This is something I am sure we all go thru especially when we are new to cycling or when we decide to upgrade. I have seen folks with expensive groupsets on bikes with stock wheels and tyres. I have also seen expensive stuff on budget or tired frames.
Sometimes it just makes more sense to get a new bike, using the money meant for new gear and selling the old bike. Due to competition and general increase in cycling, good quality bikes with good components are now more affordable. Planet X and Ribble Carbon bikes come to mind. Some CC members have started ordering carbon frames and components from China and they seem to do the job. And there are copies of well known bikes.
On components, we see main stream vendors beginning to sell Groupsets and spare parts meant for workshops and new assembly in loose format and these are cheaper. Often referred to as OEM. Ribble and Evans come to mind.
My sense is that changing the stock wheel provides the biggest gain. You don't even have to go for the expensive range. A £150 Mavic Aksium is huge difference and the next step is probably a marginal upgrade.
Sometimes it just makes more sense to get a new bike, using the money meant for new gear and selling the old bike. Due to competition and general increase in cycling, good quality bikes with good components are now more affordable. Planet X and Ribble Carbon bikes come to mind. Some CC members have started ordering carbon frames and components from China and they seem to do the job. And there are copies of well known bikes.
On components, we see main stream vendors beginning to sell Groupsets and spare parts meant for workshops and new assembly in loose format and these are cheaper. Often referred to as OEM. Ribble and Evans come to mind.
My sense is that changing the stock wheel provides the biggest gain. You don't even have to go for the expensive range. A £150 Mavic Aksium is huge difference and the next step is probably a marginal upgrade.