Cycling

On the right track

Gareth Ffowcs-Williams discusses three great ways to get that new bike feeling without breaking the bank!

Be it mountain, road, hybrid, electric or not, whatever type of bike you are riding, new bike day is the best day! A new bike can be a big investment and it is always worth it (obviously I would say that!) but there are ways of getting close to that new bike feeling without having to buy a whole new bike.

The big one for any bike is getting it serviced. Brakes, gears, contact points (saddle, pedals, and handlebar grips), tyres and bearings will all wear out over time. If riding regularly it is easy to get used to a worn-out bike as it changes over time with you, so you don’t really notice. The difference, however, once it has been serviced can be huge. Gears change more easily, brakes work better, everything feels more solid, confidence inspiring and a pleasure to ride again – just like

new bike day! Getting a bike regularly serviced is usually cost effective as well as it often means more costly repairs can be avoided in the future.

The next opportunity to get that new bike feeling come when you upgrade parts and accessories. For road riders, a new set of wheels is often an easy way to transform how the bike feels, but the change could be more subtle than that and still bring a welcome improvement to your ride. I’ve heard customers describe a new, upgraded pair of padded shorts as “life changing”, and although I can’t promise everyone will experience such euphoria, I do agree the difference between a bad or average pair of padded shorts, and a great pair is dramatic. A proper set of shoes can make a world of difference, as can a new saddle, better gloves, or even simply different handlebar grips. There are so many ways of making upgrades that may seem small but can make a noticeable difference to the quality of your ride.

The third way of getting a new bike feel without the expense of a new bike is to pay for a proper bike fit. Although far more

common for road cyclists, it is possible to have a bike fit on

mountain bikes and hybrids as well. Small, in some cases just millimetre adjustments to a saddle or handlebar position, can make a dramatic improvement to how comfortable your bike feels and thus will help you ride for longer and more often. This third way is especially important if riding causes you discomfort. Sore knees, lower back pain, stiff shoulders are often indicators that a little tweak here or there to the way the bike is set up could dramatically improve your on-the-bike happiness.

The final way is the most important. Remembering that the bike is just a tool to get you out and about. I love my bike(s) but sometimes the best rides are the ones when I don’t even notice the bike as I’m too busy enjoying the company and the scenary. n

Gareth Ffowcs-Williams is the owner of We Cycle in Llandudno Junction – the largest bicycle showroom in North Wales. www.wecycle.co.uk