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Best money spent on a bike....
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 2010-05-26 4:38 PM |
Extreme Veteran  584   Daphne, AL |  Subject: Best money spent on a bike....I finally braved the traffic and have started riding my bike on the road....and as I thought I would....I have learned to really like riding. Enough so....that I have started asking the question..."What can I do to get better?" Now I know the first thing would be to just ride more and build more strength.....which I do plan to do...but this thread is more about.....where would I get the most bang for the buck in upgrading my bike I currently ride a Giant OCR1 that I picked up used off of this site for a wonderful $300. Super deal. I almost feel like one of the upgrades could be a new bike....since I spent so little....but there is nothing wrong with my bike and it compares to others I ride with. I bought some clip on aero bars, have bike shoes and clips........what next? |
| 2010-05-26 4:41 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Veteran 662 Madison, Alabama | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... Best money??? Not sure... Best help??? Ride more. I know this sounds really, really kitchy, but it's true. The only way to get better is to ride more. If you have money though that you don't know what to do with, I would suggest sending it to me. Other than that, have you had a proper fit to make sure that you are on the correct bike? If that is already done, how about some a PT or some form of power meter? that's my next "big" purchase. Kevin |
| 2010-05-26 4:44 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
| Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... Ride more. No kidding, that's the best spent thing right now. Until you know what you want to upgrade and WHY, there's really no reason to do so. In all honesty the odds are very few of us that are honestly held back all that much by our bikes, even entry bikes. But, know what you want to change out and know why you're changing it out. |
| 2010-05-26 4:46 PM in reply to: #2884448 |
Champion 10018 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... Well, since you already stated you would ride more... Better quality tires? Don't ask me for names, but there are threads around here on the topic. Something in the category of lighter and faster is good. Edit: Or even better wheels... Edited by BikerGrrrl 2010-05-26 4:46 PM |
| 2010-05-26 4:51 PM in reply to: #2884454 |
Extreme Veteran 584 Daphne, AL | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... BikerGrrrl - 2010-05-26 4:46 PM Well, since you already stated you would ride more... Better quality tires? Don't ask me for names, but there are threads around here on the topic. Something in the category of lighter and faster is good. Edit: Or even better wheels... Thank you for actually reading.....ha I was thinking wheels also....I am a big guy...and was actually thinking of getting a new back wheel...and keeping the old to ride on the trainer with. |
| 2010-05-26 4:55 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Veteran 749 | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... I would say get a light front and rear and a mirror to see what is coming up on you. Need to make yourself as visible as possible. Enjoy the road it is loads of fun! John. |
| 2010-05-26 4:57 PM in reply to: #2884460 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... You have the most important stuff. Aero bars and pedals and I would agree that wheels would be the next best purchase where you can actually notice a difference. Those and some decent tires. Being a bigger guy, you may check the seat post as well, I noticed a lot of flex in my cheaper seat post and felt a BIG difference in stiffness when I moved to a Thompson Elite post. If the components are working fine, leave them. But you could also get 2009 stuff pretty cheap right now. In fact, a lot of the 2010 stuff is on sale. |
| 2010-05-26 5:00 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Master 1770 Bedford, MA | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... I too have an OCR1, and I love it. One of my first upgrades was a new wheelset. I got some Neuvation wheels for around $250. They weigh around 1600 grams compared with the 2100 gram set that came with the bike. |
| 2010-05-26 5:00 PM in reply to: #2884466 |
| New user 10 | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... Also a High Vis jersey. I just picked up one that is bright neon green/yellow. Leave no excuse for the driver of the car that claims they did not see you. |
| 2010-05-26 5:01 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Extreme Veteran 518 Sault Ste. Marie | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... IMO, my Adamo ISM racing saddle was the best investment, and its sexy looking on my TT bike. It allowed me to train in a much more comfortable aero position and have absolute zero numbness or tingling anywhere on long rides!! |
| 2010-05-26 5:06 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Veteran 559 | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... x2 on the wheels, you could really go to town here, Zip 404 in the front , disk at the back..HED would not be a waste of heard earned cash either. I can just rattle on and on but a good set of wheels will make a difference. Now for the next debate.(flame suit on) Tubbies or clinchers Edited by kocourek 2010-05-26 5:06 PM |
| 2010-05-26 5:12 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Extreme Veteran 584 Daphne, AL | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... Thanks guys..... Edited by stuarbc 2010-05-26 5:16 PM |
| 2010-05-26 5:39 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Champion 7136 Knoxville area | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... Get better at cycling... 1.) Bike Trainer 2.) Powertap/Quarq/SRM You are welcome. All the other stuff (wheels/bars/whatever) is childs play to training harder and smarter. Edited by Leegoocrap 2010-05-26 5:40 PM |
