Keep Your Bike Race-Ready

Knowing your equipment is the first thing to build into your training. Have pride in it, maintain it — because it is literally your ride or die.

A clean, well-lubed drivetrain and confident gear use are the cheapest speed you will ever find. None of it needs a workshop; it needs a few habits. We cover all of it at camp, from a chain-cleaning workshop to changing a tube under pressure.

Keep the chain clean

The entire point of cleaning the chain and applying lube is a smoother, faster, quieter ride. A gritty chain wears out your drivetrain and steals watts. Wipe it down after wet or dusty rides, and re-lube a clean chain — lube on top of grime just makes paste.

Lube vs wax

Wax is a great option if you have the luxury of all the time in the world — and wet weather asks for even more of it. For most of us juggling training, work, recovery and life, a good wet or dry lube applied regularly is the time-effective choice. Pick the system you will actually keep up with.

Use your gears

• Anticipate the hill — shift before the gradient, not in the middle of it.
• Keep the chain off the extreme cross-chained combinations to reduce wear.
• Aim for a smooth, steady cadence rather than grinding a big gear.
• Ease pressure on the pedals for a split second as you shift under load.

Before every ride

• Check tyres, brakes and chain.
• No helmet, no ride — safety first, always.

Have pride in your bike and maintain it, because it is literally your ride or die.

Adapted from our Instagram — chain lube vs wax and the Free Speed on the Bike series.