Ramping Up Your Rear Derailleur

The rear derailleur is the biggest factor in shifting performance. Top-end derailleurs have stronger springs and tighter bushings and pivot points that allow for easier and faster shifting. These derailleurs are designed with jockey wheels with higher-end bearings, which cause less resistance and smoother chain movement, which, in turn, improves chain life and derailleur life.

Pair a top-of-the-line rear derailleur with an upgraded shifter, and you’ll multi­ply the impact of that derailleur and find that you can change gears with barely a flick of the finger.

Beefing Up Your Bearings

Bearings in the wheels and bottom brackets are designed to reduce friction as you roll on down the road. Higher-quality bearings are made with greater precision and reduce friction due to their smoother surfaces and longer life. Many higher-end bearings are designed with rubber seals to keep contami­nants out. The latest breakthrough in bearings are those made of ceramic, a material that is amazingly smooth with almost no resistance.

Pumping Up Your Pedals

Many casual riders think that clipless pedals are difficult to use and are only for professional riders. Unfortunately, this misconception causes a lot of riders to miss out on a significant performance gain. Studies have shown that clipless pedals can improve performance by up to 30 percent, by increas­ing the efficiency of the pedal stroke. With clipless pedals, you don’t have to expend any energy keeping your foot centered on the pedal during the upstroke of the pedals. As a result, you can pedal in complete circles, in a pattern of push down, pull back, pull up, and push forward — a much more efficient mode of pedaling.

Some pedals have an adjustment for the amount of energy required to release the cleat and shoe from the pedal. This adjustment allows new riders to use a loose setting while adjusting to the pedals. Then, when they’re comfortable using clipless pedals, they can tighten that adjustment to allow for hard pedaling without the fear of releasing the clips. Casual commuters who want to increase their pedal efficiency may find power straps and conventional toe straps useful. Also, double-sided pedals, which have a normal platform on one side and a clipless pedal on the other, are great for people who like to ride their bikes with whichever shoes they’re wearing at the time.

As for the misconception that it’s difficult to disengage clipless pedals, espe­cially in the event of an emergency, nothing could be farther from the truth. After trying clipless pedals, you’ll discover that releasing your foot from the pedal is a very natural movement.