Bikes are a great environmentally friendly way of getting you from A to B as well as offering you a number of health benefits. You might enjoying BMXing, riding a road bike or going mountain biking. Whichever form you choose, one thing we all look for is how we can go that little bit quicker. Here, we provide five top tips to make your bike faster:
Tyre pressure
Similar to how your car, a bike’s tyre pressure is key when it comes to how efficiently it performs – and is one of the most simple ways to help increase your speed. It’s recommended that you pump your tyres up once a week, although sometimes a mini pump will suffice.
It’s important that you know what pressure your tyres should be at, for example a tyre with smaller diameters will require a higher pressure. It can also differ depending on your own body weight so be sure to acknowledge these factors and you’ll be amazed at the difference you feel.
Saddle height
You’d be surprised at just how many cyclists tend to ride with their saddle either too high or low. Not only can this cause discomfort and potential injuries, but it will slow you down as your pedal stroke won’t be as efficient as it could be.
You should look to try and make the distance between the top of your saddle and the bottom bracket your inseam measurement with 10cm taken away. However, make sure you make allowances for your pedal system, as this may vary it slightly.
If you’re going out for a bike ride and don’t know your measurements don’t be alarmed. If you remember when you turn the pedals that you shouldn’t be overstretching, pointing your toe or rocking your hips, then you will be well on the way to having the seat in the right position.
Try shedding a few pounds
This tip doesn’t apply to everyone of course, those of us who do carry that extra bit of weight may find that it’s possible to gain some speed if we can shed those few unwanted pounds. Of course, if you are of a healthy weight, you can focus on reducing your bike’s weight instead of your own.
If you’re cycling over a smaller distance, try removing your cage and/or bottle if they’re not needed. Other parts you can think of removing are saddlebags and mudguards. It may not seem like much, but as every bit of extra weight must be relaunched after you turn, or carried up hills, every little really does help.
Take a look at your brakes
This may seem like an odd way to help you ride faster but it can be a very important factor. If you are able to brake later going into corners and carry some of that speed out of the other side, then you’ll quickly see an increase in your average speed.
Keep it clean
A clean bike is a faster bike, without the excess mud the bike is more streamline. By ensuring you keep your drivetrain and cables clear of mud and grime, your bike will be more efficient. What’s even better is the fact you’ll save money on parts in the long run!
The best way to incorporate this is to get into a regular routine of cleaning your apparatus. Take a few minutes after each ride to wipe down your frame and mechanics and it’ll save you valuable time and effort when it comes to a big clean after the longer rides.
However, make sure you go easy on the lube and use the correct one for your bike and your riding conditions. It’s important to let the oil soak in when you are lubing your chain and then wipe off any excess. Doing this will stop the onset of rust.
So, there you have it. Five quick and easy ways to help you increase your speed on your bike.
Sources
https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/workshop-10-ways-to-make-your-road-bike-faster-30490/
http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/eight-simple-ways-to-make-your-bike-faster-for-free-197458
http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/whats-the-correct-road-bike-tyre-pressure-270668
https://www.choosemybicycle.com/en/woc/keep-your-bicycle-clean-2015