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 while cycling. Here, we provide five top tips to make your bike faster:
Tire Pressure
Similar to how your car, a bike’s tire 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 tires up once a week, although sometimes a mini pump will suffice.
It is important that you know what pressure your tires should be at. For example a tire 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 will be amazed at the difference you feel.
Saddle Height
You would 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 are 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. Maintaining your breaks is crucial for a safe workout.
Keep It Clean
A clean bike is a faster bike, without the excess mud the bike is more streamlined. 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 while getting in your exercise!
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 ride workouts.
However, make sure you go easy on the lube and use the correct one for your bike and your riding conditions. It is 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 bold bikers. Five quick and easy ways to help you increase your speed on your bike and improve your cycling workouts.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about how to make your bike quicker during your cycling workouts and on a frugal budget.
Interested in more articles about cycling and biking for exercise?
Read Related Resources:
• How To Incorporate Cycling Into Everyday Life
• Why You Should Combine Cycling And Yoga
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