New bike or upgrade? Help:)

Daniel75

Hi,

Currently I have a standard Revolution Courier Race 07. A wee review: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... e-08-24199

The specs:
Fork: Steel rigid

Wheels: Ritchey Girder XC Pro double-wall machined 700c road bike rims with eyelets.
Shimano alloy QR hubs (freehub rear). Rustless spokes.

Tyres: Continental Sport Contact 700 x 32 semi-slick.

Transmission:
Shimano Alivio Rapidfire 8-speed gear shifter (one of).
Shimano Alivio rear gear (one of).
SunTour 175mm alloy cranks with 44t steel chainring (one of). Cartridge-sealed bottom bracket.
Shimano 11-32 cassette.
Wellgo steel-caged pedals, toeclip compatible.

Brakes: Tektro 832A alloy V-brakes. Shimano levers.

Handlebars: Tioga alloy flat MTB bars on 15 degree-rise Tioga alloy Aheadstem. Velo Kraton grips.

Saddle: WTB Rocket V Comp saddle on HL alloy 27.2x300mm micro adjust seatpost. Kalloy CNC-machined seat binder clamp.

Now - because I'm spending about two hours cycling every day - I thought that maybe I should give my bike a little facelift. What do you think - shall I start upgrading the components or maybe it will be better to get a new bike?

Because I'm on a budget - the upgrade path will be probably better but after reading hundreds of reviews I'm confused and don't know where to start.

So - if I want to upgrade the components - what shall be changed first? Wheels? Tyres? Saddle?

Help:)

Thanks!

Daniel

Underscore

Let me answer the question with a question: What do you want to change about the way the bike rides?

When I look at my commuter, I've made the following changes:

• Wheels (under warranty) - because the rear kept snapping spokes
• Grips - because I was get numbness in my hands
• Rear mech - because it got impossible to adjust the original so that it would shift cleanly across the whole cassette
• Pedals - because I borrowed some clipless pedals and liked them
• Pads, Chains, Cassettes, etc. - because they wore out

To me, there is little point in replacing something unless a) it's worn out or not up to the job in some way, or b) it's going to change the bike to make your commute better.

_

Daniel75

"What do you want to change about the way the bike rides? " - It's actually a very good question:) I was thinking in "pimp my bike" categories:) but I guess I have to be much more practial:)

So - will get a new handlebars and a saddle... and pedals:)

Because I'm spending loads of time on this bike I think getting more comfy saddle will be my priority. Any recommendations?

Now - this particular bike have a wee issue with a chain - its falling off on bumps. Is there a way of making it more secure?

Thanks for the inspiration!

Dan

Underscore

Nothing wrong with pimping your bike if that's what floats your boat - I was just working on the statement that budget is tight!

My Spesh Sirrus came with a BG saddle - not sure which model but it is fine and comfy.

Re the chain falling off on bumps, don't know. Could be that the chain is too long so not enough tension? Could be that the rear mech has lost tension with age? I'm sure there are those here that can give you more ideas...

_

Daniel75

Budget is not very big but I'm thinking about slow, graduade upgrades:) I was looking at Specialized BG saddles - if anyone have any recommendations (long city everyday commuting) it would be fab:)

Other question is - do you think that "better" tyres are making big difference in terms of speed/grip/comfort?

Thanks

D.

redddraggon

Things to change from a stock bike (in order of priority - obviously this is only opinion):

Pedals
Tyres
Saddle
Brake pads

On a commuter I'm not sure changing wheels (unless their reliability is atrocious) is worth it.

Change the stem/bars if you want a better fit

Daniel75

Thanks! The list looks good:) So... anyone can advise me again:) I looked at pedals available and I'm sure that I would like to get some nice flat ones. What catched my eye is this:
DMR V12


Do you think it's a good choice for the commuter?

Thanks!

RC21

Have you tried clipless pedals?

afctumike

I've just started on clipless. Because I often just jump on the bike to do shorts trips, as well as longer rides when I think clipless will help, I've opted for Shimano A530 pedals. These have the SPD mechanism on one side of the pedal and a flat platform on the other. Best of both worlds - although you have to make sure the right side is uppermost when you get on.

lynseyf

I've used those pedals on my mtb and wouldn't recommend them for commuting. The pins are great for grip but rip your legs to shreds if your foot slips off the pedals, ok when you're using shinguards mtbing but not so good for everyday use, do you have a problem with your feet slipping of the pedals? If not I don't really see what advantage "better" pedals have other than if you're upgrading to clipless.

redddraggon

I can't cycle without clipless pedals now, I'm reliant on them.

Daniel75

Ok:) So it looks like clipless... I think I will try those: Shimano A530


Now - I never used clipless pedals before - can anyone briefly explain how it works? I need to get a "special" shoe - right? So for this particular model (Shimano A530) what shoe I shall get? Do you have any tips/recomendations? As I mentioned I'm cycling about two hours every day so I should look for something comfy and watherproof (I'm in Scotland

The next item will be saddle - and again - what you're using for dayly commuting? I was thinking about something like Specialized BG's - Avatar Gel 07 maybe?


Thanks!

Daniel