Got some cash, advice on what to buy or upgrades...

ct8282
ct8282 Posts: 414
edited July 2013 in Road buying advice
I've got some cash heading my way shortly and will be looking to put up to £400 towards bike/cycling goodness.

My current setup is the Giant TCR Advanced 2 2012, full Ultgera.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... ifications

I've pretty much got the rest of my riding gear together now, clothing, sunnies, accessories etc although I could maybe do with a few more items of clothing as my cycling wardrobe is a little limited right now, however this will be considered as a fall back if I don't spend the cash on something else.

So, with this in mind and with a budget of up to £400 what you guys suggest I buy and why? I'm still learning so not sure what would make good upgrades to my bike, if anything. Or maybe there are other cycling related bits I could consider?

Comments

  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    GPS, Nice tyres (e.g. Vittoria Open Corsa or Veloflex Master), better brake/gear cables (e.g jagwaire racer), Carbon Bottle Cages (e.g Blackburn), Nice pedals, New shoes (Giro are sweet).
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • ct8282
    ct8282 Posts: 414
    smidsy wrote:
    GPS, Nice tyres (e.g. Vittoria Open Corsa or Veloflex Master), better brake/gear cables (e.g jagwaire racer), Carbon Bottle Cages (e.g Blackburn), Nice pedals, New shoes (Giro are sweet).

    Thanks, some good suggestions there.

    Already got GPS, nice pedals and shoes, although I do keep getting numb tingly feet which I am attributing to my shoes. They weren't cheap though, £100 Louis Garneau's.

    My breaks and gears seem to perform superbly so I wouldn't want to spend money on cables as it seems unnecessary. Could do with another carbon bottle cage so I'll defo put that on my wish list.

    What about wheels?
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    ct8282 wrote:
    What about wheels?

    Don't you have any?
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Wheels/tyre are likely to have the biggest impact on ride - what have you got currently? What kind of riding do you enjoy?
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • ct8282
    ct8282 Posts: 414
    SloppySchleckonds wrote:
    ct8282 wrote:
    What about wheels?

    Don't you have any?

    Nope. I was beginning to wonder why my forks are getting shagged by the Tarmac!!
  • ct8282
    ct8282 Posts: 414
    Monty Dog wrote:
    Wheels/tyre are likely to have the biggest impact on ride - what have you got currently? What kind of riding do you enjoy?

    I've got the Giant PSL-1's at present. They seem to do a great job but then I have never ridden any other wheels so I can't comment.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Ok seeing as you asked, yes some nice handbuilt wheels can be had for your budget.

    e.g. Archetype rim with Hope Pro EVO 3 hubs at 28 holes with DT revolution front and DT competition back, about 1600g.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • ct8282
    ct8282 Posts: 414
    Ok, cool. I'll look at those. What benefits or differences can I expect from upgrading my wheels?
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    If they are lighter (which I am sure they are) then less rotational mass so improves handling and acceleration and abilty to hold speed.

    Hand built also have the advantage of being totally serviceable at reasonable cost and can be re-built as components are always available.

    They are also like riding on air compared to low spoke count, straight pull factory wheels.

    A properly built/tensioned wheel will give many 1000's miles trouble free, stay true miles.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • slowandsteady
    slowandsteady Posts: 339
    Tingly feet you say?

    try loosening your shoes a bit. Seriously.
    Wilier Cento Uno SR 2013 in Fluro Yellow
    Cannondale Caad10 2014 in BLACK!!
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    How about spending the money on going somewhere nice to ride the bike and kit you already have?
  • ct8282
    ct8282 Posts: 414
    Slowandsteady wrote:
    Tingly feet you say?

    try loosening your shoes a bit. Seriously.

    I have, and I continue to do so. The shoes have 2 Velcro straps and a fastening mechanism on the top main strap. I now have all 3 very loose! It's not ideal. Maybe new shoes would be a good start, lol.

    Are there maybe special socks that could help?
  • ct8282
    ct8282 Posts: 414
    Flasher wrote:
    How about spending the money on going somewhere nice to ride the bike and kit you already have?

    Also a good idea! :D
  • Finlaz22
    Finlaz22 Posts: 169
    Defeet socks are super comfortable. If it's not the tightness of the shoe then maybe you have the wrong size/shoe form for your feet?
    http://www.strava.com/athletes/3928202
  • ct8282
    ct8282 Posts: 414
    Finlaz22 wrote:
    Defeet socks are super comfortable. If it's not the tightness of the shoe then maybe you have the wrong size/shoe form for your feet?

    This is what I'm starting to wonder, but the problem is how do you know if a shoe will work for you. You can't try them on long enough to find out. :cry:
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    Flasher wrote:
    How about spending the money on going somewhere nice to ride the bike and kit you already have?

    +1

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