More speed on a cyclocross bike

[Mark McM]

Oh, and speaking of the tires ...

There was another thread were it was discussed just how much extra speed could be gotten by switching from 28mm deep aluminum rims to 50mm deep carbon rims, and it turned out the number was pretty small - just a fraction of 1 mph which may not even be noticeable from the saddle. However, you are using some very slow tires (Gatorskins), and changing to lower rolling resistance tires will add a speed improvement which should be instantly noticeable.

In the other thread, Josh gave a link to Silca's Power Calculator, which can estimate the power to required to go a certain speed, based on the bike and rider. The coefficient of rolling resistance for a variety of tires can be found on the BicycleRollingResistance.com web site. Plugging in the numbers for me and my bike, the calculator says that with 25mm Continental Gator Skins @80 psi it would take 186.71 Watts to go 20 mph (riding on the hoods). If I switch to 25mm Continental GP 5000s at the same pressure, at the same power output I would go to about 21 mph - a 5% increase in speed just by swapping tires. If I were to to use Latex tubes instead butyl, my speed would go up another 0.2 mph.

So, the thing that is slowing you down the most on your bike is likely your upright and wide position on your riser bar, and the next biggest thing slowing you down is your tires.

[sw3759]

well if your goal is to blow by other roadies...just skip all the above suggestions and get an E bike.problem solved

[weisan]

[mtechnica]

Just set it up like a road bike and get some fast rolling 32c tires

[charliedid]

Buy a road bike.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by CMiller

I agree with Mark, I don’t see a huge point in buying a road bike if you can set up a high quality cross bike like yours. You’ll see way bigger differences from just drop bars and good fit.

Yeah, a cross bike with actual cyclocross racing geometry can be set up like a road bike and is basically just as fast as a road bike. If you keep the right size tires on them they handle good too, but if you slap small 23-25 tires on them they might feel weird versus 32-35c tires. My aluminum redline is actually quite sporty if you ask me.

[konaman]

Thanks very much for all the opinions. Gives me a lot to think.

I am trying not to spend more $ than needed. I am not looking to be the fastest, just wondering if the issue is only me (the engine) or the bike itself, or if I can narrow the gap with some tweaks. I got it that some quick wins are the drop bars for aerodynamics and the tyres.
Thanks all.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by konaman

Thanks very much for all the opinions. Gives me a lot to think.

I am trying not to spend more $ than needed. I am not looking to be the fastest, just wondering if the issue is only me (the engine) or the bike itself, or if I can narrow the gap with some tweaks. I got it that some quick wins are the drop bars for aerodynamics and the tyres.
Thanks all.

Unless you have take-off parts laying around the garage or are just buying an entire inexpensive group, skip that and buy a road bike. I have one of my CX bikes set up with 32c GP5ks at 60psi and love the ride, but it isn't a road bike. It gets close when I stick another pair of wheels on there with 25c GP5ks, but my road bikes are still faster.

My aero road bike with hidden cables and 45mm carbon rims is faster still.

...but... road bike or CX bike, I still get dropped when the road tilts upwards. I just don't have the build to be a climber and no bike out there is going to fix that

M

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by Gummee

Unless you have take-off parts laying around the garage or are just buying an entire inexpensive group, skip that and buy a road bike. I have one of my CX bikes set up with 32c GP5ks at 60psi and love the ride, but it isn't a road bike. It gets close when I stick another pair of wheels on there with 25c GP5ks, but my road bikes are still faster.

My aero road bike with hidden cables and 45mm carbon rims is faster still.

...but... road bike or CX bike, I still get dropped when the road tilts upwards. I just don't have the build to be a climber and no bike out there is going to fix that

M

Mark and others gave you good advice to eek out the best from that CX bike. It won't magically become a road bike but I agree that on a budget it's a good move.

Call me when you want to buy a road bike

[cgates66]

DROP THE GATORSKINS! GP5000s or equivalent.

It won't save you from getting smoked, but you'll be a bit faster and way more comfortable.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by slowpoke

For a group of folks that refer to Gatorskins as a "garden hose", I'm surprised no one has suggested lighter tires. Continental GP5000s tires will offer a noticeable ride difference, while still providing puncture resistance, and are often on sale.

^ This

Gatorskins are the worst tire ever created. They ride awful, they're heavy, they're slow, they're treacherous over frozen surfaces and I dont think they are even that much better with punctures. Just turrible. TURRIBLE.

Start there, and then add some drop bars and you'll be fine.

[Hellgate]

How fit are you? Have you been riding for a while?

I regularly ride my CX bike on the road. With a nice set of Corsas it's fast, and that's with cantilevers blowing in the wind. Even with limited gearing I can ride with most groups.

The bike, excluding department store bikes, usually isn't the issue. It's fit and fitness.

Oh, and a good set of tires.

[thirdgenbird]

I’m in the drop bar camp.

A good cross frame set up with a road compact, wide range cassette, and good 30-32mm slicks is a fantastic do everything bike.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by thirdgenbird

I’m in the drop bar camp.

A good cross frame set up with a road compact, wide range cassette, and good 30-32mm slicks is a fantastic do everything bike.

^^This, and as I said, get your Barquentine to catch the least amount of wind, unless a tail wind of course...

Suggestion for the tire help from me would be 28mm Conti GP4000 with Latex tube. May give you some extra fuel left on longer rides. Some 28-32mm tires have terrible rolling resistance, choose well.

That said I have been on ride and been dropped on my Addict with 25mm GP4/Latex tubes, by a guy on a CX Fuji with low knob CX tires.

[nalax]

Riser bars on a Waterford CX bike is just wrong. Put the drop bars back on it with better tires and you'll pick up speed. Sounds like you turned the Waterford into a cruiser.