Best bang for buck upgrades

[Vapin' Joe]

What a load of rubbish replies.

The OP clearly needs a new bike, something north of eight grand at least.

 

[WShire]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. I’ve got a few things to think about.
I’ll be re-doing my bar tape soon so will change brake cables and outers while I’m in there.
I think if I ever had anything worth too much I’d be too scared to ride the thing!

 

[Punkawallah]

Wheels/tyres.

Other items may make the bike feel more slick, but only wheels and/or tyres are likely to make any measurable difference to journey times.

It occurs to me that someone with a white coat, clipboard and too much free time should look at the effects of faster speed meaning longer braking before reaching a speed that allows a rider to corner on overall journey time.

 

[IanSmithCSE]

Good morning,

To me a Ribble R872 as shipped is already at the point where all the easy and cheap equiipment gains have been made apart from tyres and possibly wheels. Even then the wheel upgrades may be more feel than real speed increases unless you start going down the aero route with the compromises that come with such wheels.

So the only obvious thing to look at is gearing, is it right for you?

I was brought up on 52/42 chainrings and 14-24 freewheels and over the years I have conceeded that modern options such as 11-32 cassetttes are better.

I can't find too much about your fitness level in your posts, so as a couple of general statements;

• Over gearing is easy, which means you quickly tire and slow down,
• Many people don't like to use the smalll chain ring to get the correct gear.

So are you riding at whatever your comfortable cadence is or are you riding at too low a cadence because your bottom gear on the big ring is too high?

Given that "cross chaining" has a terrible reputation and many people won't do it, the largest used sprocket on a cassette is the second, or possibly third largest actual one, or quite a bit smaller.

Bye

Ian

 

[Illaveago]

Tadej Pogacar!

 

[sevenfourate]

You say bike. Not sure what gains you’re looking to achieve; and why ?

But: What about ‘upgrading yourself’ by indulging in the use of diet, training and mental coach or coaches ? I’m betting whilst not technically the best ‘bang for your buck’ - you’d see the most gains (Times, speed, strength, recovery rates, enjoyment….) : quickly…..

And whilst slightly tongue in cheek. It’s likely true. A few tweeks to the hardware - would pale into insignificance compared to a long-term ‘investment’ into the software up-top 😉

Think a National level cyclist couldn’t smash you on a Halfords bike ? Think Tiger Woods in his prime couldn’t shoot decent scores with clubs from Walmart ? Think Lewis Hamilton wouldn’t run rings round you in two identical cars - even bar yours having upgraded brakes and some engine mods ? The difference in all being the operator skills. Yea- the bit that’s the hardest to change…..

Oh and I’m the worst of the worst. I love a bit of Tech that promises to overcome laziness and give me untold bolt-on gains. Or just looks frikken fabulous 😁

Can’t stop and discuss further though as I’m off to fit my new Tungsten, PTFE-Matrix BB bearings. So I can shave another 0.2 seconds of my 50 mile ride time 🤣

 

[Jameshow]

Cables, inner and outer will likely make more difference than calipers.

GP5000 are good, but a lightweight road tyre will be much better again.


Rene Herse for the win, reassuringly expensive and excellent.

https://www.rene-herse.co.uk/700c-x-28-chinook-pass

Really GP5000 are the best if not one of the best road bike tyres available!

I'd look at a lighter saddle?
Flite titanium suits me but we are all different.

 

[cyberknight]

You say bike. Not sure what gains you’re looking to achieve; and why ?

But: What about ‘upgrading yourself’ by indulging in the use of diet, training and mental coach or coaches ? I’m betting whilst not technically the best ‘bang for your buck’ - you’d see the most gains (Times, speed, strength, recovery rates, enjoyment….) : quickly…..

And whilst slightly tongue in cheek. It’s likely true. A few tweeks to the hardware - would pale into insignificance compared to a long-term ‘investment’ into the software up-top 😉

Think a National level cyclist couldn’t smash you on a Halfords bike ? Think Tiger Woods in his prime couldn’t shoot decent scores with clubs from Walmart ? Think Lewis Hamilton wouldn’t run rings round you in two identical cars - even bar yours having upgraded brakes and some engine mods ? The difference in all being the operator skills. Yea- the bit that’s the hardest to change…..

Oh and I’m the worst of the worst. I love a bit of Tech that promises to overcome laziness and give me untold bolt-on gains. Or just looks frikken fabulous 😁

Can’t stop and discuss further though as I’m off to fit my new Tungsten, PTFE-Matrix BB bearings. So I can shave another 0.2 seconds of my 50 mile ride time 🤣

What he said 👍
Most of my best times were set over 10 years ago on a heavier alloy bike when I had the time and health to train.Got a lighter carbon bike now but I'm not as fast as I was .

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Red go faster stripes, that’s what you want.

 

[Punkawallah]

Noted about the cables and outers 👍
The GP5000s are only a few months old so I’ll be sticking with them for the time being (They were the same price each as my car tyres!)
I cycle with a fairly experienced group of cyclists but I’m quite a big lad (gym/weights not pies) so not an ideal build for cycling (hence trying to pick up a bit of extra pace where I can)
Thanks again

Swytch will do you a replacement front wheel with a hub motor?
:-)

 

[Punkawallah]

What he said 👍
Most of my best times were set over 10 years ago on a heavier alloy bike when I had the time and health to train.Got a lighter carbon bike now but I'm not as fast as I was .

It’s a well known fact that a time marches on, the air curdles and becomes thicker.

 

[cyberknight]

Red go faster stripes, that’s what you want.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBEAV4Tnlqo

 

[WShire]

I’ve got a good level of all round fitness (Gym 4 times a week doing HIIT/conditioning stuff as well as weights.)
I’m sure a national level cyclist would leave me standing on a Halfords bike but I bet I’d comfortably beat them in an arm wrestle!
I realistically won’t ever have the right sort of build to be too quick on a bike but I really enjoy it and was wondering if there was something I hadn’t thought of that could make the bike nicer to ride and maybe find a little bit of extra pace (Without spending a fortune).
I’m running a 28-12 cassette and 50-34 chainrings which has a great spread of gears for me. Definitely don’t need 11 or 12 gears on the back!

 

[WShire]

Ps Thanks again for all the responses. Definitely given me some things to think about!
I guess I just need to spend more time in the saddle!
81 miles this morning at an average of 17 mph with 3500 ft of elevation. Apart from getting drenched It was really enjoyable 👍

 

[teeonethousand]

Red go faster stripes, that’s what you want.

Make sure they run front to back though - for aero reasons 😂😂