How to Bike Faster? | Speed Gains That Actually Work

Getting faster on a bike comes down to better aerodynamics, structured interval training, and optimizing your position and equipment.

Most riders assume the answer is simply training harder. Speed on a bike comes from four overlapping areas: how much power you produce, how much of that power reaches the road, how much drag you fight, and how efficiently you use energy over the distance. You can improve all four with smart training and small equipment tweaks.

Why Aerodynamics and Position Matter First

On flats, descents, and headwinds, wind resistance is the biggest thing slowing you down. British Cycling’s guidance is simple: get down on your drops or stay low on your hoods with forearms horizontal. This reduces frontal area and saves watts otherwise spent pushing air aside.

Position also includes bike fit. A saddle set too low or too high wastes power and causes discomfort. These are starting points—fit changes should never cause pain, and small tweaks based on feel are normal.

How to Increase Raw Speed: Power and Efficiency

Your speed is a direct product of power delivered to the pedals. The most reliable way to raise that is structured training, and one of the most effective methods is polarized training: roughly 80% of riding at an easy, conversational pace (Zone 2) with 20% on hard efforts. This builds aerobic base and teaches your body to handle intensity.

For the hard portion, intervals beat random sprints. A common approach is 5×4-minute VO2 max intervals with equal recovery between each, developing the engine for climbs and headwinds. Retest your functional threshold power every four to six weeks to gauge progress and calibrate effort zones.

Clever Riding Techniques That Save Watts

Beyond training, your riding style has a large impact. Cycling Weekly’s practical speed gains include braking less, riding on the drops, getting tire pressure right, and wearing tighter clothing—each shaves a small loss that adds up.

Cadence is another lever. Steadying around 85–95 rpm keeps muscles efficient and reduces fatigue, while short, sharp efforts help you accelerate out of corners. Drafting behind others is the biggest free speed: riding in a group cuts your effort significantly, making club rides a legitimate speed strategy.

Can You Get Faster Just by Training?

Not entirely. As BikeRadar notes, average speed comes down to when and where you deliver power, plus route and equipment. Training alone won’t fix a badly inflated tire or an upright position costing watts on every flat mile. Match your approach to conditions: keep low on open flats, stand briefly to accelerate, and save hardest efforts for safe stretches or structured sessions.

Fueling supports all this.

Common Speed Mistakes

• Pushing every ride hard instead of building an easy aerobic base with a few quality hard days.
• Ignoring tire pressure and position while expecting training alone to solve speed.
• Doing too much sprint work too early—progressive intervals with recovery beat constant all-out efforts.
• Riding upright and tense in headwinds or descents, where a lower position pays off most.

The quickest wins—checking tire pressure, lowering position on the drops, and wearing closer-fitting kit—cost nothing. When you do upgrade, a roundup of tested options helps focus on what matters for your style. The best bike options we’ve tested cover a range of budgets. British Cycling’s free-speed article and Cycling Weekly’s speed guide are worthwhile reads for full detail.