Common upgrade paths - bang for buck

danowat

Firstly, I am no where near the up to the level of my bike yet, the rider is certainly the weak link, however, I can't help but spend lunchtimes fawning lovingly over upgrades!!!.

Just thought I'd get an idea of how people upgrade their bikes, which parts "path" do they follow? (like, wheels first then x, then y), which parts give the best bang for buck upgrading?.

I am currently riding a 2010 Specialized Allez elite.

daviesee

In my opinion, probably,

Tyres
Saddle
Wheels

Edit:- Forgot about contact points. Very important for comfort so also consider shoes, bib shorts and mitts.

Ollieda

I found the biggest difference for me was upgrading the wheels, whilst i'm not the best of riders and probably won't notice minuet changes even I could tell the difference by buying some nicer wheels. I brought some Fulcrum 7s which are a budget pair compared to what many have on here but I couldn't afford much more and I've loved them ever since! (I did manage to get some free tyres off a friend as well so thats sort of a double upgrade there!)

Not sure as to the exact status of your bike ref: pedals, but if you're still using the normal flat pedals with toe clips then investing in some clipless pedals and shoes to go with can make a difference as well. Be careful though, you can get a lot of problems like foot pain if you just dive in head first and buy anything. I have to admit I made a few mistakes at first!

Wheelspinner

The first thing to upgrade is your credit card limit!!


Tyres and wheels make a big difference. If you can, see if you can borrow a set of light race wheels to try some day. I see the Specialized appears to have a 9 speed groupset, so you may need to swap the cassette over to do that (2 minute job), but worth it to try out. The standard wheels look decent enough but I'd guess they are relatively heavy.

danowat

Cheers guys, I imagined wheels would be high on the list, but never figured tyres.

What difference do tyres make?, TBH, I thought that they'd be pretty much of a muchness?, is that not the case?, what would be a good tyre?.

As for wheels, I currently have Mavic CXP-22 S, which according to google weight 525g each? (1050g pair?).

Within my budget are the Shimano RS80, however, the quoted weight for those is 1521g per pair, so no weight saving?.

The other thing is, I am fairly big boned (14 stone and 6ft 4in), so they need to be strong.

Sorry for the numbtie questions!!!

bobtbuilder

As for wheels, I currently have Mavic CXP-22 S, which according to google weight 525g each? (1050g pair?).

Are you sure about this? A 1,050 gram wheelset is just about as light (and therefore, expensive) as you can get.

Maybe the weight quoted for the Mavics was for rims only?

hopper1

Firstly, I think maybe you Googled the rims only. No way those wheels are that light, so need to allow for hubs & spokes!
They wont be far off the RS80's.
Noticeable upgrades are always to reduce rotational mass.
So, after wheels, light tyres are popular. I use Continental GP4000S's & Michelin Pro 3 Race for sportier use, with Conti Gatorskins for training/winter (all Clinchers).
There's no such thing as a numptie question...

danowat

Ahh, ok, that makes sense, rim only!!!.

The cheapest option for me would be to lose some rider mass (its free!!), so I am sure I'll notice a fair difference if I can shift another stone or two!.

maddog 2

off the top of my head....

- spds and shoes (depending on what you currently have)
- wheels
- tyres
- bibs
- glasses
- top
- stem
- cranks
- rear mech
- then everything else, on a weight weenie trip

.....

Hibbs

Wheelspinner wrote:

The first thing to upgrade is your credit card limit!!

Amen to that, brother!

Anonymous

The wheels you have are likely to be in the 1900g region...
Better tyres feel nicer and tend to grip better but the biggest thing is a reduction in rolling resistance.

skyd0g

One area not mentioned is brake pads. The stock ones often shipped with off the peg bikes are often average at best. A set of Kool Stop salmons will improve your braking ability & control no end.

leejdavies

I am currently in a similar position and have gone for:

Clothing (instantly more comfortable)
Bars and Tape
Wheels and tyres (had no choice my wheels f'd up and cheaper to buy wheels than pay for 4 weeks travel)
Saddle (although need to get another as this one is just as uncomfortable)

I started off with MTB SPD's and shoes but I think I'm going to 'upgrade' to road shoes and some Speedplays. Just need to increase that credit limit!!

PS If anyone is after a set of Brand new unused 2010 Fulcrum R7's Campy I have some I am selling.

danowat

I deffo need some pedals and shoes, currently using toe clips and my running shoes, so thats not ideal!, think that will be my first purchase.

And then, depending on how I can sugar coat it to the missus, maybe I'll treat myself to some wheels and tyres as a gift if I can lose a bit more weight!!!

pmannion9

Danowat,

I have similar bike to yourself but its the 2008 Allez Elite.
Only just started upgrading now after 2 years of solid riding on it...

I changed from MTB SPD's to Ultegra SPD-SL - £65 - lot more comfortable but a bit of getting used to.

