11 of the Best Gravel Bike Upgrades in 2023

A selection of my personal favourite gravel and bikepacking accessories and products

Featured products

Content
00:00 Intro
00:42 Redshift suspension stem
2:28 Wahoo Roam GPS computer
3:53 Alpkit bar bag
5:30 Spur bicycle bell
6:44 Clear protective tape
8:07 Cargo bib shorts
9:24 Dynaplug repair kit
10:48 TPU inner tube
11:33 Chain Lube
12:27 Lights
13:28 Suspension seat posts
15:20 Suspension fork
17:51 Ass Saver mudguard
19:10 Your best products?

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[davidarthur]

What are your favourite gravel biking accessories?

[JoeCincotta]

The red shift suspension stem is absolutely the best upgrade I have done to my gravel bike. I highly recommend it to anyone who will listen.

[koltface]

The cargo bibs though! I won't even consider buying bibs if they don't have pockets. Road or gravel. Snacks, gloves, rain jacket, snacks, arm warmers, snacks.

[festerofest]

100% on the tiny bell.... I have a Rock Bros copy. Sometimes I'm on populated trails with people walking around all spaced out and a couple of "Ding-Ding's" as I'm approaching is usually gonna get their attention. Also, the bike protective tape.... I spent a bit more for the 3M paint protector tape... it's a bit thicker and will come off without trouble when the time comes. I did the underside of my down tube, and where the 3 straps of my small triangle frame bag straps to the top and seat tubes. Without the tape those spots take a beating. And obviously, best to apply it to a new bike!

[Barryens]

My go to is Lizard Skins DSP 3.2mm bar tape. Not too expensive, good grip in the wet and plenty of cushioning. I also use Gravelhugger mudguards that work really well.

[gregmorrison]

Red Shift stem mounted on my Trek Checkpoint with Iso Speed rear is a great combo, as is the Win Wing. In the rain and muck last week never got a wet back side. I also run a Red Shift stem on my Cannondale Synapse, great for keeping hours of puppy paws riding comfortable.

[LOZUPONEJ]

I highly recommend the redshift stem too

[nacnud]

I like the the 76 projects piggy on bike storage with their roll top piggy pouch. Basically the same use as a small saddle bag but it doesn’t get as muddy and you don’t have to take it off when bike packing with bigger bags under the saddle.

[ccamire]

Always good information on your channel

[peterharrington]

Some really great stuff there Dave, but that tape.... 3M helicopter tape every time for me!

[bantolphbantir]

I use Vecnum freeQuence suspension stem in combination with a Ergon CF-1 seatpost. The Vecnum is based on a parralellogram with dual pivots, so the angle of attack of the bars never changes. It's also built really well and inspires a lot of trust that it won't break! The Ergon post is quite light, and moves in such a way that you don't even notice it moving and stays stiff when it's not bumpy.

[thengineers]

You always do a great job with your videos.

[RobbyRob]

The first thing I do on any of my bikes is fit 'Helicopter tape' Absolutely brilliant - be it Road/Gravel/MTB 👍🏻

[VictorElGreco]

Excellent suggestions! Funny US/UK difference, mounting the bell pointing backwards. 😄 Nice bell, though. Our experiences may also differ. I just never get punctures on rough terrain. Urban riding on our ever-present 🤬 space junk (shards of broken glass, scrap metal etc) kills my tires each and every season. Go figure…

[daness]

@davidarthur You should review the Cane Creek eeSilk stem if you like the Redshift. I think it's a more polished version of what Redshift does. That being said, you can't fault either one in my opinion.

[glennoc]

I've got the future shock i think the redshift stem might be a little more than i need😅

[niklaskristensson]

I ride with both saddle supension and ha ndle bar stem suspension. Saddle suspension is just great in all riding. The handle bar stem suspension works best going downhill. Not very good upphill/flat terrain❤

[JoniKukkola]

You can get a quolity suspension seat post for less money also, when comparing to Cane Creek or Redshift. I purchased AARON suspension post for £55 and been happy with it. German engineering and uses same tech basically than Redshift (coil). Of course there's lots of cheap, bad suspension posts in the market also, all I'm saying that AARON is a decent one.

[protonjicari]

Race geometry gravel bike + rudy front sus + red shift front sus + red shift seat post sus + carbon wheel set 650b + road bias MTB tires + tubeless tires …. Damn what a stupid idea 😂 I want to make one!

[peterlynch]

Love my Redshift stem, says a lot for my hearing can't hear that bell