Upgrades You Shouldn’t Get | GCN Tech Show 320

[@gcntech]

Do you think it's worth upgrading your bike? 👇

[@gcntech]

@@BIANCHI1984 It's certainly an interesting product 👀 Have you got experience using the corner bar?

[@TiberiusMoon]

Mid-High end bikes usually don't come with pedals, why not remove the saddle?

[@TheMachoGabacho]

The only upgrades I’ve done to my bike are a better fitting saddle and a second layer of bar tape. I have a new group set for it, but I’m going to ride the stock Sora setup for a while. Over time I’ll figure out what I want and buy it, then do the upgrades all at once. Kind of like getting a whole new bike but sticking with the frame I’m comfortable on. I figure that riding the stock bike will help me to decide what I do and don’t need, and when I do upgrade, I’ll appreciate it a lot more. The bike is already very nice in it’s factory configuration.

[@wildsurfer12]

Only if you can get a good price for them. Oh and you know how to maintain them once you get them.

[@andrewking1122]

I think the best upgrade any of us can do is learn how to do proper maintenance. A well maintained lower tier bike is going to be better than a poorly maintained higher tier bike!

[@hockysa]

Best bike upgrade ever for me was moving from south east London to Barcelona.

[@moaningpheromones]

You're not from London - you can type.

[@WilhelmGutentag]

The best upgrade is the one that makes you ride more often. I've got myself a new Grail 2.0 SLX as a gravel bike with DT Swiss GRC 1400 wheels, and then a set of road wheels (ERC 1400 with 30mm tires) ready to hot swap. This has become my 'does-it-all' bike, and it's ready to go whenever I feel like it. It never has any issues and is such a joy to ride. I now ride twice as much because it's much easier to just 'go'. So, to me, upgrades that improve: 1. Comfort 2. Reliability 3. Versatility 4. Security (like adding lights, etc.) 5. And most importantly, make it more FUN, are worth it! (Yes, I recently added a 54t ratchet - total nonsense, but I just love its impact on how the bike sounds.)

[@MiddleAgedMike]

💯 I just got a new Aeroad slx 8, it’s been my dream bike for years. I’ve doubled the amount of time I’ve spent on the bike since.

[@williamsylvia3962]

💯 I’m going to 2nd that. I think for a lot people part of the hobby is not only riding the bike but tweaking their bike for marginal gains. People get just es excited about the gear and the set up as much as the riding experience. So yes, if upgrades get you out riding, then I’m all for it.

[@martinreichelprivat]

Do you have disc rubbing when you changing the wheels? I have the same bike and want to do the same, but don’t want to align the brakes on every swap, thx!

[@williamsylvia3962]

@@martinreichelprivatdisk rubbing usually comes from either sticky calibers or maybe a bent disk.

[@WilhelmGutentag]

@@martinreichelprivat Actually No issues at all. Once fitted, hot swapping is a breeze. Maybe I’m just lucky. 🇩🇪 :) you can also play a bit with the caliper distance …

[@johnstrac]

The best way to save weight on a bike is to take a good look at the lump of lard on the saddle.

[@rob-c.]

I’m 6’1 and only 60kg…

[@johnstrac]

@@rob-c.Lucky you ! I'm 6' and 83 kg.

[@87togabito]

No, that’s the worst place to save weight. You can easily gain or lose weight trough something as fickle as your lunch. But throw a thousand or more at your bike to drop 10g, and that’s 10g that is NEVER coming back no matter the season, time of day or year. A permanent weight loss vs a fickle solution? The answer is clear.

[@johnstrac]

@@87togabito this is tongue in cheek surely ?

[@bumbykitty]

Instead of bike upgrades, you should bike up grades.

[@winterwatson6437]

pin this gcn

[@lwiful]

As a 62 year old person cycling for fun and health, I've found it cheaper and more healthy to try losing 100g on body weight then losing the same weight on an upgraded group set. 105 sort of hits the sweet spot for me 😉

[@jasondart3152]

I try to stick by the mantra of, "If I wear something out through normal wear and tear, then it's something I use enough that's worth upgrading when it needs replacing".

