I'm relatively new to road cycling although I have been spinning for a few years now. I ride mostly 25-45 mile rides in and around San Francisco, which means beautiful scenery and killer hills.
My g/f kills me on the climbs but I destroy her on the flats. I have an aluminum hybrid (less aggressive geometry, straight handle bars) with carbon forks: Specialized Sirrus Comp. She has an all carbon road bike: Specialized Amira Sport which cost twice as much as my bike, whose price (I believe) is largely attributable to the frame, since my bike has nice components.
I'm definitely in better shape than she is (aside from the spinning I also can run, lift, etc. longer, faster, more intensely) and I have a good diet. How come she can beat me on the climbs? In fact, how come everyone on fancy looking road bikes can beat me, even people that clearly look like they wouldn't be able to chase me down on foot even if I were running backwards?
I thought it might be a gearing issue, but I've been exploring the gears a bit and have also compared (visually) her gears against mine. They both look very similar: two compact gears up front for both; 10 speed cassette for me on the rear and 9 on hers.
What gives? Do I need a carbon bike to keep up, because I'll be damned if my g/f beats me on another hill
My g/f kills me on the climbs but I destroy her on the flats. I have an aluminum hybrid (less aggressive geometry, straight handle bars) with carbon forks: Specialized Sirrus Comp. She has an all carbon road bike: Specialized Amira Sport which cost twice as much as my bike, whose price (I believe) is largely attributable to the frame, since my bike has nice components.
I'm definitely in better shape than she is (aside from the spinning I also can run, lift, etc. longer, faster, more intensely) and I have a good diet. How come she can beat me on the climbs? In fact, how come everyone on fancy looking road bikes can beat me, even people that clearly look like they wouldn't be able to chase me down on foot even if I were running backwards?
I thought it might be a gearing issue, but I've been exploring the gears a bit and have also compared (visually) her gears against mine. They both look very similar: two compact gears up front for both; 10 speed cassette for me on the rear and 9 on hers.
What gives? Do I need a carbon bike to keep up, because I'll be damned if my g/f beats me on another hill
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