More gears (and a wide enough range of gears) means that you can pedal at your bodies most efficient speed – useful if you want to ride up and down hills, as well as on the flat – which may sometimes make you go faster.
Other ‘go faster’ tips include:
- A fitter rider
- A lighter rider
- A well-nourished and especially well-hydrated rider (thus water bottles and hydration packs)
- A more aerodynamic rider (from clothing, headgear, shaved legs etc.)
- A stiffer-framed lighter bike, usually made with titanium/aluminium/carbon fibre/double-butted steel
- An efficient transmission system, clean, unworn and adequately lubricated (or maybe no gears at all for flat-terrain travel, see our single speed bikes)
- Well-pumped tyres (pumped to the tyre manufacturers maximum recommended pressure)
- A more aerodynamic bike, with aero-tubes and wheels, or a fully-faired recumbent (good at high speeds, but not good at hill climbing, where overcoming air resistance is not an issue)
But as well as speed , you may want a bike that...
- is low maintenance (with hub gears, chain case)
- can carry heavy loads (with a stronger frame)
- can go up and down mountains or jump off pavements in a single leap and ride over cobbles (with ATB wheels/frame/suspension)
- is comfortable for touring (with a longer frame)
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