Travel speeds for different bicycles in different conditions. What is the average speed of cycling? Friction in gears

When riding a bike, there is no iron box around you, as when riding a car, and you are exposed to the wind and other weather conditions. When cycling, there is no heavy steel body under you, like when riding a motorcycle, and you just fly above the ground. Speed in such conditions is felt as fully as possible.

Many novice cyclists overestimate the speed at which they ride. Noticing the numbers 25-30 km / h on the computer, many think that they most often move at this speed, and this is average speed... But this is not so, only an experienced cyclist can maintain such a speed, and athletes are also capable of unimaginable records.

Bicycle speed records

Maximum speed at the velodrome- 51,151 km / h. In a race on a track in Mexico City, Italian athlete Francesco Moser in 1984 covered a distance of 51,151 km in one hour. This result is considered a record for speed and endurance. As the record holder himself admitted in 1999, blood doping, which was not prohibited at that time, helped him to maintain a high speed and not slow down the pace for a second.

when installed on a bicycle aerodynamic fairing- 133.78 km / h. This world record was set by 26-year-old Dutchman Sebastian Bowyer in 2013 at a distance of 200 meters. The athlete was lying on his back, this bike has pedals installed in the front, and the velomobile itself is completely enclosed by an ultralight carbon fiber fairing. This velomobile was jointly built by students from the Free University of Amsterdam and the Delft University of Technology.

Maximum speed in a straight line, when you hide your bike in an air bag- 268.83 km / h. This absolute cycling speed record was set by 50-year-old accomplished athlete Fred Rompelberg from the Netherlands in 1995. Such a result was achieved on a flat surface of a dried up salt lake in Utah (Bonneville Salt Plain), and only by following the bicycle in front of the moving racing car, a large fairing which protected the cyclist from the incoming air stream. Of course, a special bicycle was built that cannot be ridden under normal conditions.

Upon arrival, Denis was in tow until the dragster pulling her reached the mark of 240 km / h, after which the girl got off the tug and continued on the bike, spinning the pedals. The athlete uses a special bike made of carbon fiber, which provides high stability and the ability to accelerate to tremendous speeds. He helped her dial maximum speed 295.6 km / h. The line of 300 km / h was not conquered, but the result is still impressive.

Maximum speed when descending the mountain is 222 km / h. This speed record was set on a mountain bike (mountain bike) by the Frenchman Eric Baron in 2000 on a run-in ice ski slope in the French Alps. To set this speed limit, a bike was built with improved aerodynamics, but with a shock-absorbed fork and rear suspension. The athlete himself was dressed in an aerodynamic rigid spacesuit. In 2002, Eric Baron, already on the dry gravel slope of the Sierra Negro volcano in Nicaragua, was able to accelerate to 210.4 km / h. Having passed about 400 meters, the bike under the daredevil, due to the unbearable load on the frame, was torn into two parts. Eric Baron suffered a severe hip fracture, dislocation of the left shoulder and cervical spine, numerous bruises and cuts, but the athlete survived thanks to a helmet and protective suit.

Opportunities for an untrained cyclist

Hard-to-achieve records inspire any athlete, but an ordinary person who sometimes gets out on bicycle rides, it is much more interesting to find out: how fast you can move on normal roads without taking part in competitions.

To measure speed on a bicycle, not so long ago - fifteen to twenty years ago, large, heavy and unreliable mechanical speedometers were installed. Today, everyone can afford to buy a miniature electronic bike computer, which, in addition to the current speed and total mileage, displays the average speed, maximum speed, route length, pace per minute, calorie consumption, travel time, and other useful information in more expensive models.

At short distances of about 10 km, everyone, including adolescents from 12-14 years old, can develop an average speed of 18 km / h. A more experienced cyclist who travels more than one thousand kilometers a year will travel the same distance twice as fast. He has higher physical strength, better technique ride and usually a better quality bike. Such people, thanks to trained endurance, can maintain a speed of about 30 km / h, at a distance of 100 km on the highway. The average cyclist rarely travels such distances, or does not travel at all.

