The Bike Lab is about upgrading your bike and building your dream rig. To that end, these are some of our top recommended upgrades. Most are things we actually use on our own rigs, or would feel comfortable recommending to our best friends. They are classic parts, smart designs, and in some cases new and revolutionary bits.

The list was compiled by Guitar Ted and Arleigh Jenkins, two real life bicycle mechanics and passionate cyclists. This is solely their considered opinions on what is a “Top Upgrade”. In the future, look for more “Top Upgrade” parts that will be getting reviewed here on the Bike Lab. For now, let’s get to the list!

What It Is: Salsa “Flip-Off” skewers: Okay, if this isn’t a classic part, I don’t know what is. Relatively unchanged since its introduction way back when, Flip-Off skewers also have to have one of the coolest names for a skewer ever. Of course history and coolness are one thing, but the part has to work too.

Why Is It A Mechanics Choice: Flip-Off skewers, which were fashioned to look like the whimsical body of Pepperman, just so happen to be very nice to your fingers. This is an unbelievably overlooked facet of most skewer designs. Flip-Offs have a very nicely machined aluminum lever and come with titanium or steel skewers in a variety of anodized colors to match your steed…..or not, as the case may be! They work and work very well, doing their job while looking great. That and the finger friendly design garner these skewers a Mechanics Choice.

The Mechanic Says: History, cool factor, and function are all off the peg with the Salsa Flip-Off skewers. Yes, you can find lighter skewers, or you could find skewers that work marginally better, but to have all of what Salsa brings in these skewers in one package would be pretty hard to do. These have been around so long, you might think they are only for retro-grouch vintage builds, but they are a classic and will set off a modern road bike as well as any mountain bike that uses traditional skewers. And don’t forget, ano is back baby!