Upgrade Advice
 

Currently riding a Trek Emonda ALR 5 Disc and am looking for advice on what to upgrade next on it. Specs and link to it below. Would love a top 3 upgrades in order if willing to include some recommendations. Thank you.

Frame: Trek Emonda ALR
Wheels: Bontrager Affinity Disc
Drivetrain: Shimano 105 R7000

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/u...alr-5/p/24166/

Saddle, Bar, Stem. Contact points first to improve comfort and fit.

Why you want to upgrade is the first question (what is it you are looking for?). The recommendations will follow.

always looking to improve so wondering where to focus next.

The best upgrade I've done on a road bike over 40 yrs. of cycling has been Mavic USTs (tubeless). They are smoother, lighter, easier to pedal and more comfortable. Oh, and no flats so far.

Echoing the above, fit first. While getting the fit just right, you can upgrade in the process to a better item:

-stem/bar combo for fit to a carbon/aero setup, custom new bar tape

-nicer/lighter saddle that's just right for you

-The r7000 is pretty nice stuff these days. Keep that

-go with tires/tubes first before any wheel stuff, you may be surprised! GP5000 or equivalent

Then, just ride it for a good while until you can upgrade the consumables that wear. Chain, cassette, etc... After riding for a while maybe scope out better accessories if you're not optimized on your computer mount, rear light or radar, bottle cages, saddle bag.

In the meantime while you ride it a good while, just sit on and wait for super sweet deals on wheels. New or used. Just wait and be happy then jump when it is something actually good. Not settling "just to get new wheels".

Sheep is right, tires tires and then tires

I was thinking about Continental Proline Tires, thoughts?

I'd get nice (light) deep section carbon wheels. Honestly, nothing you are going to buy is going to make a huge difference in speed or performance. Light wheels will make your bike seem a little livelier and more importantly, just makes your bike look bad-ass. Pair them with more race-oriented, lighter tres and your overall ride quality improves a lot.

This is assuming you dont have any pressing fit issues.

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...ad-tire?sg=500


Gp 5000, get those. Here's one vendor, but shop around
Good tires are so nice compared to the $18 specials most bikes come with

My coworker rides these, I rode Gatorskins on my old bike which look the same. Will give them a shot, thanks.

*Very* different tires - def go with the GP5000s over the Gatorskins, which are made for puncture resistance first, ride quality 87th.

Gators for commuting, GP5000 for fun riding/training/racing.

I flat maybe once per year. 5min and on my way is well well well worth the improvement in performance over tires meant for another duty.

Gatorskins are stuffed with fail and topped with suck sauce. Only ride them if you hate life.

(I exaggerate, but while super reliable, they absolutely are not fun tires to ride)

Remove the saddle and put a new bike under it.

Gatorskins are like dragging a sled of bricks behind you. They're made to be flat proof, you can probably bunny hop across a bed of nails and be ok with them, but that comes at the cost of rolling resistance. Tires like the GP5Ks people are recommending will give you back about 30 watts. You can spend thousands for less benefit.

Man I was going to put Gatorskins on to handicap myself for rides with the wifey. After getting the first bead on I gave up and threw them away.

Anyone have a vest with dozens of mini drag-chutes?

Borrow a jersey from Velo Vol

:innocent:

I bought GP5000 tires and they arrive tonight. I was looking at handlebars and stems like a recommendation above and am currently using Bontrager Pro Isocore VR-CF (link below) and was thinking of switching to MOST Jaguar XFC Aero 1K or MOST Jaguar XC 3K Aero. I like the wide rectangle almost top position on the bars. Thoughts? Not opposed to any brand or other recommendations.

Bontrager Pro Isocore VR-CF
https://www.12gobiking.nl/bontrager-...r-cf-racestuur

MOST Jaguar XFC Aero 1K
https://www.12gobiking.nl/most-jagua...lack-racestuur

MOST Jaguar XC 3K Aero
https://www.12gobiking.nl/most-jagua...aero-racestuur

OK... to add on to what the others have said....

1) Pay for a good fit! top performance upgrade you can get.(might include a stem or saddle change)
2) Decent tires/wheels.
3) Good helmet (well ventilated, comfortable).

Things to NOT change
1) 105 componetry - unless you want to go to DI2, 105 is imperceptibly slower on shifts than ultegra or dura-ace
2) Handlebars - you've already got a decent set with the IsoCore bars. You won't get much more comfort and no performance gains by swapping unless they are the wrong size for you.

Other "cheap" upgrades that can make a difference - good bar tape (i prefer SupaCaz myself), decent gloves and clothing. You've got a decent bike already, make it as comfortable as your budget allows and go get riding.