In urban conditions, it is necessary: to bypass stopped cars and public transport, stop at intersections and crossings, slow down before entering bends and in front of pedestrians, so the average speed of a cyclist in the city is always lower than on the highway, by about 5-10 km / h.

Although you can ride a road bike faster on tarmac than a mountain bike, it cannot be recommended for city trips. The biker sits low on the road bike and has poor visibility, and it is impossible to stop emergency on such a bike without a skid. A mountain bike, although slower than a road bike when driving on hard surfaces, is more preferable for city cycling. The mountain bike is very easy to maneuver thanks to the wide handlebars and excellent grip wide tires with asphalt will instantly freeze in place.

On the other hand, a road bike, having a thin tire and greater distribution weight on the front wheel is actually not suitable for riding in the forest. Average travel speed road bike when driving on sand, fallen leaves, snow will be 5-8 km / h. When trying to tackle deep sand or snow on a road bike, the front wheel will skid or hit the pressed sand and the rider may be catapulted through the handlebars. In addition, when cycling without shock absorbers on a gravel or tracked road, fatigue very quickly accumulates, due to blows to the hands and spine.

6 Sep 1996: Chris Boardman of Great Britain breaks the world hour record by cycling 56.3759 km in an hour at the Manchester Velodrome in Manchester, England. Mandatory Credit: Gary M. Prior / Allsport

For example, we will give the norms for obtaining the categories of cycling-highway in the discipline "individual time trial" (RUSSIA):

Rank / rank	Distance (km)	Time (minutes)	Average speed (km / h)
MSMK men	50	64	46,88
MSMK women	25	35,5	42,25
MC men	25	33	45,46
MC women	25	37,5	40
CCM men	25	35,5	42,25
CCM women	25	40	37,5

A bit of history

According to the standards of the TRP in the USSR, in order to receive a gold badge, it was necessary to ride a bicycle:

Factors influencing the speed of movement

Cyclist training level

The speed of movement depends most of all on physical strength and the stamina of the rider. Rider experience influences riding speed more than the choice of bike type. On the highway, the experienced mountain bike rider will be able to keep the novice road bike riders on the trail while maintaining a higher speed even uphill.

Oncoming air resistance

At speeds of 25-27 km / h, air resistance significantly slows down the movement of the bike. If a headwind is blowing, it becomes difficult to move at a speed of 10-15 km / h. On a mountain bike with a wide and high handlebar, and especially with a low saddle, it is much harder to pedal at a speed of 30 km / h than on a road bike. The road bike has a special detail - a narrow handlebar with a lower grip (ram horns). If there is significant headwind resistance, the road bike rider may bend over to the handlebars by grabbing the handlebars. lower part arc, thus significantly reducing the load.

You can completely get rid of the pressure of the oncoming air only by driving into an air bag, under the protection of a bus or truck in front. But it is very dangerous to sit behind a bus or a lorry, as they can brake or turn sharply when going around a pit.

Rolling resistance

This opposition is especially felt at the beginning of the movement. It takes more energy to accelerate from a standstill, both for the cyclist and for the car engine. After the start of the movement, the rolling resistance has less effect on the amount of effort required for acceleration. With an increase in the speed of movement, this resistance gradually decreases.

The increase in friction between the tire and the road primarily increases the rolling resistance value. A narrow tire that has pushed through soft ground is difficult to tear off the ground. A tire with a wide tread abrades excessively on hard asphalt surfaces and wears out quickly. Therefore, you should choose tires according to the width, area and tread depth, taking into account the roads on which you will ride your bike.

The pressure in the tube significantly affects the friction between the tire and the road. The more the tube is pumped, the easier the wheel rolls on asphalt and hard ground. To facilitate driving on gravel, sand, mud, snow, it is recommended to lower the pressure in the chambers.

Heavy weight a bicycle greatly increases the rolling resistance value. Accelerate and push uphill heavy Mountain bike always harder than the lighter road bike.

