Do you want to know how to make your folding bike faster? A folding bike is an excellent choice if you want to get from A to B quickly and easily. Whether you live in a big city or are just short on parking space, a folding bike can be a practical solution.
As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
It takes up less space when not in use, it’s compact enough to take with you on the bus or train, and once you get where you’re going, it folds up small enough to stash almost anywhere. However, as great as folding bikes are, there are some limitations.
That’s why so many people choose to upgrade their existing models and make them faster.
Luckily for you, we have plenty of helpful tips on how to make your folding bike faster!
Check your chain and gears
Before you go out and spend money on making your folding bike faster, make sure your chain isn’t the problem.
If your chain is worn, it could be making your folding bike slower. If it’s too loose, it will also cause the rear sprockets to wear out quickly. If your chain is too tight, it will cause undue stress on the other moving parts and could break suddenly, ending your ride prematurely.
If you find that your chain is loose or too tight, you can either adjust it at home or take your bike to a professional for a repair.
If your chain and gears are in good shape, you might want to look at lighter parts or a new tyre.
Try a different tyre
How well your bike pedals will determine just how fast it’ll go. If your current tyres are thick or heavy, they will slow you down.
You can make your folding bike faster by swapping the tyres out for lighter ones. Folding bikes usually come with thicker tyres, designed to last and offer a comfortable ride. These are great for daily use, but they won’t help you go any faster.
You can easily find lightweight folding tyres online and in some local bike shops. Or, if you have an old or broken bike lying around, you could use those tyres on your folding bike.
Use lightweight parts
Folding bikes tend to be pretty heavy—especially if you’ve added accessories like a basket or a kickstand.
You can make your folding bike faster by choosing lighter components, like a lightweight seat, lighter handlebars, and foam grips. If you want to go even further, you can replace some parts with carbon fibre. You could replace your seatpost, handlebars, and seatpost.
You can also change your pedals. And if you want to really make your folding bike faster, you can change the wheels too.
However, you need to be careful because it’s important to get the right size and type of wheels for your bike. If you decide to change your wheels, make sure you take your bike to a professional to get the geometry checked.
Install a disc brake
If your folding bike has a coaster brake, it will probably be slower than a bike with a disc brake. Disc brakes are more efficient, meaning you can stop more quickly.
Disc brakes are also more powerful and are recommended for off-road riding.
Conclusion
If you want to make your folding bike faster, you can do so with a few simple upgrades.
Check your chain, change your tyres, and use lighter parts. You can also install a disc brake to make your bike stop more quickly. So, go out and make your folding bike faster with these easy tips and tricks.
And don’t forget that a folding bike can be a great option while you’re saving up for a fancy new road bike.