What Is The Best Upgrade?
October 28th, 2007 by Guitar TedThe Bike Lab is all about upgrades. You know, anything and everything that makes your bike better. Percieved or real, upgrades make you “faster”, lighter, stronger, or just make you feel better. It’s fun to “tweak out” your ride for what ever reason, and we all do it at one time or another. So, what we want to know is what is the best upgrade? What is one of the first things you look at when you think about making your bicycle a better one?
I was brought up on the “wheel upgrade first” mantra. The biggest difference to your performance was changing out to a better wheel set. While wheels are still obviously a great place to upgrade, it is not necessarily the the best place to upgrade anymore. It all depends on what you ride and where. An upgrade in a suspension fork may be your best bet, or an upgrade in shifters, or a new saddle.
So, let us know what you think is the #1 upgrade for you and your riding style. What makes the biggest difference? (And before anybody else gets started, making yourself better is off limits!)
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Interesting question. It’s gonna be different for every bike, depending on what yer ride is specced with to begin with and how happy you are with it.
I’m a big fan of getting the cockpit set up right, so whatever isn’t working there (stem, bars, saddle) is where I’d start, and I usually keep fiddling there for a bit.
Unfair question. I mean, if you’ve already got an XTR bike there’s not much to upgrade. If you’ve got a $400 bike, almost everything is upgradeable. And in the case of the $400 bike, the suspension fork is the place I’d start - if you are into the suspension fork thing.
But as an all-encompassing what would/should you upgrade - upgrade any aspect of the bike or bike riding experience that does not make your ride comfortable. Being comfortable on the bike is the prime consideration.
For me, I have to have the right seat, handlebar, and handlebar position.
For me, I have never found a bike that is my Ideal bike, so I chose the bike closest to it. Example- I bought an XXIX, found out the stock tires Suck in the desert, so I changed those 2 weeks after I bought it, Then came 1 reason I bought That bike- I converted it to a 1×9. Then I bought a Kona Jake ‘cross, knowing o could ride drops, due to a number of arm injuries, so I changed to Dirt Drops, and turned it also into a 1×9.
My bikes have always been second hand or very low budget and the first thing I’ve always changed is the pedals. If I don’t feel confident that my feet will stay where I put them then it just ruins my ride.
I think wheels. I have “race” wheels and “play” wheels. The play wheels are a bit heavier, not as stiff and just comfy wheels. The race wheels are light, stiff and very responsive because of this. I wouldn’t want to do a 100 miler on them, but for an XC race they are WONDERFUL!
This may not be the “best” upgrade, but for me the first thing that goes on a new bike is the saddle. I’ve been using one for awhile now that I love and switch any new bike over to it right away.
I have to say everything that rotates. Wheels mostly but lets not forget the rotating weight around those hoops. I found that my greatest upgrade this year was switching to “Stan’s System”. I have lower rolling resistance, more confidence, and lighter weight.
I have to agree with the pedals and would go as far as saying that the contact points on the bike for the rider would be the places that I usually upgrade first. While all things spinning might make the largest impact from a weight standpoint, being comfortable while pushing the heavier rollers around is my major concern. As long as I’m (relatively) comfortable, riding a bike that cost 400 clams can be fun. At least you’d be out riding. Plus, the contact points can be improved at a minimal cost compared to a new wheelset.
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
u gotta go discs if u dont already have them, then fork
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.
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.
Choke,
what fenders do you use?
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.
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 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.
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.
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?