Increasing the wheel diameter decreases the rolling resistance value. A bicycle for adults coasting much longer in a straight line than a bicycle for children. In addition, a large wheel overcomes bumps in the road more easily by rolling over small holes.

Friction in transmission mechanisms

An unlubricated or dirty chain, as well as worn bushings and bottom bracket, will certainly slow down the bike's speed. If you strive to achieve high speed, then you need to buy expensive bushings and carriage mechanism, and then monitor the state of their lubrication.

Shock absorbers on a bike, especially those that are too soft, slow down on smooth asphalt. But they turn out to be indispensable when overcoming sections of roads with small irregularities. The cushioned fork turns out to be irreplaceable when driving around the city, while the rear suspension can be abandoned.

In general, it is not worth sticking to the above average speeds strongly, especially the maximum ones. You should ride your bike at a speed that is comfortable for you and enjoy the ride.

Frequently asked Questions

What is the maximum bike speed at the velodrome?

The maximum speed at the velodrome is 51.151 km / h. In a race on a track in Mexico City, Italian athlete Francesco Moser in 1984 covered a distance of 51,151 km in one hour. This result is considered a record for speed and endurance. As the record holder himself admitted in 1999, blood doping, which was not prohibited at that time, helped him to maintain a high speed and not slow down the pace for a second.

What is the maximum straight line speed in the aerodynamic fairing?

The maximum speed in a straight line with an aerodynamic fairing installed on a bicycle is 133.78 km / h. This world record was set by 26-year-old Dutchman Sebastian Bowyer in 2013 at a distance of 200 meters. The athlete was lying on his back, this bike has pedals installed in the front, and the velomobile itself is completely enclosed by an ultralight carbon fiber fairing. This velomobile was jointly built by students from the Free University of Amsterdam and the Delft University of Technology.

What is the maximum speed when the bike is covered in an air bag?

In 2019, American Denis Muller-Korenek beat speed record staged by Dutch athlete Fred Rompelberg, who hit almost 269 km / h on his bike in 1995. The girl set a record on the famous track in Utah, which is actively used by racers all over the world. The area for the races is the bottom of the dried-up Bonneville Lake.

What is the maximum speed of the bike when downhill?

The maximum speed when descending the mountain is 222 km / h. This speed record was set on a mountain bike (mountain bike) by the Frenchman Eric Baron in 2000 on a run-in ice ski track in the French Alps. To set this speed limit, a bike was built with improved aerodynamics, but with a shock-absorbed fork and rear suspension.

What is the maximum speed on a road bike?

The maximum average speed on a road bike is 41.654 km / h. American road racer Lance Armstrong in 2005 was able to keep such speed at the Tour de France distance. On descents from the mountains, the participants of this competition develop a speed close to 90 km / h.

What is the average speed for a bike?

The average cyclist on a modern mountain bike can, without undue effort, maintain an average speed of 18-20 km / h on the highway, covering 10 km in 30 minutes. The same cyclist on a road bike can move at an average speed of 20-25 km / h on a straight paved road, covering 10 km in 25 minutes. The rider's gender isn't critical at these speeds. The average cyclist is a person who rides about 20-50 hours a month or 1-2 hours a day.

What is the average speed on a bike when going downhill?

When riding on rough terrain, even on a mountain bike, it is impossible to reach a maximum speed of 30 km / h. Since outside the asphalt on the way there are often pits, bumps, sand, when passing through which the speed will significantly decrease. When riding a mountain bike on a forest road, the average speed is usually 15 km / h.

What is the average cycling speed when riding in sand, fallen leaves or snow?

The average speed of a road bike when riding on sand, fallen leaves, and snow will be 5-8 km / h.

What is the average speed of a bicycle over a distance of 100 km?

Experienced athletes are able to cover distances of 100 kilometers, moving at an average speed of about 30 km / h. So Rui Costa (winner of the group race of 242 km) in 2013 covered the distance at an average speed of 36 km / h.

