It may seem like a trivial question, but have you ever wondered why the most experienced cyclists never stop improving their bikes? Beyond fashion and the race for the most exclusive component, there are solid reasons that might push you to invest in upgrading your standard equipment.
In this article, we'll discover the most important reasons for improving the performance of racing bikes.
Three reasons that might push you to improve your bike:
- the standard components fitted to your bike may be of medium to low quality;
- you may want to transition from amateur cycling to a more competitive one;
- Even if you don't race, a higher-performance bike would improve your riding experience.
Read on, and we'll explain step by step why it's important to improve your bike's performance.
1) The standard components fitted to most common bikes are often of medium-low quality
The leading racing bike manufacturers create dream products.
You've probably admired the custom-built bikes ridden by top champions during the season. However, you should consider that only a fraction of the revenue earned by major brands comes from the sale of racing bikes equipped with top-of-the-line components. The vast majority of ordinary cyclists dream of a "Giro d'Italia"-caliber product, only to be faced with the high price tag of the flagship models. They therefore turn to less demanding counterparts, prioritizing frame quality over standard components.
This choice is entirely legitimate, but you must be aware that you are accepting a compromise in terms of performance.
If you've made this choice, you should know that this is one of the main reasons why many cyclists purchase new components for their bikes: over time, you may experience breakages or notice faster wear on the parts most in contact with the ground, such as aluminum or carbon wheels. Poor maintenance is also a factor that can affect the wear of road bike wheels or other mechanical components.
Upgrading the standard components for your racing bike could therefore be a choice that allows you to reduce the risk of technical problems during your rides, as well as improve your performance thanks to products that make the bike lighter and smoother. In short, more efficient.
If you're unsure which components are most important to upgrade on your bike, we'll explain in this article.
2) You want to move from amateur cycling to more competitive cycling
Another common reason why more experienced cyclists want to upgrade their road bike is related to participating in cycling competitions such as GranFondos.
GranFondos have become very important events in the Italian and international cycling scene. Participating in a GranFondo means competing with countless other enthusiasts who gather to spend a day sharing their passion for cycling. For many, it also means spending a healthy day with family or friends. Sometimes, participants don't just participate in one GranFondo, but plan a multi-day circuit, a great way to add continuity to their season and compete with various cyclists around Italy.
Obviously, those who compete, whether at a high level or at an amateur level, do so by trying to improve day after day.
So, if you're thinking about starting a more competitive type of cycling, it may be essential to invest in improving the components on your racing bike.
For example, a more comfortable saddle could allow you to train longer without suffering, just as a new carbon road bike wheelset could complement your standard aluminum wheelset. This double wheelset is commonly used by cyclists who alternate long training sessions with aluminum wheels with race days where they choose a high-profile carbon wheelset . This allows them, for example, to improve their smoothness , gaining precious seconds in the time trial as they approach the finish line.
To improve your performance, it is undoubtedly essential that your wheels are always in good health.
Not sure if it's time to replace your bike wheels?
3) Even if you don't participate in races, being left behind is never pleasant.
We've talked about the importance of having top-quality components if you participate in cycling races and competitions, but have you ever thought about the normal use of your racing bike?
Especially if you're only a few miles under your belt, even in a high gear, tackling a climb or a slight slope during a normal ride with friends can become a pain. Of course, it's never nice to be left behind, and while the main solution to this problem is to increase your training mileage, improving your road bike's performance can certainly help.
To tackle particularly challenging climbs, you might want to choose a wheelset designed specifically for this purpose. Ursus offers several products specifically for this purpose: Athon is an aluminum clincher wheel used on the racing bikes of professional teams who choose Ursus for their training sessions, and is incredibly lightweight on climbs. The Miura TS37 EVO is a low-profile carbon wheel for tubular tires , incredibly light and stiff. The Miura TS37 EVO is the perfect choice for improving your racing bike's performance on climbs and staying ahead of the pack.
MIURA TS37 EVO
ATHON
Conclusion
So why improve the performance of your road bike? As we've just seen, there are several reasons why experienced cyclists never stop upgrading their bike components: while training and conditioning remain the main factors affecting your performance, higher-quality wheels and components can make the difference.
If you want to avoid technical problems, go faster in races, or simply don't want to be left behind on Sunday rides with friends, then you might consider purchasing new high-performance components like our carbon road bike wheels.
Here's an article where we explain the criteria you should use to choose a new pair of carbon wheels for your road bike.
