There are a lot of variables to improve bike comfort; saddle, saddle height and position, reach to the handlebar, handlebar height, the shape of the handlebar, crank length, stem, tires, the list goes on. If you’ve grown accustomed to your bike, it might just be that you’ve adapted to things that weren’t right in the first place. It pays to take a good hard look at your bike and not only improve your bike comfort but also to make your riding more efficient. Here are ten ways to improve bike comfort.
One: Bike Fit
First and foremost, get a bike fit from a professional. Taking your bike to a professional rules out most issues. For example: If your bike simply doesn’t fit you, a bike fit will determine that you might need an entirely different bike. Secondly, a bike fitter can diagnose individual issues specific to you and correct for them vastly improving bike comfort.
Why it Works
You may have a longer torso with shorter legs or vice versa. A bike fitter can tell you without wasting time or money on the wrong size bike or trying to extensively modify components to make the wrong size bike to fit you. A bike fit is probably the best investment you can make as even if your existing bike is the right one, the fitter will improve your position making it more comfortable and more efficient which will also lesson the likelihood of overuse injuries from occurring.
Two: Tires
The most common road bike tire is 23mm. The old-school thinking was that the skinnier the tire, the less rolling resistance. Because it is so skinny, it also requires high pressure to prevent pinch flats. Engineers in the cycling industry are trending toward the wider, 25mm tire as it has less rolling resistance and is more aerodynamic with a wider rim, not to mention that it has less of a likelihood of flatting. The majority of riders in the pro peloton are on 25mm tires rather than 23’s for most road stages these days.
Why it Works
A wider tire has more air in it which allows the tire to flex more thus soaking up vibration and increasing the amount of cushioning you get from the tire. Also, with the larger diameter, you can lower the air pressure in the tire giving even more of a supple ride.
Three: Stem
Reversing the stem is one of the most effective ways to make your bike more comfortable as it raises your handlebars to a more comfortable position. The majority of stems can be flipped as they are angled for two handlebar heights. One position is aggressive and flat, the other is angled upward for a more upright torso which can alleviate stress on the lower back as well as the amount of weight on the hands. Take a look at your stem. If it has a high degree of tilt in either direction, it can typically be reversed depending on what you need to get comfortable.
Stem Swap
Stems are also made in a variety of lengths which are often swapped out when getting a new bike or being fitted. If your reach is too far, get a shorter stem. If you have persistent numbing in your wrists or hands, it could be that the stem is too short. Get a longer one.
Four: Handlebars
Handlebars are easy to take for granted but they play a critical role in your ride quality and comfort. Thanks to constant innovation and evolving shapes and sizes, handlebar comfort has never been easier to achieve. The proper handlebar puts your hands in the right position to support your upper body without putting excessive strain on your wrists, shoulders, and neck. Handlebars should balance your weight between the front and back wheels for the best handling. New shapes, like compact bends, offer improved ergonomics and control.
Why They Work
Traditional drop bars might be over-sized for smaller riders or women. Compact bars are designed with a very short reach and shallow drop. Replacing your traditional drop bars for compact bars can reduce your reach. Ergonomic bars have a flat spot on the curve, replacing the sharp curve in drop bars. The flat spot feels better on your hands. Take it a step further, if you want to spend the money, and add carbon-fiber handlebars. They reduce road vibration, and offer a flat surface on top for resting your palms when cruising in an upright position. The downside with carbon bars is that if you crash you need to replace them as it’s very difficult to tell if they’ve been damaged.
Five: Bar Wrap
One of the easiest and most effective ways of making your bike more comfortable is by changing or modifying the padding on your handlebars. Some types of bar tape contain gel integrated into the fabric to make it even more forgiving. If regular tape or gel tape doesn’t provide enough comfort, other effective improvements can be made by inserting strips of padding under the tape and hoods. You can also put two layers of tape on your bars for even added thickness.
Six: Saddle
Having an uncomfortable saddle is one of the biggest bike comfort problems riders face. Saddles are very personal so you have to try a few. The first step is finding the right size. It might be tempting to go with a wider saddle that has a lot of padding; don’t fall for it. Wider saddles can place pressure in the wrong places and cause chaffing.
Why More Padding Doesn’t Work
If you’re choosing a seat for longer rides, don’t choose a saddle with lots of padding. Saddles that absorb your weight, instead of supporting your weight, are counterproductive on longer rides. Long distance cyclists know that highly padded seats become terribly uncomfortable the longer you ride because the padding puts more pressure on your crotch, right where you don’t want it. You want the weight placed on your sit-bones which is why getting the right size saddle is so important.
Adjustments to Make Your Bike More Comfortable
It’s one thing to just swap out components on your bike to make it more comfortable, but certain adjustments are just as critical and should be included on any bike comfort list.
Seven: Brake/Shifter Levers
It’s surprising how many cyclists simply accept that their brake/shifter levers are positioned correctly on the handlebars. They may be positioned at an unnatural angle, or otherwise don’t fit you. You should be able to comfortably reach the levers from the hoods or drops. A simple adjustment is typically all that’s necessary to give you better control, and more comfort. Also, on many newer models the levers can be adjusted inward for smaller hands. Take advantage of this if you need it. It can make a big difference.
Eight: Cleats
Have your shoe cleats professionally adjusted if possible. If the cleats on your shoes are set up incorrectly, you loose power and in some cases, risk causing muscle strain and injury. If you choose to adjust on your own, the basic idea is to set the rotation of the cleat so that it correlates with the way your foot is naturally positioned. An easy way to do this is in your bare-feet, jump, and then look and see what position your feet are in when you land. Are they toed in? Straight? Or pointed outward? Line up your cleats to replicate this angle. (See “Cleat Position” in this article for a full rundown.)
Nine: New Cables and Housing
Dirty,old, sticky cables make shifting sluggish and troublesome and in some cases a pain in your wrist, literally, from having to push so hard to shift. Smooth, clean cables reduce shifting effort and improve precision making the ride much more enjoyable. Replace your cables and housings on a regular basis and also keep your derailleurs clean and properly lubed with a light oil on the pivots.
Ten: Wash Your Bike for Improved Bike Comfort
As with new cables and housing, washing your bike may not seem like it will directly improve bike comfort. However, part of comfort is ease of riding and washing your bike and having it well maintained ensures that it shifts smoothly, brakes easily, and is just all and all dialed in and ready to ride. Riding a clean bike just feels great so improves overall bike comfort.