10 Great but Inexpensive Products to Upgrade your Road Bike in 2024

[@korsveien]

Been using the Shimano RS550 pedals for six years and they are still working great.

[@harimathur2191]

12 years. Still working. Some TLC, grease axle yearly and good to go

[@GerhardWanninger-fi4bl]

Cost-wise, the KEO cleats (licensed) are less than 1/2 of the original Shimano cleats here in Taiwan. After 10 sets of cleats, you could buy new pedals from the money you saved on the cleats. The pedals might be 'inexpensive', but the necessary plastic cleats are not...

[@lostboy8814]

I concur that Shimano 105 12 speed groupset is superb,I have it on my new Specialized Tarmac Sl7 Sport road bike.The gear changing is very sweet.

[@zimboy777]

just installed 105 12speed mech on a internal cable frame (through headset) and it worked really well - looks and shifts very smooth - half the price of electronic

[@pawelodz8050]

Yes, these pedals are really tough. One of best Shimano money/value product. I only covered white paint of a side with black permanent marker and they looks like more expensive model 😁

[@sergiorivera2007]

TPU inner tubes are the way to go, buy them at Ali Express $5.00 and I have them on my ELITE Carbon Fiber wheels, so far over thousand miles on them and they roll beautiful and no issues 👍

[@phoffen3829]

You are very lucky then. They don't last in my experience, and cannot be patched. They do work well to carry as spares. That's about it for me.

[@Babolatplayer]

​@@phoffen3829obviously you were very unlucky. Never had any problems neither any of my friends

[@alexmckenzie593]

@@phoffen3829 they are that cheap they are disposable

[@the_derpler]

I had electronic shifting and it was cool, but there is much to be said about a simple mechanical shifter that has no proprietary software.

[@guidopesch2976]

Got the TPUs from amazon and was amazed after my first minutes, thanks for reminding me an make my butyl retiring🙂

[@davidarthur]

Enjoy!

[@911norman]

Do they work with carbon rim brakes?

[@davidbee8178]

The Cyclami TPU tubes are available from Ali Express for $5.00 apiece (I can't speak for the UK but that price is in CAD) they ARE good - allow two weeks for delivery from China. Thanks for the videos David ! They also have the same tubes available for Gravel in wider dimensions.

[@truthseeker8483]

I've been using the same.....low rolling resistance and no punctures...liking it big time....

[@GerhardWanninger-fi4bl]

CAD 5.00 apiece plus air pollution for your personal packing shipped half around the world is indeed a small fee supporting 😆Communists! I hope that the Canadian government is at least so clever as to charge a very high import duty for Alibaba products!

[@davidbee8178]

@@GerhardWanninger-fi4bl Well Gerhard, my German friend . . . I am guilty as charged. However I DO have here a brand new Continental (a famous GERMAN brand right? well known for its quality products) inner tube made in . . . are you ready? Taiwan. Yes! TAIWAN LOL It uses twice the resources as the Cyclami TPU tube, weighs twice as much and is shipped almost the same distance as the one from China. And that would of course also apply to shipping to Germany or the UK as well I imagine. Of course Taiwan is not, thankfully, a communist country but the reality unfortunately is that WAY too many products ARE made in China - I wish it wasn't so. And if you check where the computer or phone that you wrote your remark on, you will find that not only is it multiple times the weight of my TPU tube, it too was shipped half way around to word to YOU from . . . mmmm . . . China? You must be QUITE the character at parties LOL Happy cycling and may all that exercise help you get rid of all those toxins floating around in your head :-) Cheers from Canada that didn't charge me import duties because the TPU tubes were so inexpensive that they flew under the radar and the allowable limit for purchases.

[@GerhardWanninger-fi4bl]

@@davidbee8178 Oh, my Canadian Friend! You are an adult, I suppose an adult could (!) think a little bit further. - Yes, some of us live in a free world, but many of us are not. People living in a free world should be thankful and maintain/support their own free world. The not-so-free world uses basically the money you spend on its products to support its own aggression against free countries, using spy balloons, software, etc. intimidate and spy on the free world and push their own politics and products. Even you should understand, that customers have a power to decide where his/her hard-earned money goes, to your friendly neighborhood store or an aggressor half around the world. - Yes, my computer and phone is made of Chinese products because there are no (!) alternatives, but for your TPU tubes there are alternatives, mainly made in Thailand. - Yes, your own parcel creates more pollution than riding to a shop nearby and supporting your local community. This has nothing to do with being a character at parties… - When a Chinese product says ‘made in Taiwan’ on its packing, it does not mean it was ‘made in Taiwan’. I have lived in the former Isla Formosa for more than 30 years, and have the same years of experience doing (!) international business. - Yes, I ride 7.500 km per year. Not so long ago there was a time when people started to use their brains, this clearly miraculously changed after a former president stepped on the scene. “Trump suggests 'injection' of disinfectant to beat coronavirus and 'clean' the lungs”. Hope your tubes are still holding up, the pressure of your 'country or origin' does for sure!😁

[@Arkir24]

​@@davidbee8178absolutely torched em

[@trickyrickymtb5622]

I've gone tpu across the board, love em.

