As a cyclist we are always trying to improve. Improve ourselves in our fitness, bike handling skills, and the level at which we ride. There is general idea in cycling that you don’t need an upgrade to get faster, but rather ride up grades. While it’s true there are no shortcuts to get faster, there are some road bike upgrades can help you along your way.
Fortunately you don’t need a lot of time or money to make substantial improvements on your bike. Making a few improvements can help your riding in many ways, but the biggest issue is knowing which one is going to give you the most benefit.
Upgrade #1: Comfort
The most important thing in riding is comfort. The more comfortable you are on your bike the more you’ll ride, so the first things that you should upgrade are things that improve how you feel on your bike. Whether your bike is an entry level road bike or a top of the line model, some of the features may just not be a good fit for you.
Saddle
The saddle on your bike is the biggest part that is going to give or take away from your comfort. It’s very important to have one that’s a good fit for you and your style of riding. The best way to find the right saddle is to ask around and see what other people have ridden and if they have one you could try (most all bike shops will let you try before you buy). Some key things to look for is how wide the saddle is as you want it to match up with your sit-bones, as well as how soft or firm it is. A new saddle doesn’t have to cost a lot of money either and any money spent on a saddle is a good investment in your comfort.
Shoes
Your feet are the second biggest contact point with the bike, so making sure they’re comfortable as well will go a long way. Cycling shoes can be a bit more expensive than a saddle, but they will last a very long time so the extra money you spend here will last you years. The key to finding the right shoes is fit. Feet come in all shapes and sizes and a lot of shoes have different styles of foot beds; meaning some are wider and narrower in different spots throughout the shoe. The best way is to try a lot of them on and find what feels the best.
Upgrade #2: Reliability
Depending on where you’re riding, having a reliable bike can trump comfort, so unless you can easily catch a ride home, invest in improvements that will keep you rolling no matter what is thrown your way.
Tires
The thing that will slow you down the most are flat tires. The best way to prevent this is by having a set of tires that are not prone to flatting and replacing them when they are getting close to worn out. A good starting point is to get a wider tire, 25mm to 28mm if your bike frame will allow it. This will lessen the likelihood of pinch-flatting. A tire with harder casing and harder rubber, will last longer as well as be less penetrable. If you want to lessen the likelihood of flatting even more, consider upgrading to a tubeless set up that uses sealant inside the tire to fill any leaks before all the air escapes.
Brake Pads
Another area of the bike that you should make sure is in top-notch are the brakes. Being able to stop quickly not only gives you piece of mind, but also can prevent unnecessary crashes. Replace your brake pads before they wear out. Not changing them has the potential to not only leave you without good brakes on a ride but also can potentially damage your rim which will cost much more to replace than what the brake pads would have cost you.
Chain
Although chains break relatively infrequently, they still break. If you’re mid-ride and without a chain tool to take a link out to get you home, you’re going to be asking for a ride. The best way to prevent this is to replace your chain before it becomes old and worn out. This will also save you from having to get a new cassette along with the chain as the chain won’t have stretched past the point where a new one won’t mesh with the old cassette.
Upgrade #3: Speed
Now that you’ve upgraded the parts to your bike that have the biggest impact on you, you can upgrade a few specifics to help you ride faster. The cheapest to ride faster is to ride more, but once you’ve done that upgrading your equipment comes next.
Helmet
A more aerodynamic helmet can save up to 1 minute in a 40 km time trial. Now, no self respecting road cyclist is going to go strap on an aero TT helmet, but the principle still remains. A more aero helmet will shave time off your ride and is your best bang for your buck. Just make sure the helmet has enough vents if you are prone to overheating.
Wheels
Your wheels can easily be changed and may be contributing to what is slowing you down. Cheaper wheels can be heavy as well as less aerodynamic. Depending upon the riding that you’re doing, choosing a lighter and/or more aerodynamic wheelset can drastically improve your speed on climbs and flat sections.
Wheels can go up in price past the cost of your bike, most likely, so you need to find a good balance of lightness to aerodynamics to cost. Typically the best are a clincher rim, to give you the ability to easily change a tire, with a moderate amount of depth and are fairly light with a lower spoke count. There are about a zillion wheelsets out there both in aluminum and carbon. A bit of homework is required to find your perfect wheel but it’s time worth spending if you’re looking to improve your speed.
Clothes
You may not think that clothing would have a significant effect on speed; however, a skin suit can save over 2 minutes on 40 km time trial. This emphasizes how important the clothing you wear can be. Scrap the baggy clothing and embrace the lycra bib shorts and tight fitting jerseys.
Upgrade #4: Style
The last thing to improve on your bike is how it looks. Some may think this should fall higher on the list of what to upgrade, but in reality it’s not how you look, but that you’re out there doing what you want and having fun. Even at the professional level.
Bar Tape
Having clean, well-wrapped bar tape will make your bike look much better particularly after it has been cleaned. Color is personal preference, but typically any colors other than black or white are only used if it goes with colors on the bike. White typically is the most professional, but keeping it clean can be hard. Having well wrapped bars with black bar tape is the best style as it stays clean and looks good.
Bottle Cages
You probably already have bottle cages on your bike, but upgrading them to something lighter and sleeker looking can be a good option. The first thing though in upgrading bottle cages is making sure they still hold a bottle well even down a bumpy road. It can be the sweetest looking bottle cage in the world but if your bottle falls out, it didn’t do its one job and is worthless. After you’ve determined that it can securely hold a bottle, find a style and weight you like and match the color with your bike. Black typically goes with everything but it all depends. It’s style, find yours.
Saddle Bag
Style on the bike continues to more than just the bike itself. This continues to accessories on the bike such as a saddle bag that a lot of riders have just flopping around under their seat. Having a bag that isn’t too big and is securely attached to your seat not only has a purpose but also looks good. The best looking things are the ones that have a purpose and look good too.
Upgrading parts on your bike doesn’t have to be expensive and time consuming. Knowing which parts to upgrade first will help you get the most out of your riding. The best upgrades are the ones you need, not what other riders think you need. There is always the “latest and greatest” equipment out there but just because it’s sweet and functional for someone doesn’t mean that it’s a great investment. Often times the most simplest of upgrades will take your riding the farthest. Find that one upgrade, make it, and go on to the next when the time is right.