[@yonglingng5640]

Hey, I didn't think of that! I'll jot that down.

[@a1white]

The traditional “Dura Ace chainset that you had lying around” jibe at Alex always makes me laugh 😂

[@HolloGravelClassic]

Recently downgraded from a carbon super six evo with sram red to a 80’s Bianchi in celeste with 9speed dura ace. I’m not racing anymore and decided aesthetics are more important than tech/weight. I cannot tell you how much more excited I am to head out for a ride now than I was before! Now when I’m dropped in the hills I’ll be looking good!

[@LoscoeLad]

dumb. just ride it in town then

[@stevengagnon4777]

You have options to" upgrade " with installing the 9 speed triple crank set and bottom bracket.With the accompanying pair of derailleurs and shift levers. With some serch that would be all doable for $700. That will give you a low gear of a 30 t chain wheel and a 27 rear cog ( maximum) . That front 30 t could go as small as 24 t with a small spacer adjustment. The Third Eye Chain Watcher works well you will never have a chain drop to the inside. Going that small of coarse the chain will go slack on the three smallest cogs.that won't get used anyway. Then when you get dropped you can look good with ease and a smile ☺. My favorite ride is a Lemond Zurich 853. Running with a 8 speed triple set up.. The 30 granny will the 23 cog is sufficient for the rolling hills of Wisconsin. Here the raid are seldom flat for long. The real derailleur is an XTR rapid rise with Ultegra 8s levers.The reverse shifting back there works like a dream. The front shifting works the same as a double with an exra click to the granny . My 28mm tubulars are sweet. So glad Greg Lemond did some cycle cross and had given this road bike plenty of clearance for fatter tires. I could still squeeze in some 30 mm yet. Have a wonderful day and "Ride Like the Wind"...😊

[@Local.hero.1983]

Being slower on a tt bike for a start is perfectly normal and common , you need more practice than most people realise.

[@gcntech]

Good point, a TT bikes takes some real skill to master 💨 Have you ever tried?

[@Thezuule1]

Once you get it though... oh man..

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

Yeah...redo the test after he's gotten comfortable on a TT bike.

[@rob-c.]

Yeah the TT bike speed for Phil was nothing to do with fitness, but skill (practice).

[@Thezuule1]

@@rob-c. there’s an art to it.

[@ChrisCapoccia]

I had a budget mechanical 105 rim brake bike for years. Premium tires were definitely worth it. Saddle shape is important, but you don't need the extra light version. I liked all the data from a power meter, but most people at that level of bike would be better saving their money. If you're just getting started and not really sure how much you're going to ride, get a budget bike and ride it into the ground

[@edmundhodgson2572]

Yeah, I've had a count and I have 15 chainsets lying around, super record, k-force, Red, etc. Thats what happens after 45 years of cycling so good on yer Alan...

[@peterslater7791]

the answer of "upgrading yourself" in terms of ability, fitness, etc. - is like in the car world, where forum-posters come on and say "what should i upgrade?!" and the answer always is... "tighten the nut behind the wheel." ;)

[@supercoder7]

One unmentioned advantage of upgrades is, the excitement to cycle more to try out an upgrade. I feel like buying anything no matter how small makes me look forward to the ride a lot more than I already was. I am sure there will be purists who don't work like that and would think "you shouldn't need this to be excited about the ride". Like I bought a few button cell batteries for my saddle bag incase of emergencies, i was like i gotta go on a ride now after putting the spare emergency use batteries in my saddle bag 😂.

[@recstoppauseplay]

I purchased an 'entry level' aluminium frame bike some time ago and my first upgrade was the saddle. The included saddle was a medieval torture device. As I did more and more rides, I decided to buy a set of rollers for indoor winter riding in Canada and that required more upgrades. I eventually bought another set of inexpensive wheels for the training tires as the rollers and standard street tires don't get along at all. All together the same frame now supports a home trainer and a street bike by simply exchanging wheels - bonus upgrade.

[@trufflemonster5399]

The worst thing that ever happened for my cycling and fitness was an upgrade to a nice bike. I was hit by a car and got a nice upgrade through insurance. From then I only ever wanted to ride it in perfect weather to keep it in great condition.

