Resistance

[Doyleyburger]

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To be honest if you're spinning out on the flat I'm astonished, I don't think I've met anyone who achieves that on regular basis. On the descents you've already said you're hitting 45mph so what's the problem?

Last week I descended a local hill at 43mph, I can't say I was surprised to have spun out.

TBH I think something is wrong here.

Like I said before, the problem is whilst I'm peddling fast down hill running out of resistance my friends are not. I can tell by watching them. Why am I peddling so fast when they don't seem to be?
And they're quicker than me on the decent. I'm just puzzled that's all, being new to this cycling lark

 

[Dusty Bin]

Like I said before, the problem is whilst I'm peddling fast down hill running out of resistance my friends are not. I can tell by watching them. Why am I peddling so fast when they don't seem to be?
And they're quicker than me on the decent. I'm just puzzled that's all, being new to this cycling lark

Find out what ratios your friends are on. I seriously doubt that their gearing will be significantly different to yours - and it would have to be, for what you describe to actually be the case. You are either in the small ring, while thinking you are in the big ring, or perhaps they are simply 'turning their legs over' while freewheeling - which is something I do all the time.

Anyway, given where you said you live (in another thread), I would be more concerned about going up hill effectively, rather than going down

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Fit a rear cassette with an 11th small cog, but you will probably still spin out down hill. I spin out about 30'ish on my 52x13 thats 105.2" a 52x11 would be 124.33".

 

[adds21]

At 45mph, my money is on it being down to aero, not gear inches.

It's also quite possible your friends aren't peddling downhill at that speed, they may just be tucked, and rotating their legs significantly slower than the freewheel in order to keep their legs moving.

 

[fossyant]

...or eat more curry.

I've never exceeded 50mph, I just don't see the need, really.

There is always a need.

 

[Sittingduck]

Slam the stem and practice turning your legs faster

 

[Doyleyburger]

Hopefully that is the case. Just frustrating that I can hold my own on flats against them and not down the hills. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my climbs and I know that anyone can go fast down hill........I JUST WANT TO BE FASTER LOL
Hopefully they are just free spinning like you guys say and that I'm not aero enough, which is definitely something I need to work on

 

[mcshroom]

Learn to spin faster I think really. As a couple have said on here, at that sort of speed, work on making yourself more aerodynamic. Get down low, keep your elbows in and if needed (and comfortable), actually drop the stem lower so you can tuck even further.

I ride a tourer with a 42t big ring quite frequently, and it's fine up to a decent speed, after which I just tuck in and enjoy the ride

 

[Alan Frame]

I expect to see you in the TdF next year!

I have the opposite problem, no gear is low enough.

But I just remember that resistance is futile.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Tganks

Learn to spin faster I think really. As a couple have said on here, at that sort of speed, work on making yourself more aerodynamic. Get down low, keep your elbows in and if needed (and comfortable), actually drop the stem lower so you can tuck even further.

I ride a tourer with a 42t big ring quite frequently, and it's fine up to a decent speed, after which I just tuck in and enjoy the ride [/qThanks. At the moment I have my bars up on the highest setting as I find my back aches a bit when they're lower. I need to work on my posture and riding position I think.
Just to confirm with you guys.... by no means do I think I'm the bees knees !!! In my circle of friends we are all beginners and I am just trying to learn what to do to keep up with them. I'm sorry if it seems like iv Sussed this cycling business after 6 weeks when you guys have been cycling for years. Certainly not the case, which is the reason im asking the Question. Not necessarily on flats I'm spinning out ( sorry to confuse most of you about that) ... Just this damn hill

 

[on the road]

Are you sure you're not confusing spinning out with not being able to spin fast enough?