00:00Although there are more joys to cycling than simply speed, we've surely all felt the urge to go faster.
00:11Consistent training might be the most effective path to upping the pace,
00:15but there is a certain delight in the mechanical challenge and the instant results of optimising your bike for maximum speed.
00:22We can't deny we've all been tempted by a bling upgrade in our time.
00:27So, without further ado, here are our 9 tips for making your bike faster.
00:40Standard black butyl inner tubes may be cheap and relatively robust, but they aren't particularly fast.
00:47Friction between the tube and the tyre increases rolling resistance compared to latex inner tubes,
00:52which cause around 5 watts less friction per wheel.
00:56They're also lighter too.
00:58The downsides are the cost, which is around 3 times more, and the fact that latex inner tubes are a little more fragile.
01:05You could ditch the inner tube altogether and go tubeless, although costs can ramp up quite quickly,
01:11with the necessary specific kit such as wheels, tyres, valves, tape and sealant.
01:17It is proven to be faster though.
01:25Better brakes allow for greater stopping power, allowing you to brake later into corners, enabling you to carry more speed.
01:32If you're using rim brakes, upgrading to a set with a separate pad and shoe will make your brakes feel less spongy, more direct and increase modulation.
01:40As will swapping out the brake cable housing for a version with less compression.
01:47Changing to pads with a grippier compound, or one that's better suited to your riding conditions, for example the wet, will also help to increase the performance.
01:55For those using disc brakes, increasing the rotor size will add power to your braking, and top quality pads aren't significantly more expensive either, making for quite a cost effective upgrade.
02:07If you're looking to eke out every marginal gain, you could replace your bearings with some ceramic alternatives.
02:20If you do go down this line, just make sure you get someone with a ceramic race to go with the ceramic balls,
02:25because steel racers are prone to getting pitted when used with the hard ceramic balls, which degrades the performance of the bearing.
02:32If ceramic options are a touch plush, then a replacement set of good quality steel bearings shouldn't cost the earth, but can have a large effect on how fast you can go.
02:48Air resistance is one of the greatest forces you have to contend with, so any upgrades that can put the rider in a more aero position will have a significant effect on speed.
02:58You could invest in a fancy carbon aero profiled handlebar, but simply going narrower, even with an ordinary round and aluminium bar, can provide greater gains and doesn't have to break the bank.
03:09Although aero and lightweight might be the flashier upgrades, there's still some serious watts to be saved from tyres with lower rolling resistance.
03:24For example, the Vittoria Corsa Speed G Plus 2.0 TLR may not have the fastest name to say, but they are widely regarded as some of the fastest tyres available.
03:35Independent testing from BicycleRollingResistance.com puts the rolling resistance of the 25mm version at 7.5 watts when pumped up to 100 psi.
03:46What's more, going for a top end tyre will add comfort and grip to your ride, reducing fatigue overall.
03:52Not only is it easier to put out power on a bike that is set up correctly for you, but it can also help get you into a more aerodynamic position.
04:06Enlisting the help of a professional bike fitter will enable you to test out a range of components to find out what works best for you.
04:13Whether that's a change to shorter cranks to enable a lower front end position and a flatter back, or a switch to a shorter nose saddle to make it more comfortable to stay in an aero position.
04:24A deeper section rim will reduce aerodynamic drag while a set of shallow carbon wheels can both reduce weight and increase rolling speed.
04:39A lower spoke count makes the wheelset lighter and will also further improve the aerodynamics.
04:45While a hub machined to greater tolerances can make the bearings run more smoothly and even increase service life.
04:51Fortunately, you no longer have to spend more on the wheels than you did on the bike.
04:56There are plenty of high quality aluminium wheelsets that have a relatively deep section.
05:09If your tyres are too hard, you'll expend greater energy chattering over imperfections in the road surface.
05:14Too soft, and the increased contact area will slow you down.
05:18Although most track pumps do come with a pressure gauge, the cheaper ones tend to be quite inaccurate,
05:23and even the more expensive ones can make small adjustments difficult to execute.
05:27A digital pressure gauge, or an analogue one with a usable scale, will help you get the best out of your tyres and leave you riding faster.
05:43Finally, the most effective, albeit less glamorous, route to a faster bike is a proper maintenance schedule.
05:50Keeping your drivetrain clean can save you precious watts.
05:53A specific degreaser certainly makes it easier, just don't forget to dry and relube the chain once you're done.
05:59Another common issue is brake rub.
06:02If an adjustment of a caliper is all that's necessary, then it's an easy fix that can save you energy and annoyance out on the road.
06:09However, something like an out of tree wheel is a bigger ask, and that might be a job for the local bike shop.
06:16So, there you go. Nine ways to increase the speed of your bike.
06:20If you have liked this video, then please do drop us a thumbs up and be sure to subscribe to the channel for more great tech content.
06:27Of course, feel free to leave us any comments and questions that you might have.
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