Make my bike faster?

O.A.P

Without changing the engine:p.
Im new to this cycling crack and I'm getting fond of it.
I have started to do between 150 and 200 miles a week (it depends on the weather) on an old mountain bike I have.
Today I swaped over the back and front tyre because the back tyre is nearly finished, and it got me thinking about getting a set of narrow tyres (racing tyres) if they will fit on my rims?
If that works could I change the back wheel to one with a higher gear?

Im not ready to spend hundereds or more on a new bike just yet and I am handy with the spanners, so is this idea more work than its worth ?
Getting a bit tired of the lads on the fancy bikes passing me at 30 mph going up hill:o

Zorba

O.A.P wrote: »

Without changing the engine:p.
Im knew to this cycling crack and I'm getting fond of it.
I have started to do between 150 and 200 miles a week (it depends on the weather) on an old mountain bike I have.
Today I swaped over the back and front tyre because the back tyre is nearly finished, and it got me thinking about getting a set of narrow tyres (racing tyres) if they will fit on my rims?
If that works could I change the back wheel to one with a higher gear?

Im not ready to spend hundereds or more on a new bike just yet and I am handy with the spanners, so is this idea more work than its worth ?
Getting a bit tired of the lads on the fancy bikes passing me at 30 mph going up hill:o

First thing to change are the tyres, can get narrower slicker tyres for your mountain bike which will make it roll better. I got these for the mountain bike i use for work, bike24 were the cheapest i could find even with the €10 postage. But i reckon they've easily added 2km/hr to my average speed with the same amount of effort if not less effort.

http://www.bike24.net/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;product=3934;page=1;menu=1000,2,103,104;mid=4;pgc=0

Next thing would be make sure the wheels roll freely as in the hubs run smooth, if the bearings or cups are gone they'll slow u down too.

The rest is general maintenance u should be doing on the bike,, keeping the chain and gears and derailleurs clean etc etc.

After that it's u and your legs that make the bike go faster

Darkglasses

You could certainly change the cassette too, but it's a slightly big job. Lighter wheels will also make a noted difference, but you probably won't be able to get racing wheels onto your bike.

Cyclepath

You could also try to reduce the weight of the bike. You don't mention suspension, but if the bike has either front or rear shocks, they add weight to the bike and also absorb some of the pedalling power.

If there is suspension on the bike, see if it can be fixed rigid, or at least set to it's maximum stiffness. You can also try replacing front suspension forks with a much lighter, normal set.

But deffo, the single best thing you can do is to change the tyres like Zorba said. I did this on my girlfriend's Specialized hardtail and she said it's like a different bike.

Undercover Elephant

Changing the tyres to slicks will help - even fat slicks are better than knobbly tyres.

How narrow you can go depends on the particular rim you have. You're unlikely to be able to get racing tyres onto it - they're a different diameter.

If you look at the hieroglyphics on your current tyres, they will tell you the size you have now. There's a good article here about how you decode this. You're stuck with the diameter, but you have a bit of leeway with the rims - maybe half an inch less if the tyres are bulging well over the rims. Your LBS will be able to help you out with an appropriate fit anyway.

If you want very skinny tyres, you could change the wheels, but it's probably not worth it.

kincsem

Pump the tyres up to the maximum rating on the tyre sidewall using a track pump. Guaranteed increase in speed.

bren_mc

i recently swapped my thick mountain bike tyres for a pair of these

http://www.roseversand.com/article/kenda-kwick-roller-sport-k-1029/aid:254521

well worth doing. one thing to bear in mind though is that (depending on the width of your current tyres) your tubes may be too big for narrower tyres so you may need to swap them too. it should say on the tubes somewhere what width of tyre they're suitable for. wouldn't have known this myself except that one of the lads on here gave me the same advice (thanks eammonator!).

Hmmzis

If you have any spacers under the stem then then put them on top of the stem. This will lower the bars and give you a better position when going into the wind.
Depending on the fit of the bike the saddle can be moved a bit forward also moving it up slightly. This again will help a little with wind reaistance as you won't be sitting up so much. In total maybe 0.5 to 1kmh difference in average speeds on flat sections.

Lumen

A nice set of wheels would make you go a bit faster.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/reynolds-rzr-46-team-carbon-tubular-wheelset/

seamus

If you have straight (flat) handlebars, cut them down to 440mm. No, seriously. You'll be surprised how much faster you go when you don't have your arms spread out like a sail.

If you have riser bars, buy a cheap pair of flat bars and cut them down.

MB Lacey

Lumen wrote: »

A nice set of wheels would make you go a bit faster.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/reynolds-rzr-46-team-carbon-tubular-wheelset/

I think OAP just saw the price of those tyres and is mute with shock.

mike12

Would u not be better off selling the Mountain bike and buying a second hand Road Bike rather than paying to upgrade bits on this bike.
Mike

AaronB

mike12 wrote: »

Would u not be better off selling the Mountain bike and buying a second hand Road Bike rather than paying to upgrade bits on this bike.
Mike

I agree with mike here, your doing alot of KM's road bike is better suited.

Hungrycol

Put a cracking big exhaust on it.

O.A.P

Hungrycol wrote: »

Put a cracking big exhaust on it.

The exhaust was massive when I started but has got a lot smaller over time on the bike .
Thanks for all the replys lads. I'm knackered now though (long hot day at work) , in case ye thought I have run away (peddled)
I got 23.5 miles in this morning long may this weather last.
Some good ideas there though, will have more time Sunday to post. Good night.