Upgrades for my Trek 1.1

andy46

Hello everyone

I've had my first road bike for nearly a year now and i'm still loving it

I do some times wish i'd saved a bit more money up and got a slightly better one though. However, i'm not really in a position to buy a new bike but i could afford a few choice upgrades to mine.

So I'd just like peoples suggestions as to where my money would be best spent. The first thing I was thinking of changing would be the tyres (preferbly something with coloured stripes blue or white) also maybe a carbon seat post, what are peoples thoughts on the exotic items from carbon cycles?

Thanks for any replies and input, it is much appreciated

P_Tucker

What, exactly, do you think is wrong with your bike as it is?

zn533

Tyres are a really good idea. I use Continental GP4000s' and I think they're brilliant. You go faster, they're really grippy and the ride is much smoother. Michelin Pro Race3s are very similar and will have the coloured stripes that you're after. I think these are the best upgrade you can make to any bike, as well as being one of the cheapest!

A carbon seatpost is bling, nothing more, and you prrobably won't feel a difference (I don't).

Another worthy upgrade is a set of decent brake pads. Sure, they slow you down (!) but the added confidence really makes me go faster. If you find you're getting a lot of flinty material stuck in your pads, it's time to change.

I'm looking at getting and a good quality jersey. Apparently Castelli's aero jersey is worth 10 watts, which appears to be an equal saving to deep-section rims (this is just internet research here).

All these are relatively cheap upgrades that will make a tangible difference to your ride.

Beyond that, you're really looking at a new bike altogether.

Remember though, that the most effective upgrade of all is you!

andy46

I'd like to save a bit of wieght if possible, i'd like to just make it look a bit nicer (tarty i know) to stand out a bit.

I also just don't like some of the comments I've recieved on it being "bottom of the range" and "I wouldn't have one" :roll:

Don't get me wrong i enjoy myself every single time i go out on it but, if I had the money of course I'd have a full carbon bike etc.

I have changed certain things on my mtb, some for performance some just for looks so i'm just looking to do the same with my road bike

andy46

Thanks for the comment zn533 I wil be changing the tyres first. I thought a carbon seat post would not only look nice but also be lighter and be more comfortable on the road?

P_Tucker

andy46 wrote:

I'd like to save a bit of wieght if possible, i'd like to just make it look a bit nicer (tarty i know) to stand out a bit.

I also just don't like some of the comments I've recieved on it being "bottom of the range" and "I wouldn't have one" :roll:

Don't get me wrong i enjoy myself every single time i go out on it but, if I had the money of course I'd have a full carbon bike etc.

I have changed certain things on my mtb, some for performance some just for looks so i'm just looking to do the same with my road bike

Well, you know of course that saving weight will make the square root of bog all difference to the performance of your bike? If not, you do now.

If you just want to pimp your ride, then that's fine - although, at the risk of being a little harsh, its a Trek 1.1 - you can't polish a turd. If you want people swooning at your sweet sweet ride, then save up for a new bike.

andy46

P_Tucker wrote:

andy46 wrote:

I'd like to save a bit of wieght if possible, i'd like to just make it look a bit nicer (tarty i know) to stand out a bit.

I also just don't like some of the comments I've recieved on it being "bottom of the range" and "I wouldn't have one" :roll:

Don't get me wrong i enjoy myself every single time i go out on it but, if I had the money of course I'd have a full carbon bike etc.

I have changed certain things on my mtb, some for performance some just for looks so i'm just looking to do the same with my road bike [/quote

Well, you know of course that saving weight will make the square root of bog all difference to the performance of your bike? If not, you do now.

If you just want to pimp your ride, then that's fine - although, at the risk of being a little harsh, its a Trek 1.1 - you can't polish a turd. If you want people swooning at your sweet sweet ride, then save up for a new bike.

thats just what i mean :roll:

i dont want anyone to "swoon" at my "sweet ride" are you an american teenager???

I'm just after a little advice on how to make my bike a little better thats all :?

Bobbinogs

Slightly abrupt from mr tucker (I wouldn't expect anything less ) but bang on the money.

I also found that decent brake pads (Koolstop dual compounds are great if they are compatible with your blocks) and nice tyres (also rate GP4000s but they can cut up a bit) made an instant and VFM difference.

I am not sure about the aero shirt recommendation. If your position and weight are wrong then sticking on some lycra won't do much.

Carbon seat post? Weight saving will be less than taking a leak before you ride, so do that instead. Some folks say that carbon posts help smooth out the ride (as opposed to making you faster). I haven't been able to detect the improved smoothness (but I am not saying the folks are wrong).

