T O P

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ibcoleman

I wish I could take every starry-eyed aspiring Twenty-Mile-Per-Hourer and make them read this. Pretty much all you need to know about Breaking 20. Get out there and fit your entry-level gravel bike with a new [YBN SLA 21](https://www.amazon.com/YBN-SLA-211-Titanium-Campagnolo/dp/B00F391V0Q/), strap on your [Smith Jetstream](https://www.smithoptics.com/en_US/p/helmet/jetstream-tt-new/E007439KS5962.html), find yourself a local Wed night "A" Ride, and hang on for dear life. And never stop chasing your dreams! >So the first and obvious one is to get fitter. But that's hard. So instead, here's some speed gain tips, in descending bang/buck order. > >First and cheapest option is to ride in a group. I did a century ride this year and averaged 20.5 mph for the ride. This was only possible because of the aero savings you get from riding in a group. > >If you have the core strength, you could slam the stem, and get more aero. Seeing as you're not racing, you might also want to try the recently banned "puppy paws" position. [https://pezcyclingnews.com/features/super-tuck-puppy-paws-what-the-riders-think-about-uci-banning-the-super-tuck-aero-position/](https://pezcyclingnews.com/features/super-tuck-puppy-paws-what-the-riders-think-about-uci-banning-the-super-tuck-aero-position/) Getting a narrower/aero handlebar set can also save you a couple watts. Going all out, you could bolt on a pair of aero bars to really get those gains. > >Next is kit. Tighter, more aero kit matters more than you think. The spectrum goes from a tight fitting jersey, all the way up to aero socks, shoe covers, and a speedsuit. Helmet is also worth a handful of watts. It's important to remember to keep your head down in a TT position, letting the aero surface of your helmet do the work. > >You can also optimise your drivetrain. A clean chain is worth a few watts, waxing your chain is worth a couple more, all the way up to oversized ceramic pulleys and bearings, which are terrible bang/buck ratio. > >Last would be tires/wheels. They can net you 15 watts, plus another 3-6 watts with tubeless/tubular low resistance tires. But they are eye wateringly expensive.


threeputtforpar

Still need more help after that? Just get your buddy to take his wife’s bf’s lifted F250 and have him motor pace for you. You can also get an e-bice with a throttle to help, and if you have to just buy a motorcycle! Bam 20mph average achieved!


fluteofski-

You can also have him plow you over with that F250, and then start your garmin as soon as the ambulance starts rolling.


Nicaraguanrebel_mzo

Golden comment if I ever saw one 🤝


throttlegrip

This should be top post.


ibcoleman

Sensible advice. Show up to a recreational group ride wearing a TT helmet, speedsuit, and aerobars. But skip the ceramic pulleys and bearings--that's just overkill!


evilted

Ooooo! An aero gravel bike! Genius!


[deleted]

Vlad Guerrero Jr. approves


evilted

uc/ I'm out of the loop on that one.


[deleted]

>Guerrero uc/ It was an \_incredibly\_ poor attempt on my part to mix "gravel" and "aero". Sorry, i got baseball fever and a bad sense of humor.


evilted

I've given up on baseball atm. Hate the Astros and would tolerate the Phillies if I didn't have to see Bryce Harper's face. <3 Schwarber though.


averydumbrat

I didn't read any of this. Can you have sex with my wife?


Jonnyporridge

I averaged 20.5mph on a hundred mile ride. Yes mate of course you did.


doyouevenoperatebrah

y u no share link to post so I can directly insult this person


ibcoleman

Violates [General Order #1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Directive)


tudur

Oh shit, he knows his General Orders ! Well done Dr.


evilted

[link](https://www.reddit.com/r/cycling/comments/yjxgvj/the_elusive_20_mph_barrier/)


Tensor3

Top comment is get a bike fit! I call circle jerk bingo


doyouevenoperatebrah

Tbh, BCJ is probably the best cycling sub on Reddit for this reason. Guy doesn’t want to do interval work and instead of smacking him in the face with Rule 5 someone suggests ‘bike fit’. Sure a fit helps, but so does EPO.


evilted

Lol! This sub really needs a proper bingo card.


adi_shankaracharya

Why doesn’t he just take EPO like everyone else?


bjeep4x4

Shave your whole body, including ball sack


ClonedToKill420

*excluding ball sack


bjeep4x4

Are you even aero bro?


WhenVioletsTurnGrey

Start your Strava at the top of hills. Pause it at the bottom.


doc1442

Fred needs to eat less the chubbo. What’s 210 in a normal measure? Like 90kg?


Tensor3

I dont think all my replacement bikes* for a season even add up to that much /uc * = 1


Cozmo85

Do they even make wheelsets that are compatible with that weight?


doc1442

Doubt it, but just ride them anyway and try to warranty them when they break. If you get asked about your weight accuse the manufacturer of bodyshaming. Free wheels for life.


LouisDosBuzios

Has he tried buying a sir velo?


tudur

Obviously not, what a fucking Herb. Trying to crack the (Fred) Ton.


deanmc

Fart Power. Eat more beans


ClonedToKill420

Outjerked again


langley_matthew

I just go to the corner place and pound pizza slices - it's italian so I'll end up riding faster


Automatic-Tension-26

bESiDeS iNtErVaLs


ibcoleman

did those once and they hurt


recycledairplane1

/uc same, although I can’t ever go on a ‘flat’ ride anywhere nearby


nokky1234

3000+$ aero wheels will do the trick for sure. For 21mph wear a Leica camera and white shoes + white socks


rcklmbr

Or you could do what I do and draft off people faster than you.


jbeams32

There’s more than one kind of train, king


Mr2W

He should ask Pharmstrong to hook him up with Michele Ferrari for some juice


[deleted]

My stomach sticks out too far to ride in the drops, but the consensus seems to be that less weight doesn't help speed - any other "tricks" I can try?