[@PhilOsGarage]

My bike is relatively cheap, but same thing, as it is new and perfect I ended up buying another older bike for the scuzzier times of year

[@oneohsevenseventhebonerock3262]

Your first upgrades should focus on comfort. A tune up, a new saddle, a proper fit. That will keep you on the bike longer, and getting faster far more then anything else

[@davidkennedy4845]

Performance is predominantly all about the engine. If you want to go better, ride your bike, ride your bike, ride your bike.

[@SamRobinson-r7v]

A clean, well maintained cheaper bike is far faster than a dirty, squeaky expensive one creaking up a hill

[@iancollins6104]

It’s simple. If you can tell if the water bottle on your bike is full or empty, when pedalling, then you should spend money on lighter bike bits.

[@rowdml]

Eddy said it best: "Don't buy upgrades. Ride up grades."

[@simonandrachelperchard5779]

Good old Edwin, got to love him, bye.

[@rob-c.]

Where does the doping enter that equation…

[@Hintonbro.]

Yes! ‘Upgrading’ where you ride is the best thing! Traveling to do epic rides is the absolute best value for money.

[@michaeldesrosier1068]

The problem is that too many people merely use cycling as an expression of their consumerism, rather than an activity they enjoy for its own sake.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Nobody rides bikes because of a love for consumerism. A lover of consumerism has excess bikes they leave at home while they're riding one of their bikes because they love it.

[@xd1be9nb7v]

they love the "look at me i can afford this bike" feeling riding their jewelry bikes

[@BikePappy]

I’ve never met anyone on a bike that wasn’t there for any other reason than the enjoyment of being out on their bike. Maybe I’ve just been lucky to not have met these consumerists that you speak of.

[@MadmanGoneMad2012]

i have yet to meet a full-kit w@nker who doesn't enjoy his ride, maybe because i don't know how to spot one. Perhaps you tell us your methods of identification lest we deem you a strawmanning humbug. 😂

[@oebombCH]

@@BikePappyI completely agree. Every person I’ve met who has a very expensive bike, and there are a lot of those in my country, are simply in love with the sport and made the decision to invest in their bike and gear. Never once have I had a sense that it was being done for vanity reasons. Honestly I think people overestimate how expensive cycling is. Yes, 15k is a lot for a bike, but when you compare that to the costs of other hobbies like sports cars, and even something like golf (depending on the course you play at), it isn’t that unreachable even for people who aren’t super wealthy. Look at the number of ‘normal’ income people walking around in Gucci caps and designer clothes - if someone really wants something, even if it’s ‘out of their price range’, they will save and commit and buy it.

[@DavidLamon]

I have to admit I love the feel of carbon handlebars, maybe it's just mental, but I love it

[@PhilOsGarage]

Same, wheels and seat post, too.

[@1947wdx]

The SRAM recall only applies to consumer installed levers. NOT for levers installed by a professional bike shop at the time of purchase. To quote the actual notice from SRAM: "All 12 speed SRAM eTap AXS RED, Force, Rival, and Apex shift-brake levers which were not installed by a bicycle dealer on a new bicycle are involved in this recall. If your levers were on a complete new bicycle purchased at or installed by a bicycle dealer no action is required. "

[@skipwalker1954]

Ollie... If it is any consolation, I agree with you. Fit first. Bike second. Makes SO MUCH sense.

[@adossantos69751]

I think people should get whatever bike/accessories they want and can afford it. It all relative. I do own the latest cycling tech and I love it. Does it make me faster,? Probally not. However, I still want to check them out and try it out to see if its worth it. I started my cycling jourrney 11 years ago, I have owned coutless bikes to the point I had 14 of them. People can say, what's the point. The point is, it makes happy!!! Lots of love and keep riding 💪

[@PhilOsGarage]

I have an entry level Vitus Razor which I’ve upgraded. I reckon that at about £1k in I’ve got a better bike than a lot of off the shelf £1k bikes. I especially like the superteam carbon wheels which are getting great reviews.

