Your bike can be faster if you make a series of specific modifications to it. And we're not talking about changing components or installing lighter or high-end parts, but about applying small details that make a difference and provide marginal gains that influence the performance and speed of your bicycle. We've put together a list of simple tricks you can apply for which you don't need to spend any money. Surely you are already using some of them without realizing that they are part of the basic recommendations list to help you gain a few extra watts from your bike.
1. Clean the bicycle
It may seem like a simple or well-known trick, but many cyclists are still unaware of the importance of always riding a clean bicycle. A thorough cleaning every week or after each ride and the subsequent lubrication of its gears and moving parts will ensure the proper functioning of all components, smoother pedaling, better braking, and a smoother movement with less friction of the axles, hubs, etc.
2. Lubricate the chain
After cleaning the bicycle, perhaps the component you should never forget to lubricate is the chain. A chain lubricated with quality oil and wax results in smoother and more comfortable pedaling cadence. This translates into improved pace, average speed, and energy savings. A study conducted by Friction Facts indicates that riding with a dirty chain can cause the cyclist to lose up to 12 watts of power compared to a clean and well-lubricated one. Whether you use a road bike, mountain bike, or gravel, this trick is essential to extend the life of your chain and ride faster.
3. Lubricate the moving components (pedals, pivots, suspensions...)
Although their importance is not as crucial as the chain, greasing the gears or springs of clipless pedals, as well as the pivots of the rear suspension of a full-suspension MTB, or the suspensions themselves, will result in smoother movement and better absorption of terrain irregularities. Proper lubrication improves the performance of these moving parts and prevents loss of speed due to friction.
4. Adjust the gears
One of the mechanical incidents that make us lose our pedaling cadence are the so-called jerks or gear jumps that occur when the transmission is not properly adjusted. It is a simple adjustment that barely requires a few minutes. If you don't know how to do it, any bike mechanic will be able to do it quickly and thoroughly. Shifting gears quickly and smoothly without jumps, snags, or the like will allow you to achieve quick accelerations, adapt to changes in pace, and, ultimately, gain speed.
5. Increase tire pressure
The tires are the only component of the bike in contact with the ground and the one that stops the bike, in addition to the brakes themselves. If you want to gain a few more km/h, slightly increase the pressure of your tires. You will lose traction and grip, but on the other hand, you will gain smoothness while pedaling.
6. Lower the handlebar height
Lowering the position of the stem, leaving the headset spacers on top, reduces the handlebar height and helps you adopt a more aerodynamic position on the bike. The same applies if you have a reversible stem and install it with a negative angle. When riding or on flat terrain, you will notice a gain in extra watts and an increase in your average speed.
7. Keep the saddle straight and at the ideal height
Related to the previous point, this more tucked position does not have to conflict with the saddle height. You must have the precise measurement to be able to pedal with the proper knee and back flexion, without forcing your posture. It should also be straight, both in tilt and position, and perpendicular to the handlebar. It's important that you learn how to adjust the correct saddle height on your bike.
8. Increase pedal tension
Turning the tension screw on your clipless pedals will allow you to secure your foot to the pedal better, with no lateral movement, and apply more energy to the pedals without losing watts. This is especially important for climbing hills or mountain passes.
9. Avoid cross-chaining
This goes beyond adjustments to the bike itself and has more to do with how you use your bike's gears. If you use a double chainring, make sure that when you use the small chainring, the chain runs on the larger cogs, and with the big chainring, on the smaller cogs. Cross-chaining is counterproductive for smooth pedaling, creates resistance while pedaling, and causes extra wear on the transmission.
10. Remove superfluous accessories
When it comes to doing a specific route or training on your bike, we need to make sure to bring the essential accessories for each type of ride and leave behind those that won't be useful: water bottle and bottle cage, spare parts, mudguards, lights, etc. For example, if you're going for a short and relaxed ride, carrying two water bottles on the frame with their respective cages may not be necessary. You’ll be carrying more water than needed and adding extra weight from the bottles and mounts themselves. The same goes for accessories installed on the handlebars: phone mounts, headlights, etc. If you’re going for a daytime ride with good visibility and no traffic, you can do without the lights and their mounts. As for the spare parts, if there are only a few or they take up little space, you can carry them in your jersey pockets or tape them to the frame or bottle cage. This way, it’s not necessary to install a heavier and less aerodynamic carrying bag.