bike and speed

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hi,

i wonder what makes a bike(a mtb ) faster (apart from beeing ..
fit)... i have read, that when i take a smaller frame than
recomennded, than i will be faster... similary is with suspension...
the full suspension seems to have a bad influence for a speed. what
else should is it recommended to pay attention for, if a speed is an
factor, that come into play...
would it be a big difference at all?

thanks
greetings
magda

Magda Muskala <magdafrog@yahoo.de> wrote:
> i wonder what makes a bike(a mtb ) faster (apart from beeing ..

For an MTB things largely depend on terrain and conditions you want
to ride fast. For some full suspension will allow higher speed, for
some weight is less a limitation than rigidity, on short courses
comfort isn't as important as on long rides, on the road weight and
aerodynamics becomes more interesting...

So where/how do you want to ride fast?

--
MfG/Best regards
helmut springer panta rhei

"Magda Muskala" <magdafrog@yahoo.de> wrote in message
news:dead487a-a35c-470f-b3a2-85f28800b422@x35g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>
> i wonder what makes a bike(a mtb ) faster (apart from beeing ..
> fit)... i have read, that when i take a smaller frame than
> recomennded, than i will be faster... similary is with suspension...
> the full suspension seems to have a bad influence for a speed. what
> else should is it recommended to pay attention for, if a speed is an
> factor, that come into play...
> would it be a big difference at all?

Speed is very dependent on the type of terrain you're riding through. Some
terrain is faster on suspension bikes and other types of terrain such as
long smooth climbs are faster without rear suspension.

If you're racing or intent on racing you'll probably learn pretty rapidly
simply by seeing who is on the front. If you're riding for your own pleasure
I would stay away from full suspension bikes because of the fact that they
make riding off-road so smooth and easy that you might as well be riding on
the road.

Magda Muskala wrote:
> hi,
>
> i wonder what makes a bike(a mtb ) faster (apart from beeing ..
> fit)...

Where are you riding? If you are riding on roads, then, gee, a road
bike is considerably faster than a mountain bike. Also, after you get
used to it, a road bike is more comfortable than a mountain bike.

If you are riding off-road, then of course you want a mountain bike.
Suspension will slow you down on a smoothish trail, since it adds
weight. But on a rough trail suspension will, overall, improve your
speed since you will be less tired and can take rougher terrain faster.

--

David L. Johnson

Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig...
You soon find out the pig likes it!

"David L. Johnson" wrote: (clip) Suspension will slow you down on a
smoothish trail, since it adds
> weight. But on a rough trail suspension will, overall, improve your speed
> since you will be less tired and can take rougher terrain faster.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Suspension does make the bike heavier, but there is another way that it
slows you down. Movement in the suspension responds to pedaling forces,
absorbing energy. On a rough trail, suspension makes you faster by allowing
the bike to traverse bumps while maintaining more continuous contact with
the ground. So you can pedal longer and harder without wheelspin (on the
uphills), and have better steering control (especially on the downhills.)

On Jun 25, 10:53 am, "Leo Lichtman" <l.licht...@worldnet.att.net>
wrote:
> "David L. Johnson" wrote:  (clip)  Suspension will slow you down on a
>
> smoothish trail, since it adds> weight.  But on a rough trail suspension will, overall, improve your speed
> > since you will be less tired and can take rougher terrain faster.
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Suspension does make the bike heavier, but there is another way that it
> slows you down.  Movement in the suspension responds to pedaling forces,
> absorbing energy.  On a rough trail, suspension makes you faster by allowing
> the bike to traverse bumps while maintaining more continuous contact with
> the ground.  So you can pedal longer and harder without wheelspin (on the
> uphills), and have better steering control (especially on the downhills.)

What Leo said.

Suspension for the most part isn't going to add to the speed of the
average user.

The questions of under what conditions you intend to ride is key to
making sense of the original post.

Thin High Pressure Tires, Rigid Frame; these lead to speed in generic
terms.


TBerk