[Bigmarlow]

I currently have a giant defy with shimano sora groupset..

It rides spot on but what upgrade could I make or would you make to your bike to see the biggest advantage in performance?

Topic

[Shades]

Apart from the usual,

Apart from the usual, relatively easy and cheap(ish) upgrades like saddle, tyres, decent bar tape etc, I was always told it was wheels.  A lot of people go for factory built wheels, but if you’re prepared to invest in some hand-built wheels (components can be serviced and replaced in the future) you’ll end up with wheels that you could move onto a new frame if you were into building up a new bike in the future.  Off the shelf bikes often have a lot of cheap components that may well need replacing relatively soon after purchase so investing in decent components means a ‘new’ bike is more a case of upgrading the frame and shifting the components over.  More complicated, and potentially more expensive up front, but balance that against an off the shelf bike that you know comes with some cheap components fitted.  A bike mechanic said to me once that ‘when you buy a bike you get a frame and a fit’.  If you’ve got an unlimited budget then, yes, an off the shelf bike will come with top-end components; at that level you may well be buying the frame and picking the components you want.

[Simon E]

srchar wrote:

More training.

100% this.

Some nicer tyres would be the other thing – Conti GP5000s, Schwalbe Pro One, Vittoria Corsa or similar supple, fast rolling rubber, preferably 28mm. Don’t pump them up too hard, lube your chain and start getting the miles in.

Good wheels are expensive and in reality they won’t make you much faster. Tweaking the engine always brings the biggest gains.

[srchar]

More training.

More training.

[David9694]

https://www.huntbikewheels

Road Bike Rim Brake Wheelsets | Cyclocross & More | Hunt Bike Wheels

there are loads of wheels out there: this is but one that generally gets good reviews – it’s at the sort of price point that would be a worthwhile change, if you’re happy with other (cheaper) aspects of the bike and its upkeep. 

[Bigmarlow]

At the minute I have gator

At the minute I have gator skin tyres on my bike. Still life left in them. I’ve had new bar tape put on. The groupset is fine no problems. 
 

wheels are still the standard wheels  any recommendations on wheels? I’m not the lightest bro n an ex rugby player! 

[OnTheRopes]

Depends if you want aero or

Depends if you want aero or lightweight and your budget

[ktache]

Tyres are always a good thing

Tyres are always a good thing to upgrade.

And not really about performance, but you will notice a big difference in contact points, handlebars and tape, saddle and pedals.  And these are often the parts manufacturers make savings on too.

The groupset, upgrade as it wears or breaks.  Though fresh quality cables will feel fabulous and work really well.

[David9694]

Probably the wheels.
 

Probably the wheels.

 

[Author]

Replies