Other than that, wheels. You need spend a decent amount to make it worth the while but at least you can keep them and transfer to your new bike which you will buy at the end of the year (2011 stock bargains) Something like Fulcrum 5 or Shimano 6700 given your bike.

If you really want to go faster, just train more though. Bear in in mind a full water bottle weighs 0.5kg (and you weigh a damn sight more) so think about that when looking at the VFM of a carbon bottle cage.

If you want to stop the snarky comments, join a new club. My club has a right old range of machines and no one says anything bad (lots of cooing at the nice bikes though, but they are not necessarily the expensive bling ones...my retro bike gets more nice comments than bikes costing a blinking fortune).

P_Tucker

Putting carbon bling on a Trek 1.1 is the equivalent of putting a giant chrome exhaust on a Citroen Saxo. Don't get upset, I'm trying to stop you wasting your money.

andy46

ok point taken, I can see where your coming from

I'll change the tyres first, and i'll also look at the brake pads because that is one thing now i come to think about it where i don't have much confidence. I find myself braking very early when traveling at speed. The first time on the bike going down a steep hill near me was a real eye opener being used to hydraulic discs

kev77

Tyres, Wheels brake pads in that order.

You wont go far wrong then.

andy46

I've just looked on th Evans website at the Fulcrum 5's as recommended by Bobbinogs and I really like the look of them, would I notice a significant improvement over my standard Bontrager approved rims?

sorry for all the questions

kev77

Yes, roll better but you may find them a bit harsher on the road ( being stiffer )

andy46

Right then... roll on pay day, then it's new wheels tyres and brake pads. It should be like riding a new bike

iPete

Wheels and tyres.

Get yourself a nice 'weekend set', something like Shimano RS80s or American Classic Aero 420s running Michelin Pro 3's. Then upgrade as things need replacing if you must, not much point in spending money elsewhere and the weekend wheels can go onto a new bike etc.

I can certainly feel the difference between my commuting wheels and RS80's, it is like riding a different bike. Oh and get lightweight inner tubes, if your going for lighter wheels and tyres, don't skimp.

andy46

Just took alook at the American Classic's mentioned above... they cost more than my whole bike did

very nice though 8)

iPete

Yup, they look epic but are quite a bit more expensive than RS80s, think mine worked out at £311 + £45 Michelin Pro 3s + £12 tubes + £34 wheel bags, adds up!

If your buying 'weekend' wheels its worth buying the best you can afford regardless of bike, they can be moved on easily and make the biggest difference.

pianoman

Anything that saves time aerodynamically or tyre wise is probably the way to go - so get something like Panaracer Type L's, and I'd be inclined to go along with the aero jersey idea - my Endura Equipe jersey fits me far better than any of my cheaper ones from previous years, as it flaps around less.

But P_Tucker is right - don't go down the road of spending money on things like carbon seatposts/stems/handlebars - you'd be better off finding someone within that club who actually listens to those who want to improve and will either coach you or find someone else who can do that for you (and no I'm not just saying that because I know a few people who are BTF Accredited coaches either, who live in my area!) Otherwise, if you want to "coach yourself", look at what you're weak at - are you a big gear pusher who can't spin at "high revs per minute" like me or do you spin happily at 100rpm all day in a smaller gear and need to bulk up those legs? Have a think about it.

A full carbon bike isn't necessarily the way to go either - they don't really come at anything less than a grand these days and then, apart from one or two gems, you're looking at a high-resin frame which is undoubtedly a plush ride, but has all the stiffness and responsiveness of a paper bag. That's why I chose a Cervelo S1 - for the money I had to spend I could have either had the best alloy frame ever or a carbon frame that would have given me bugger all in terms of aerodynamic gains, and wouldn't have been all that stiff either. Also, the Cervelo suits people like me with long upper bodies and stumpy legs - which leads me onto professional bike fitting. Ever considered that? It can make quite a difference to your position and pedalling efficiency.

Is that enough for after 11pm?

RowCycle

I think there is nowt wrong with wanted to pimp your bike. The upgrades may make minute differences, and the feeling of it looking better may spur you on.

I tend to get upgrades based on looks, as at my level (i.e recreational rides with mates) the biggest difference in performance is the cyclist. If I want to go quicker I work on me rather than spending bits on the bike. If I do get new bits I do because it looks good.