[@Kimberlietriracer25]

My bike mechanic dissuaded me from changing my carbon Zipp wheels to ENVE, so I had $1400 more in my budget for other upgrades.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

You gents have your finger on the pulse. It's very good to hear these sage words, thank you for the sound advice regarding upgrades.

[@markpeterson8978]

Well good boys. I am digging the co-host chemistry between Alex and Oli. I would love to see a GCN Tech show dedicated to actual commuter bicycles and the differences in equipment. For example I have commuted by bicycle for 4 decades now and a commuter is a totally different animal from a typical road bicycle. On a commuter it is all about functionality in all conditions. I know this is a bit of a departure from the typical GCN Tech format but I think it would be well received. Cheers - M

[@Daniel-yf9iy]

This was a great discussion. Bravo! Asking yourself the question, “what do I need for the type of riding I’m actually doing, and is the equipment I’m using, for said riding, adequate?”

[@gcntech]

Thank Daniel 🙌 Have you done any upgrades on your bike?

[@Daniel-yf9iy]

@@gcntech No, i’ve only just recently gotten back into cycling the last couple of years and bought an all purpose gravel bike and I did a century on it in September and I’m really liking it so I’m not really sure what upgrades I would make just yet.

[@ohwhoaitzjoe]

Don’t focus on upgrades focus on bike travel. Go on vacations with your bike and explore the areas within driving distance.

[@JonCannings]

What is your dream destination to ride in?

[@Joshuavoice29]

I was just thinking about this yesterday. If I wanted to change my cranks and cassette from 105 to Dura ace, it would cost me nearly $1000, and I'd only save 200g. If I switch to TPU tubes, I can save the same 200g for $60.

[@krzysztofkolodziejczyk4335]

or order from ali and then it's like 10 bucks

[@vapyd3999]

I got a bargain Scultura 400 that had been used for 1 triathlon and stuck in a shed for 4 years, I paid about £90 on marketplace, it's full 105 with rim brakes and I'm focusing on myself first before any changes (avg speed up 4kph in 4 months along a 53km loop). All I've done is saddle, bar tape, and pedals, but not sure what to do now, cheap (or used) carbon fiber wheels when the tyres need replacing? Still the original 25mm Maxxis Dolomites from the factory, almost 2000km so far.

[@dundeedideley1773]

Zondas! Super nice, easy! Couldn't have hoped for higher praise. Thanks for including my bike

[@roberttell1587]

The problem is after a really nice ride as you are recovering on the couch the best thing to do is search the web for something cool to buy for your bike. Pretty quick you run out of things, so you need to find something to upgrade.

[@donbethel7675]

Last year after searching for over 6 months, I pulled the trigger on a 2020 TREK Emonda SL5 with rim brakes, It came with 105 mechanical. The bike road well but felt under whelming. Once the new 12 speed came out everyone rushed to get it, leaving the older stuff left sitting around. I decided to the check the price of the 9000 series Dura Ace group sets. To my amazement folks where almost giving away components that's were not the newest available, for the same or even cheaper than the 105 components I had. I first got a front and rear mech in 9000 Dura Ace for just over $100 and sold my 105 for the same price, and then I was hooked. Now the Emonda has a full Dura Ace component package including 2 chains for easy cleaning. The bike rides much better, performs like a pro and lost a bunch of weight for a lot less than buying a Emonda SL8. The bike now resembles one that you have featured as a Tour de France rider by Alberto Contador, and I'm more than pleased with the result. As tho I ride about 30 miles a day, the Emonda, now is more bike than I need , at a price I can afford.

[@yonglingng5640]

Take note of the BB90 BB shell since you're riding a Trek that's a few years old.

[@liolyne]

I bought a quite expensive saddle. Because for me, this is one of the few part of the bike that is important, better comfort and it doesn't wear out as much as any other parts. I would rather have a 300$ saddle with 105 groupset instead of a ultegra group set with a 20$ saddle. But it's personal preference.

[@yonglingng5640]

Contact points are always worth spending a bit more on.

[@stevesharpe1950]

There will always be folk who want the newest tech, you can't get away from that. I would observe that the GCN team only have the best spec bikes....what about using the groupset of the people that you keep banging on about. Perhaps a touch of reality is needed GCN.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Anything that opens up cycling to a wider audience is great news.

