9 Easy Speed Upgrades
Although there are more joys to cycling than simply speed, we’ve surely all felt the urge to go faster.
Consistent training might be the most effective path to upping the pace of your rides but there is a certain delight in the mechanical challenge (and the instant results) of optimising your bike for maximum speed. We can’t deny, we’ve all been tempted by a bling upgrade in our time!
Consistent training might be the most effective path to upping the pace of your rides but there is a certain delight in the mechanical challenge (and the instant results) of optimising your bike for maximum speed. We can’t deny, we’ve all been tempted by a bling upgrade in our time!
Transcript
00:00Although there are more joys to cycling than simply speed, we've surely all felt the
00:09urge to go faster. Consistent training might be the most effective path to
00:13upping the pace, but there is a certain delight in the mechanical challenge and
00:18the instant results of optimising your bike for maximum speed. We can't deny
00:23we've all been tempted by a bling upgrade in our time. So without further
00:28ado, here are our nine tips for making your bike faster.
00:39Standard black butyl inner tubes may be cheap and relatively robust, but they
00:44aren't particularly fast. Friction between the tube and the tyre increases rolling
00:50resistance compared to latex inner tubes, which cause around five watts less
00:54friction per wheel. They're also lighter too. The downsides are the cost, which is
01:00around three times more, and the fact that latex inner tubes are a little more
01:04fragile. You could ditch the inner tube altogether and go tubeless, although
01:09costs can ramp up quite quickly with the necessary specific kits such as wheels,
01:14tyres, valves, tape and sealant. It is proven to be faster though.
01:24Better brakes allow for greater stopping power, allowing you to brake later into
01:29corners, enabling you to carry more speed. If you're using rim brakes, upgrading to
01:34a set with a separate pad and shoe will make your brakes feel less spongy, more
01:38direct and increase modulation, as will swapping out the brake cable housing for
01:43a version with less compression. Changing to pads with a grippier compound or one
01:49that's better suited to your riding conditions, for example the wet, will also
01:53help to increase the performance. For those using disc brakes, increasing the
01:58rotor size will add power to your braking, and top quality pads aren't
02:02significantly more expensive either, making for quite a cost-effective
02:06upgrade.
02:12If you're looking to eke out every marginal gain, you could replace your
02:16bearings with some ceramic alternatives. If you do go down this line, just make
02:21sure you get some with a ceramic race to go with the ceramic balls, because
02:25steel races are prone to getting pitted when used with the hard ceramic balls,
02:29which degrades the performance of the bearing. If ceramic options are a touch
02:33plush, then a replacement set of good quality steel bearings shouldn't cost
02:38the earth, but can have a large effect on how fast you can go.
02:43Air resistance is one of the greatest forces you have to contend with, so any
02:52upgrade that can put the rider in a more aero position will have a significant
02:56effect on speed. You could invest in a fancy carbon aero profiled handlebar, but
03:01simply going narrower, even with an ordinary round and aluminium bar, can
03:06provide greater gains and doesn't have to break the bank.
03:15Although aero and lightweight might be the flashier upgrades, there's still some
03:20serious watts to be saved from tyres with lower rolling resistance. For
03:24example, the Vittoria Corsa Speed G Plus 2.0 TLR may not have the fastest name to
03:31say, but they are widely regarded as some of the fastest tyres available.
03:35Independent testing from BicycleRollingResistance.com puts the
03:39rolling resistance of the 25mm version at 7.5 watts when
03:44pumped up to 100 PSI. What's more, going for a top-end tyre will add comfort and
03:49grip to your ride, reducing fatigue overall.
03:58Not only is it easier to put out power on a bike that is set up correctly for
04:03you, but it can also help get you into a more aerodynamic position. Enlisting the
04:07help of a professional bike fitter will enable you to test out a range of
04:11components to find out what works best for you. Whether that's a change to
04:15shorter cranks to enable a lower front end position and a flatter back, or a
04:19switch to a shorter nose saddle to make it more comfortable to stay in an aero
04:23position. A deeper section rim will reduce aerodynamic drag, while a set of
04:35shallow carbon wheels can both reduce weight and increase rolling speed. A
04:39lower spoke count makes the wheel set lighter and will also further improve the
04:44aerodynamics, while a hub machined to greater tolerances can make the bearings
04:48run more smoothly and even increase service life. Fortunately, you no longer
04:53have to spend more on the wheels than you did on the bike. There are plenty of
04:57high-quality aluminium wheel sets that have a relatively deep section.
05:08If your tyres are too hard, you'll expend greater energy chattering over
05:12imperfections in the road surface. Too soft and the increased contact area will
05:17slow you down. Although most track pumps do come with a pressure gauge, the cheaper
05:21ones tend to be quite inaccurate, and even the more expensive ones can make
05:25small adjustments difficult to execute. A digital pressure gauge or an analogue
05:30one with a usable scale will help you get the best out of your tyres and leave
05:34you riding faster.
05:42Finally, the most effective, albeit less glamorous, route to a faster bike is a
05:47proper maintenance schedule. Keeping your drivetrain clean can save you
05:52precious watts. A specific degreaser certainly makes it easier, just don't
05:56forget to dry and re-lube the chain once you're done. Another common issue is
06:01brake rub, and if an adjustment of a caliper is all that's necessary, then
06:05it's an easy fix that can save you energy and annoyance out on the road.
06:08However, something like an out-of-tree wheel is a big ask, and that might be a
06:13job for the local bike shop. So there you go, nine ways to increase the speed
06:19of your bike. If you have liked this video, then please do drop us a thumbs up
06:23and be sure to subscribe to the channel for more great tech content. Of course,
06:27feel free to leave us any comments and questions that you might have.