Cyclists always want to achieve great things on their path. Securing the perfect bike can be both costly and time-consuming, making it slightly hard for you to stick to your goals. What if there was a way to give your current bike the push it needs to get you to whatever level you aspire? In this article, we will take a look at upgrades to make your bike go faster, some bicycle accessories and how to take better care of your bike.
Table of Contents
Get Into Tubeless Tyres
When it comes to tyres, many cyclists caught on to the tubeless tyre trend because it’s great for rocky and thorny roads and routes, as well as littered streets. Before buying your bike, ask about how you can take it from tube to tubeless if it is still a tube one, and even though the upgrade will be slightly costly, it will be worth it.
Speaking Of, Adjust Your Tyre Pressure Too
Cyclists usually ride with 25 to 28 mm wide tyres at a pressure of 80-90 psi, which is about 10-20 psi lower for tubeless tyres. The ideal tyre pressure depends mainly on the type of tyres, the weather conditions and your weight. For example, if you weigh 70 kg, you can start with a tyre pressure of 80 psi as a guide. With a narrower 23 mm tyre, you can try 90-100psi, while a wider 28 mm tyre should work well with 60-70psi.
Lower The Front If You Can
A slammed stem – i.e. removing excess spacers between the stem and headset – is a quick and easy adjustment that can be done at home by almost any bicycle mechanic. The more spacers you remove, the more extreme the position change will be, which means you’ll need a longer time to get used to it. It’s best to lower the front end gradually to give your body time to adjust while becoming more aerodynamic and flexible.
Note: If you find that you have neck, wrist or back pain, or cannot perform at the same level in this lower position, you should raise the stem and work on your strength and flexibility.
Make Navigation Easy Again
This should be at the top of your list because your navigation is extremely important, especially if you’re cycling in areas you don’t know your way around. With a good GPS bike computer, you’ve all your data in one place. From calculating and recording your speed, distance, and route to calculating elapsed time, calories burned, and altitude, a good bike computer will allow you to improve and plan your rides.
Get A Grip On Some Tape
Handlebar tape is one of those upgrades that not only look good but also feel good. In racing scenarios, a thinner handlebar tape allows for a better feel of the road and can ultimately provide better responsiveness, while a thicker tape can help absorb road bumps and shocks on longer or more practical rides where comfort is a priority. A grippy band can also help reduce hand cramps as less force is required to hold onto the handlebars.
No Sad Saddle
Just like the handlebar tape, your saddle is an important item to upgrade. Remember that you spend most of your time sitting on your bike, and comfort is very important, especially if you are racing for a long time. Finding the right saddle for you requires a good mix of research and a healthy dose of trial and error. Here are some tips to keep in mind when looking for the right saddle:
- The right shape: Remember that no two riders are alike, and therefore there are many different saddles. However, a basic rule is that women sit better on wider saddles, while men tend to use narrow saddles. Another important point is the way you cycle or race. Do you race in extreme conditions, e.g. downhill? Then you need a special saddle that is suitable for you. If you are a road cyclist who has to sit on the saddle for hours, you need a softer, more comfortable saddle. So when looking for the right saddle, it is important to find one that suits your discipline.
- Flexibility is also important:test your flexibility by trying to touch your toes while standing or sitting on the ground. A flexible cyclist has a more stable position on the bike and tends to sit more comfortably on a flat saddle that offers more freedom of movement. The very flexible cyclist tends to benefit from a slightly curved saddle.
- Measure your sit bones: The width of your saddle depends on the distance between your sit bones. By measuring this, you can find out exactly which saddle is best for you. Most bike shops will help you measure your sit bones.
Affording The Upgrades
Your cycling lifestyle does not have to be put on hold simply because you cannot afford these upgrades or a new bike altogether. There are ways to secure funding for your bike life by applying for leisure/bicycle finance from financial institutions such as WesBank. Bicycle finance will not only help you with the amount of money you need for the bike upgrades almost immediately, but the monthly repayment premiums and terms will be those that suit you and your affordability.
Final Thoughts
We hope these bicycle accessories and upgrades will help you conquer those goals and missions you have for yourself. Remember to invest in as much research as possible and get the help you need from mechanics as well as financial institutions. Make your cycling dreams come true. See you on the trail.