The Upgrade! | GCN's Bike Makeover Ep. 2

Things are getting exciting at GCN Tech Megabase because it's time for the upgrade! Ollie is taking our entry level bike and giving it the pro upgrade that it's always desired thanks to our friends at Shimano! What do you think so far? 🔥

In association with @RideShimano
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🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Water under the Bridge - Matt Large
Retriever - Ooyy
Meanwhile Uptown - Dusty Decks
Not Leaving without You - Matt Large
Pyramid Skeme - Matt Large
A Smoke and a Pancake - Matt Large
fresh perspectives - Matt Large
I'll Leave the Light on for You - Matt Large
A Prayer for George - Matt Large

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[gcntech]

Has this series inspired you to take on an upgrade project of your own?

[luukrutten]

Now the spare Sora groupset can go on the Eurobike. Would be a massive upgrade for that steed.

[natillano]

So we need a cheap frame with high end groupset vs expensive frame with lower end groupset video. What do we prioritize upgrading first?

[ercmadden]

I think an important question for everyday folk is the cost difference of doing these upgrades vs selling the original bike and buying a higher spec bike new.

[Quevallyn]

This is effectively what I’ve done with my current bike. I started out with an alloy frame gravel bike with 1 x Rival on it. Over my life with it, I’ve changed and tweaked the drivetrain, the handlebars, the saddle, the wheels and the stem length. I’ve now completely dialled in the set up that’s perfect for my cycling. It means all I do next is find a frame I like and transplant the components… but there’s no rush ‘cause the frame is perfectly good.

[kidShibuya]

I love the idea of taking a entry level bike and seeing how far it can go. Don't listen to those who don't understand the video concept.

[cb]

Thanks Ollie and crew...the smile on your face shows a lot !! Great to see .

[chones_]

Love this series.

I have a Canyon Grail AL . Love the bike, and don’t really want to move to CF, so this sort of video is perfect for me.

Definitely thinking about moving to DI2 once/if/when the newer version comes to GRX.

[chrisvanbuggenum]

I put dura ace mechanical on a non s-works Tarmac, and it was awesome. Lower weight bike than many top of the range carbon frame bikes.

[WillPower]

I really like this upgrade. A good alloy frame is hugely underrated but in reality spec'd with good components can make a fantastic ride.

[alanmckellar]

You are special too Ollie! Thank you for sharing your experience and tips with us.

[colster]

A suggestion for a future upgrade could be to participate in a frame building course. I did one earlier this year, best 2 weeks of my life! Filet brazed Columbus tubing. Lots of filing, and use of machines! Suddenly, aero weight becomes less important compared with the thrill of riding a frame I made!

[ericpmoss]

Excellent approach. I like carbon wonderbikes as much as anyone, but sweet components on an old steel frame that fits me perfectly is a perfect solution for me.

[spinwin]

The handlebar swap was probably the most sensible upgrade. People have a habit of focusing only on the bike vs the bike and rider combo. I swapped out my “aero bars” for a slimmer traditional compact handlebar a few months back. Makes a pretty significant difference once you’re up to speed.

For reference 40cm down to 36cm + slightly inverted shifters. Felt skiddish at first, but like everything else in life, do it enough until it’s your new normal. Now i ride it like i never swapped.

[piptazo]

Really interesting. These types of talks give me more confidence to work on my bike and better understanding of how all the components work together and affect performance.

[rbstretch]

I've done similar with my 2021 Specialised Allez. Ultegra groupset with carbon everything else except stem. Makes a great travel bike. Light, robust and rim braked.

[craigcarlson]

I had no idea there were those hidden buttons at the top of the brake hoods. Has been a cool series to watch.

[userkmunhwaock]

Just a few years ago I went on a bit of a spree of building / rebuilding a bunch of bikes of varying quality with Ultegra and was always extremely pleased with the results and felt it was worth it to optimize the capabilities of the frames (including some chromoly steel and aluminum). But! that was when you could easily find a whole mechanical 11-speed Ultegra 6800 groupset online for like $700…. Fast forward to the present and the ROI calculus is far different.

[rhobson]

Really interested on where the weight savings came from. My bet is on the wheels-tires-inner tubes?

I'm currently doing something similar, but much more reasonable (and budget friendly). Started with a Triban 520 (alu frame with carbon fork, rim brake edition), already bought a 11-28 cassete, 105 brakes, latex tubes, Vittoria Corsa tires, and am waiting for the carbon wheelset to arrive to switch things up.

[LVTN]

12 spd Di2 has an integrated cable holder on the RD you don't need the zip tie.