Contributed by Denise McGill, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

As biking increases in popularity, it is important to get the most performance and enjoyment from your bicycle.

From riding your bike to work and reducing your carbon footprint to mountain biking, today’s bicycle comes with amenities and luxuries hardly dreamed of before. These top 10 ways to improve your bike performance covers everything from comfortable clothing to the latest in technological gadgets.

10. Gloves

To start off the top 10, is comfortable gel-filled gloves that protect hands from inclement weather, provide a secure grip and even helps regulate body temperature. On hot, sticky days, these gloves absorb moisture and eliminate sweaty palms. One of the surest ways to improve your bike performance is to be comfortable! Next to leg power, it is up your hands to maneuver, brake and shift gears effortlessly for a smooth ride.

9. Handlebars

Handlebars have come a long way. From the days of having your kid sister ride on the handlebars while you did all the pedaling to the professional pace of the Tour de France race, sturdy handlebars are a necessity. Besides durability, handlebars adjust to your desired length and width, offer arm supports and ergonomic grips. The bell is strictly optional.

8. Pedals

Pedals are the mechanism behind the power! To improve your bike performance, don’t skimp or overlook the importance of your bike pedals. Imagine moving along at a good clip only to have your foot slip off a pedal causing your body to jerk forward. Not the most graceful of moves. To improve performance, check pedals for wear and replace them with a pedal that fits your style of riding whether it be mountain biking, touring, or cruising along the beach.

7. Cycling computer

At number 7 is the deluxe cycling computer – the brains behind the brawn. Get weather forecasts, checks maps, and clock your speed. It will even give you your heart rate (which could be a good thing for those that are not quite in the shape that they would like to be). For those that feel the need to phone from the road, check out the attached cell phone holder. This computer is the gadget any bike enthusiast will love.

6. Stay hydrated!

To feel and look your best while biking it is important to stay hydrated. Nothing ruins a bicycle ride faster than realizing half way through the trip you left the water bottle sitting in the kitchen cupboard. Trying to extract water from a cactus or making it to a nearby stream to make it back home isn’t a great alternative. Taking frequent breaks and staying hydrated relieves muscle cramping and ensures you have an enjoyable afternoon.

5. Helmet

Today’s bicycle helmet has an array of colors, sizes, styles and comfort like never before. Besides durability and safety, venting for streamlined airflow and maximum cooling is top priority is this stylish headgear. Let everyone know you are a serious contender when you show up to ride in a helmet that is also a fashion statement.

4. Rock Shox Recon Silver Suspension

Suspension is king when it comes to improving your bike performance. Riding through rough terrain or along bumpy roads without the proper bicycle suspension can make a ride down right miserable. Don’t go home saddle sore, when you can have a smooth ride!

3. Brakes

Brakes! Brakes! Brakes! You can’t stress the importance of brakes in proper working condition enough. No one wakes up in the morning thinking about stopping their runaway bicycle by bailing off into the closest poison ivy bush or slamming into a parked car. So come on, put routine brake checks on your “to do” list.

2. Tires

A flat tire isn’t anyone’s idea of the perfect morning ride. To improve your bike performance, be sure to have the tires that fit your riding enjoyment. Tire selection for a mountain bike will not be the same as city touring tires or beach cruiser. Also – it is always a good idea to have a spare tube on hand for the inevitable nail or stick through the sidewall.

1. Bike frames

At #1 for improving bike performance is the bike frame itself. There is not a one-size-fits-all for bike frames. For riding or touring on the road, choose a lightweight frame. For cruising along the boardwalk, select a fat tire cruiser. Take a folding bike on your next vacation! With a folding bike, there is no need to mount your bicycle on top of the car or have it hitching a ride on the rear bumper. For maximum enjoyment from your bike ride, choose the frame that suits your lifestyle.