My New bike blew my mind!

[Sam Kennedy]

My Allez is only 2-3lbs lighter than my Sirrus, but it is A LOT faster
I think the frames are the same type of aluminium, so is all the speed simply coming from being in a more aero position?

I was amazed at being able to match the traffic speed (around 25mph) without having to push myself very hard.
I was also amazed at how easily it accelerates, and how fast I can get it on the flat! I really find it hard to believe the new position makes all that difference!

 

[GilesM]

Sounds good, always great when you ride a new bike and it feels faster for the same effort. Are the wheels or tyres any different from your previous bike, faster rolling tyres can make a huge difference. Whatever the reason, have fun.

 

[Sam Kennedy]

Ah, I forget about that! Down to 23mm from 28mm.

 

[gavintc]

New bikes always go faster than old bikes. It is the same as clean bikes, they just go faster. It is one of those weird things about cycling

 

[andyfromotley]

New bikes always go faster than old bikes. It is the same as clean bikes, they just go faster. It is one of those weird things about cycling

Heresy!!

 

[gaz]

I saw tri-bars on a mountain bike today with stock knobbly tyres. What is the point in that. a simple change of the tyres and you will easily feel the benefits of it. 2-3lbs is a difference even if it is a small one, i cycle without a back pack a few days a week, and this saves me on a few lbs + one less air brake and i feel the difference.

 

[fossyant]

Geometry makes a big difference..... and tyres.....

You can make a rigid MTB quite quick with good tyres in a straight line, but give a few twists and turns, it's not the same.

Gavintc's theory is quite right about clean bikes......... my best bike has been polished for 18 years..so is now faster than light ?????????? Oh hell my secret is out

 

[02GF74]

lots of factors like how shiny it is, how new it is, weight and stiffness of wheels, tyre weight, pressure , width, frame geometry, frame weight and stiffness.

A road bike is typically 9 kg; you have stripped off 1.5 kg - that percentage wise that is pretty significant.

 

[jimboalee]

When one buys a new bike and takes it out for the first time, levels of Serotonin in the brain are unusually high.
The resultant 'happiness' allows the adrenal glands to do their thing earlier.

It's called 'Enthusiasm'.

Wait until you're miles from home in the pissing down rain, had two punctures and you're shivvering with the biting cold wind.
It will be as heavy as hell.

 

[Globalti]

My carbon Spesh is considerably faster than my old steel Harry Hall was. This can't be down to just the weight or better aerodynamics.

 

[swee'pea99]

lots of factors like how shiny it is, how new it is, weight and stiffness of wheels, tyre weight, pressure , width, frame geometry, frame weight and stiffness.

A road bike is typically 9 kg; you have stripped off 1.5 kg - that percentage wise that is pretty significant.

I'd agree with all that, apart from 'typically' - 9kg is a pretty damn light road bike, isn't it?

 

[Chrisc]

So I'll notice a difference when I get a new 9Kg road bike this spring after riding my 22kg fat tyred Dutch bike up our hill all last year?

 

[swee'pea99]

I have a 10kg bike and a 9kg bike - the difference is definitely noticeable. And as for my 12kg bike...well, nice tho' it is, it just feels pretty sluggish by comparison.

 

[jimboalee]

So I'll notice a difference when I get a new 9Kg road bike this spring after riding my 22kg fat tyred Dutch bike up our hill all last year?

A 7.6kg SWorks is light after an 18kg townie bike, so you'll hav eno problems.