Where To Spend & Where to Save: What To Upgrade First | Cycling Weekly

In this video we show you where to spend your hard earned and where you can save it, with tips about products to consider.

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[BrianRouse]

Upgrade your bike by downgrading your pizza intake volume.

[MP-zfkg]

It's interesting to see what the hard-core bikers want. As a plodder, I'm looking more for durability, maintainability, and rational cost. I totally agree on the frame: find one that you like, then you can (typically) switch components as you wish.

[grahamjackmacpherson]

I would include saddle and grips. Two of the most comfort related upgrades and relatively cheap too.

[savoirfaire]

TL;DR: Upgrade your 1) tires, 2) wheels, 3) seat post, 4) brakes, and 5) shoes.

[JFomo]

How to save money - just buy the best first because you're just gonna end up buying it later on.

[lindsaymarnoch]

Great video CW. One small digression on bike fit. I had mine (cameras and lazers) at Sigma Sport, who discovered I'd been riding for years with my left sit bone of the saddle! My occasional knee pain disappeared also afterwards and my comfort and performance levels soared. A comprehensive bike fit is a medical necessity for many serious roadies, I would suggest, but I do agree not essential for all of us. Thanks guys!

[Youtubefana]

Michelle respect. You have given very sensible advice. This kind of common sense is very rare in cycling journalism nowadays.

[cccycling]

I've been a cyclist for most of my life, but only just go into road cycling from urban track bikes, and the one thing that has struck me is how you don't even need $1500 USD for a good entry level bike. My Spesh Allez base was $999 and it was an absolute steal, I cannot believe how good it is, everybody thinks I paid $$$$ for it too.

[andream.]

A great way to save: buy a used top of the line bike of 3-5 years ago, rather than an entry level new one!

[happysporran]

Reluctantly, I have to agree about electronic shifting. I bought a canyon, with 10 speed ultegra Di2 in 2012. I love it and it's still superb, but the prices today would send me towards 105.

[RonBonXD]

I got a handme down bike from my dad who was a road racer cause of a leg injury, now he gave me some money to spend on bike parts and this video really helped me a lot what to buy first

[whomadethatsaltysoup]

Excellent presentation. Absolutely loved the '£2.99 bottle holder will do' comment! I'm no youngster, so comfort is my priority. I'm looking to replace 25 with 28 or even 32mm tires to improve comfort on our dreadful UK road surfaces.

[LRF]

I upgraded my stock wheels for aluminum DT Swiss. The difference is amazing. I'll go carbon, maybe, later as I think it's expensive and unnecessary for none competitive riders. Plus, the major risk of breaking the wheels thanks to pot holes or sketchy road conditions.

[sixpotshot]

Excellent advice. The only point I personally find controversial is re the pedals: my experience with different brands / systems (I am not stating here my choice as it is irrelevant and I am not any reference) says that one should not disregard this matter: power transfer, smoothness, easiness of clip / unclip and even walkability means there is here a wide range of variables which I find it is a good place to spend rather then to save money on. In case you haven't published something similar it would be interesting to have a video about the accessories: lights, hydration systems, tools, safety gear... and so on. Congratulations for the superb presentation and to whoever has edited the video

[saracen]

Enjoyed that. Spot on about the bike fit, everyone seems to be doing it these days and charging silly money. The best fitters go by eye and ultimately by communicating with their clients Shout out to Vankru; they know their stuff.

[rsrnsrwds]

Love videos like this! Thank you, Michelle.

It can be tricky to identify what defines an "upgrade". Performance, utility or comfort related, or flashy name brand aesthetics - upgrades can be different for each rider.

Yes, a $2500 stock bike is the perfect starting point. Performance upgrades will likely look different for a more expensive bike. Biggest performance related bang for the buck - by a huge margin - are tires. I have multiple sets of tires for different rides and surfaces. But I do get tired of changing tires....so I can see myself eventually 'upgrading' to a new wheelset to make this swap easier. One wheelset and tires for road and another for gravel.

[onilovni]

I only spend a lot of money on the frame, wheels, electronic components, handlebar, saddle, clothes, helmet, shoes and GPS. So my S-Works Venge has cheap pedals I guess? Plus I have another bike for the week-ends!

[cycling]

Agree with most of these points. A professional bike fit is not the same as some kid at the local shop with a chart and a tape measure. Most bike fit issues are the result of poor recommendations by inexperienced bike sales people. Ask any professional bike fitter and they will tell you at least 50% of people are sold a frame 1 size too big. I see it out on the road every day. Every bike shop i have asked to size me, says i'm a 56cm based on my height. I'm a 53cm as confirmed by the best bike fitter in the business. If you are doing high mileage and/or have comfort or pain issues a proper bike fit is the best value upgrade .

[NDakota]

Don't overspend on your first bike. You likely don't know what you really prefer and what suits you best. Try a cheaper one, experiment with different frames, sizes and handle bars, before you commit to buying a bike for 5000 bucks.

[charlesmansplaining]

I strongly agree that going to a custom builder and having a bike made is the right thing too these days. Sure the process is slower, it took me 6 months to get my bike. I have owned a lot of bikes in my life but never one that feels so good, so balanced, and controllable as the one I have now which I had custom made. Shout out to Carl Strong Frames in Bozeman, Montana. I can spend as much time as I want riding my bike and I never get off it experiencing pains. Some of these guys really know what they are doing when it comes to bike fitting and you're not going to get that from a shop, well most of us aren't. Surprisingly the cost was lower than some frames from the major or Italian brands.