[@mommamooney]

Ollie’s drumbeat of “Use the lessor thing and spend your money on an experience” is how I got a bike. We were looking at trainer bike, but after hearing Ollie’s take, we decided to get me a nice bike, indoor trainer, and had money leftover to get biking shoes and a heart rate monitor. Now I can cycle indoors AND outdoors

[@Broken__Reality]

I do love Oli's laptop. Can we get him to add anymore stickers to it? I'm sure there are a few spots free.

[@s.j.5850]

A very practical way of looking at what you need vs what you want for a particular bicycle. It's not so much the bike (unless you are racing - then it may be valid up to a point) but more so the bike rider & what he or she is looking to do with the bike. Spending loads of money on a bike that is basically for recreational riding doesn't make financial sense. Unfortunately many serious riders are duped (by the manufacturers) into thinking that they need the lightest bike with the most expensive components.

[@ruinman8722]

I mean I fully agree with you, but you need to understand that there are people who is earning 3-4x more than the average person where he/she lives and still can't even afford a 105 on a Specialized Roubaix, so for them the biggest upgrade probably a new tire..

[@rob-c.]

That Nobilette is crying out for a stem angle that matches the horizontal top tube!

[@권용대-b5v]

The only upgrade/change I’d like to insist on beginner cyclists is clipless pedals. At least once, then it’s ok to return to flat pedals. This is because we learn efficient pedaling with clipless pedals, which can be applied to flat pedal riding as well.

[@tymanski1]

cheapest and (by far) most effective two upgrades for me have been 1) yoga 2) proper diet the slr9 and sworks aethos are nice too 🥰

[@jack002tuber]

Upgrades I don't need are in EVERY GCN video!!!! LOL

[@MultiSausack]

things correlating with the personal health. In my case saddle, post, tires (width/damping)

[@stratocaster660]

On the topic of group sets. After listening to last weeks show where you talked about Campagnolo I started to think about why their group sets isn't selling as well as Shimano or SRAM does. I have been riding with Campagnolo for a long time and also Shimano Di2. I have never had any issues with my Campagnolo group sets or wheels, they just work and for a long time. I have now just installed Campagnolo Ekar on a new bike and it looks amazing for a group set at that price point and I wanted something mechanical for ultra endurance riding. One argument against Campagnolo has been that they only offer expensive group sets now days, but Ekar is not. It could be the group set of the people. But by calling Shimano 105 the group set of the people, you have established that all other group sets are not. And with the amount of following GCN has you need to understand the impact you have. And a lot of other small nudges like that could mean death by a thousand cuts for the "non main stream brands". I also find it interesting that Shimano still is considered to be "the best" in a lot of social media (with sponsors and sometimes without). They had to recall, was it 2 million cranksets? After covering up that they could crack for years. SRAM is now recalling all there break levers now also? I have never heard of a big "scandal" like these two examples about Campagnolo, but they still seem to get much more negative comments by influencers on social media. From what I heard on Cade Media, Shimano now also has some issues because of how they treat their employees in factories. "Modern slavery" as Cade Media put it. With that said, I think that SRAM has done a smart move by creating an "ecosystem" of parts that you can pick from. To gain market shares again doing something simliar could be a smart move for Campagnolo and maybe a wireless shifting system that works on both there 12 and 13 speed group set by just the pressing of a button in an app.

[@justineseiferth8010]

This, but chorus. Ekar is expensive AF no? $1300+ or am I off?

[@turboseize]

@@justineseiferth8010 It's all relative. Compared to Record or Super Record, Ekar seems cheap... But I'd rather get a Chorus, because Ekar only gives you half the chainrings!

[@stratocaster660]

I have both. Ekar looks pretty damn good on my gravel bike ;) @@turboseize

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

The one particular benefit of carbon bars over alloy isn't one which is discussed much, but is the most important to me...they are a poor conductor of cold/heat. If you are riding someplace with actual winter, that means the bars suck less heat from your hands.

[@bobfoster687]

But bar tape should insulate your hands.

