What is your average speed for a mountain bike ride?

We want to know your average, unassisted speed when riding a mountain bike.

By Jeff Barber
October 20, 2024

12 comments

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A mountain biker's view from the handlebars, showing a GPS device displaying speed and distance, with two fellow cyclists visible in the background on a grassy trail surrounded by trees and mountains. — File photo: Giant Bicycle

Speed, as they say, is relative. It’s relative to the observer, yes, and when it comes to mountain biking, it’s relative to conditions. What’s considered “fast” on a tech trail is “slow” for a flow trail, and it’s absolutely glacial compared to biking on pavement. And what’s fast for me might not be fast for you.

Past surveys have asked how (relatively) fast you are on climbs and how speedy you are on the descents. This time, we want to put a number on your average unassisted ride speed.

Now, qualify your answer in the comments below. Tell us how your trails, bike, terrain, and fitness play into that number!

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12 Comments

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Zoso 2016
Oct 20, 2024

On the really techy stuff, it's a game to see how SLOW your overall mph can be. There's pride in that for sure. ;)

3 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Oct 20, 2024

🤔 never thought about that...

2 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Oct 20, 2024

Trialsin' mixed in with jank... One needs core strength and an amazing sense of balance. Some jank rides involve my trials comp bike since that bike is bred for that terrain.

1 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Oct 21, 2024

Fuel economy is rated in sammiches per hour with jank and trials!!

Jwith4ks Texas // 2024
Oct 22, 2024

Has a lot to do with type of trail. I do a lot of cross country

mongwolf Mongolia // 2011
Oct 25, 2024

Average speed? Really slow uphill ... ... I'm old, and Colorado is beautiful! Ha! But I can still crush it pretty well downhill!

SLO Phil California // 2022
Oct 22, 2024

Avg is 6-7mph. I ride a SJ Evo in Santa Cruz. The trails at Demo are more tech than full on speed. Demo has some more high speed though along with Wilder. The climbing can be pretty slow in many spots. None of my riding buddies are one light weight bikes. Some built up pretty heavy sleds for the local trails. 8+ mph can be done if you're pushing it, sticking to the "easier" trails, or getting wild on a gravel bike on the climbing sections and blasting the road back down.

sirkuttin 2020
Oct 22, 2024

Colorado.

davelom New Jersey // 2016
Oct 24, 2024

I generally do 2-3 hour rides (18-20 miles) with as much climbing as downhill sections (I'm in northern New Jersey) and my pace is usually between 7-8 MPH for those rides in decent conditions. I'm an experienced rider in good physical condition but I broke my neck 4 years ago so the daredevil downhill-only stuff is behind me.

Nvtrlrnr Nevada // 2024
Oct 25, 2024

I'm a 66 yr old on an xs Salsa Fargo, rigid frame. I like to sightsee, take photos, stop to drink water, etc. I also ride mostly desert trails, so deep sand and rock gardens happen a lot. I'm most often alone, so walk it through some of that. I'd hate to break a hip! 🤣

bkwescott Pennsylvania // 2019
Oct 26, 2024

North East single track.
Ride a lightweight Ripley build twice a week.
15 miles 2000 feet of elevation at 8.5 to 8.9mph average speed.
Age 54 average speed at the start of the season doesn't even register.

biker111 Colorado // 2024
Oct 28, 2024

i it in a nice steep down hill corse i can go pretty fast

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