What determines the speed of the bike?

Air resistance (aerodynamics).
The quality of the road surface.
Soil factor.
Wind.
Tire pressure and tread pattern.
Technical factors: friction in various parts of the mechanism, etc.

What is a comfortable cycling speed?

In the city, a comfortable bicycle speed is considered to be about 15-20 km / h
On the highway, a comfortable bike speed is about 25-30 km / h
You can comfortably ride downhill at a speed of 40-50 km / h

What is the optimal bike speed?

Of course, it all depends on the physical condition of the cyclist, as well as on the class of the bike. Today, the optimal speed for a bicycle is considered to be about 15-20 km / h.

What is the speed record for cycling?

American Denise Mueller-Korenek set a new world bicycle speed record of 295.6 kilometers per hour.

What is the maximum speed of a conventional bike?

On an ordinary bicycle, a not particularly trained person develops a maximum speed of 30-35 km / h, and riders, on special bicycles, in a race for a leader, for example, a motorcyclist, develop a speed of more than 100 km / h. At competitions it reaches 50 km per hour.

Edited 05.19.2019

When riding bicycles, sometimes you need to calculate the speed at which you can get there.

Average bike speed under normal ambient conditions and with a cyclist without much physical fitness is about 15-20 km / h.
But the speed can be either higher or lower, because such a thing as "bike speed" is very relative. This is influenced by a lot of what is described below.

Average bike speed by terrain

Usually, there are three types of terrain that are most relevant to the cyclist:

city or urban-type settlement
track
rugged terrain

Average bike speed in the city

It is difficult to develop high speed in the city: there are many road users. The cyclist usually only has to move along the roads, clinging to their right side, in the general stream of cars. You have to be doubly careful not to accidentally fall under the wheels.

The average speed also depends on how often intersections with traffic lights are on the way, as well as on the degree of traffic congestion. Traffic jams are not scary for a cyclist, but often it becomes necessary to maneuver among cars. But in small cities with not very dense traffic, it is already easier to accelerate.

Depending on all these conditions the average speed of a cyclist in urban conditions is from 10 to 15-17 km / h... If the city can boast of having bike paths, then it increases to 15-17 km / h... Provided, of course, that they are used for their intended purpose, and pedestrians do not move along them.

Average bike speed on the track

On the highway, the average speed increases due to the absence of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
It depends on the quality of the road surface and the type of bike.
On small, specially designed ones, it is unlikely that it will be possible to exceed the mark in 20 km / h... But if you take into account ordinary universal bicycles, then we can talk about an average speed of 20-25 km / h... On the you can also accelerate to 28-32 km / h, but only experienced cyclists with excellent physical fitness can maintain a higher speed.

Average bike speed over rough terrain

Rough terrain is a rather abstract concept. It can include both off-road rather comfortable for driving, and valleys teeming with ravines. Therefore, the difference between the minimum and maximum speed limits is large: from 5 to 15 km / h.

Average speed depending on the type of bike

Different types of bicycles have different speeds on average

Road bikes

These models are the simplest: large, rather heavy, usually not involving gear shifting. They are intended mainly for city traffic and highways with good coverage. Their speed is low: do not expect to exceed the mark in 13-15 km / h even on a perfect level surface

City bicycles.

They are also often called walking. They are already much more functional than the road ones. Light weight, comfortable, functional design and the ability to switch speeds provide an average speed within 12-17 km / h in the city and around 20 km / h on the road

MTB bikes (mountain)

If you are driving on the highway, you can usually reach average speed in 25 km / h... If you change tires for those intended for driving on asphalt, the speed increases by 3-4 km / h. In rough terrain, the speed is usually between 10 to 15 km / h.

Hybrid

Track speed - about 25-28 km / h, off-road - about 10 km / h

Factors affecting speed

Various factors affect movement speed. That is why one and the same section of the road can be driven at different speeds and for different times.

That is why every cyclist should carefully consider and take them into account.

