As the years have gone on and bicycle technology has advanced, velocipede manufacturers have unfurled to bring out new bikes each year, often with unvigilant claims of spare stiffness, aerodynamics, repletion and efficiency. You’d be forgiven for thinking that speed is the be all and end all and if you don’t buy the latest and greatest model then you’re going to be choking on your fellow riders dust.

There is no denying that on the whole, modern road bikes are faster and increasingly efficient but let’s not forget, it’s all well-nigh the person on top pressing on the pedals that makes the biggest difference.

Whether you have bought a trademark new velocipede or are still riding ‘old faithful’, here are our top seven tips on how to make you and your current velocipede that little bit increasingly efficient, without breaking the bank.

Narrower bars

One of the easiest ways to lessen the value of watts expended whilst riding is by reducing your frontal area, in other words, decreasing the surface zone which the wind is hitting when you’re riding. A simple and very constructive way of doing this is by fitting narrower handlebars. Some unconfirmed studies have shown that for every 20mm of bar width reduced at 40 kph, you will see approximately 25 watts of power saved. For those who don’t use power meters, this is a significant saving!

Despite these advantages, it’s important to note that narrow handlebars are not suitable for all riders. Cyclists with broader shoulders or longer stovepipe may find that narrow handlebars rationalization discomfort or strain over long distances. Additionally, riders who prefer a increasingly upright riding position may find that the narrow handlebars place too much strain on their lower when and shoulders. If going lanugo the route of using narrower bars, you should probably seek some professional assistance. You have been warned!

Tyres and pressure

Road tyres are not unseemly and there is unchangingly the temptation to want to eke out every last km from them surpassing they need to be changed. It probably won’t come as a surprise to you, but running old tyres which have squared off from so much use is not an efficient way to operate. Although most of your energy goes into rival air resistance, rolling resistance can worth for up to 20% of your overall resistance: not to be sniffed at.

Upgrading to a ‘wider’ performance tyre can be a game-changer. High-quality tires can enhance the way your velocipede feels, by reducing harshness and giving increasingly grip. If you lack conviction when cornering or descending, having a tyre which absorbs increasingly road vibration really helps. Additionally, increasingly supple casings can make your velocipede finger increasingly comfortable. If you’re the type of person who just pumps the tyres up until they are hard, check out this super useful Silca tyre pressure calculator.

In summary, replacing worn bicycle tyres is often worth the investment to modernize efficiency and safety. Worn tyres can negatively impact handling and performance, increase rolling resistance, and increase the risk of punctures and blowouts.

Wax your chain

At a very minimum, you should unchangingly be keeping your drivetrain as wipe and as lubricated as possible. Riding with an unlubricated uniting is noisy, accelerates drivetrain wear and loses you watts. According to cycling tips having a squeaky unlubricated uniting can lose you up to 20 watts of power. Although this may sound like an lattermost case, if you have set out on a big day with a lightly lubricated chain, a serious downpour could dry your uniting out, resulting in significant efficiency losses.

An increasingly increasingly popular way of increasing drivetrain efficiency is by uniting waxing. One of the main benefits of uniting waxing is that the wax repels dirt and grime, which can help to alimony the uniting wipe for longer and modernize shifting performance. In short, less mess, increasingly glide! For most riders, the efficiency difference between an oiled uniting and waxed uniting is going to be negligible as a standard road velocipede drivetrain is approximately 97% efficient. Whichever route you decide on, alimony on top of it.

Make sure your velocipede is running smoothly

Keeping on top of your bicycle maintenance is key to keeping it running as it was designed. For those who ride in all conditions will know, water ingress, salt and grit do a fine job of wearing out marrow bracket, pedal and wheel bearings. If you can hear your wheel situation or there is lateral movement in your zombie arms, they’re worn and going to be costing you spare energy. It’s probably time to get the situation replaced surpassing they goof completely! Making sure the situation are fitted correctly is equally as important as their condition, so if you don’t have the tools or expertise to do it at home, don’t plane bother: get to the velocipede shop.

Wear the right clothing

Although suit isn’t part of the bike, we have been talking well-nigh maintenance and upgrades to help speed you up. The kit you wear can have a profound effect on the speed at which you’re worldly-wise to travel. Surpassing you set out for the day, it’s worth considering the tempo at which you’re likely to be riding as well as the weather systems you’re going to encounter. Overdressing can lead you to overheat which can cripple the way in which your soul functions. You’re unchangingly weightier of setting off just a little unprepossessed as you’ll soon warm up to an platonic temperature. If it looks like it’s going to rain, pack a well fitted rain cape.

If you want to make sure that you and your velocipede are covered for willy-nilly damage, theft, personal wrecking cover, public liability, plus a whole host of other benefits, trammels out Yellow Jersey insurance to make sure that you’re covered if you find yourself in an unfortunate incident. For any other questions or queries, requite our friendly support staff a undeniability on 0333 003 0046

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