Most of us want a faster bike, or we want it to be comfier for long rides… and some of us want both. The problem is, there are plenty of cycling products that cost a lot of money, yet deliver pretty woeful performance gains. No one likes that, so here’s how to focus your money where it’ll actually make a difference to speed and comfort.
There are 13 tips here that you can implement to make you and your bike faster and comfier all at once. Some will apply to everyone, while there are a few tips that are more suited to competitive riders.
Faster everywhere
If you mostly ride flat and rolling roads, or you do loads of group rides, there’s a surprising amount you can tweak to improve both speed and comfort at the same time.
Narrow bars
Handlebar width is hugely overlooked. Many medium and large bikes still come with 42cm or 44cm bars as standard, yet most riders would be better served by something narrower.
A narrower bar reduces your frontal area, which cuts drag. It can also bring your hands into a more neutral position, improving comfort over longer rides.
You don’t need to splash out on something like the Enve carbon bars at £440, even though they are really good. There are budget options everywhere – even sub-£15 alloy bars from AliExpress brands such as UNO. The key is sensible sizing. Go too narrow and you can compromise the way your bike feels; go too low in stack and you may lose power. As ever, balance is everything.
Chain waxing
A waxed chain is faster and cleaner. Friction is reduced, your drivetrain stays spotless, and once you’re set up it requires less day-to-day maintenance. Done properly, chains can even last longer.
You don’t need an expensive waxing kit. A bottle of clean spirit and a decent drip wax will do the job. If you’re replacing your chain anyway, pre-waxed options from KMC save a lot of faff.
The downsides? There’s some work up front, and wax can be a little delicate in consistently wet weather. But for most riders, especially in summer, it’s a marginal gain that actually feels worthwhile.
Upgrade your tyres
Tyres are effectively the only suspension on a road bike. They’re also one of the biggest determinants of rolling resistance and cornering grip.
Going wider – assuming your frame has clearance – can massively improve comfort by allowing lower pressures. And thanks to improved casing technology, wider tyres can be just as fast, if not faster.
In summer I prefer race-focused tyres for their speed, comfort and handling. They transform how a bike feels, often more than a wheel upgrade ever could.
Position
Nothing makes you faster than being in the right position, in terms of both aerodynamics and power output. Being comfortable on the bike can also help to prevent injuries and maintain comfort over longer rides.
Copying the pros can be silly. They have different flexibility, different goals and often different physiologies. A proper bike fit is one of the best investments you can make. It won’t just make you quicker – it’ll make riding far more enjoyable.
Aero helmet
Aero helmets do more than you might think. They’re one of the few upgrades that can save meaningful watts across a wide range of speeds.
Top-end options like Specialized’s S-Works lids are eye-wateringly expensive, but more affordable alternatives such as the Van Rysel FCR deliver much of the benefit for far less.
For flatter rides and fast group spins, this is one of the smarter aero buys.
Aero socks
Yes, really. Aero socks are a surprisingly cost-effective watt saving.
Brands such as Rule 28 claim their latest models save over 10 watts at 45km/h compared to older designs. In reality, for most of us riding below 45km/h, the savings are smaller – but put the watt saving up against their £40 price tag and they offer impressive bang for your buck.
Aero baselayer
Worn by loads of pros – often even when they’re not sponsored – aero baselayers manipulate airflow over the arms, reducing drag.
Again, Rule 28’s design claims around 20 watts saved at higher speeds. Even if real-world gains are lower, the cost-to-benefit ratio can be excellent compared to upgrading wheels.
Making it faster uphill
While aero gains dominate on the flat, if you want to go fast up steep hills, weight is the number one enemy.
Old mechanical shifting and rim brakes
Electronic shifting and disc brakes are brilliant, but they’re not especially light, nor are they cheap. If you’re building a dedicated hill climb bike, old-school mechanical groupsets and rim brakes are hard to beat for weight.
Hunting down second-hand SRAM Force parts can be a great way to keep costs sensible while trimming grams. A stripped-back build with minimal extras can produce a properly feathery machine that flies uphill.
TPU tubes & clincher tyres
Tubeless is brilliant for puncture resistance and comfort, but if you’re chasing absolute weight, TPU inner tubes – such as those from RideNow – paired with lightweight clincher tyres can result in a lower overall system weight.
You might add a watt or so of rolling resistance, but for short, steep efforts that can be a worthwhile trade-off.
Lightweight finishing kit
Swapping bars, stems and seatposts for lighter options can shave meaningful grams.
Take something like the PRO Vibe Carbon Stem – light, stiff and beautifully made. But don’t assume carbon is always the answer. Plenty of aluminium components are lighter and significantly cheaper than their carbon equivalents.
This is an area where careful shopping pays off and I would once again recommend looking at UNO components on AliExpress.
Make your bike comfier
Speed is great. But if you’re not comfortable, you won’t ride as much – and you certainly won’t ride as fast.
Nutrition
I’ve saved nutrition for the comfort section because while it can help you go fast, getting it wrong can make you very uncomfortable very quickly.
Learning when and how to fuel is crucial. Work out what products or real foods actually sit well with you. Making your own ride snacks can save loads of money and allows you to tailor ingredients to your needs. If you need inspiration, Instagram pages like Pock-It Fuel are well worth a look.
A well-fuelled rider is a happier rider – and usually a faster one too.
Bar tape
Fresh bar tape is an incredible way to refresh a tired-looking bike. Thicker tape can be brilliant at killing road buzz and improving comfort on rough roads.
Premium options from brands like Lizard Skins and Fizik are lovely, but they’re pricey. BBB offers solid alternatives, like its GravelRibon at roughly half the price.
If you’re experiencing hot spots in your hands or wrist pain, though, it’s worth consulting a bike fitter rather than just adding more padding.
A quality, well set-up saddle
A good saddle is worth its weight in gold. An old saddle can collapse over time, leading to imbalance and discomfort.
Take time to set it up properly – height, tilt and fore-aft position all matter. If you’re struggling, seek a bike fitter’s help. It might not be the most glamorous upgrade, but it can completely transform your riding experience.
None of these changes require you to remortgage the house. Some cost very little. But when chosen carefully, they can make your bike faster everywhere, sharper uphill and far more comfortable for the long haul.