Have you clicked on this article because you have been in debate with your friends over the difference in speed between rollerblading and biking? Both activities contain wheels. And both are speedy. So, can someone on rollerblades beat out a person on a bicycle (or vice versa)? I guess you will have to find out in this article about rollerblading and biking speed.
How Fast Can I Rollerblade?
People on rollerblades can go 8 miles per hour. According to research, people tend to rollerblade at speeds varying between 8 miles per hour to about 16 miles per hour. The reason why it various is due to the differing speeds, whether one is slow or fast. People are slow rollerbladers skate 1 mile in about seven minutes and 30 seconds.
How Long Does it Take to Rollerblade 1 Mile?
Depending on your own speed, you should be able to skate 1 mile in about seven minutes and 30 seconds. If you are a more experienced skater, you should be able to skate 1 mile in about three minutes and 45 seconds.
Factors that Affect Speed in Rollerblading
Leg Muscle. Yes, leg muscles. For those who are just starting out as rollerbladers, you don’t have the leg power like everyone who has been rollerblading much longer than you have.
Not only your legs but the type of skates you have plays a roll in the matter of speed as well. Racing skates have wider wheels and have five wheels instead of four. These rollerblades tend to be faster than inline skates.
Anatomy of Rollerblading Wheels
The lubrication and quality of your wheel make your skates faster. The conditions of where you rollerblade can also affect your speed. Feel the wind? Which way is it coming from?
Skating in areas with traffic lights and cracked sidewalks results in a slower speed than skating on a smooth, uninterrupted track or stretch of road.
How Can I Track my Speed When Rollerblading?
For those who are curious to track their speed, here is what you need to do. Make note of the time, and track your speed from there. Download a fitness app on your phone. Use any fitness apps or GPS trackers to store your exercise history. Compare your workout time to each activity and workouts.
What Makes a Good Rollerblade?
The material for rollerblades. Always look at the material and see how well they perform in any physical activity. Based on the wheelbase, it is easier to learn how to rollerblade. The wheelbase extends beyond the heel and the toe at the foot. This gives the skater a more stable platform enabling them to receive smaller bumps and cracks in the road which otherwise might make them lose their balance.
How Fast Can I Bike?
The estimated speed someone on a bicycle can go is 40 km/h (25 mph). On a flat surface that is. In competitive cycling, a sustainable high speed is expanded by the aerodynamic effects of the peloton.
How Long Does it Take to Bike a mile?
Bike riders hit a mile around 6 minutes. All bike riders can ride at a comfortable pace of 10mph. That is the average speed for any biker.
Factors that Affect Speed in Biking
Several factors play into the speed of biking. Speed is very important when biking.
- Weight
- Rolling Resistant changes
- Air Resistance
- Temperature
Anatomy of Biking Wheels
The wheels on your bike are the most important tool when it comes to your speed. That’s why you should always pay attention to your wheel’s health. And the wheel itself. The wheels on your bike are the first to feel road vibrations, surface imperfections, and changes in terrain. Lucky, aren’t they?
Parts of the Wheel
- Rim
- Hub
- Spokes
- Nipples
What Makes a Good Wheel?
Choosing a good bike wheel depends largely on its purpose, however ideally a good set of wheels are durable, have dependable hubs, provide confidence-inspiring braking, be stiff for power transfer, yet also be lightweight.
How Can I track my Cycling Speed?
Similar to rollerblading, people can track their speed with fitness apps. One of the most used GPS cycling apps allows an array of handy ride logging functions which are then uploaded to an online profile called Strava. The app retains information of your ride stats as you travel, including speed, time and distance all the while tracking where you’ve been
Can Rollerbladers Keep up With Bikes?
That is a very good question, indeed. In all actuality, the rollerblader cannot keep up with the biker as the biker is going 2/3 of their own speed.
What You Should Know
Rollerblades are not naturally more reliable than bikes, especially with the rough terrain to which bikes are used. It is better to use rollerblades on a smoother ground than trying to go through the woods like bikers.
Which is Better?
We all have our own opinions when it comes to the way of our favorite activities. Rollerblading and biking are pretty comparable when you think about it. Based on the speed of these activities, one can actually burn a lot of calories.
Rollerblading
- Calories Burned: 311-360 calories burned
- Aerobic Benefits: Better Muscle strengthening along with arms
Biking
- Calories Burned: 297 calories burned
- Aerobic Benefits: Strengthens core muscles, not a full-body workout however
General Fitness of Both Activities
Inline skating involves more muscles than cycling. And also more movements. Rollerblading helps one develop attention and has a massive effect on body balance skills.
However, when it comes to cycling, bikers just have to rotate the fixed pedals and very limited muscle group is involved. Bicycles can compete here only if you don’t have any road to skate on.
Safety Tips
It is very easy to go out of control when you’re trying to beat your own speeding record. Be very careful in each activity. Don’t ever take any unnecessary risks that may harm you. Rollerblade/bike at your own pace.
Rollerblading
- Always wear a helmet no matter what. It is very easy to lose control on rollerblades, especially when going down a steep hill
- Avoid areas with pedestrians
- Don’t go out of control
- Pay very close attention to your speed
- Wear safety gear over your wrists and knees
- Learn how to break. Never go into this without the knowledge of how to break
Biking
- Don’t bike in very busy areas with tons of people and cars
- Watch your speed
- Always wear a helmet, it easy to get thrown off your bike if you hit a bump
Which is Faster?
Generally, bikes are faster, especially on rough terrain. However, rollerblading and biking are actually pretty close if you are on flat terrain.
Bikes handle downhill better too. The gravity and the way they move are more fluid. There’s a reason why those bottom bracket frames cost so much more than the roller blade bearings. Bikes are better designed than rollerblades and they are smoother.
How Can I improve my Speed?
- Rollerblading
- Avoid Water
Always, always avoid wet surfaces. While you can skate on some wet areas, it’s best to avoid water. It is dangerous to your skates
- Skating Hills
Before you rollerblade down the hill make sure you check it out and examine it. Once you start down the hill make sure you have full control of your speed.
- Keep Your Head up
Always be on the lookout for what is in front of you. Stay alert. Out of focus you can easily run into a person, animal, or hit a tree.
- Skate with Good Etiquette
Make sure that you are skating to the best of your abilities. This is not a time to go out of control. You will injure yourself. Note which root you are taking and smile at passersby.
- Listen to Your Skates
The skates cannot talk to you, but you have to pay attention to your own speed. The rollerblades are telling you how fast you are going.
Biking
- Pay Attention to Body Placement
Learn how to place your arms when riding a bike. Sometimes your arms could get in the way of your own speed.
- Pay Attention to Your Diet
Make sure that you are eating a good diet instead of consuming junk food and sweets every day. Your weight affects your speed and rhythms.
- Ride with a Training Partner
In order to get better at what you love, don’t be afraid to ask a trainer to help you get better. Trainers will give you tips.
- Practice, Always Practice
You have heard the saying. Practice makes better. In any chance that you can get in your free time, get on that bike and go for a ride.
- Increase Lactose Thresholds
As a basic definition, your lactate threshold is the highest average speed/wattage you can prepare for 60 minutes. By increasing your lactate threshold, you’ll be able to provide a higher power production at a similar heart rate — indicating you’ll be faster for longer and pedal at a higher average speed.
