bike upgrades

[mikeruss]

i was interested in seeing what are the best upgrades for my road bike (giant defy 5) one site said rotor Q rings are a must and other sites rave about them, are they an upgrade only for the very serious of riders or is it worth getting done. i guess a bike shop would have to fit them. any other suggestions on upgrades i am already thinking which saddle to get as the standard giant one is not comfortable. cheers

 

[smokeysmoo]

Wheels and tyres. That's another thread done then

 

[AndyRM]

Wheels are generally the first point of call as lighter ones spin and maintain speed more easily. Then you can get onto blingy carbon fibre stuff to save weight.

I could be wrong, but I believe the Defy frame remains the same throughout the range? If that's the case it's well worth upgrading stuff over time as it's a very well thought of aluminium frame.

 

[fossyant]

Tyres first, then wheels if you want to splash the cash. Q rings, nah.

Then get riding more. It's you that's the engine.

 

[fossyant]

Actually, lighter wheels don't maintain speed as a heavier wheel would. Lighter wheels, especially the rim weight and tyre weight, will mean the wheel spins up quicker and it's more lively. Heavier wheels will maintain roll longer, but won't feel as responsive.

 

[cyberknight]

Q rings are supposed to reduce the dead spot in your pedal stroke but as said above wheels and tyres would offer a better upgrade , saddles are a personal choice so ask if your LBS has test saddles or try a few tweaks with for /aft and height as i feel uncomfy if my saddles wrong by a few mm.
IMHO worth looking at your basic pedaling technique before buying them as not even in the pro peleton are they widely used.

 

[AndyRM]

Actually, lighter wheels don't maintain speed as a heavier wheel would. Lighter wheels, especially the rim weight and tyre weight, will mean the wheel spins up quicker and it's more lively. Heavier wheels will maintain roll longer, but won't feel as responsive.

What he said. My half thought out response wasn't great...

 

[cyberknight]

Actually, lighter wheels don't maintain speed as a heavier wheel would. Lighter wheels, especially the rim weight and tyre weight, will mean the wheel spins up quicker and it's more lively. Heavier wheels will maintain roll longer, but won't feel as responsive.

And the extra weight tells on hills.
My virtuoso can burble along happily enough at a decent pace pace on the flat but getting it up to speed and dragging it up hills is like trying to get a sleepy dog to go for a walk compared with my weekender with better wheels which feels like a a yapping terrier ready to pounce at a moments notice.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I have tried Q rings and think they are a very cost effective performance placebo. The performance gain they offer is simply on par with my Jensie "shut up legs" t-shirt

They did look cool on my Venge though.

Like my Jensie T-Shirt they are in the back of a cupboard somewhere as they negatively impact shift quality.

 

[fossyant]

Qrings are a bit meh to be honest, no use to us mortals, and they are pig ugly.

Riding a fixed will massively improve your pedalling technique, but I will admit I can get a bit lazy when on geared, and the pedals won't push themselves round at the dead spots, so takes a bit of thinking again as most of my riding is fixed gear these days.

 

[fossyant]

I have tried Q rings and think they are a very cost effective performance placebo. The performance gain they offer is simply on par with my Jensie "shut up legs" t-shirt

They did look cool on my Venge though.

Like my Jensie T-Shirt they are in the back of a cupboard somewhere as they negatively impact shift quality.

Nope not cool. Stick with the stock rings..... LOL

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Nope not cool. Stick with the stock rings..... LOL

That's what it has now

 

[fossyant]

That's what it has now

Good... Heh heh.... Far better.

I am all for bling chain rings. Got some spanking Stronglight Zircals on my best bike. Milled, polished, and laser engraved... Hubba, Hubba

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Good... Heh heh.... Far better.

I am all for bling chain rings. Got some spanking Stronglight Zircals on my best bike. Milled, polished, and laser engraved... Hubba, Hubba

OOOhh do show.. I'm interested now

 

[Tin Pot]

Are there any "Wacky races" style upgrades for bikes?

Fcuk saving 5g off a pedal, I want oil slicks and hyper extending forks.