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If you’re an enthusiastic bike rider like me, you drool over the latest carbon bits and pieces and probably buy replacement parts because they’re lighter than your old gear. We cyclists love a light bicycle and light weight doesn’t come cheaply! In fact, for the lightest components you’ll find yourself paying $1000 a kilo or about $500 a Pound. Your wallet will be lighter, but will you go faster? Ask yourself if you need to go faster! If most of your riding is ‘around the block,’ or with your kids or you view your bicycle as just a cheap way to get from A to B, then save your money. It doesn’t matter what you ride as long as you DO ride.
If you’re a keen rider that rides with a group then there’s definitely a ’need for speed,’ but if you’re riding a mid range road bike, then losing weight (if you need to) and training will increase your speed much more than a featherweight bike.
But back to the carbon fibre and titanium. - is it worth spending big bucks on a light bicycle or upgrading to lighter components?
If you can afford it without starving your children or losing the family home then why not! If you’ve got a heavy wallet, buy a light bicycle! If like many of us, you’re on a budget, think about the type of riding you do, the type of bicycle you currently own and your own level of fitness.
There are relatively cheap ways to make any bicycle travel more efficiently.
The first ‘rule of speed’ is to pump the tyres up hard and keep the chain and gears clean and lubricated.
Next, take a look at the tyres. Knobbly tyres are designed for off-road riding – on bitumen they just slow you down. Too many bikes are sold with knobbly tyres when they’ll never be ridden on soft ground. If you never travel on gravel or mud, buy a pair of slick road tyres between an inch and one inch and a half wide. If you’re buying the bike new, insist that knobbly tyres are replaced by ‘Town and Country’ tyres that have an inverted (grooved) tread.
Fit ‘clipless’ pedals and wear cycling shoes; you’ll increase your power output by around 20%. You can buy ‘sneaker’ style cycling shoes or sandals and use them with the SPD style of pedal. The $100 or so dollars will be well spent. If you’re already riding a road bike, then the stiff soled bike shoes and ‘LOOK’ style cleats will make you a lot faster but be prepared for the sticker shock – the top of the range carbon soled bike shoes cost as much as a cheap bike!
Does your bike have suspension? Are you bouncing up and down as you ride? Adjust the shocks to make the bike more rigid - ‘pogoing’ wastes a lot of energy and slows you down.
If you’re buying a new bicycle or your first bicycle, spend as much as you can afford; I was going to say ‘within reason’ but a good bicycle is an investment in health and fitness and some say even happiness!
Check out the specifications of bikes that appeal to you and then examine the different models. There will be a ‘price point’ where you’re getting the best value for money. The bike will have the same frame as its expensive brethren, but the ‘groupo’ or equipment will be cheaper. Buying the ‘next bike down from the top’ will save you hundreds of dollars and unless you’re racing, you won’t know the difference. If you are racing you won’t be reading this article because you’re automatically certified as insane and beyond help and you may consider carbon fibre as a prescription drug that can help ! J
A light bicycle is delightful to own but good tyres and clipless pedals can transform any bicycle into a more efficient ride.
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