Applespider

You sound like you're not entirely happy with your bike but can't afford to replace it. Upgrading it will make some difference but it's still going to be the same bike that you're not that happy with. Why not put the cash that you're going to spend on wheels aside and add a little more each month? Use your bike as it is to get stronger/fitter and then perhaps by next spring, you can afford to get the better bike that you've wanted and really benefit from it. Spending your spare cash on small upgrades here and there will just put your new better bike further and further away from you.

andy46

Yes your pretty much spot on Applespider

I bought this bike because it looked pretty good for the money, and don't get me wrong it is IMO (£420) The thing is I got this bike as I didn't want to spend alot of money, I didn't have alot to spend.

Plus this is my first road bike as I've only had mtb's and I wasn't really sure how I'd get on with it. To be honest I didn't like it at all on my first couple of rides but, I've stuck with it and now I love it

I use this more than my mtb now due to work etc, no need to load the car up as I'm straight out the door and within 5 minutes I'm on country B roads. Because of this though I've got the bug and now I'm finding myself wishing I'd got something just that little bit better, so my thinking was that the frame would be pretty decent so I could upgrade a few parts.

Am I right in thinking my frame is the same as the Trek 1.2 and 1.5? Then again maybe I will just treat it to some new tyres, use it as it is and try to put some money away for a new bike next year. I just hope the prices don't keep going up and spec levels go down as I know that has happened in the past. Thats where the idea came, if my frame is ok just to upgrade bits over time.

Bit confused now tbh :? think I'll go and sleep on it for a while

andrewlwood

If you can ignore other people hating on your bike, you'll save yourself a bunch of money. The 1.1 is a decent bike, great for the money.

Try replacing the bar tape, saddle and pedals if you want it to feel like a new bike.

I'm a sucker for new kit, but I'd be saving for a new bike over 12 months if I were you (or getting one interest free over 12 months (as long as I could afford the repayments).

Or you could buy a new frame and get your LBS to transfer your drivetrain over, then upgrade it bit by bit.

Or sell the trek and go second-hand.

Arghyrou

If you caa stretch it the Planet X R50's are superlight for the money, and aero, very aero. Ive got some on my spesh, love them to bits.

blackhands

Doesn't this bike have alum forks - some carbon ones will make much more difference than a carbon seatpost.

andy46

Yes it does have alu forks, I can get a set of carbon forks with a carbon steerer from my lbs for £95. However... in town today I visited another lbs (drooling over a Cube Attempt) and got talking to the guy who owns it, he seems to think that my bike is possibly to small for me.
If this is the case I won't be spending any unnecessary money on it and will save for a new bike.

andyjr

andy46 wrote:

Yes it does have alu forks, I can get a set of carbon forks with a carbon steerer from my lbs for £95. However... in town today I visited another lbs (drooling over a Cube Attempt) and got talking to the guy who owns it, he seems to think that my bike is possibly to small for me.
If this is the case I won't be spending any unnecessary money on it and will save for a new bike.

If you've not had any aches/pains from riding your bike for a year already, then i'd of said that your bike is an appropriate size for you.

andy46

I am just under 5'9 with a 32" leg and currently ride a 52cm frame, not really noticed any aches and pains, just sometimes a slight numbness/pins and needles feeling in my hands. I just put this down to the road surface.

I've took a couple of quick photos, one showing the bikes saddle and bar position and one with me sat on it. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you

CalumR

I'm no expert but looks like and from the measurements you've given the frame would be too small for you. I thought you would be more of a 54cm frame.

I had a trek1.5 as my first bike and even though i knew it wasn't a great bike, I learned to love it, It was flexy and heavy, but it was what i had, and all i could afford, so i just made the best of it and just got more fit!

Just go with what you have, enjoy it, and start saving for a new bike! Although i would seriously be tempted to replace the alu forks!

Bobbinogs

I would tend to agree about the bike size from the dimensions given although the bike fit photos aren't that good for commenting on. I suggest you get onto a turbo somewhere and get a mate to take a decent photo whilst you are in a comfortable cycling position. Your arms are all locked up because you are not nicely stretched out (you cannot even reach the drops looking at the photo!). However, if that really is your normal cycling position then I strongly recommend a bike fit (I think someone else mentioned it above). £100 could be well spent there...

andy46

I know the pic's aren't great I'll get a photo on the turbo wearing a short sleeved top, hopefully you'll be able to guide me better.

Thank you for everyone who has given advice so far. I will try and get the pic done and on here by tomorrow evening.

Arghyrou

I agree with above, frame size definitely looks to small, you shouldn't be that upright, maybe a longer stem would help, but the bikes definitely a little small.