[@stefjanssen56]

If you buy your bike yourself an aluminium or steel frame with 105 mechanical will always do, remind yourself you're not a pro. It's not worth the money

[@jasehoad9397]

As I have that Boardman myself, and am pretty poor, I would be super excited to see what upgrades you have in mind :)

[@fat_pantani]

It’s all about the engine. No better pleasure than cruising past someone on a top end bike on my Giant SL1 upto the Repsol garage ✌️

[@adambrickley1119]

My happiest days on the bike were defo out with my mates in the 90s on rigid 3x9 friction shifter mountain bikes in West Sussex on the SDW.

[@Cabomccabe]

"I was wondering if a turbin offers protection while riding a bike," said no one, ever.

[@Cabomccabe]

slow news week......

[@a1white]

Much of the time, unless you have a really high end frame, it’s not cost efficient to upgrade the groupset. When my old Tiagra derailleur died (a generation old, so different pull-ratio to the latest), my bike shop fitted me out with an old, but very nice, Ultegra 10 speed derailleur, they had lying around (they didn’t have Dura Ace, Alex 😅). Cleaned up it shifts better than ever with it. Nice cheap upgrade.

[@jbratt]

Think the bottom line is most of these expensive upgrades are not going to result in measurable added speed.

[@jagsingh1979]

I am an Orthodox Sikh cyclist and have been cycling with a turban without any issues....had plenty of accidents and each time the turban has performed on point. Glad we now got some scientific research to support this.

[@matt_acton-varian]

I will forever praise the cheap Boardman. I have owned one since 2017 (2012 model bought for £200) . The bike was fitted with Sora 3500 9 speed. I improved the fit and swapped out the tyres, fitted shoe and cartridge brake pads for better performance that 1 piece pads, and rode the hell out of it. The wheels were knackered and the rear mech was falling apart. When the chain and cassette wore out I upgraded to Tiagra 4700, keeping the original chainset and front mech which were still fine, and I had some custom wheels built using Tiagra hubs and Kinlin alloy rims. I bought the shifters and mech secondhand on ebay, and my upgrades cost little more than I would have had to spend anyway just to get the bike rolling again. Its now my dedicated winter steed and still rolling strong.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Boardman, Vitus and Triban all offer great entry level bikes.

[@reecedawson6113]

Where are the GCN+ docs going?

[@markjthomson]

Alan taking a shot of his bike in one of my fave places to ride... Alex, the mini wall (it's a seat) is soft wood, little risk of damage to the bike! Glad it got a Supernice!

[@bewster7]

Swindon. Birthday place of legends (i.e. me 😂)

[@Jayneflakes]

I moved to Swindon from Bath after I finished Uni. I would rather go bike packing on a Raleigh Activator II to an over flowing sewage farm, than live there again!

[@JonCannings]

Raleigh Activator II! Blimey, full suspension. Fair play

[@benhardwick1970]

That’s hilarious lol😂

[@urouroniwa]

I thought he meant Swinden in Yorkshire and I was thinking that it seems like a perfectly wonderful place to ride a bike...

[@chrisridesbicycles]

The truth is somewhere in the middle. A great looking bike I love motivates me to ride, not only in the als but every day. So I suggest upgrades to make your bike good could be worth it.

[@andyv6127]

I only upgrade my bike every 40 years. You notice the improvements that way. 2x5 10.1 kg steel frame to carbon fork alloy fame 2X11. Still can’t pedal for shit, looks good parked outside coffee shop. Next upgrade - a complete Tour de France outfit with mirror glasses, doff my helmet at similarly dressed riders and head home for a nice 5km round trip.

[@grahamsmith2022]

The best upgrade replacement component for increased speed,power and performance is a younger,fitter,stronger rider.

[@michaelpegasiou4531]

My pot bellied friend bought a very expensive carbon trek with ultegra and was obsessed with the weight of every bike he saw,looks hilarious in Lycra also 😂

[@PhilOsGarage]

Agreed, though pot bellied in Lycra is better than average on the couch, at least they are out there riding.

