The joy of cycling comes in many ways – some would say it’s the experience that delighted their journey. While for others, the thrill of any bike ride occurs along the exhilarating speed you generate once cycling.
As you go over the trails or wherever the course of your bike ride may be, moving faster is a great way to keep your stability. It is equally significant to help yourself maneuver at your own pace.
In this article, know how to make your bike go faster with these steps to get you started.
Table of Contents
Ways to Make Your Bicycle Faster
The acceleration of any rider may depend on several factors, but the vehicle to drive on is weighty to determine how fast you could be. With this guide to assist you, including the tools and products to up your bicycle, you can surely make it swifter than ever.
What to prepare
- Bike Pump with Gauge
- Brush
- Chain Cleaning Kit
- Lube
- Aerodynamic Tires
- Multi-Tools for Cycling (Allen Keys)
- Torque Wrench
#1: Adjust Tire Pressure
The key to a great start is proper conditioning. It is achievable when every component works fine, like your bike tire.
Getting the right bike tire pressure level will help you ride to optimal performance. Understanding the terrain conditions on your ride will help you gauge the complementary air pressure level to set throughout.
A lower PSI level is beneficial for rough terrains with bumpy surfaces. The lesser air pressure allows better control and steering ability.
On the other hand, high-pressure levels provide easier and faster rolling resistance, appreciable when moving downhill or at a fast pace.
Expect a smooth ride experience with the correct adjustments on your PSI levels.
Depending on the type of bike tire you have, recommended PSI levels differ.
- The suggested PSI level for a road bike tire ranges between 80 and 130
- BMX bike tires range from 55 to 75 PSI
- Mountain bike tires from 25 to 31 PSI
- Hybrid bike tires from 40 to 70 PSI
#2: The Right Gear Ratio
One of the most significant components of a bicycle is its gears. It helps the machine move forward by converting the pedaling power exerted, which determines the rate of your cycling speed.
Then, what is a gear ratio?
It refers to the mechanical system calculated by the number of teeth in the driving gear to the number of teeth in the pinion. The correct gear ratio would allow you to translate the ideal cadence you generate to make a bike easier to pedal.
Since each gear influences the travel distance covered by each pedal motion, the gear ratio can modify how much the wheels revolve with a single pedal revolution.
In higher gear, the wheels can spin much faster, allowing you to accelerate further. Although it makes a bike fast, it can also cause difficulties in managing the vehicle on sharp edges and terrains.
In general, here’re the recommended gear ratio if you have a fixed gear bike:
- For flat terrain: 2.6 – 3.0 (allowing riding from 30 – 34 km/h)
- For a single-speed bike: 2.7 – 2.8
#3: Changing Bike Sprockets
Aside from the gear ratio, you can also work on changing the bike sprockets to make your bike faster. Understanding the right sprocket ratio on a dirt bike with sprockets could help you gauge the modifications needed to achieve such a result.
A larger rear sprocket paired with a smaller front one will accelerate you quickly but could slow down your peak speed. On the other hand, you will experience less acceleration but a higher top speed when using a smaller rear sprocket along with a larger front sprocket.
#4: Add Suspension
The bike suspension separates the wheels from the bike’s chassis, allowing an increase in ride comfort, which can also enhance the performance of the rider and the bike.
Installing a suspension helps the bike improve its speed, especially when dealing with rough trails because the wheels may move separately, curbing any bounce caused by such conditions.
Adding a suspension fork when using a single-speed bike can help you easily navigate downhill routes with its increased traction utility.
#5: Adjust the Handlebar
Necessary positioning adjustments are a requirement for any fast bike rider. Likewise, moving your handlebars to a definite position will help you achieve your maximum riding speed.
There is a direct influence between the height of the bike’s handlebars and its ride handling.
When lowered, the body weight would direct over the front, allowing an increase in traction. A higher stack will transfer the rider’s weight behind, lessening its aerodynamic efficiency.
To get faster on a bike, you should determine the riding position you will work on throughout the bike ride.
A torque wrench is needed to fasten the bolts when adjusting your handlebars. You can follow this video to learn how to use one:
#6: Upgrade to Aerodynamic Wheels
Make your bike look cool with aerodynamic wheels. But beyond the looks it features, having one can improve the speed your bicycle generates when cycling.
Aerodynamic wheels are perfect for electric bike riders who often travel at a rate considerably beyond 20mph. Therefore, making them the best option for most flat and rolling terrain with their 55mm to 65mm wheel depth.
Its lighter build will help in providing extra aerodynamic performance, enabling you to sprint at a quicker pace.
#7: Cut Your Bicycle Weight
Every component affects the bicycle’s inertia, either an installed part or an accessory. Proportionate to how the overall bike weight directly affects the kinetic energy required to transport the bike to a moving state.
Removing unnecessary equipment may conserve energy, allowing you to accelerate faster. You can do so by taking off any accessory attached to the bike, like a water bottle, wheel mudguards, or pump.
However, opting for parts that have a lighter weight will provide a much significant change. Having these modifications will allow you to get the most speed once cycling.
#8: Keep It Clean (And Lubricated)
Whether you use a rad bike, mini bike, or gaster bikes, one of the most significant maintenance essentials you should carry out is proper cleaning procedures.
Do not overlook that dirt built over time could affect your bicycle’s optimal performance. Gunk and grime may increase weight and jam the drivetrain, which could drag you down, all while producing a squeaking sound when pedaling.
After every long ride, give your bike a thorough clean. Scrub each part, including the bike frame and drivetrain.
When done, take your degreaser and clean the bike chain – depending on the lube type and miles covered in your bike, the frequency of lubrication varies from time to time. But, it is beneficial to do so in achieving drivetrain efficiency.
Put an ample amount of lube and wait for it to set. After a few hours, your clean bike is good to go.
Conclusion
The rider and the bike affect the fundamentals of speed when cycling. These steps are the things you could try to experience a boost in acceleration while having the optimal performance necessary for a better cycling adventure.
Remember to do proper maintenance essentials, and give your bike a lighter weight upgrade that makes a bike fast.
We hope that you found the answer you have been looking for on how to make your bike go faster.
Feel free to share it with your co-riders. Stay safe, and enjoy the speedy ride!
“I ride my bike to work for years, but is that enough? Our carelessness towards our surroundings has taken a toll on the environment. And now, everyone is responsible for changes; even the most minor contribution is counted. With this hope and spirit, I started with my partner to establish Biketoworkday to help more individuals commute to their work sites on their bikes.”