Cyclist training

The speed of movement most of all depends on the physical strength and endurance of the cyclist.
The cyclist's experience has more influence on the riding speed than the choice of the type of bike.
On the highway, an experienced cyclist will not be able to stay on the trail of novice riders, maintaining a higher speed even when going uphill.
At short distances of about 10 km, everyone, including adolescents from 12-14 years old, can develop an average speed of 18 km / h. A more experienced cyclist who travels more than one thousand kilometers a year will travel the same distance twice as fast. He has higher physical strength, better riding technique and, as a rule, a better bike. Such people, thanks to trained endurance, can maintain a speed of about 30 km / h, at a distance of 100 km on the highway. For such distances, the average cyclist (who rides about 20-50 hours a month or 1-2 hours a day) rarely travels, or does not ride at all.

Tire pressure

The most easily corrected factor is tire pressure. The higher it is, the better the roll and the easier it is to pick up speed.

When driving on highways and city roads, you can inflate the tires all the way, but for dirt roads it is better to reduce the pressure.

By the way, the overall hardness of the bike also affects the ease of rolling. This refers to bicycle suspensions. Keep in mind that you will have to pay for the softness of riding (and even a single suspension) bike increased complexity acceleration.

Tires

The next factor is the width of the tire and the shape of its tread.

First of all, it should be borne in mind that the real need for thick wheels appears only on open roads. In urban conditions, the law "the thinner the tire, the better" works. Therefore, when choosing a bike, you should be clear about how it will be used.

As for the tread, almost bare rubber is suitable for the city, studded for the primer. The reverse situation is fraught with huge driving problems.

Weight and wheel size

The larger the wheel size, the more favorable the energy conversion while driving.

For the city, 29-inch wheels are the best option. For extreme driving - 24-inch wheels.

With regard to the weight of the wheel, we can say the following: it is not so much the diameter that affects the weight, but the quality of the equipment. The hub, spokes, aluminum rim will weigh much less than steel.

It is worth realizing that nothing influences the acceleration dynamics like the weight of the wheels.

"Eight" wheels

"Eight" is the deformation of the wheels. It appears due to a blow to the wheel and is corrected by pulling up the spokes. Small eights on the wheel can be eliminated. To do this, you need to contact the workshop.
"Eight", like any other defect "affects the speed.

General bike geometry and aerodynamics

The length of the frame and the fit of the rider on it (i.e. necessary) are important. For example, if the saddle is low and the steering wheel is wide, it will not only be difficult, but also dangerous to your health.
The most aerodynamic is the design. They are distinguished by a low rider stance, in which his body is approximately parallel to the ground, a narrow handlebar and a long frame. Its opposite is the highly specialized bicycles, which are strictly for stunts.

You can completely get rid of the pressure of the oncoming air only by driving into an air bag, under the protection of a bus or truck in front. But it is very dangerous to sit behind a bus or a truck, as they can brake or turn sharply when going around a pit.

Total bike weight

In general, the mass factor only appears in specific conditions such as descents / ascents and off-road conditions. A light bike, of course, is comfortable to ride in any conditions, while a heavy one is only comfortable to go downhill.

Weather

To accelerate over 15 km / h is not an easy task. But at the same time, only a bumpy road will make it fall below 30 km / h.

By the way, bicycle wheels, which have blades instead of spokes, suffer greatly from side wind.

Pedaling technique

With the same average speed, in one case, you can drive almost without spending energy, and in the other - struggling with exhaustion.

Cadence

The cadence should always be in the 60-90 rpm range.

Most beginners make the same gross mistake - they pedal jerkily, periodically letting the bike roll by inertia. At the same time, they constantly have to overcome the cadence threshold. And this takes much more effort than constantly twisting at the optimal speed. Special bike computers help to keep track of the cadence.

Friction in transmission mechanisms

If the transmission mechanisms (chain, bearings) are dirty, they must be cleaned. To do this, you need to use special detergents. Do not forget to lubricate them later. If the transmission mechanisms are not lubricated in time, then the speed of movement will significantly decrease (experts say that up to 15%).

