There's a common saying amongst cyclists that 'cycling never gets any easier, you just get faster'; a nod to the fact that riding hard will always be tough.
But there are several ways to get speedier faster and perhaps make the ride marginally easier along the way.
Upgrading components is a sure-fire way to save seconds off your ride, allowing you to beat that PB or even claim the KOM on a strava segment. Here's our top 3 upgrades to make your bike faster, and your wallet thinner.
1. Wheel-y Good Idea
Wheels are often the best upgrade you can make to go faster, quicker. This is mainly because many bike manufacturers include their stock wheels as a way of reducing the overall cost of the machine. In many lower end road bikes it's not uncommon to find heavy, aluminium rims as standard.
Whip those out and stick on some real wheels. You could go top end carbon like our Cero RC45's or get some alloy wheels like our Cero AR24's. Getting lighter wheels made from lighter materials means there is less weight for the wheel to rotate, meaning more speed. Many top end products also have lower spoke counts, which reduces air resistance for more speed; but also makes the strength of the wheel slightly weaker.
2. Don't Get Tyred of Tyres
Tyres are another way of getting more speed out of your bike and they're a comparatively cheap upgrade compared to others on this list.
Similar to wheels, the tyres used on many road bikes are factory standard and may be heavy, have thick treads or be made of lower quality materials than branded ones.
Slick tyres are the best option for speed but their lack of tread means you will compromise on the grip, especially in damp conditions. No tread means lower rolling resistance, which means more speed even if it is only marginal.
3. Aero Bar (Not the chocolate)
Although delicious, the chocolate bar is more likely to hinder rather than help your speed. No, we mean aero handle bars which can seriously increase your speed on the flats and downhill, providing you adopt the appropriate aero position.
A relatively recent addition to the world of cycling, aero bars are now becoming available to the general cycling population after initially being a pro-only innovation.
Aerodynamic handlebars tend to have a blade-type profile rather than round one which carves through the wind easier. As the first point of contact with the wind, the handlebars are a great place for an aero upgrade. Just make sure your break levers are compatible with them before purchase.