[@jbarner13]

Scoff if you want to, but back in the 1970s, before helmets were a thing, I experienced my most significant head injury when I took at header at high speed. It is impossible to say for sure, but I attribute the knit cap I was wearing that cold night for giving me the tiny edge of padding that may have saved my life (though I have since been called at times a "blithering idiot").

[@stuartdryer1352]

When I see people using TT bars coming from the other direction on one of my favorite bikeways, I always hope they have control of the thing.

[@chrisdavidson911]

i, for one, was hoping you'd leave the Boardman as-is and do a few races with it first, just to see how you get on before modifying it

[@matthewclements8661]

New groupset over an holiday any day of the week. 2 weeks on holiday or 2 years on a better groupset? No brainer!

[@gcntech]

But the memories you'll get from a new holiday 👀

[@matthewclements8661]

@gcntech Nah, you can stick the memories! 😆

[@matthewbaynham6286]

On that first topic of people spending too much money on pointless upgrades, if you have too much spare cash rent a sports coach. Almost 30 years ago me and my brother were students and we looked up a cycle coach in the back of the BCF handbook. We paid for one session with him (got a BCF discount) and it was really useful, he talked to us about our training and us ideas of what to try. That was money well spent.

[@WillPower46]

Shimano discontinuing 105 mechanical is seriously not cool. Also it's time we banned the UCI.

[@stuartdryer1352]

They didn't. A new 12 sp 105 mechanical was spotted at Eurobike 2023.

[@robertoriv5574]

I like how that Klein is displayed! Can we have an indoor bike storage vault? 👀

[@dundeedideley1773]

Thanks mate! I had previously uploaded through the app with a very beautiful graffiti in the background instead of the home setup but maybe my chances were better with fewer people using an uploader😅

[@robertoriv5574]

@@dundeedideley1773 woah! I bet it looked great with the graffiti!

[@jackiewong0806]

My POV is that if you've enough money to spare and cycling is your biggest hobby, why not get yourself the best stuff? After all, bikes are way cheaper (don't get me wrong, am comparing to sports cars or exotic ones, not daily drivers) than cars and they tend to last longer (am still riding my aluminum bike for commuting from 15 years ago, even though I've several other high-end bikes). It's a great invest for your health anyway.

[@narutodayo]

A really great dose of sanity here. I'll try to take it to heart.

[@robertmendelson7724]

I have road bikes spanning 50 years. Every now and then I ride the oldest (1972) and the newest (2019) over the same course. Both top specs for their time. The newest one is about 90 seconds faster on my 10 mile route. I’m fairly sure it’s down to better tires.

[@chriscole4149]

I agree with Oili on upgrading the cheap groupset to mid-range groupset. I did that and it was a wonderful jump. I went from Acera to Tiagra. Well worth it on my aluminium bike.

[@pinoyeh]

I agree, before you upgrade your drivetrain, maximize the use of it before you upgrade. I know that there are some bike vloggers in the philippines purchased a high end 2023 TDF Trek on-road bike just merely to VLOG/BRAGG to her followers.....WTH....what a waste of money.....that vlogger have not even won a single internationally sanctioned bike races.....

[@LoscoeLad]

8:10 latex tubes. massive bonus 'for cheap'should have linked to Ollie's awesome 'no bullsh*t" weightloss video

[@nikanj]

I never considered endurance bike before because they're supposed to be slower. But after trying one out and seeing how comfortable it was I decided to buy one. Yes they're less aero and maybe 2-3% slower than a standard road bike. But it's easier on your back and on your hands which means you can ride for longer and you'll ride more often. If you ride more often you'll get fitter which for the majority of people who aren't top-level athletes is going to more than make up for the slight speed loss.

[@idarborlaug]

Testing gravel bikes with rohloff and pinion would be cool. And compare efficiency with derailers.

[@timtaylor9590]

The worst upgrade I got was a new bike. Its not faster than my old rim brake up climbs nor faster than my tt bike on flats. I guess it's a decent all rounder but it sure wasn't worth 8k. And forget about when something breaks on it, all the proprietary parts and integration is a pain to deal with.