Bicycle speed records

The maximum speed at the velodrome is 51.151 km / h. In a race on a track in Mexico City, Italian athlete Francesco Moser in 1984 covered a distance of 51,151 km in one hour. This result is considered a record for speed and endurance. As the record holder himself admitted in 1999, blood doping, which was not prohibited at that time, helped him to maintain a high speed and not slow down the pace for a second.

The maximum speed in a straight line with an aerodynamic fairing installed on a bicycle is 133.78 km / h. This world record was set by 26-year-old Dutchman Sebastian Bowyer in 2013 at a distance of 200 meters. The athlete was lying on his back, this bike has pedals installed in the front, and the velomobile itself is completely enclosed by an ultralight carbon fiber fairing. This velomobile was jointly built by students from the Free University of Amsterdam and the Delft University of Technology.

The maximum speed in a straight line, when the bike is covered in an air bag - 268.83 km / h... This absolute cycling speed record was set by 50-year-old accomplished athlete Fred Rompelberg from the Netherlands in 1995. Such a result was achieved on a flat surface of a dried-up salt lake in Utah (Bonneville Salt Plain), and only by following the bicycle in front of a moving racing car, the large fairing of which protected the cyclist from the incoming air stream. Of course, a special bicycle was built that cannot be ridden under normal conditions.

The maximum speed when descending the mountain is 222 km / h... This speed record was set by the Frenchman Eric Baron in 2000 on a run-in icy ski track in the French Alps. To set this speed limit, a bike was built with improved aerodynamics, but with a shock-absorbed fork and rear suspension. The athlete himself was dressed in an aerodynamic rigid spacesuit. In 2002, Eric Baron, already on the dry gravel slope of the Sierra Negro volcano in Nicaragua, was able to accelerate to 210.4 km / h. Having passed about 400 meters, the bike under the daredevil, due to the unbearable load on the frame, was torn into two parts. Eric Baron suffered a severe hip fracture, dislocation of the left shoulder and cervical spine, numerous bruises and cuts, but the athlete survived thanks to a helmet and protective suit.

The maximum average speed on a road bike is 41.654 km / h. American road racer Lance Armstrong in 2005 was able to keep such speed at the Tour de France distance. On descents from the mountains, the participants of this competition develop a speed close to 90 km / h.

Many novice cyclists overestimate the speed at which they ride. Noticing the numbers 25-30 km / h on the computer, many people think that they most often move with this speed, and this is the average speed. But this is not so, only an experienced cyclist can maintain such a speed, and athletes are also capable of unimaginable records.

Bicycle speed records

when installed on a bicycle aerodynamic fairing- 133.78 km / h. This world record was set by 26-year-old Dutchman Sebastian Bowyer in 2013 at a distance of 200 meters. The athlete was lying on his back, this bike has pedals installed in the front, and the velomobile itself is completely enclosed by an ultralight carbon fiber fairing. This velomobile was jointly built by students from the Free University of Amsterdam and the Delft University of Technology.

Maximum speed in a straight line, when you hide your bike in an air bag- 268.83 km / h. This absolute cycling speed record was set by 50-year-old accomplished athlete Fred Rompelberg from the Netherlands in 1995. Such a result was achieved on a flat surface of a dried-up salt lake in Utah (Bonneville Salt Plain), and only by following the bicycle in front of a moving racing car, the large fairing of which protected the cyclist from the incoming air stream. Of course, a special bicycle was built that cannot be ridden under normal conditions.

The maximum speed at is 222 km / h. This speed record was set on a mountain bike (mountain bike) by the Frenchman Eric Baron in 2000 on a run-in ice ski track in the French Alps. To set this speed limit, a bike was built with improved aerodynamics, but with a shock-absorbed fork and rear suspension. The athlete himself was dressed in an aerodynamic rigid spacesuit. In 2002, Eric Baron, already on the dry gravel slope of the Sierra Negro volcano in Nicaragua, was able to accelerate to 210.4 km / h. Having passed about 400 meters, the bike under the daredevil, due to the unbearable load on the frame, was torn into two parts. Eric Baron suffered a severe hip fracture, dislocation of the left shoulder and cervical spine, numerous bruises and cuts, but the athlete survived thanks to a helmet and protective suit.

