Nah, Jay, you’re plenty fast. I’m riding 16-17 in a group ride. But riding with a friend I bet 25k/hr would be about right! It really does make a difference with a group pulling you along. I don’t go that fast on solo rides for SURE. You're faster than me, Leah. I rode with my friend last Sunday. I had my Roadini with lighter wheels, 30mm tires. I averaged 25k/hr. 60km distance, 500M elevation. I felt like I was going fast. I've never tried a ride of that distance with upright position, mainly because that bike isn't what I reach to for such rides (2.2" wheels, mainly used on trails). You're just a speed demon, so a windy day hurts you more than me ;-) On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 9:24:18 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Daniel - you’d love Charlie. I actually feel (in normal conditions) that I do zip around quicker than on a Platypus.
Both Daniel and Jay:
How fast are your road rides, out of curiosity? Because I never get slowed down by my bars in rides UNLESS there is wind. But you’re experiencing something different - that your upright bikes are always slower than the drop bar bikes. Which makes me think you must be a lot faster and that’s the difference. I ride in 16-17 mph groups. But I’ve never tried to hang with the 18+ mph guys. I bet I couldn’t hang with them. And I don’t know if that’s me or my bars that’s the problem…
My experience matches yours, Jay.
When I’m riding with my Ortho-bar Appaloosa, I struggle to keep up with others on drop bar gravel bikes on the paved sections of a ride.
On my Noodle bar Roadini, I keep up with others on ‘road’ bikes on a social ride just fine. My friend on an upright bike with Jones bars did not, and struggled to the point of it being unpleasant. The rest of us were not struggling or even trying particularly hard at all.
When I ride my Appaloosa with that same friend, we are perfectly matched.
All that is to say there are swings and roundabouts, apples and oranges, horses for courses or whatever. No bike is good at everything and there are no wrong answers, only trade offs to be had!
I’d love to try a Charlie, sounds so fun.
Great story Leah. I've never ridden with a kid, and when I started reading your story I wasn't sure how it would go (like would he not be able to keep up, out of shape, asking you to call his mom to pick him up; would he leave you and others in the dust; so many things can happen). It was entertaining.
Regarding wind, the bike and its weight, I think it's more about aerodynamics (how much frontal area exposed to the wind, for one). Even though I ride weekly with a buddy who is faster (more aero, lighter bike), he knows I'm more upright on my Roadini (drop bars level w/saddle) and is okay going a few km slower than he would like. The camaraderie is worth it! When I ride along, I'm a few km/hr slower, so I'm pedaling harder to keep up, he's going slower, but it's all good. If I put an Albatross bar on the bike and was 15-20 degrees more upright, I think I would really struggle to keep up. That said, I have a bike with alt bars and I'm more upright, and I like riding like that, just not when I'm trying to go fast or in a group ride. Lastly, comfort. If being a little more stretched out would not work for you, don't do it in any case. Whatever works for you, keeps you happy and riding more, that's the ticket.
On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:57:04 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote:
Leah,On a group ride a few years ago, okay maybe 12 years ago, one of the guys brought his son along. His son was on a full suspension mountain bike and we were all on carbon road bikes. He kept up with us pretty easily and rode a wheelie about half the time. We weren't pushing it by any means but it seems that youth always wins out. I do agree with you that wind is the ultimate speed killer and an upright position catches the wind like a sail. With drop bars in the drops you really can be out of the wind. When I had drop bars I would enjoy getting down into the drops now and then to stretch out my back. I don't remember any specific group rides in windy conditions but I have ridden in the wind many times solo. I would almost rather ride in the rain that wind...almost. Doug
On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:01:10 PM UTC-4 ttoshi wrote:
I can commiserate with high winds! For my Bosco bars, I place my hands on the front of the handlebars near the stem and tuck down--not ideal for pacelining because my brakes are at the end of the handlebar. On my Albastache, it is wrapped, and I've placed my brake levers at the front, so I can use the most aerodynamic option as the default. Don't give up on the Charlie yet!
Toshi
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