Learn eight tips to get your bike on the road with ease!
03-15-22, 07:20 AM
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Learn eight tips to get your bike on the road with ease!
1, keep clean
There is no doubt that a clean and tidy bike will be faster and easier to ride. This is not only because riding a clean and tidy bike can make you feel happy, but more importantly, the chain and alignment will not accumulate too much dirt and stains, especially in winter riding, which will make you ride more smoothly and save you from spending unnecessary money on replacement parts when riding long distances.
While cleaning your bike can be a pain, I'm not just saying that. The easiest way to do this is to perform it as a daily routine. Take five minutes to wipe down your bike after every ride, and then do a big clean once a week. Don't wait until your bike is dirty and then deal with it because it will be harder and more tiring to clean.
2. Lubricate the chain
A lubricated chain will help you ride faster - just don't overdo it. Now that your bike is as clean and tidy as new, all you have to do is for it to ride smoother. And that can be achieved by lubricating the chain, which will make your drivetrain work more efficiently so you don't pedal hard with little to no effect, and a lubricated chain won't get too much dirt in wet weather conditions. However, lubricating the chain does not mean that the more lubricant you pour, the better. Just add lubricant to the chain slowly while turning the crank, and wipe off the excess lubricant after lubrication.
3、Lower front end position
A lower front end is more aerodynamic, but that doesn't always mean shorter handlebars. In CyclingWeekly magazine, we always thought that a more aerodynamic body position would allow riders to ride faster. We've done a lot of testing in different locations that have proven this to be true. But if you don't want to spend a lot of money on a bike like this, then you might as well set the front end lower and ride with a more aerodynamic dip.
If you have some washers between the handlebar and bowl set, this is even easier. Just take the fork off, take out one or two washers, then put the handlebar back on and put the washers back on the fork.
4, the height of the saddle needs to be adjusted in place
This point sounds easy to do, but, surprisingly, for many riders, even those who are very experienced, their saddle height is either too high or too low. Not only will the saddle height be uncomfortable to ride and prone to injury, but it will also greatly reduce the effect of pedaling, so you won't be able to give it your all while riding.
As a rule of thumb, the distance from the center shaft to the top of the saddle should be your span height minus 10cm; so if your span height is 80cm, then your saddle height should be 70cm, but it's best to leave some distance for your pedals.
5、Adjust the pedal tension
Some people say that locking the pedals is the most unscientific invention in cycling culture. There is a lot of controversy about the fact that in the late 80s and early 90s Tour de France, the increase in average speed was by the locking shoe feature, which is understandable (although similar situations have arisen in other, slightly less formal races).
The bad thing is that if you don't adjust your pedal tension correctly, then you may not be able to achieve efficient pedaling efficiency. Different pedals, their tension adjustment is also different, so you need to do some small research yourself, of course, when adjusting or relaxing a little bit, which can prevent injuries.
6、Check the tire pressure
Among all these tips listed, checking whether the tire pressure value is correct is not only the simplest but also probably the most helpful for you to ride your bike efficiently. If the tire is too soft it will cause too much resistance and you will need to pedal with more power to ensure your average speed, which of course also increases the risk of riding with a flat tire. So, getting the tire pressure up to 120PSI before riding does not necessarily lead to faster riding speeds. So it's best to try to control it at around 90PSI when pumping. Although it doesn't guarantee faster-riding speed, it at least increases traction, which facilitates easier handling when you turn, while increasing comfort and easing your fatigue on long rides.
7. Make sure the derailleur is installed in place
Not having a properly adjusted derailleur can be detrimental to any bike while riding. I must tell you that once when I was out on a ride, I had to turn back home before riding two miles because my derailleur kept jumping out of place during the ride. So properly adjusted shifting can increase the efficiency of the drivetrain work, so you ride with more confidence and give it your all, which is even more useful for climbing situations.
8. Check if the brakes are adjusted in place
With the brakes in place, you'll be in a good position to win when turning.
It may seem like there is nothing wrong with braking for faster riding, but if you can turn smoothly by controlling the brakes, you will save a lot of time and thus increase your riding speed, especially when you encounter some difficult road conditions up or downhill. When riding in winter, your brakes are more likely to be damaged, so make sure they are working properly. You can check your brake leads to see if they have any scratches or signs of wear, but of course, if your car is clean, then this won't be a big problem for you.
