In this tech talk, Carl explains how to set up your bike to reduce fatigue on longer rides.
When fatigue sets in, mistakes happen more frequently, making your ride less enjoyable and potentially unsafe.
A good place to start is by upgrade your handlebars to aluminum alloy. Aluminum handlebars are better at absorbing vibration, even without bar-end weights. These bars are thicker in the middle than standard steel bars, but taper down at the tips to fit standard levers and switchgear.
Consider replacing your stock seat with a higher-quality aftermarket option. We offer seats from brands like Seat Concepts, Sargent, and even our in-house ProCycle brand. These seats feature better foam, superior cover materials, and improved seat pans compared to OEM, providing you with more support to reduce aches and pains.
Next, ensure that the positions of your handlebars and levers are parallel to the ground. This creates a more natural position for your wrists and reduces strain during long rides. Similarly, mount your handguards so that the rails face forward and are parallel to the ground. This provides optimal protection in case of any impact. You'll want to make sure that there is a straight line from your elbows to your wrists to the handlebar to the levers. If you primarily ride off-road and stand on the pegs, consider adjusting your levers slightly downward for better alignment in the standing position.
These component upgrades and positioning adjustments will all help significantly reduce fatigue, providing a more comfortable ride day after day.
Be sure to check out our video for more details!
As always, if you have questions, don't hesitate to e-mail, call, or text us!