What will really make you faster on a bike?

What will really make you faster on a bike?

Much is written and argued about how to get faster on a bike.  Here is my personal take on the issue.

I choose to spend money on bikes and bike related stuff.  I want the most impact that I can get from each expenditure.

What will not make me faster

 

 

Expensive wheels

Yes they look great.  Yes they sound ominous and threatening.  Yes they will make me 5secs faster over a few km.  Improvement per pound - Not enough

 

 

Aero everything

Same argument as with wheels.  As I wear stuff out I am replacing with more aero versions (shirts, helmet in next year) but I am not spending wholesale for the sake of a few seconds.

What has made me faster

Bike Fit

You want to ride fast for a long time (not just the Strava segment you are on) you need to be comfortable.  Get a bike fit.  No more pain.  More power going to where it should be.  One off spend for years of comfort.

Getting a coach

That money I have not spent on wheels I have spent on a coach.  Massive measurable improvements in all aspects of my training and riding.  Without doubt the biggest improvement per pound you can spend.

Getting a power meter

My latest toy- single side power meter.  I do not need double sided so have saved the money.  I also went for Bepro as cheapest proper power meter I could find.  Why has this made me faster?
Until you see power figures you never really know how hard you are pushing.  Climbing long hills and sustained hard efforts are so easy to control with power.  You know what you can hold for 5 mins and you keep near this.  This is how Team Sky ride (different time factors and power outputs withstanding) and it clearly works.  I am faster climber and faster all around because I can ensure that I do not over cook and burn all my matches too soon.




All 3 of the above have cost me less than a pair of semi flash wheels.  The cost of a pair of Zipp wheels would keep me in training, bike fit and power for maybe 4 years.