Opportunities for an untrained cyclist

Hard-to-reach records inspire any athlete, and it is much more interesting for an ordinary person who sometimes gets out on a bike ride to find out how fast one can move on normal roads without taking part in competitions.

The average cyclist on a modern mountain bike can, without undue effort, maintain an average speed of 18-20 km / h on the highway, covering 10 km in 30 minutes. The same cyclist on a road bike can move at an average speed of 20-25 km / h on a straight paved road, covering 10 km in 25 minutes. The rider's gender isn't critical at these speeds. The average cyclist is a person who rides about 20-50 hours a month or 1-2 hours a day.

At short distances of about 10 km, everyone, including adolescents from 12-14 years old, can develop an average speed of 18 km / h. A more experienced cyclist who travels more than one thousand kilometers a year will travel the same distance twice as fast. He has higher physical strength, better riding technique and, as a rule, a better bike. Such people, thanks to trained endurance, can maintain a speed of about 30 km / h, at a distance of 100 km on the highway. The average cyclist rarely travels such distances, or does not travel at all.

In urban conditions, it is necessary: to bypass stopped cars and public transport, stop at intersections and crossings, slow down before entering bends and in front of pedestrians, so the average speed of a cyclist in a city is always lower than on a highway, by about 5-10 km / h.

Although you can ride a road bike faster on tarmac than a mountain bike, it cannot be recommended for city trips. The biker sits low on the road bike and has poor visibility, and it is impossible to stop emergency on such a bike without a skid. A mountain bike, although slower than a road bike when driving on hard surfaces, is more preferable for city cycling. The mountain bike is very easy to maneuver thanks to the wide handlebars, and the excellent grip of the wide tires on the asphalt will instantly freeze in place.

On the other hand, a road bike, with its thinner tires and greater weight distribution to the front wheel, is virtually unsuitable for forest riding. The average speed of a road bike when riding on sand, fallen leaves, and snow will be 5-8 km / h. When trying to tackle deep sand or snow on a road bike, the front wheel will skid or hit the pressed sand and the rider may be catapulted through the handlebars. In addition, when cycling without shock absorbers on a gravel or tracked road, fatigue very quickly accumulates, due to blows to the hands and spine.

Factors influencing the speed of movement

Cyclist training level

The speed of movement most of all depends on the physical strength and endurance of the rider. Rider experience influences riding speed more than the choice of bike type. On the highway, the experienced mountain bike rider will be able to keep the novice road bike riders on the trail while maintaining a higher speed even uphill.

Oncoming air resistance

At speeds of 25-27 km / h, air resistance significantly slows down the movement of the bike. If a headwind is blowing, it becomes difficult to move at a speed of 10-15 km / h. On a mountain bike with a wide and high handlebar, and especially with a low saddle, it is much harder to pedal at a speed of 30 km / h than on a road bike. The road bike has a special detail - a narrow handlebar with a lower grip (ram horns). If there is a significant amount of headwind resistance, the road bike rider can bend over to the handlebars, grabbing the handlebars by the bottom of the arc, thus significantly reducing the load.

Rolling resistance

The pressure in the tube significantly affects the friction between the tire and the road. The more the tube is pumped, the easier the wheel rolls on asphalt and hard ground. To facilitate driving on gravel, sand, mud, snow, it is recommended to lower the pressure in the chambers.

The heavy weight of the bicycle will greatly increase the rolling resistance value. A heavy mountain bike is always more difficult to accelerate and push uphill than a lighter road bike.

Friction in transmission mechanisms

In general, it is not worth sticking to the above average speeds strongly, especially the maximum ones. You should ride your bike at a speed that is comfortable for you and enjoy the ride.