For most road bikers, comfort is definitely part of efficiency. Some riders may feel that the comfort of the bike is not up to expectations, and they will choose to replace the endurance frame or the ultra-light climbing frame. This is of course a way to solve the problem from the root, but in fact there are some less aggressive and even free ways to improve comfort.

Tires are the first level of shock absorption. In fact, most of the shock absorption of road bike is done by tires. Suitable tire settings can be used more than endurance frames, so we start with tires.

Tire pressure

First of all, of course, the free method of improving comfort is to lower the tire pressure. So far, many riders are still superstitious that this high tire pressure is faster, so many feel that the bike is too bumpy, in fact, because the tire pressure is too high. In this era of 25c, even 28c wide tires and wide rims, the tire pressure of 120PSI has long been unnecessary. As long as your weight is not more than 100kgs, the tire pressure of about 100 is enough, and 28c tires can even be reduced to 80. So if you feel that your bicycle is too upset, you must first check your tire pressure settings. A reduction of 5-10PSI is enough to change the riding experience.

Wide tire

In the era of disc brake road bikes, most frames were designed based on 28c tires, and many frames support measured 30mm or even 32mm tires. The 28c tire will be higher than the 25c after inflation, and the "buffer cushion" is also larger, so it can effectively improve the road feel.

However, wide tires are a double-edged sword. While improving the road feel, due to the increase in the weight of the tires and inner tubes, and the weight gain is concentrated on the outer edge of the wheel set, it will increase the feeling of heavy drag and reduce the efficiency. Especially obvious. Obviously, this is just a comfort-oriented improvement plan. If you want to have both speed and comfort, you must think of a way.

Tubeless tire

If you don't want to use 28c wide tires, you can choose to use tubeless tires. Currently, most disc brake wheels support tubeless tires. Since the tubeless tire has no friction between the inner tube and the outer tire, the rolling resistance will be lower than that of the open tire; and the risk of snake bites is eliminated, and lower tire pressure can be used. In the actual experience, in the case of 80PSI tubeless tires, the rolling resistance is almost the same as that of 100PSI open tires, and the road feel will be significantly improved.

So you definitely want to ask, is the 28c tubeless tire feel invincible? This is indeed the case, and without the weight of the inner tube, it will be lighter than the 28c clincher, and the efficiency will be higher.

Of course, the tubeless tyre is not perfect, and it is more troublesome to use. For example, disassembly and assembly, emergency treatment of a puncture, and dry self-rehydration make it a little more troublesome to use it.

Is there any other way? some!

Wide wheel set

After using Carbonal's DXL series rims (DX38L / DX42L / DX50L / DX60L), many riders were shocked by the feeling of riding. It is because of our 21mm inner width rim that the actual installation width of the tire increases. If you use 25c Continental tires, the actual installation width is already 29mm, so what you actually enjoy is the comfort improvement brought by the wide tires, of course, this is also the benefit of the wide wheel set.

The advantage of this is very obvious, that is, with the weight of 25c tires, you can enjoy the road feel of 28c tires. It's a perfect solution. Of course, this method is not perfect, and not all wide-rim wheels are as well controlled as Carbonal. (PS: Please allow us to compliment ourselves ^_^).

On wheels and tires, most comfort problems can already be solved, but there are some small areas that can be optimized.

Handlebar

The slim aerodynamic handlebar has weaker vertical rigidity due to the horizontal part of the handlebar, so it can be used to slightly increase the shock absorption.

Strap

Using a thicker handlebar can also bring comfort, but it will increase the handlebar diameter and affect the grip. Some handlebars with silicone anti-skid straps can also improve a certain shock absorption performance.

Seat post

For some entry-level models, upgrading a carbon fiber seat post can significantly improve the comfort of the cushion area.

Saddle

Some comfort-oriented saddles can well improve the comfort of the hips.

Cycling pants

Some of the cushions of cycling pants designed for long-distance riding will be optimized for long-term riding and can also provide some extra hip comfort.

Of course, if the above measures cannot meet the road conditions of your local cycling route, then you really need an endurance bike with a shock-absorbing structure.