There is no doubt that a clean and tidy bike will be faster and easier to ride. This is not only because riding a clean and tidy bike can make you feel happy, but more importantly, the chain and alignment will not accumulate too much dirt and stains, especially in winter riding, which will make you ride more smoothly and save you from spending unnecessary money on replacement parts when riding long distances.
While cleaning your bike can be a pain, I'm not just saying that. The easiest way to do this is to perform it as a daily routine. Take five minutes to wipe down your bike after every ride, and then do a big clean once a week. Don't wait until your bike is dirty and then deal with it because it will be harder and more tiring to clean.
2. Lubricate the chain
A lubricated chain will help you ride faster - just don't overdo it. Now that your bike is as clean and tidy as new, all you have to do is for it to ride smoother. And that can be achieved by lubricating the chain, which will make your drivetrain work more efficiently so you don't pedal hard with little to no effect, and a lubricated chain won't get too much dirt in wet weather conditions. However, lubricating the chain does not mean that the more lubricant you pour, the better. Just add lubricant to the chain slowly while turning the crank, and wipe off the excess lubricant after lubrication.
3、Lower front end position
A lower front end is more aerodynamic, but that doesn't always mean shorter handlebars. In CyclingWeekly magazine, we always thought that a more aerodynamic body position would allow riders to ride faster. We've done a lot of testing in different locations that have proven this to be true. But if you don't want to spend a lot of money on a bike like this, then you might as well set the front end lower and ride with a more aerodynamic dip.
If you have some washers between the handlebar and bowl set, this is even easier. Just take the fork off, take out one or two washers, then put the handlebar back on and put the washers back on the fork.
4, the height of the saddle needs to be adjusted in place
This point sounds easy to do, but, surprisingly, for many riders, even those who are very experienced, their saddle height is either too high or too low. Not only will the saddle height be uncomfortable to ride and prone to injury, but it will also greatly reduce the effect of pedaling, so you won't be able to give it your all while riding.
As a rule of thumb, the distance from the center shaft to the top of the saddle should be your span height minus 10cm; so if your span height is 80cm, then your saddle height should be 70cm, but it's best to leave some distance for your pedals.
5、Adjust the pedal tension
Some people say that locking the pedals is the most unscientific invention in cycling culture. There is a lot of controversy about the fact that in the late 80s and early 90s Tour de France, the increase in average speed was by the locking shoe feature, which is understandable (although similar situations have arisen in other, slightly less formal races).
The bad thing is that if you don't adjust your pedal tension correctly, then you may not be able to achieve efficient pedaling efficiency. Different pedals, their tension adjustment is also different, so you need to do some small research yourself, of course, when adjusting or relaxing a little bit, which can prevent injuries.
6、Check the tire pressure
Among all these tips listed, checking whether the tire pressure value is correct is not only the simplest but also probably the most helpful for you to ride your bike efficiently. If the tire is too soft it will cause too much resistance and you will need to pedal with more power to ensure your average speed, which of course also increases the risk of riding with a flat tire. So, getting the tire pressure up to 120PSI before riding does not necessarily lead to faster riding speeds. So it's best to try to control it at around 90PSI when pumping. Although it doesn't guarantee faster-riding speed, it at least increases traction, which facilitates easier handling when you turn, while increasing comfort and easing your fatigue on long rides.
7. Make sure the derailleur is installed in place
Not having a properly adjusted derailleur can be detrimental to any bike while riding. I must tell you that once when I was out on a ride, I had to turn back home before riding two miles because my derailleur kept jumping out of place during the ride. So properly adjusted shifting can increase the efficiency of the drivetrain work, so you ride with more confidence and give it your all, which is even more useful for climbing situations.
8. Check if the brakes are adjusted in place
With the brakes in place, you'll be in a good position to win when turning.
It may seem like there is nothing wrong with braking for faster riding, but if you can turn smoothly by controlling the brakes, you will save a lot of time and thus increase your riding speed, especially when you encounter some difficult road conditions up or downhill. When riding in winter, your brakes are more likely to be damaged, so make sure they are working properly. You can check your brake leads to see if they have any scratches or signs of wear, but of course, if your car is clean, then this won't be a big problem for you.
