Comments on: What Is The Best Upgrade? http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/ Tips, Discussion and Reviews on Upgrading Your Mountain Bike Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:29:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: JonnyB http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-59 JonnyB Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:06:23 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-59 Tires -- good tires on heavy wheels are a lot more useful than bad tires on light wheels. Bars -- Mary, Midge or Moustache (or equivalent). Can't ride if my wrists hurt. Seat -- does a 17 year old Bontrager saddle count as an upgrade? Tires — good tires on heavy wheels are a lot more useful than bad tires on light wheels.
Bars — Mary, Midge or Moustache (or equivalent). Can’t ride if my wrists hurt.
Seat — does a 17 year old Bontrager saddle count as an upgrade?

]]> By: Choke http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-56 Choke Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:53:48 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-56 Quick update: the rear fender that I notched to work with v-brakes broke in half while I was haulin' downhill. So, uh, I don't suggest modifying cascadia 29er fenders. Quick update: the rear fender that I notched to work with v-brakes broke in half while I was haulin’ downhill. So, uh, I don’t suggest modifying cascadia 29er fenders.

]]> By: Vic http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-52 Vic Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:11:20 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-52 I always upgrade the saddle on every bike I buy before I ride it, so I guess saddle wins. MTB's usually need new tires even if the rest of the gear is good to go. I very much prefer campy shifters on road bikes* and have had excellent luck hacking cable routing so I can use them with Shimano drivetrain, so unless the bike is full campy, I am replacing the shifters as soon as I have the cash. *Don't want to fight about Campy v Shimano, to each his own. I always upgrade the saddle on every bike I buy before I ride it, so I guess saddle wins.

MTB’s usually need new tires even if the rest of the gear is good to go.

I very much prefer campy shifters on road bikes* and have had excellent luck hacking cable routing so I can use them with Shimano drivetrain, so unless the bike is full campy, I am replacing the shifters as soon as I have the cash.

*Don’t want to fight about Campy v Shimano, to each his own.

]]> By: Choke http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-45 Choke Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:36:01 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-45 I'm using Planet Bike's Freddy Fender Cascadia 29er. I have v-brakes, so the front fender is attached to the fork crown so that it sits above the brakes. The rear fender is attached above the front derailleur to the seat tube because there isn't any space between the tire and derailleur. I also notched out the rear fender at the brake so that it's low to the tire but the v-brake cable can pass under the fender. Cascadias were reviewed over at twentynineinches.com on a singlespeed monkey with disc brakes so they didn't seem to have these issues. I’m using Planet Bike’s Freddy Fender Cascadia 29er. I have v-brakes, so the front fender is attached to the fork crown so that it sits above the brakes. The rear fender is attached above the front derailleur to the seat tube because there isn’t any space between the tire and derailleur. I also notched out the rear fender at the brake so that it’s low to the tire but the v-brake cable can pass under the fender.

Cascadias were reviewed over at twentynineinches.com on a singlespeed monkey with disc brakes so they didn’t seem to have these issues.

]]> By: Spencer http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-44 Spencer Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:55:31 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-44 1. Peddles: Over the years I have had to replace 3 different pairs of shimano 540's. I like egg beaters, so the stock from my klein palomino, trek portland and my wife's rocky mountain all go to used gear store for credit. 2. What ever breaks off or show signs of fatigue. 3. A little carbon goodness for the seatpost and handlebar to smooth out the ride. These are limited to what I can find for a deal on craigs list and then can still dicker down. 4. Long term upgrades: Maverick upgrade kit for the Palomino, Chris King headset for my Bike Friday and BB7's for the MonoCog. 1. Peddles: Over the years I have had to replace 3 different pairs of shimano 540’s. I like egg beaters, so the stock from my klein palomino, trek portland and my wife’s rocky mountain all go to used gear store for credit.

2. What ever breaks off or show signs of fatigue.

3. A little carbon goodness for the seatpost and handlebar to smooth out the ride. These are limited to what I can find for a deal on craigs list and then can still dicker down.

4. Long term upgrades: Maverick upgrade kit for the Palomino, Chris King headset for my Bike Friday and BB7’s for the MonoCog.

]]> By: Quinn http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-43 Quinn Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:46:56 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-43 Choke, what fenders do you use? Choke,
what fenders do you use?

]]> By: Choke http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-42 Choke Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:37:04 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-42 My initial upgrades usually are "What Broke First" especially with off-the-shelf bikes. My first upgrade for my Karate Monkey was from single speed to geared. Then I added a rack and fenders since it's my go-everywhere-do-everything bike. My initial upgrades usually are “What Broke First” especially with off-the-shelf bikes. My first upgrade for my Karate Monkey was from single speed to geared. Then I added a rack and fenders since it’s my go-everywhere-do-everything bike.

]]> By: ryan http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-41 ryan Tue, 30 Oct 2007 05:08:15 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-41 good question...for me I think the most important upgrade is tires. If I've had the bike long time i usually have everything about where I want it, but depending on the location/conditions a new set of treads can go a long way in making my ride more enjoyable. good question…for me I think the most important upgrade is tires. If I’ve had the bike long time i usually have everything about where I want it, but depending on the location/conditions a new set of treads can go a long way in making my ride more enjoyable.

]]> By: Michael http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-40 Michael Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:24:15 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-40 u gotta go discs if u dont already have them, then fork u gotta go discs if u dont already have them, then fork

]]> By: Rob L http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-39 Rob L Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:28:57 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2007/10/28/what-is-the-best-upgrade/#comment-39 Hmmm, as I upgraded my bike it went, saddle, pedals, grips, Rear Disc Brake, then Front. Next up is probably my rear derailleur. Though at some points I think the first 3 are basics for most non-beginning riders. After the derail I think its gonna either be wheels or a new fork. Or maybe the best upgrade...... A whole new Bike :) Hmmm, as I upgraded my bike it went, saddle, pedals, grips, Rear Disc Brake, then Front. Next up is probably my rear derailleur. Though at some points I think the first 3 are basics for most non-beginning riders. After the derail I think its gonna either be wheels or a new fork.

Or maybe the best upgrade…… A whole new Bike :)

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