[@RobertJWaid]

Great recommendations. Please do one of these in November for Christmas gift ideas.

[@andymci5981]

Great video David, packed with useful gen. More like this please.👍

[@davidarthur]

Thanks, will do!

[@erlendsteren9466]

I love my 2x 11 Shimano Grx and I will get those innertubes.

[@davidtydeman1434]

Thanks for the video. Can recommend Lake brand road bike shoes if you have a wide foot.

[@josiahlomas2111]

David....were still waiting on the Giant TCR frame build!!

[@claymcclendon]

Vittoria Corsa N.ext is probably the most underrated tire. So fast and very versatile. Hard to have all attributes for the value

[@Aus10c]

I switched from butyl to TPU. Its amazing

[@larrylem3582]

There is no tubeless-only tire. You can always stick a tube inside. The Corsa N.EXT G2.0 TLR is tubeless ready. Vittoria also makes a non-TLR version (but you can make just about any tire tubeless with enough rim tape and sealant which is how it was done 10 years ago).

[@kennethdarlington]

The best product to upgrade your bike is the time to actually ride it 😅

[@SiopaoSauc3]

I'd never thought I'd type out this sentence. Those Sidis are a good looking pair of cycling shoes. Just a universe away from Sidis of late 2000s to mind 2010s

[@peterderouck7942]

Cyclami TPU tubes are indeed pretty good, so far. I was able to buy 4 pcs for 15 pound in March. If you have a puncture with TPU tubes, putting a drop of superglue on the tiny whole seems to fix it.

[@chrisdelaplante5515]

I patch them with a tpu patch, i apply glue on tube an patch and apply immediatly.

[@DaveCM]

I put the Vittoria tires on my bike and I honestly cannot tell a real differance between those and the GP5000. They haven't seemed to slow me down any. Not that an average person can notice 4 watts anyway.

[@elizabethburgess3969]

I absolutely love my Win Wing Ass Savers removable fender! Highly recommend.

[@bingbing3464]

My corsa next only had 1700km and it's down to almost 30% thread left and punctures on the tinniest pebble. Probably due to city riding with all the acceleration and braking in traffic and traffic lights but barely 2000km is quite short compared to my experience with continentals.

[@bonbonflippers4298]

Damn! I heard from others the gp5000 str are also short lived. Met a guy looking for tires saying that his gp5000 str lasted only 6-7months and the guy is light weight compared to me.

[@bingbing3464]

@@bonbonflippers4298 my corsa next only lasted 3 months so i suppose 6 is significantly better if it's true... i just switched to gp5k astr so fingers crossed.

[@bonbonflippers4298]

@@bingbing3464 dang for an expensive tire that's not great miles per value. I'm trying out pirelli cinturato velos as my training/daily tires. I'm saving my main bike for weekend rides.

[@glennoc8585]

I went back to shimano road pedals i use dura ace and ultegra and and i do think that the ability to easy clean and service the dura ace bearings is worth the extra expense. The cheaper version is good and for a commuter is ideal

[@leedorney]

Those sidi shoes are pretty radical design for them!

[@adamostrowski1329]

Another great video :-) Thank you. 🙂

[@davidarthur]

My pleasure!

[@dougprw1110]

Recommends shimano pedals yet his shoe and the bike he shows with the groupset, have Speedplay pedals and cleats.

[@davidarthur]

might be possible for me to use more than one pedal cleat system y'know

[@K114LED]

Been using TPU inner tube for a long time and only today changed back to regular butyle versions. TPU will harshen the ride, your GP5000 will feel like gatorskins. I keep them for emergency use only.

[@benlawson1993]

Never found that to be the case.. ride depends on your pressures. However the Cyclami ones in the video with the metal valve stems have failed on me lots. The RideNow ones with plastic valve stems are much more reliable.

[@DaveCM]

I personally don't have that same experiance.

