Upgrade route

jameses

Having upgaded bits and pieces on my first bike over the course of a couple of years and just recently built up a bike from scratch, I was out on a ride the other day and (given it comes up on here quite often) got to thinking about what I found to be the most effective upgrade route in terms of proper, noticeable differences to the ride (not weight saving simply for the sake of having a lighter bike).

I'm basing this on an entry level, alloy frame/carbon fork, shimano equipped bike:

Pedals
Tyres (& tubes)
Wheels
Brake pads
Saddle
Cables
Shifters
Brake callipers
Seatpost
Rear mech
Front mech
Cassette & Chain
Chainset/bb
Bars
Stem

Of course, it's all just my opinion - contact points (saddle especially) could appear pretty much anywhere on the list, depending on how well you get on with them, and shifters only appear as high up as they do because I found the shimano thumbshifters irritating (no experience of SRAM or Campag, so can't comment on their entry level shifters).

Does anyone have a different upgrade route?

*edited for clarity

keef66

My upgrade route was:-

Buy bike from Epic, carefully considering and specifying each component so I got the bike I wanted from the outset.

Ride bike

Replace bits that wear out.

I find this is a much cheaper route than buying a bike then spending the next 2 years and hundreds of pounds replacing virtually every part of it.

(OK, so I admit I've swapped the saddle)

jameses

I would agree that is a much better route, but also one that most people don't take!

keef66

So I've noticed. Bit of a puzzler to me. Then again I'm a Yorkshireman with deep pockets and very short arms. I'd hate the feeling of removing a perfectly functional component only to replace it with something essentially similar but having spent money in the process. Having a saddle that's surplus to requirements just annoys me each time I see it.

Nor do I kid myself that shaving grams off the weight of the bike is going to make me any faster or the ride more enjoyable. In fact my only modification, the Brooks saddle, must've added several hundred grams. It has however made the bike supremely comfortable.

jameses

Which is why I specified a proper, noticeable difference to the ride in my original post, and most groupset components are near the bottom of the list. I never mentioned anything about saving weight.

keef66

Sorry, wasn't referring specifically to your post, rather to the frequent justifications i hear given for 'upgrades'. Stuff like spending a couple of hundred on a chainset to save 50 grams, or ditching perfectly functional Shimano calipers for some skinny CNC jobbies.

jameses

I'm with you there. Nothing wrong with wanting a lighter bike I guess, but I would rather any changes I make be noticeable upgrades instead of a sideways shift in terms of functionality. Might make my intial post a bit clearer in that regard!

edten

keef66 wrote:

Sorry, wasn't referring specifically to your post, rather to the frequent justifications i hear given for 'upgrades'. Stuff like spending a couple of hundred on a chainset to save 50 grams, or ditching perfectly functional Shimano calipers for some skinny CNC jobbies.

What people spend their money on is surely their concern and criticism directed at those spending money is often driven by envy. Your post comes across as bitter and quite sad, at least to me.

FlacVest

edten wrote:

keef66 wrote:

Sorry, wasn't referring specifically to your post, rather to the frequent justifications i hear given for 'upgrades'. Stuff like spending a couple of hundred on a chainset to save 50 grams, or ditching perfectly functional Shimano calipers for some skinny CNC jobbies.

What people spend their money on is surely their concern and criticism directed at those spending money is often driven by envy. Your post comes across as bitter and quite sad, at least to me.

And often made by those who aren't all that fast, to top it off.

Wirral_paul

Why whenever there's an "upgrade" thread does it always have to have people saying that it doesnt make a difference - always without fail there's a comment along those lines. It's more frustrating to read in "Road Buying Advice" - and makes me wonder why some people even read that forum.

Anyway back on topic. I'd say for noticable differences - i'd go for comfort over weight saving.

Saddle
Quality tyres
Wheels
Handlebar tape
Seatpost
Bars
pedals

After that - its weight saving and no really perceptable changes to riding. Vanity comes into it however - and there's nothing wrong with that in my eyes within reason. I'll admit to liking my bike to look really good - but i'd pick non-bicycle itself stuff ahead of a new mech etc with emphasis on function and comfort over looks. Stuff like...

High quality cycling shorts.
Cycling shoes
Helmet
Mitts / gloves etc

I do spend a lot on clothing but do ride year round (when not injured) so need to be comfortable in all weathers. No point having a really nice bike thats very comfy - if you then ride ill fitting shorts and dont have good overshoe etc on a long cold winter ride.

keef66

FlacVest wrote:

edten wrote:

keef66 wrote:

Sorry, wasn't referring specifically to your post, rather to the frequent justifications i hear given for 'upgrades'. Stuff like spending a couple of hundred on a chainset to save 50 grams, or ditching perfectly functional Shimano calipers for some skinny CNC jobbies.

What people spend their money on is surely their concern and criticism directed at those spending money is often driven by envy. Your post comes across as bitter and quite sad, at least to me.

And often made by those who aren't all that fast, to top it off.

I'm not bitter or sad. Or indeed envious. What people choose to spend their money on is entirely a matter for them. All I was trying to say is I don't really understand why people buy a bike and almost immediately set about replacing a significant number of bits. Surely it's more sensible to buy a bike with the desired components to start with? And the widespread use of the term 'upgrade'. Newcomers to cycling reading magazine reviews would very easily come to the conclusion that it's impossible to buy a bike that isn't in some way needing an 'upgrade' in order to function.

You're not wrong about the "aren't all that fast" bit though...