What upgrade to purchase first?

zoglug

Hi everyone,

after riding my Allez for the last 5 weeks, ive decided to look into upgrading a few things, and im wondering which people would do in what order?

1) Clipless pedals & shoes (probably SPD ones as i commute and can at least walk in them reasonably!)
2) New tyres (i dont trust my current tyres, especially in the wet so am looking to upgrade to a pair of Kyrlion Carbons)
3) New saddle (standard Specialized one is more than a tad uncomfy on longer rides, especially now ive some proper pressure in my tyres!)

Ill do them all eventually..........i think, but which would you do first and why?

Cheers

Zog

top_bhoy

In the order you've listed and do 1 immediately, closely followed by 2.

For anything that is not a pootle to the shops or with the kids, cycling is more enjoyable (IMO) on a bike with clipless pedals, particularly if you are doing longer rides. Tyres are the only thing which grips you to the road and if you don't have full confidence in them, I'm pretty sure you will be cagey and more nervous than you need to be.

Before changing saddle, you want to maybe give yourself a bit longer with the clipless pedals and new tyres because it does take a few weeks to get used to a saddle again if you haven't ridden much in recent times. I'm thinking also that going clipless may make subtle changes in your peddling action hence the way you sit on the saddle.

Drax

I’ve had the Allez now for three months and upgraded to these items.

1. Tyres - Specialized All Condition Armadillo Elite
2. Saddle – Specialized BG Avatar gel saddle 09
3. Pedals - Shimano PD-M540 Pedals with Specialized BG Sport MTB Shoes.

I changed the tyres to reduce the risk of punctures , the saddle that came with the bike is uncomfortable for long rides and was advised to get these pedals and shoes which don’t take long to get used to .

zoglug

The bikes used to commute to work each day (16 mile round trip) as well as longer rides of up to 40 miles so far, so im guessing i will feel the benefit of the shoes/pedals. Guessing they will be the first upgrade!

Drax

These are my pedals and shoes :

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-M540-SP ... _17648.htm


http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... goryID=218

These shoes are more practical to walk in.

giant_man

The saddle is going to be the most troublesome upgrade for satisfaction. You may go through a few before 'settling' on one you will be happy with. There again, you may find your perfect saddle quite quickly.

bobtbuilder

Upgrade to clipless. Do it yesterday (or as soon as poss!)

zedders

bobtbuilder wrote:

Upgrade to clipless. Do it yesterday (or as soon as poss!)

+1.
you aready have a saddle, and tyres, but you ain't got clipless?

daveclow

wow this thread is blooming perfect for me, i too have an allez of 2 months and am on the market for a few upgrades. i also have a 16 miles round commute.

pedals and shoes is a definate. but first new tires.

i have my eyes on these:


http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mic ... s-ec001780

they have a good rep on here.

the standards on the allez i dont really have much confidence in especially as it looks like im biking home in the rain at this rate

zoglug

After my Manchester to Blackpool ride this weekend, my treat for completeing it is going to be some clipless pedals and shoes! Still not sure whether i will go for SPD or SPD-SL's yet, but thats something for me to look into i guess! I dont do much walking once i get off my bike, apart from to the lift in work (about 200 yeards).

Daveclow, thats my problems with the standard tyres, in the dry, im happy enough with them, but in the wet they are god damn aweful! I thought about pro race 3's but cant really see them working well as a commuter tyre! After the reviews of the Krylion's im definately going for them.

Anonymous

For commuting I'd look at something like Conti GP 4 seasons or if you don't stretching out for something a bit special, some Vittoria Open Paves.

It's the Paves I use, although I had been using Conti GP 4000s! (36 mile round commute)

kev.brennan

You are right to go for the Michelin Krylion Carbons, I've got them on my Boardman Comp and they are brilliant. I've done over 500 miles on them so far commuting without a puncture, they are light and roll really well. Got them in yellow, they look great.

hitthewall

+another one for Krylion Carbons.

gabriel959

I've got the Krylions and they are great. They are pretty good in all conditions

zoglug

Will be the standard black & grey for my 09 Allez! But the Krylions are cheap enough, but good enough for what i want!

The saddle can wait! Now to decide on pedals lol! Far to many choices! SPD are far cheaper and better for my commute. SPD-SL's will be better suited for my longer rides and my aim to increase my milage to get the most out of my cycling but cost a lot more and arent as friendly for my commute! I hate decisions!

kev.brennan

Do you walk a long way or have lots of stairs at the end of your commute?

If no then go for the SPD-SL combo, yes you pay a bit more but it works out cheaper than going the SPD route and then regretting it and buying the SPD-SL combo after anyway( been there, done that!).

I got Ultegra pedals from my LBS for £60, and Shimano RO60 shoes for £50, sorted.

zoglug

I have a walk of about 100 yards through the basement car park (where we can lock our bikes up) to the lift, then about 20 yards to my desk.

kev.brennan

Sorry, should have read all of your posts before saying about walk/stairs. SPD-SL is the way to go.

zoglug

Well, i originally baulked at the price of Shimano Ultegra 6620 pedals! £117 for a pair of pedals from my local bike shops, which i genuinely couldnt believe! However, upon checking ebay i noticed i can pick them up for around £70.

Firstly, how come they are so expensive! and secondly how come ebay can be so much cheaper than lbs, is it purely the sellers buy in bulk?

Think ill be waiting until next payday before i lay out £100 plus for shoes and pedals.

Surf-Matt

Just got a 2010 Allez Elite (first road bike - been MTBing for years) and stuck SPDs straight on it. Also got a saddle bag (Aero wedge) and a road pump (Lezyne Road Drive) plus a decentish small computer (Cateye Strada).

Seems fine for now. Mine came with a Rival saddle - actually quite pleased with it. Prefer my similar MTB saddle slightly - Phenom SL (ti and carbon, under 200g) but the Rival is fine for now.

Already had SPD shoes and a decent lid (2D) plus gloves and other bits from MTBing.

Think I'll leave it for a bit - spent a fortune on my other main bike (MTB) recently!

rally200

If you do go for SPDs have a look at shimano a520 - they are designed for touring - they look more the part on a road bike than pure mtb pedals (if that matters to you) & are allegedly a better platform for pedalling