can do it.
I could do 30 on the block I live on, as long it was the right direction.
Not any egghead. Post a video of yourself going 30 for a block and I’ll believe any egghead can do it.
Witty.
just funnin caleb I’m sure you are capable of much higher speeds.
ps, I was also funnin about my price range comments.