[@travischapman6763]

I can’t hear your cries of comfort over the songs of faster and lighter. ;)

[@bonbonflippers4298]

Been riding tpu for over a year now on 4 bikes different psi and tire size types. They don't feel harsh to me at all.

[@jc2685]

Glad to hear 4 positive reviews on TPU, I was set on purchasing them this week (ride now 38g for £5ish) Does the inner tube deflate quickly like the latex tubes or is it similar to butyl tubes?

[@WillMarcial]

Best bargin saddle is prologo dimension

[@derekim75]

I paid $180 for WTB Gravelier Carbon saddle......gives me better comfort than Power Pro with Mirror.......It really suits me......

[@DaveCM]

And it costs half as much. Win win.

[@jaimeronan]

Shimano pedals: yes TPU tube: yes Vittoria Corsa N.Ext: yes 3/10, not bad. I need a chain breaker on my multi-tools though.

[@randomdrifter]

Those Cyclami inner tubes are nice. Presently topping up my bicycle that uses those with chain with drip on wax lube while listening to this. Note, their gravel version loses about 2-3 psi of pressure a day after being topped up to 45psi for commuting

[@Sumerk23]

What kind of Cannondale model your bike is? Looks great! Titanium?

[@nooski_Watches-ik9nr]

CAAD12 - Cannondale Advanced Aluminium Design. Cannondale never made titanium frame

[@VictorElGreco]

David, a question for you: Do you have those tiny, obnoxious shards of broken glass on the road where you ride? Do you think that Corsa N.Ext would survive their day-to-day onslaught?

[@garysladek9110]

I would prefer more 20 centimeter length sock choices. The pickens are slim for taller riders.

[@19890503]

What's your take on TPU with rim brakes? Thanks!

[@fabianbinder3681]

I had really bad luck with my batch of cyclami TPU inner tubes, the orange brand (forgot the name right now) was way better. It’s a shame because the valve on the cyclamis was really nice, but that’s not that useful if the tube is just not up to the task.

[@Naturalhighz]

I wish I could use other pedals but over 20 years on Speedplay means I simply cannot use anything else.

[@LOZUPONEJ]

I prefer latex tubes on road bike for high pressure. Way more supple for my fat a

[@kirklangdon1591]

Do those pedals flip upside down every time you unclip?

[@thomasf.9869]

Do TPU tubes require different kinds of patches?

[@comedyman112]

Yes. They also sell self adhesive tpu patches, but from my experience they don't seal well

[@glennoc8585]

You can use self adhesive skin type but pays to use normal butyl glue

[@Verteenoo]

WTB Gravelier saddle saddle is 71 pounds not 51 pounds in the link you attached

[@albandb9366]

Clean saddle 😂

[@petewatts30]

Tpu tubes are crazy expensive compared to butyl at the moment im having a nightmare with puctures. Bought Victoria rubino pro tyres...puncture, day after other wheel puncture then after an explosion in the middle of the night I discovered after exploding more tubes that the side wall is cut so thats a right off. Think I might be stuck with slower tyres like swalbe durrano dd which in winter were bomb proof.

[@bravehartley]

How are TPU tubes for puncture resistance? I run tubeless but carry a tube just in case but they are bulky so may get some of these.

[@eugenebronstein6296]

They are very good against punctures but very bad agains cuts.

[@kippen64]

I've sadly concluded that the bike upgrade I need is a new bike. Sigh... The pop up bike paths on my commute to work keep breaking spokes on my current bike.

[@petewatts30]

Maybe a gravel bike if it's quite hard going, my slightly upgraded wheels have a lot less spokes than the stock ones so are probably more delicate.

[@aniketphotowala]

Hi, I'm using gp5000 with butyl tubes on my rim brake alloy wheels. My bike is full aluminium with carbon fork. Is it worth to upragding my tubes to Latex/TPU tubes? How is puncture resistance?

[@l.d.t.6327]

Yes it's worth it. puncture resistance with latex is as good or better than butyl. Make sure you are prepared to pump tires before every ride though.

[@aniketphotowala]

@@l.d.t.6327 Thank you for replying. Trying these for once won't be difficult. Will order couple of pieces soon.

[@Nonkel_Jef]

Can those pedals be used with regular shoes as well? I have regular spd pedals now, but I don't always want to use my cycling shoes for short trips.

