What is the first thing you should upgrade on a road bike?
08-31-23, 03:52 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
First item would be adding a powermeter
08-31-23, 06:39 AM
#52
Senior Member
Seat. Gotta be the seat. If you are not comfortable, then it won't be fun and you won't ride.
Much of the suggested stuff are consumables. Tires, chain, cassette....when they wear out, buy better.
#1-seat
#2-shorts
#3-gloves, sunglasses and jersey
After that stuff, consider a new bike.
Much of the suggested stuff are consumables. Tires, chain, cassette....when they wear out, buy better.
#1-seat
#2-shorts
#3-gloves, sunglasses and jersey
After that stuff, consider a new bike.
08-31-23, 07:43 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,456
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4420 Post(s)
Liked 4,873 Times
in
3,017 Posts
For me it’s the saddle if I don’t like the saddle the bike came with. But I wouldn’t call that an “upgrade”. It’s more of a fitting issue. My last new bike came with the same saddle I was already using, so I didn’t need to change it.
08-31-23, 09:42 AM
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,100
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1401 Post(s)
Liked 1,886 Times
in
1,085 Posts
one of the first things I check are the rim strips - the protective band on the inside portion of the rim to protect the tube (from sharp edges, etc)
the hard plastic rim strips can / will cause problems - sooner or later
the second thing - of course - is to replace any water bottle cage bolts with low profile aluminum or titanium bolts
the hard plastic rim strips can / will cause problems - sooner or later
the second thing - of course - is to replace any water bottle cage bolts with low profile aluminum or titanium bolts
08-31-23, 09:45 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,100
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1401 Post(s)
Liked 1,886 Times
in
1,085 Posts
Don't be this guy, right?...
Do those road bike guys with the matching outfits know you're racing them? Most charity rides I'm familiar with don't award top-finisher prizes, or even keep track of placings.
If someone has a preference for an expensive road bike, and rides in the kit of their local club featuring the logos of local businesses (or even the kit of their favorite pro team), how does that negatively affect your cycling experience?
Do those road bike guys with the matching outfits know you're racing them? Most charity rides I'm familiar with don't award top-finisher prizes, or even keep track of placings.
If someone has a preference for an expensive road bike, and rides in the kit of their local club featuring the logos of local businesses (or even the kit of their favorite pro team), how does that negatively affect your cycling experience?
win at any cost
Likes For t2p:
08-31-23, 09:48 AM
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,100
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1401 Post(s)
Liked 1,886 Times
in
1,085 Posts
but as a smurf maybe I primarily pay attention to the smaller stuff (and missed them)
this was before the ‘flared’ bars became more popular on gravel type bikes
08-31-23, 09:50 AM
#57
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,997
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4957 Post(s)
Liked 8,099 Times
in
3,833 Posts
08-31-23, 09:53 AM
#58
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,997
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4957 Post(s)
Liked 8,099 Times
in
3,833 Posts
Every time that happens, our ego gets crushed, and we spend the rest of our ride reflecting on our poor choices and pathetic existence. Then, we go shopping for a new bike, new wheels, or a more pro-looking kit to make sure it never happens again.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
08-31-23, 10:01 AM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,100
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1401 Post(s)
Liked 1,886 Times
in
1,085 Posts
after sucking wheels for most of a ride I would wait until they grabbed for their water bottles and then sprint (sorta) to victory
gotta be opportunistic
gotta be opportunistic
08-31-23, 10:10 AM
#60
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,997
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4957 Post(s)
Liked 8,099 Times
in
3,833 Posts
I have no defense for your crafty tactics. I should stop riding bikes. I'm not very good at it.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
08-31-23, 11:06 AM
#61
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,997
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4957 Post(s)
Liked 8,099 Times
in
3,833 Posts
I was rolling along at an easy tempo pace on my gravel bike, while wearing lycra (not a team kit, but high-quality stuff all from the same manufacturer) and a roadie helmet. On a sight rise, a guy on a mid-level road bike with clip-on aero bars slowly came by me on my left side, got about a bike length ahead of me, stagnated there for a little bit, and then slowly drifted back. Did I lose?
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
08-31-23, 01:17 PM
#62
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,617
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10970 Post(s)
Liked 7,496 Times
in
4,192 Posts
1st- Saddle, if the stock one isnt a good fit.
2nd- Pedals.
3rd- Tires, if the stock ones arent good quality.
4th- Stem, if the stock one isnt the right length or angle.
5th- Bars, if needed.
6th- Bar tape, if you dont like whats on there.
7th- Cassette, if the stock range doesnt work.
8th- Wheels.
2nd- Pedals.
3rd- Tires, if the stock ones arent good quality.
4th- Stem, if the stock one isnt the right length or angle.
5th- Bars, if needed.
6th- Bar tape, if you dont like whats on there.
7th- Cassette, if the stock range doesnt work.
