Upgrade

[ehirsch83]

Don't let yourself think of tires as an upgrade!
Every 1500 miles or so, you will need new tires!! You can stay with the same kind, or try something different. The fun in upgrading are parts that are you are going to really enjoy-either the feel of or the look

Tires are like bar tape- they are something that you are going to need to replace every few months.

Upgrade things like-wheels, seat post, bars, stem, gruppo, frame!

You can even upgrade helmets and shoes.

[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.

[blackhillsbiker]

My new Kona Dew Deluxe now sports Ergon bar grips and bar ends (a necessity for my arthritic hands), a Brooks B-67S saddle and Velo Grand Cru seatpost (helps get the Brooks in the right position), a Light & Motion Stella 120 headlamp and a Trek rear blinkie, a Topeak rack and small pack/pannier combo, a Cateye Enduro 8 cyclometer, and Planet Bike fenders. The lights and fenders were the only things bought for this bike. The others were ported over from my previous bike. I'd like to try a B-17 saddle, but I think I need to wait until next summer before I spend any more.

Deb

[marni]

I am a long distance and cross country bike rider. I ride a 2004 trek pilot 5.2 with a carbon frame, a triple crank , a 9 gear stack and all ultegra fixings.My wheels and tires are Bontrager race lites.These were original with the bike. I do one cross country and multiple shorter rides as well 6-8 charity centuries

My upgrades include stryker iron man aero bars and double sided pedals.

Since my focus is distance and endurance over speed, weight is not a major factor for me. I have had very good luck with the bontrager tires, havinng had to replace the only one time. In all my riding, I have had only two flats which I think says a great deal about the strength of the tires, especially when you consider that I have ridden across goat head thorns, endless miles of Texas chip seal, and lots of blown radials and truck tires. I think that speaks to the quality of the Race lites (which have kevlar sides as well as the area under the treads.) That being said, I will also point out that I am fanaticabout checking my tires completely after every ride or any time I run over something suspicious.

The only upgrades in my future are a new bike seat since the one that came with the bike which is cracking and splitting.

The upgrade I would like to make is to get some new aero bars with the gear shifter on the end. Not necessary, but easier to not to keep having to change positions if I need to change gears, especially on hills.

I plan to keep riding the trek until it or I can't go on. I would like a custom painted ffully upgraded Trek Madone for my 65th birthday in a few years which seems highly unlikely but a girl can dream. In the meantime I love mmy trek.

Marni-the hippie biker chick from Sugar Land, TX

[Owlie]

I'll upgrade the tires on my bike when they wear out. My bike has about 60 miles on it, so I doubt that will happen any time soon. If I get some money and some guidance, I may upgrade the wheels. Anything beyond that for this bike is probably not worth it.

My bike came with Sora components. If I wanted to upgrade to 105 (highest level that makes sense for the frame), I would probably replace the cassette first, as I can't quite find a groove in the 8-speed. (I'm really strange, apparently--the bottom is quite comfy, as is the top, but the middle gears, not so much.) If I replace the cassette, I have to replace the RD. If I replace that, I need to replace the shifter. If I do that, I may as well replace the other one. If I do that, I may as well upgrade the FD. I looked up prices for new parts, and it comes to... $842, not including tax. If I include the cost of the wheels, I may as well buy a new bike.

[sundial]

For me an upgrade is new bar tape, Brooks saddle, different pedals (going with touring pedals for now) and nice rims.

[Bike Chick]

I upgraded my black Surly Cross Check with:
Vitoria Randonneur tires with reflective sidewalls
Planet Bike fenders
Buddy Flaps (mud flaps) http://buddyflaps.com/fancy.htm
Spokees http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodFR_010.html
Salsa "granny" 3rd chainring
Campy front derailleur
Crank Brothers 5050 pedals http://www.crankbrothers.com/5050.php
Heavy duty rear rack
Ortieb panniers
Brooks B67 saddle in black with black springs
Dimension riser stem
Moustache bars
Cinelli tape
Incredi-Bell
several lights, reflectors, reflective tape, and gewgaws

Ewwwww Knottedyet.......Nice! Do you mind sharing a pic? I've got a black crosscheck frame ordered and am planning the build....I'd love some inspiration.