[@Saftkeur]

Don't believe they are, but there's a similar set of Shimano pedals that have SPD on one side and flats on the other (just need to add your own pins I believe). Roughly the same price, I've been told they're a little finnicky because you have to get the correct side up whenever you step on them, but supposedly not that bad (I don't have them myself but I'm considering picking up a pair, since I want to start trying the benefits of clipless but sometimes I just want to go for a quick ride with some regular shoes on).

[@PhilipStraton]

I have these on my winter/commuting bike and often ride with regular shoes for shorter, slower trips (up to around 7km is my longest, most consistent trip). Obviously not grippy so wouldn’t want to be aggressive out of the saddle for example, but for quick trips they work fine when not using cleats.

[@milkman2591]

Is anyone else using the Vitoria torrenzo zero?

[@EmmanuelNataf]

Haven't tried these TPU tubes but they are generally are extremely unreliable and the ride sensation isn't great. Half of the ones I've tried failed immediately or early. Also, they melt in descents on rim brakes.

[@roberthotter7008]

Anybody who used them on rim brakes and still is positive about it?

[@EmmanuelNataf]

@@roberthotter7008 friend of mine went flat on both wheels at the same time on a mountain descent… Taxi'd home.

[@truthseeker8483]

If you havent tried them how do you know?? I've found them to be fantastic

[@EmmanuelNataf]

@@truthseeker8483 the ride feel will be the same as other TPUs, not much doubt about that.

[@truthseeker8483]

@@roberthotter7008 Yes me...

[@user-tu3xj5ii2c]

Look pedals are better than Shimano

[@Ivan-oh6ug]

Such a banal statement. In what way are they better? Shimano pedals are proven, durable and reliable and east to get on with.

[@user-tu3xj5ii2c]

@@Ivan-oh6ug I tried both, Look are objectively better in weight-quality-price

[@DaveCM]

I've ridden with Look since they first came out. Only recently went to Shimano. I don't see a diffence. The Shimano are just as good.

[@simonleeofficial]

​@DaveCM that's really disappointing really. I had the red and white looks in 1990ish, then whet onto time equipe. Had look and time since, but am back on the equipes again. Why can't we have some decent pedals?

[@timh5061]

Shimano R550 pedals as an upgrade... Upgrade to what? Flat pedals? No pedals at all?

[@damo5219]

Buy a new bike, and you need to buy pedals. Its a fair recommendation.

[@richardggeorge]

Any other brand

[@RealWorldAustralia]

He does say “if you’re new to cycling”

[@MegaSpartan007]

TPU inner tubes have more rolling resistance than latex ones. Their only advantage is their lightweight. Keep one as a spare one and ride with latex.

[@jamesetheridge6224]

Latex tubes have approx 5w less rolling resistance than TPU, but both are considerably faster than standard butyl. However, TPU tubes have a higher puncture resistance than latex, which in my opinion gives them an overall win.

[@roberthotter7008]

Do You use them on rin brake bikes? Heat seemed to be a problem ..?

[@jamesetheridge6224]

​@@roberthotter7008 I have them on all my rim brake bikes. Haven't had an issue with heat so far.

[@roberthotter7008]

Thanks, so did You have some longer descends, likke 5-10min?

[@rhenceocampo3253]

I doubt he’s using any of these.

[@DaveCM]

Why do you say that?

[@toi3213]

He did say he use it.

[@gkunz3]

Got up on wrong side of bed?

[@TomTucker01]

Who hurt you?

[@simonleeofficial]

I did wonder how those speedplay cleats get on with the shimano pedals 😂

[@greglunderstedt3898]

My wish is for my wife to gift me a cancellara e-bike motor…

[@Jbgopro]

is an ultegra casette or chain an upgrade in any meaningful or noticeable way?

[@LavalleeLures]

No

[@DaveCM]

If you are using 105 or something lower end, you will notice a weight difference. The 105 cassette is fairly heavy. The shifting between 105 and Ultegra isn't really noticable to me.

[@stephenbrown590]

If you're on 105, then Dura Ace is a great upgrade - I'd skip Ultegra.

[@maxpetification]

@@DaveCM for 12 speed 105 and Ultegra are nearly the same, only dura ace is really a difference

[@glennoc8585]

Chain not really but the ultegra cassette is the best wright to price

[@Epiqe]

SPD still better :D

[@nemure]

you made such an unfortunate mistake. In the chapters you put "sida prima shoes" and sida on spanish means AIDS jikes xD

[@adorinadorin]

Afaik french as well

[@DrSpock93]

Omg first!

[@truthseeker8483]

OMG LAST!

[@boc-tonysyklist2145]

I will NEVER buy white socks or shoes. NEVER.