8th- Wheels.
08-31-23, 01:25 PM
#63
Senior Member
Wheels, generally, are the easiest to upgrade.
IMO groupsets make a middling difference. What matters most for a groupset is the overall gear range.
Frame weight is also always noticed.
Seat comfort is more important than the piddling amount of weight that can be saved with an uncomfortable but light seat.
Suspension seatposts are well worth the weight. Suspension forks generally are not worth the weight.
IMO groupsets make a middling difference. What matters most for a groupset is the overall gear range.
Frame weight is also always noticed.
Seat comfort is more important than the piddling amount of weight that can be saved with an uncomfortable but light seat.
Suspension seatposts are well worth the weight. Suspension forks generally are not worth the weight.
08-31-23, 01:45 PM
#64
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,997
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4957 Post(s)
Liked 8,099 Times
in
3,833 Posts
Tires will make more of a difference in the quality of the ride, and cost a lot less.
The most important factor in saddle comfort is shape.
Depends on the bike and the terrain. On a MTB, the suspension fork is generally worth every bit of the weight.
Seat comfort is more important than the piddling amount of weight that can be saved with an uncomfortable but light seat.
Suspension seatposts are well worth the weight. Suspension forks generally are not worth the weight.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
08-31-23, 02:07 PM
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elevation 666m Edmonton Canada
Posts: 2,483
Bikes: 2013 Custom SA5w / Rohloff Tourster
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1237 Post(s)
Liked 324 Times
in
249 Posts
I don't know about a CF race bike, but my roadster first got my SA dyno XL DRUM brake front wheel.
Works like new after 30,000 miles on my tour bike.
And my tour bike got a new one the same with a Dyad rim and 2.3/ 2.0 spokes.
Works like new after 30,000 miles on my tour bike.
And my tour bike got a new one the same with a Dyad rim and 2.3/ 2.0 spokes.
Last edited by GamblerGORD53; 08-31-23 at 02:46 PM.
08-31-23, 02:11 PM
#66
Full Member
A good pair of shorts or bibs can be a good upgrade enabling you to ride longer and more comfortably.
08-31-23, 02:36 PM
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 982
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 506 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 639 Times
in
357 Posts
Would it be pedals, saddle, handlebars, shifters? Maybe tires and rims? Other parts do wear out like chainrings, cassettes, chains, and derailleurs. These usually all need to be replaced together anyways. For me, on one bike it was the saddle. I always try to see if the stock saddle will work for me. If not, I replace it. I've upgraded two cassettes on two different bikes when they wore out. Generally just increasing the range of gearing from a 12-25 to a 12-28 and another from a 11-30 to a 11-32. What about the rest of you??
08-31-23, 08:37 PM
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: GMT-5
Posts: 940
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 540 Post(s)
Liked 416 Times
in
274 Posts
I understand that many luv Velox 4-ever, but high pressure rim strips are already a major improvement over rubber band rim strips found on all BSO as well as many low to mid end LBS bikes, especially if they are single walled rims.
08-31-23, 08:43 PM
#69
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,227
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 5,649 Times
in
2,924 Posts
Two gold chains. One for the bike and the other around your neck. (… it’s not how you feel, it’s how you look…)
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Likes For rsbob:
08-31-23, 09:29 PM
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,800
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,026 Times
in
723 Posts
There's things left to upgrade when you get done building your new bike? Should have done a better build.
As others have mentioned; saddle if needed, tires are usually necessary and potentially wheels, potentially crank length. While I build any road and track bikes, the family mtbs are off the shelf and the crank lengths are always wrong. Having injured both knees over the last couple years I've learned that length does effect the feel on the knees. I'd suspect if I bought a road bike off the shelf there's a chance it'll be too long as well.
As others have mentioned; saddle if needed, tires are usually necessary and potentially wheels, potentially crank length. While I build any road and track bikes, the family mtbs are off the shelf and the crank lengths are always wrong. Having injured both knees over the last couple years I've learned that length does effect the feel on the knees. I'd suspect if I bought a road bike off the shelf there's a chance it'll be too long as well.
09-01-23, 03:17 AM
#71
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Great White North
Posts: 926
Bikes: I have a few
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 340 Post(s)
Liked 210 Times
in
104 Posts
What is wrong with a gold chain other than hurting your sensitivities ? I got a deal on KMC SL chain and while I am not fussy about the color it works well with an otherwise fussy groupset.
Likes For daviddavieboy:
09-01-23, 08:47 AM
#72
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,257
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18424 Post(s)
Liked 15,582 Times
in
7,337 Posts
Likes For indyfabz:
09-01-23, 10:03 AM
#73
Junior Member
Likes For 808HIcycler:
Likes For kwb377:
09-01-23, 10:33 AM
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,257
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18424 Post(s)
Liked 15,582 Times
in
7,337 Posts
Likes For indyfabz: