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Which is best upgrade & why?

flyerflyer Posts: 608
edited May 2009 in Road beginners
Which gives you best return for your money and why would it be the priority?

Of course you make the assumption it’s a "middle of the road bike" excuse the pun!

Just for fun would it be:

1. Tyres

2. Rear Mech

3. Saddle

4. Wheels

5. Group set

6. Stem

7. Bars

8. Seat post

9. Pedals


Flyer

Posts

  • bobtbuilderbobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    Assuming the bike has flat pedals, I would say changing them to clipless would give you the best improvement, due to the focusing of your power through the cleat area, and also the ability to pull on the upstroke.

    Otherwise, I reckon it would be wheels.
  • BronzieBronzie Posts: 4,927
    Wheels every time - can transform the way a bike handles and rides - everything else is just trimmings.
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • keef66keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Tyres - faster rolling / grippier
    Wheels - lighter
    Saddle - comfort rather than weight, and only if the current one is causing problems

    Beyond that, save up for a new bike.
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    Going to a good LBS and making sure your bike fits properly
  • bobtbuilderbobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    Going to a good LBS and making sure your bike fits properly

    That's not playing by the rules! :wink:
  • Frank the tankFrank the tank Posts: 6,553
    As bobtbuilder enquired IF the pedals are ordinary flatties it would IMHO be a toss up between them and wheels. If the pedals are clipless anyway, wheels everytime.
    Tail end Charlie

    The above post may contain traces of sarcasm or/and bullsh*t.
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    bobtbuilder wrote:
    Going to a good LBS and making sure your bike fits properly

    That's not playing by the rules! :wink:

    Sorry! In that case, carbon fibre bottle cages.

    Just awesome!
  • flyerflyer Posts: 608
    NapoleonD

    You are so funny!

    Flyer
  • edhornbyedhornby Posts: 1,780
    I'd say saddle - if the one that comes on the bike doesn't fit your botty bones then shaving 100g somewhere is of less important as being comfortable
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • GavHGavH Posts: 933
    If it's a 'middle of the road' bike then surely the best upgrade is to just buy a better bike? Seriously. I upgraded the BB, chainset, front forks, seatpost, saddle, pedals and even put new bar tape and CF cages on my last bike. My new Bianchi sh1ts all over it in terms of comfort AND performance.

    Failing that, if you must stick with the same bike, for the price of a reasonable set of wheels a good turbo trainer and/or heart rate monitor will reap rewards without having to get your hands dirty.
  • DunkeldogDunkeldog Posts: 138
    For out and out 'it just feels better' I'd go with wheels - but can't agree with Edhornby more - switching to a saddle that you don't dread getting on is worth its weight in gold!
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    In order of importance for me -

    Fit

    Comfortable Saddle

    If using flats then clip in pedals

    Wheels

    Groupset

    Finishing kit.

    The best thing though is to get a better bike that ticks all the boxes! A better frame will ride better, be more responsive/more comfortable or if you're lucky both, be stiffer and probably lighter too. The OEM stuff that comes on them usually makes it a more cost effective way of doing it too...
  • markos1963markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    No matter what the bike, it has to be:
    Wheels
    Norfolk, who nicked all the hills?

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/243 ... 8d.jpg?v=0
    http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 076tl5.jpg
    http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3407 ... e001af.jpg
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    New wheels are no good if your bike doesn't fit and is uncomfortable to sit on...
  • markos1963markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    NapoleonD wrote:
    New wheels are no good if your bike doesn't fit and is uncomfortable to sit on...

    Technically getting a correct fit isn't an upgrade, its an essential purchase at the start.
    Norfolk, who nicked all the hills?

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/243 ... 8d.jpg?v=0
    http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 076tl5.jpg
    http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3407 ... e001af.jpg
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    Sorry for not being technically correct. I was talking about fine tuning, MOR bikes usually come with set stem lengths, a change of 10mm from the standard one can make a big difference. A good, comfortable saddle makes the biggest difference in my opinion.

    I'm speaking from experience, I upgraded the wheels on my first bike before getting it to fit perfectly and sorting a good saddle out. The new wheels were great but I couldn't ride it for more than an hour because I couldn't get comfy.

    Once the stem was sorted and I got a comfortable saddle it transformed my riding immensely, not least I could ride all day in comfort...

    WRT pedals, I'm using flats at the moment and there is a big difference when climbing compared to my Look pedals. Moreso than between my Open Pros and my Carbon wheels.

    Then wheels and tyres are a very good upgrade.
  • markos1963markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    Fit is such an emotive issue, what works for one isn't right for another, for instance a good racing position is no good for a tourer and visa versa. However upgrading is right for anything, better touring wheels or racing ones will always be a good way to go if all other things being equal are sorted. Have to agree with others here, I always recommend to beginners at work who are taking up cycling that clipless pedals and shoes should be the first purchase.
    Norfolk, who nicked all the hills?

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/243 ... 8d.jpg?v=0
    http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 076tl5.jpg
    http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3407 ... e001af.jpg
  • zedderszedders Posts: 509
    Speaking as someone who dragged his £80 supermarket special out of the garage in 2007, after it had been sat there for 5 years, (don't blame me the misses wanted matching bikes at the time & yes she has never riden hers), I then got a bianchi road bike a few months later and got rid of the supermarket special. I can safely say upgrade the whole bike! It worked for me. :D
    The bianchi is about 18 months old now, and again I'm upgrading the whole bike. If it worked before..... :lol::lol::lol:
    "I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/3517156549/
  • CHRISNOIRCHRISNOIR Posts: 1,400
    Chamois Cream - it changed my life, man...
  • Stone GliderStone Glider Posts: 1,227
    +1 Sudocrem, the cyclists friend.

    Although not strictly on the OP, properly fitting and appropriate clothing. Certainly the choice of bib-shorts has made a difference :oops:
    The older I get the faster I was
  • shakey88shakey88 Posts: 289
    NapoleonD wrote:
    bobtbuilder wrote:
    Going to a good LBS and making sure your bike fits properly

    That's not playing by the rules! :wink:

    Sorry! In that case, carbon fibre bottle cages.

    Just awesome!

    I got carbon fibre bar ends.
    Now i fly up those hills!
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