[@marco_espejo]

Oli: If you’re in California I want to see the Hollywood sign! Me living in Smith River, CA: Time to ride 1,200 kilometers away I guess…

[@JonCannings]

You mean California isn't small?! 😂

[@Thezuule1]

I don't know about upgrades you shouldn't get but these TPU tubes from China have been treating me well if you're not running tubeless.

[@gcntech]

TPU tubes are great 🙌 What made you make the jump to TPU?

[@Thezuule1]

@@gcntech looking for a little bit better rolling resistance and less weight in spares to carry around with me. My wife certainly appreciates me being as self sufficient as possible on my rides, and the weight reduction from the two tubes on the rims plus the two spares in my pockets is pretty substantial. I think they set me back like $6 a tube. A coffee costs you more these days.

[@MatteoBadini]

I think that the best way to spend you money is on a coach, not just to get fitter faster but to improve without doing wrong things to your body. I personally upgraded from a mechanical Ultegra to an Ultegra di2 because getting the bike on and of the turbo almost everyday became a pain with the mechanical groupset, I had to adjust it every couple of days and I had to change the cable too often, even though I always put the gears to be as loose al possible. But I would say that the new groupsets are all very very good, booth mechanical and wireless, I would much rather spend my money on a coach, a nutritionist and a psychologist the get fitter and faster

[@drooghead]

The best way to wean yourself off the expensive upgrades is to stop watching GCN.

[@mkenyon7429]

Ok here’s a challenge. Give your Boardman novice a bike fit. Track the cost and improvement with proper seat, stem, bars, shoes and pedals. Add to this improved tires, bar tape and seat post.

[@samfrombelgium]

If you are doing no races, then most upgrades regarding to weight and aero are waste of money. Upgrades that improve quality of life , comfort and visual asthetics might be a good investing keeping your bike refreshed and motivating to ride 🎉:D

[@PhilOsGarage]

Carbon wheels and bars are a nice upgrade as they improve the feel of the bike, as well as having weight and aero gains, however small.

[@hugobrown2516]

i bought a $3000 Canyon but did not want to ride in winter here in Toronto. I found a great deal on a Triban for $400, the difference is minor, but looking forward to the spring to get the lighter bike. i too could lose wieght. it is all me. i agree.

[@damiankelly4784]

The piece about the turban survey reminded me of the episode of Only Fools and Horses, where Del 'invents' a turban helmet 😅

[@turboseize]

More commuter and randonneur content would be greatly appreciated.

[@Cokecanninja]

Dynamos are great for touring and commuting bikes!

[@gustavnissen]

Saddle upgrade: get rid of it. Van Aert showed us all how it is done!

[@JonCannings]

😂😂😂😂

[@AliShaheen89]

A week in the Alps only lasts you, well a week. Ultegra Di2 group set can last you years. I can get the group set this year, save up and go to the Alps next year.

[@TrophobieClaus]

I’m okay with having people around, spending way too much for their “performance”, but get beaten by a guy who smashes into their top ten at a climb, riding on a 2009 full suspension MTB xD

[@stuartmisfeldt3068]

Can GCN Tech start doing more on non-racing, endurance recreational/commuting/training components and frames? Shimano Cues, Microshift, and other brands that can replace OEM.

[@FatboyAussie]

Best upgrade you can do is be fit and healthy. If you want to spend money, get a bike fit, coaching plan and a diet plan.

[@tedmurphy7034]

I completely agree with the GCN team about unnecessary upgrades, but I also have to wonder if I am taking things too far. I bought a late 1990s Colnago Elegant Decor with a combination of Campy Chorus and Record components when it was new, and I have only made a handful of meaningful upgrades since then. I replaced the rear cog set to add a bit more range than the stock set, and I replaced the seat, seat post, and handlebars when the lifespan of those stock parts expired. I tend to do training rides around NYC, and about 10-15 century rides in various places throughout the year. I can just about always keep up with my riding buddies (18-20mph typical pace), but I have to admit that thoughts of a carbon fiber aero bike with a power meter and the ability to handle today's wider tires are creeping into my head. Would this sort of upgrade be a paradigm shift in performance for me, or is the improvement likely to feel pretty minor? As an aside, the century rides wouldn't be threatened by a new bike purchase. Any thoughts are appreciated!