10 Ways To Improve a “Garbage” Bicycle

There’s a guy I know, let’s call him Dave. He thought he was buying the bike of his dreams—a sleek, shiny hybrid from Costco, the Infinity Twentyfour.7 700c Hybrid.

Dave was convinced it would be his ticket to long rides in the sun, the freedom of the open road, the wind in his hair… well, you get it.

Fast forward a few months, and Dave’s cruising along, realizing he’s stuck at 13mph, legs burning, every pedal stroke feeling like a punishment.

The bike? It’s more of a nightmare than a dream. But Dave? Dave didn’t give up. He just got smarter.

I’m sure you’ve been there—staring down a “garbage” bike, cursing your luck.

Maybe it’s not your fault. Maybe you’re in the same boat as Dave.

You thought you’d ride casually, and now you’re riding 200 miles a week on a bike that wasn’t meant for it.

Now you’re left wondering: can you make this piece of junk work?

Well, if you’re not ready to dump it yet, there’s hope.

And Dave? He didn’t just make it work—he made it work better.

1. Pump Up Those Tires

It’s not rocket science, folks. Tires are your ticket to freedom or a slow death. Low pressure equals slow rolling, and that’s just what you’ll get.

A slower, more uncomfortable ride. Some people think they’re cycling warriors, but with flat tires, you’re just a guy pretending to ride.

So, check the pressure regularly and go for the max recommended PSI. Your tires should feel tight enough to give a solid snap when you flick them with your thumb.

2. Tune the Gears, Man

Your bike’s gears are like your nervous system. If it’s out of whack, you’ll never get anywhere.

If you’ve been riding your bike like it’s a fixed gear (because why not? The seven gears are just for show), you’re making a huge mistake.

Your 36t chainring and 14-28 cassette might be holding you back. Drop a few dollars, or better yet, find a bike shop with some old parts lying around.

Fix that gearing, get a proper setup, and your speed might surprise you.

3. Get a Better Saddle

Yeah, I know—no one ever wants to talk about saddles. But let me tell you something: comfort is your friend.

You’ve been sitting on that thing, feeling every bump in the road like it’s a cruel joke the universe is playing on you.

A new saddle might just save your ass—literally. Narrow it down, adjust it right, and save your lower back from hating you for eternity.

4. More Aerodynamic Position

Listen, you’re not in a Tour de France time trial. But that doesn’t mean you should be sitting upright like you’re at a Sunday picnic.

Lower your body, lean forward a bit, and cut through the wind like a man on a mission. That’ll give you more speed and a whole lot less back pain. Get your body into the zone. It’s not about being cool, it’s about going.

5. Lose the Extra Weight

I’m not talking about your 30-pound frame. I’m talking about your bike. It’s too heavy, buddy. It’s like dragging a dead body across the pavement. Get rid of that extra weight. You don’t need all those fancy mudguards, racks, and bells and whistles. Strip it down, lighten it up, and let the road know you mean business.

6. Switch to Slick Tires

Now, if you’re running on knobby mountain bike tires, you’re not exactly the fastest thing on the road.

Road tires, my friend, road tires. Go for something slick, something smooth, something that won’t slow you down with unnecessary friction. A good 28c tire will have you gliding faster than you thought possible. Go on, try it.

7. Improve Your Cadence

Ever heard of cadence? It’s that rhythm you’ve got when you pedal. Too slow, and you’ll be stuck in the mud.

Too fast, and you’ll burn out. Find that sweet spot. Start spinning faster, get the RPM up, and push that body to new limits. You’ll get stronger with every mile. And no, you don’t need a fancy meter. Just start practicing. You’ll feel it.

8. Optimize Your Fit

I know, I know—you’re not some weekend warrior, just trying to enjoy the ride. But comfort is key. When your fit is wrong, your body fights against you. It’s like trying to swim with cement blocks tied to your legs.

If your saddle’s too low or your handlebars are too high, you’ll be uncomfortable as hell. Take a moment to adjust everything. It’ll make the ride a lot less miserable.

9. Bar Ends for Better Reach

Straight handlebars? They’ll leave you aching after an hour. Install bar ends.

They’ll give you more reach and improve your posture. Sure, you might look like an old-school rider, but who cares? You’ll feel a hell of a lot better when you’re not hunched over like a question mark.

10. Start with Small Training Improvements

You might be blaming your bike for not being fast enough. It’s a cop-out. Sure, your “garbage” bike isn’t the greatest, but your body is your engine. Work on your legs, your lungs, your heart.

Interval training, strength-building, speed drills—whatever it takes. Don’t wait for the perfect bike to start improving yourself. Start today. Your body’s already more capable than you think.

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Summary Table:

Improvement	Reason	Cost
Tire Pressure	Lower rolling resistance, better comfort	Low
Gear Setup	More efficient power transfer, faster ride	Low
Saddle	Improved comfort, less back pain	Low-Medium
Aerodynamic Position	Increased speed, reduced wind resistance	Free
Weight Reduction	Faster acceleration, less effort	Low
Slick Tires	Reduced friction, better speed	Medium
Cadence	Improved pedal efficiency, higher speed	Free
Fit Adjustment	Better comfort, better power transfer	Low
Bar Ends	Better hand positioning, reduced fatigue	Low
Training	Improved strength and endurance	Free

So, what have we learned? The road doesn’t give a damn about your bike. It doesn’t care about your fancy wheels or your expensive gear.

It’s about you. It’s about pushing yourself harder than your bike can handle. You don’t need a new $2000 bike to feel like a champion.

What you need is the grit to make the most of what you’ve got, the willingness to fight every single pedal stroke. You think you’re stuck with a piece of junk? Nah. You’re just getting started.

And if you don’t believe that—well, you can always drink, right? Because I’ll be out there riding, making that “garbage” bike go faster than your fancy one.