My stock wheels did the job but have now packed in. Will get bearings sorted and use in the winter hopefuly...I was going to splash out on £500 wheelset but in the end chickened out and bought the Planet-X Model B's because of good reviews and price £99.

Also fitted Continental GP4000S's tyres. Haven't rode it enough since upgrade but bike instantly feels faster,lighter smoother...

Only other thing i have bought/changed is the cassette - just for different gearing options really.

In the market for a decent saddle - thinking of Fizik Arione CX Kium ( anyone have any experience of these ? )

The Allez Elites are good bikes that can be upgraded over time and later be used as an excellent winter bike...

Daimler

Hi Danowat,

I'm just the chap on this as I'm doing this myself.

I have an Allez 16 2010 £499.99 jobbie at 21.5lbs.
The Alex S500 wheels on mine weigh a tonne (nearly 2000g for the back wheel with tyre/tube and cassette).

My upgrades so far:
Continental Attack/Force Tyres £400g for the pair (Cost me nowt as I already had them spare)
Vittoria Butyl Ultralite tubes (160g for the pair and again cost me nowt as they were spare).
These saved me approx 350g alone.
Planet X model B wheels (saved 204g front and 200g rear and 20g on the Q/R skewers) Cost me £99.99 in p&p.
SRAM PG850 8spd cassette (£18.00 from CRC) saved me 160g over the stock HG50 jobbie.
KCNC Stem with Stainless bolts at 108g (saved me 72g over the stock noname stem and cost me nowt as I had it spare).
Omega Carbon seatpost 27.2 350mm £29.99 from High On Bikes weighs in at 172g and saved me 138g (I have one on my SL3 too).
Specialized Toupe Ti 143mm saddle at 160g saved me 150g over the stock Rival one.

These upgrades have taken the bike down to 18.9lb and cost me under £220.
I could save even more weight by fitting my Amercian Classic 350 wheels but I'm looking to sell these in a few weeks once my new ones arrive.
If I did fit them that'd save me over 1/2lb again.

I'll change the bars one day and change the drivetrain as and when it wears out.
Fork upgrade can be had pretty cheap £220 approx will get you a fork that weighs about 200g less.
I worked out that a sub 17lb Allez is easily possible....depends on your wallet...

So to recap (just as the other guys have already said).
Wheels/Tyres/tubes/cassette (SRAM Cassettes or even a DA 9 spd are lightest).
Stem, seat post, saddle.


Good luck..it's good fun too. 8)

Brommers76

Pmannion9,

I have a fizik Arione CX Kium but am struggling with it at the moment. I have done a few hundred miles only so I would still say it is new. Sitting on the hoods is OK but on the drops and the pressure on the perineum is intollerable. If you are after a white with red centre stripe and a brand new clip on fizzik saddle bag I may sell it on.

My advice is to find somebody who has one (or any Arione) on their bike and go for a spin.

Mettan

danowat wrote:

As for wheels, I currently have Mavic CXP-22 S, which according to google weight 525g each? (1050g pair?).

Within my budget are the Shimano RS80, however, the quoted weight for those is 1521g per pair, so no weight saving?.

The 525 might be the rim weight of the Mavics - (and that's quite a weighty rim) - the RS80 rim is an Ultralight 390g - (very light). A few people have got the RS80's on this forum - could always ask them for current up-to-date views on them. New wheels and tires will give you a noticeable boost and enjoyment to your riding.

hopper1

danowat wrote:

I deffo need some pedals and shoes, currently using toe clips and my running shoes, so thats not ideal!, think that will be my first purchase.

Dan, you'll certainly notice the difference in power transfer, if/when you upgrade to road shoes & pedals. Worthy upgrade.

pmannion9, I've had and sold, two Ariones... Now using a Specialized BG Toupe Team 143mm.
Unfortunately, saddles are very personal, so you just have to try them until you find the right one.

pmannion9

Sorry for Hijacking thread slightly.
Thanks for advice on the Arione. The toupe was my second choice so may try this instead...
Cheers.

danowat

Thought I'd revisit this topic......

As per the recommendations, I have brought...

Look KEO sprint pedals (£35)
DHB R1 road shoes (£50)
Conti GP4000S tyres (£50)

These have given the bike a noticable improvement, for not alot of money, so thats good.

Am now looking at wheels..........and looking at 3 price points

1) Bargain / low end, Planet X Model B/C (£99)

2) Low/mid, Fulcrum 5 (£165)

3) mid, Shimano RS80 (£300ish)

Which of those would give the most bang for buck, and would it be worth holding off on the wheels and saving some more money for something a bit more pricier?

pmannion9

Bang for Buck - I would say the Model B's.
Cant go wrong for £99 in my opinion.
Have made a huge difference over the stock wheels I previously had.