{"id":64916,"date":"2024-06-02T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-02T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/de45e090-ad89-4fa9-bbe9-a249644439b8"},"modified":"2024-06-02T11:25:26","modified_gmt":"2024-06-02T09:25:26","slug":"6-easy-go-fast-upgrades-to-turn-your-gravel-bike-into-a-race-bike","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/6-easy-go-fast-upgrades-to-turn-your-gravel-bike-into-a-race-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"6 easy go-fast upgrades to turn your gravel bike into a race bike"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why you should consider aero bars, fast tyres and cleaning your chain for your next gravel race <\/p>

By Jack Luke\n <\/p>

Published: Sunday, 02 June 2024 at 09:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Gravel racing has few to no rules dictating what type of bike or kit you can use \u2013 so long as it\u2019s safe, a bike you already have will be absolutely fine if you just want to give gravel racing a go.\u00a0<\/p>

That low barrier to entry is one of the reasons why gravel racing has become so popular.\u00a0<\/p>

But if you\u2019re looking for a competitive edge, these upgrades and tweaks could make your gravel race bike<\/a> more comfortable, faster and efficient.\u00a0<\/p>

1. Optimise your tyre setup<\/h2>
Your tyre setup should match the ground conditions. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Gravel races are won and lost on tyre choice.<\/p>

A fast slick will be useless in the mud and a chunky tread will be excessively draggy on smooth parcours.<\/p>

Equally, compared to the supple cushion-like ride quality offered by the best gravel tyres<\/a>, an excessively puncture-proof turgid hosepipe of a tyre will sap your weary legs of hard-fought watts.\u00a0<\/p>

For gravel racing<\/a>, optimising your tyre setup \u2013 either with an upgrade to fast-rolling supple rubber or simply getting your tyre pressure<\/a> right \u2013 will make the biggest difference above all other upgrades.\u00a0<\/p>

2. Stash your spares<\/h2>
\"Frame
Keep puncture-repair spares close to hand. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

However, no matter how well-optimised your setup, punctures are an unavoidable reality of gravel racing.\u00a0<\/p>

While you should pack an extensive spares kit for serious trailside repairs, back this up with quick-access tubeless plugs and a pump.\u00a0<\/p>

Futzing around a grotty bag filled with spent gel wrappers and loose jelly beans will cost you precious time and leave you flustered, leading to mistakes.<\/p>

Some riders like to tape spares such as these to their top tube or dedicate a jersey pocket to them.\u00a0<\/p>

Whatever strategy you opt for, test before you ride. A dreary wind-swept moor is the last place you want to find out your inner tube valve is too short for your rims.\u00a0<\/p>

3. Consider aero bars<\/h2>
\"Man
If your event permits them, you may want to try aero bars. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Aero bars are a popular upgrade for longer gravel events.<\/p>

Set up correctly, they tuck you into a tight wind-cheating package, helping you go faster for the same (or less) effort.<\/p>

Of equal importance in endurance events, they offer an alternative and often more comfortable riding position, helping to reduce upper-body fatigue.\u00a0<\/p>

\"Man
Spend plenty of time experimenting with and testing your aero bar setup before a race. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

However, their use is controversial in some races.\u00a0<\/p>

Aero bars are perceived, not entirely unfairly, as unsafe because they compromise handling. You also need to move from the extensions to access the brake levers.<\/p>

Some races \u2013 most notably Unbound \u2013 have gone as far as banning aero bars<\/a> for certain categories.\u00a0<\/p>

If you want to use aero bars, practise before your race \u2013 they take a while to get used to and can feel unnerving on rough terrain.\u00a0<\/p>

4. Try narrower bars<\/h2>
\"Liam
Most gravel bikes ship with wide bars. Swapping to something narrower can improve your aero efficiency. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Consider a narrower drop bar if you don\u2019t want to use aero bars.<\/p>

Switching from stock \u2018wide\u2019 gravel bike handlebars<\/a> \u2013 which are typically in the 40 to 46cm range \u2013 to a narrower bar feels weird at first.<\/p>

But the aero savings can be significant \u2013 in our test of the best-value aero upgrades<\/a>, switching to a 36cm bar was crowned as one of the best bang-for-buck upgrades you can make.\u00a0<\/p>

The impact on handling of going narrow is also, often, overstated. Be brave!<\/p>

5. Accessorise with bags<\/h2>
\"Man
Top tube bags are great for stashing spares. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Compared to a road or mountain bike race, gravel racing requires more stuff<\/a> \u2013 <\/em>race-mandated safety equipment, extensive spares, copious snacks and additional layers must be stowed somewhere.<\/p>

\"Overview
Good luck fitting all of this in just your jersey pockets. – Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Jersey pockets will quickly fill up and rucksacks are best avoided, making accessorising your bike with bags a core part of the gravel-racing experience.\u00a0<\/p>

A top tube bag<\/a> is the most popular option for shorter events \u2013 they are easy to access and have minimal aero impact.\u00a0<\/p>

Riders will often back this up with a frame pack or bar bag<\/a> for longer events.\u00a0<\/p>

6. Clean your damn chain!<\/h2>
\"Gravel
A clean drivetrain looks and feels good. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

A clean drivetrain will shift smoother, run quieter and can save you precious watts.\u00a0<\/p>

You\u2019re also far more likely to pick up on any lurking mechanical gremlins when examining a clean drivechain \u2013 a tenacious layer of accumulated filth can easily hide a stiff link, stripped chainring tooth or worn pulleys.<\/p>

Serious racers may run a waxed chain<\/a>, although this may not be the best choice for wet or muddy conditions.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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