What components is it worth spending extra money on

[phil-b]

on bikes for racing it is pretty easy to see on high end bikes what the extra expense goes on. mostly kit that is lighter or designed in some way for speed.

But I am not a racer so I'm not looking for out and out speed. low maintenance, comfort, reliability and durability matter more.

the fit of the bike and correct gear range are important to get right but these are not necessarily linked to cost.

so what do you look for in a non race bike. touring/ audax/ hybrid/ commuter styles

 

[Dave 123]

Good quality drive train
Good quality brakes
Puncture resistant tyres
A nice saddle

 

[fossyant]

Commuter:-

Tyres that are robust, but still guick (23mm - Durano Plus does the trick)
Good maintenance free wheels - you don't need to spend a fortune
Saddle, good bar tape.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

It is a strange question and cannot be answered without knowing what is wrong with the stuff already on your bike.
You mention some reasons one would change components namely more speed, lowered maintenance, more comfort, better reliability and better durability.
That beckons the question: which one or more of these do you have problems with?
These threads quickly turn silly. Everyone comes in and chucks something into the ring. Usually something they've recently spent money on and feel it is therefore applicable to someone else.

 

[vickster]

Good lights
Good saddle
Good tyres
Non black paintwork

 

[phil-b]

It is a strange question and cannot be answered without knowing what is wrong with the stuff already on your bike.
You mention some reasons one would change components namely more speed, lowered maintenance, more comfort, better reliability and better durability.
That beckons the question: which one or more of these do you have problems with?
These threads quickly turn silly. Everyone comes in and chucks something into the ring. Usually something they've recently spent money on and feel it is therefore applicable to someone else.

well the question was prompted from a visit to a bike shop and looking at seemingly very similar bike but have a £400 or more price difference. I was wondering what are you getting for the extra money. Are you going to feel a difference in the ride or will one last longer. I guess it is hard to answer without specific comparisons but I guess I was bemused by the amount of choice out there

 

[phil-b]

Good quality drive train
Good quality brakes
Puncture resistant tyres
A nice saddle

brakes are easier to assess but what constitutes a "good drive train"

 

[phil-b]

Good lights
Good saddle
Good tyres
Non black paintwork

black bikes get mentioned a lot on this forum I don't understand the hatred?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I'm a utilitarian/touring cyclist: my bike needs to be robust, must have mudguards, rack and waterproof panniers (in like for like bikes, it's usually extra cost), wheels and tyres need to be able to cope with rough terrain (I like Schwalbe tyres, they cost more than other brands), on my bikes with calipers I like a good brake pad (would cost more) and of course disk brakes cost more again on the same bike.
Guess if you're willing to shop about and wait for offers you can find anything you need a bit cheaper.
If I was mainly a leisure cyclist I would spend more on the drivetrain, nice smooth gears, lasting components.
As I cycle daily in horrid weather nothing lasts anyway.
One thing I would buy again, no matter the cost, is my studded ice tyres, essential if I want to keep riding to work in winter.

 

[mjr]

Puncture resistant tyres
A nice saddle

I read across two lines there and wondered "why do you need a puncture resistant saddle? How bony is your bum?"

 

[mjr]

Guess if you're willing to shop about and wait for offers you can find anything you need a bit cheaper.

Particularly Schwalbe tyres and SRAM chains, it seems. Spa's ongoing "super Schwalbe sale" may be old stock, but as you say:

As I cycle daily in horrid weather nothing lasts anyway.

Amen!

One thing I would buy again, no matter the cost, is my studded ice tyres, essential if I want to keep riding to work in winter.

Amen! I think I got some in an end-of-winter sale after crashing on ice midwinter 2013/14, but I'll be keeping a set around now.

 

[vickster]

black bikes get mentioned a lot on this forum I don't understand the hatred?

They are boring to look at

 

[Markymark]

The engine. Spend lavishly on that.

 

[Smokin Joe]

They are boring to look at

And matt black is just so wrong. Bikes in that colour are bought by people who secretly yearn for the return of Tank tops, Cuban heels, flairs and porn star 'taches.

 

[derrick]

Maintaining what you have properly will go along way to keeping cost down, and making it all last longer,