[fleeter]

Hey guys!

I just wanted to pick your brains on what you typically upgrade first when you purchase a bike (assuming it doesn't have all the stuff you want in the first place). I know answers are going to be all over the board, but just let me know.

Do you first get a new saddle? or do you have a favorite brand of wheels that you always get? crankset and pedals? What do you upgrade first?

[synack]

Pedals for me.

[rola643]

Imho - w-h-e-e-l-s, but I'm pretty new to riding too. That will be my next investment. I'm looking at Mavic Ksyrium SL but they would be at the upper limit of what I would spend on my current bike.

Mavic Ksyrium SL Rear Wheel

[Doohickie]

Whatever breaks first. It's a new bike, right? It should work great for a while.

[Industry_Hack]

Contact points, then whatever wears out, unless a smokin' deal comes along.

[jad3]

Where I go shopping is probably a better question...old my old bike!

[chh55]

I agree on the wheels.... if your saddle is adequately comfortable that is. Better wheels give the greatest increase in performance. Usually if you start out in the sport you buy a bike that you think is going to suit your needs, then after you get into it you want something better. The best thing to do is get a better set of wheels and leave the rest of the bike the way it is. Then start looking around for a super frame, add componenets one by one and build up your dream bike while your original bike keeps you rolling. When your dream bike is done put your old wheels back on your original bike and mount the "good" wheels on your dream bike... voilá you now have a super bike and a rainy day bike (which you can loan to friends if they want to try chasing you).

[hophead]

Originally Posted by fleeter

Hey guys!

I just wanted to pick your brains on what you typically upgrade first when you purchase a bike (assuming it doesn't have all the stuff you want in the first place). I know answers are going to be all over the board, but just let me know.

Do you first get a new saddle? or do you have a favorite brand of wheels that you always get? crankset and pedals? What do you upgrade first?

When buying a new bike, most good bike shops will let you swap the saddle and pedals for an up charge (or sometimes even free) depending on what you want to replace them with. Many new bikes do not even come with pedals, so you would have to purchase them at the time you bought the bike. I wouldn't really consider a saddle or pedals an upgrade. You should be starting out with a saddle that fits properly and pedals that you are comfortable with. The exception would be going from flat pedals to clipless, which I highly recommend for most types of riding (road & xc mtn biking).

As already mentioned, wheels are an area that, in most cases, will give you a significant performance increase unless you bought a very high end bike. Good wheels are expensive and most manufacturers spec less than wonderful hoops on their entry to mid-level bikes. Wheels are also very likely the most spendy upgrade that you will make. A high end set of wheels can set you back hundreds or even over one thousand bucks.

I would recommend you just ride your bike. You will figure out for yourself which components you are happy with and which ones not so much. Upgrade through attrition. As thing break, which they will especially if it's a mtn bike, replace them with the best that you can afford. The best doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive.

If you'd like to post up what you are riding, we may be able to tip you off to the weak links. For instance, I have an 02 Giant NRS3. The first upgrade that I would recommend for anyone who owned that bike would be a new crankset. The OE crankset is a boat anchor.

[fleeter]

Originally Posted by hophead

If you'd like to post up what you are riding, we may be able to tip you off to the weak links. For instance, I have an 02 Giant NRS3. The first upgrade that I would recommend for anyone who owned that bike would be a new crankset. The OE crankset is a boat anchor.

I hope I don't get flamed too bad... I have an '09 Windsor Fens from BD. I'm just starting out, and I found that this bike had the best value for the price-range I was shopping within. It has shimano 105's all around, which makes for a decent drive-train, however, the crankset seems on the cheap side, and the wheels and tires seem like they were put on just to make it roll....

Here's a link to see all the specs of what came with it 09 Windsor Fens

Now... play nice, and don't tell me that the first upgrade should be a real bike

[hophead]

Originally Posted by fleeter

I hope I don't get flamed too bad... I have an '09 Windsor Fens from BD. I'm just starting out, and I found that this bike had the best value for the price-range I was shopping within. It has shimano 105's all around, which makes for a decent drive-train, however, the crankset seems on the cheap side, and the wheels and tires seem like they were put on just to make it roll....

Here's a link to see all the specs of what came with it 09 Windsor Fens

Now... play nice, and don't tell me that the first upgrade should be a real bike

Not to worry. No one here is gonna blast ya for gettin' what you can afford. Hell, my first road bike was rescued from salvage. I think I've got all of about a hundred bucks in it. The fact that you're riding a bike, any bike, is awesome!

That looks like a decent bike with entry level, but good components. I would just ride it.