Upgrade

[Crankin]

Well, I've used the Conti 4000s for years and have had no issues. The only flats I've had were from me not watching the road and actually slashing the tire with sharp objects (twice in 9 years). Of course, I get my tires from various internet sources and they cost a fraction of the retail price.
I haven't really upgraded much. I got a Terry Falcon saddle 3 years ago, when I got my Kuota. I actually switched out the fancy carbon ergonomically correct bars for cheap, aluminum Specialized wsd bars that have a shallow drop and are narrow enough for me. Even though I have a very light bike, I don't care about the bars; I'm not racing. That's about it. My bike came with a wireless computer, which I really didn't want, since the previous ones I've had always conked out or gave me weird readings. But this one is OK. Oh, and I have a headlight I recently bought, since I have been doing some very early morning rides.
Instead of upgrading, I bought another bike to tool around on! I bought a pannier, 2 lights, a blinkie, and a cheap computer for my Jamis.

[ny biker]

I think the only true upgrade on my bike was the switch from a Tiagra front derailleur to an Ultegra. But that was not planned and I didn't pay for it -- I brought the bike to the shop for an FD adjustment, and it broke while the mechanic was working on it. It was probably metal fatigue from the million or so previous adjustments that were necessary on that FD, but the guy felt responsible so he replaced it at no cost, and the only triple FD they had in stock was an Ultegra so that's what I got. It was a huge improvement. The Tiagra was always causing problems with dropped chains, but I've rarely had that problem since getting the Ultegra.

I tried some Vittoria Open Corsa tires a couple years back. Before that I had ridden whatever Bontragers came on the bike and another set of Bontragers that were supposed to be puncture-resistant but really were not. I liked the Vittorias a lot for their decreased rolling resistance, but they got too many punctures so I switched to Continental Ultra Gatorskins which I love. I'm more interested in avoiding flats than having race-quality tires.

[kermit]

I have two other bikes. A specialized stumpjumper that I just got and a single speed steel road bike from Bikes Direct. That bike was $250 and I wouldn't change a thing. I think the more there is on a bike the more you can change and play with things. Sometimes it's nice to get on and just pedal, no gears, just pedal.

[Yemmi530]

Any Comment on Seatpost upgrade?
Some people say yes, some people say no.
Probably, this type of upgrade is not for performance but display (eyes candy).
Agree?

[MomOnBike]

Come to think of it, I've done a fair bit of upgrading.

1) New pedals - the kind that flat on one side and clip-in on the other

2) Mirrors - bilateral

3) Under seat racks. (Since removed, but will go back on as soon as I decide to take another tour.)

4) Back wheel rebuild. My spokes on the back wheel were popping so much, it reminded me of popcorn. I had the LBS build up a sturdy back wheel & haven't had trouble since.

5) Rotor cranks with 165 cranks & a Really Low granny gear. (Review here: http://www.bentrideronline.com/2004Feb/rotor_cranks.htm ) I put them on right after I had my knee 'scoped, and they seem to have helped.

The recumbent specific part:

6) New seat struts today. They hold my seat upright - when they are not broken. I replace the soft aluminum struts with cro-moly. These should be more sturdy.

7) A pretty seat cover. I'm on my second one. They just make the recumbent seat more interesting than the plain black one everyone else rides.

The bike has a fairing up front which came with the bike. I'm not responsible for that, but I'm keeping it.

I'm still running the stock Kenda Kwest fat high-pressure tires. They maybe aren't the fastest tires on the road, but they are reasonably bullet-proof.

I think I'm pretty much done changing thing on this bike (subject to change without notice). I'm dreaming about a second bike, and the upgrades and changes I'll make with that one - and the bike after that, and . . .

[Owlie]

The only upgrading I've done on this bike has been the saddle. Apart from pedals, that's the only upgrading that's going to be done unless I somehow wind up with a lot of money. It would be more than the bike's worth.

[lph]

I don't really think of it as upgrading, I think of it as gradually tuning a bike to fit me. The "perfect" bike may be out there, but I'll never have the patience, time, money or insight to hunt it down. My 4 bikes - 3 in use - have all come into my hands in sort of roundabout ways, only one was bought new, and I spend my time and money gradually tweaking things here and there. I've bought them or acquired them based on the frame fitting reasonably well and the price being reasonable, then I swap parts around or buy new ones as old ones wear out, and am gradually tweaking 3 bikes to be fairly specific for 3 types of use: 1 winter bike/commuter bike (durable, low-maintenance parts, comfortable), 1 mtb, 1 training/road bike (lightweight, good wheels).

[redrhodie]

Any Comment on Seatpost upgrade?
Some people say yes, some people say no.
Probably, this type of upgrade is not for performance but display (eyes candy).
Agree?

This is kind of funny. When I got my "upgrade" bike, I went all out on a lot of the components, including an Easton carbon seatpost. Then, like a year later, I was looking at that seatpost online, and realized how much I paid for it. I remember thinking Was I on drugs!? But, I can ride over almost any pothole and my tush doesn't mind, so it was worth it. My commuter has a $10 alu seatpost which is just fine because the bike is steel. It wouldn't be good on my Alu bike, though. Even with carbon seat stays, there might be some teeth chipping on some of the roads I ride on. I guess the carbon seatpost was cheaper than a dentist visit! So, I guess if your riding aluminum, a carbon seatpost might be money well spent.

I've upgraded the brakes on my commuter bike from Sora to Ultegra. I've upgraded to Selle Anatomica saddles on both my bikes. I'd love to have better wheels on my commuter. My upgrades have been for comfort and performance, not aesthetic reasons (except my good bike's frame. That was lust!)

[Yemmi530]

not a surprise ... I end up with a seatpost upgrade as well. "bontrager X lite race". Even I wasn't too sure about a performance improvement with my new carbon seatpost. I still want to have one, i guess "they look good". Upgrades, is like a never ending project. As long as we are riding all the time, every upgrades will worth the price. I am riding and I am happy about it, have some great ride out there sisters.

[aicabsolut]

I am in the process of upgrading my 2008 S-works Roubaix that has 2006 Shimano 105/Ultegra/FSA parts to the new Ultegra 6700 group with the Dura Ace 7950 crankset.

It was always "good enough," but the shifters have been a pain in the rear lately (the front has decided to act like a triple shifter instead of a double with trim), and I found myself never riding the bike and always gravitating towards the newer racing steed (2009 Tarmac Pro SL) with better components. Time to take the components issue out of the equation and log some training miles on the Roubaix again.