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.

What It Is: A carbon mountain bike bar that is very well known and used across the mountain bike industry.  It is available in various diameter and rises which is key now that so many different width, rises and sweeps are desired.

Why Is It A Mechanics Choice: This bar was one of the first carbon mountain bars that shops stocked on their walls. The sweep was very natural and comfortable without looking outlandish to the consumer. Carbon obsurbs vibration very well and you can get a decent amount of flex on the riser bar, nothing crazy but if you are looking for it you can feel it.

The Mechanic Says: There is a 25.4 Monkey Lite in my arsenal that is one of those parts that have moved from multiple (dozen) bikes and keeps ticking. There is no show of clear coat cracking, even after using it many “learning rides” it keeps on rocking. The 25.4 standard is being fazed out more and more but I love the bar so I won’t give it up until it gives up on me.