| 2010-05-26 5:55 PM in reply to: #2884557 |
Extreme Veteran 590 Seattle | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... Leegoocrap - 2010-05-26 6:39 PM Get better at cycling... 1.) Bike Trainer 2.) Powertap/Quarq/SRM You are welcome. All the other stuff (wheels/bars/whatever) is childs play to training harder and smarter. x2. Computrainer, Powermeter, full HR/Cad/Spd set. Anything that helps you training (especially if you are just starting). A coach would fall under this category too. Don't chase the equipment yet, once you are better you'll know what your strengths and weaknesses are and can find equipment to max/min those. |
| 2010-05-26 6:01 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Champion 9407 Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... Since you have aerobars and clipless pedals I would vote nothing. Put the money in a new bike fund and don't worry about upgrading anything until something wears out. Just ride this bike and perform regular maintenance. Having said that, if you are willing to invest in a powermeter and learn how to use it then I would suggest that as the next best investment. |
| 2010-05-26 6:29 PM in reply to: #2884583 |
| Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... gsmacleod - 2010-05-26 2:01 PM Since you have aerobars and clipless pedals I would vote nothing. Put the money in a new bike fund and don't worry about upgrading anything until something wears out. Just ride this bike and perform regular maintenance. Having said that, if you are willing to invest in a powermeter and learn how to use it then I would suggest that as the next best investment. x2 Lets face it...you eventually will splurge on a new bike. Might be next month, might be 3 years from now...but it's going to happen. If you're going to buy anything to upgrade the bike you have now, make sure it's something you plan on transferring to an upgraded bike. Things like a power meter, a trainer, a computer or stuff like that. I wouldn't upgrade any components or upgrade to a lighter training wheelset (unless they break) because the next bike you buy will likely have as good components or training wheels. If you want to get a set of carbon race wheels, that's up to you...at least you know you can still use them on an upgraded bike. I just don't think they are worth it for the beginner. |
| 2010-05-26 6:32 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Master 2301 Rogersville, Alabama | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... What's your budget? |
| 2010-05-26 6:41 PM in reply to: #2884619 |
Champion 6627 Rochester Hills, Michigan Gold member | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... tri808 - 2010-05-26 7:29 PM gsmacleod - 2010-05-26 2:01 PM Since you have aerobars and clipless pedals I would vote nothing. Put the money in a new bike fund and don't worry about upgrading anything until something wears out. Just ride this bike and perform regular maintenance. Having said that, if you are willing to invest in a powermeter and learn how to use it then I would suggest that as the next best investment. x2 x3. However, if you're bent on wheels...which are sexxxxy, no doubt, I'd look at Neuvation. You can get deep carbon clinchers with ceramic bearings (equivalent to 404's) for 500 bucks. Put a disc cover on it, you're as fast as the pros, and yes, they'll hold up a big guy. And if you have to get a disc, go Renn 575. Best. Bang. For. The. Buck. |
| 2010-05-26 8:25 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Master 2158 | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... I agree with above posters. If you are willing to spend the time to learn to use it well, go for a powermeter. 2nd, I would say trainer/coach. It really is about the engine. For bling, I think Neuvations wheels sounds great, and that will probably be my next purchase, or an aero helmet, so I can fly the tri-geek flag! |
| 2010-05-26 8:37 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Master 2538 Albuquerque | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... I love my Garmin and feel like it feeds the techno-geek in me and makes me want to ride more frequently. Plus the data feedback is great. |
| 2010-05-26 11:24 PM in reply to: #2884433 |
Expert 790 | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... Since no body has mentioned these items I will. Since you live in AL and have pretty descent weather year round buy cloths that will make you more comfortable and make your rides more enjoyable. If you're having fun you will ride more. This past fall I picked up arm warmers, leg warmers, skull cap, wind vest (By far my best purchase), winter gloves, and toe covers. From December to April I was able to get 50 plus rides in over this winter all outside (Houston area). This by far helped me the most prepare for an early HIM and made me faster. And for about $150 dollars can't beat a Giro Advantage II. Best of luck and if you have the $$$$$ just get a shiv. |
| 2010-05-26 11:54 PM in reply to: #2885047 |
Veteran 341 Orangevale, CA | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... Houstonrider - 2010-05-26 9:24 PM And for about $150 dollars can't beat a Giro Advantage II. Only $120 at REI right now http://www.rei.com/product/794738 |
| 2010-05-27 11:56 AM in reply to: #2884433 |
Veteran 237 Buffalo Grove | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... I would say that some of the best money that I have spent is a professional bike fit. This will help with both power and comfort. Also a good fit will also impact your run after the bike. Probably the best money you can spend!!! |
| 2010-05-27 12:01 PM in reply to: #2886112 |
Pro 6011 Camp Hill, Pennsylvania | Subject: RE: Best money spent on a bike.... gshtrisport - 2010-05-27 12:56 PM I would say that some of the best money that I have spent is a professional bike fit. This will help with both power and comfort. Also a good fit will also impact your run after the bike. Probably the best money you can spend!!! x2! You beat me to it!! |
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