How fast does a mountain biker go?
Average speed for a mountain biker ≈ 10 mph (16 kph) during singletrack riding. Uphill sections average ≈ 8 mph (13 kph) with downhill sections averaging ≈ 12 mph (19 kph).
Average speed of an e-MTB on singletrack - 13 mph (21 kph)
The overall average speed for pro/semi-pro cross-country mountain bikers is ≈ 9 mph (14.5 kph)
The average speed is ≈ 17 mph (27 kph) with peak speeds upwards of 30 mph (48 kph) during downhill mountain bike riding.
Singletrack & average speed
A 2017 study from Southern Utah University rode singletrack trails in the Three Peaks National Recreation Area. The singletrack was rated beginner/intermediate by the local chapter of IMBA, and full-suspension 26ers & 29ers were ridden.
The trail was a combination of rock, sand, packed dirt, and some technical feature with a total increase in vertical elevation of approximately 250 feet (75 meters) over 4.2 miles (6.7km) and was ridden by experienced recreational MTBers.
Average speed: 10.2 mph (16kph)
Mountain bike vs e-mtb & speed
In 2019, BYU compared MTBs and eMTBs over a ≈ 5.5 mi (8.85 km) study loop, which included approximately 700 feet (213 meters) of elevation gain spread throughout the ride with the most intense section averaging a 5% incline over a 1-mile (1.6 km) distance.
It should be noted that the traditional non-pedal assist MTB averaged 9 mph (14 kph), which was 4 mph (7 kph) slower than the pedal assistant electronic mountain bikes.
Both studies had similar results concerning the average speed of mountain biking, with the first study averaging 9 mph and the 2nd study averaging 10 mph.
How fast does a e-mtb (pedal-assist) go on singletrack?
The average speed of an eMTB is ≈ 13 mph (21 kpm) while riding singletrack.
Average speed of some outdoor activities
what’s the average speed of elite cross-county mountain biker?
What’s the average speed of an elite XC-MTB?
The overall average speed for pro/semi-pro cross-country mountain bikers is ≈ 9 mph (14.5).
This information was based on a 2015 study from Switzerland, which included members from the Swiss National MTB-XCO team (XCO = Olympic cross-country). Why weren’t the Olympic level XC-MTBers faster than the experienced recreational MTBers? The study loop for the MTB -XCO featured more challenging terrain, including tighter turns with steeper and longer inclines. This study loop was not a beginner/intermediate singletrack as was the case with the first study.
Ricardo looks like he isn’t even moving
Downhill mountain biking & speed
What’s the average speed dowhilling among competitive riders?
The average speed is ≈ 17 mph (27 kph) with peak speeds upwards of 30 mph (48 kph) during downhill mountain bike riding.
A 2006 study from the University of Central Lancashire in England tested racers on an ≈ mile-long (1.7km) course that had 571 feet (174 m) of elevation drop with “technically demanding” singletrack and fire roads with two near-vertical ‘drop-offs’ of more than 10 feet (3 m) with a short 1800 feet (550 m) switchback section. All the participants in the study were male competitive downhill riding cyclists.
Points of interest from this study:
The max speed was 27 mph (44kph)
Average speed was 14 mph (23kph)
The average speed ranged from 11 mph (17 kph) to 17 mph (27 kph)
Max speed ranged from 21 mph (33 kph) to 27 mph (44 kph)
Sintesi Bazooka full-suspension downhill bike was ridden (study was from 2006)
A 2012 study of elite male MTB downhill racers who participated in the International German Downhill Championships of 2010 found the average speed ≈ 20 mph (32 kph).
Interesting notes from this study:
The study course was ≈ one-mile long (1.6 km) with 1210 feet (370 m) of elevation drop.
“The course mainly existed of technically challenging single-track trails and forest roads with gravel and numerous turns, jumps and “drop-offs.” (4)
Fun fact: Eric Barone was clocked at 141 mph (227 km/h) while downhill mountain biking on snow using a prototype bike for the speed setting event on March 19th, 2017. Eric Barone has a couple of speed records in different categories.
Speed of different MTB disciplines
Are 29ers faster than 26ers?
Which bike is faster: 26er or 29er?
According to the studies the 29er is noticeably faster than 26ers during mountain bike riding.
Both the 1st and 3rd studies compared 26er to 29ers and the verdict was clear….29ers are noticeably faster.
29ers were 1.8% faster in the Swiss study
29ers were 4.9 % faster in the study from Southern Utah University
What about 27.5ers?
Why didn’t these studies include bikes with 27.5-inch mountain bike wheels?
Science generally doesn’t move as fast as technology, even though these two studies have been published recently (2017 & 2015) the testing was conducted years before the results were released. During the researcher's testing and design protocol phase, 27.5ers were not popular and were only on the market for a couple of years.
If you are using a bike app like Strava, then you will be able to find out what your average speed is. Many factors determine average biking speed, but it’s interesting to see what the literature reports.
Jesse is Director of Pedal Chile and lives in La Patagonia. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance and is an avid MTBer, snowboarder, and reader of non-fiction books & research articles.
Sources:
E. Taylor, J., Thomas, C. and W. Manning, J. (2017). Impact of Wheel Size on Energy Expenditure during Mountain Bike Trail Riding. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, [online] 5(4), pp.77–84.
Hall, C., Hoj, T.H., Julian, C., Wright, G., Chaney, R.A., Crookston, B. and West, J. (2019). Pedal-Assist Mountain Bikes: A Pilot Study Comparison of the Exercise Response, Perceptions, and Beliefs of Experienced Mountain Bikers. JMIR Formative Research, 3(3), p.e13643.
Hurst, H.T. and Atkins, S. (2006). Power output of field-based downhill mountain biking. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(10), pp.1047–1053. link
Sperlich, B., Achtzehn, S., Buhr, M., Zinner, C., Zelle, S. and Holmberg, H.-C. (2012). Salivary Cortisol, Heart Rate, and Blood Lactate Responses During Elite Downhill Mountain Bike Racing. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 7(1), pp.47–52. link
Steiner, T., Müller, B., Maier, T. and Wehrlin, J.P. (2015). Performance differences when using 26- and 29-inch-wheel bikes in Swiss National Team cross-country mountain bikers. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(15), pp.1438–1444.