There’s no end of pricey upgrades you can make to your bike, in search of that elusive extra speed or just to pimp your ride.
We’ve previously listed 14 ridiculously expensive upgrades you don’t need, but where should you spend your money to improve your experience?
Here we highlight five relatively inexpensive upgrades that, in our experience, can make a huge difference to how your bike rides and your own ride comfort – and one of them is completely free.
1. Use a good chain lube
Pro team chains get the VIP treatment, as mechanics look to squeeze the last watt of marginal gain out of their drivetrain. For the rest of us, there’s a tendency to let your chain get really dirty before you clean it – particularly in winter.
But this is the wrong approach. Choose a quality lube and the big gain is in reduced component wear, saving money longer term on replacements.
Cleaning your chain first is vital for the lube to be effective. We have a video on how to wax your chain if you want to emulate the pros.
2. Get your tyre pressure right
Many riders are running far too much pressure in their tyres. Reduce your tyre pressure and you get greater comfort, handling and grip, and you'll usually be faster, they say.
There are interactive apps available to help you get your tyre pressure correct. Try those from Pirelli, Silca, SRAM or Vittoria, while Schwalbe has one in beta.
They provide a really good baseline, but then you should start experimenting. Take a leaf from MTB and cyclocross riders, who dial in their tyre pressures precisely to extract maximum grip.
3. Buy good bib shorts
When we say ‘good’, that doesn't have to mean super-expensive. Always look for a quality seat pad though and think about how much riding you do. If you frequently ride for more than three hours at a time, look for a thicker endurance pad, while you can choose something thinner for a quick blast.
Premium bib shorts are very expensive, but many brands offer really good options that are more affordable. Check out the Endura FS260, Santini 365 line and Castelli Entrata and Competizione.
Look out for a pad that is made of structured foam, because a cheap pad made of non-structured foam will quickly compress and never re-expand so that it provides adequate padding and comfort.
4. Fit quality tyres
We see many riders cycling on the mid-range tyres their bikes came with. This is like running a marathon in slippers.
Sure, use them until they wear out, but top-end tyres will make a big difference to your bike’s performance and ride feel, as well as your ride confidence. It’s one change that will transform a bike.
We'd recommend the Continental GP 5000 and Vittoria Corsa Pro, although every tyre brand has a premium tyre that will improve your ride.
5. Choose top-notch bar tape
Bar tape is another item that bike brands tend to skimp on when they sell you a bike. Even brands using quality bar tape will stretch it to its limit, so it loses its give, grip is reduced and it wears quickly.
As a contact point, you want it to feel good, and quality tape will make every ride better. You'll get better grip regardless of the weather and much better comfort. It’s inexpensive, too.
Finally, we recommend you replace bar tape after a winter on the turbo trainer, to check your handlebars haven’t corroded from your sweat. And if you can smell your bar tape, it’s time to change it!
