Do you upgrade components or whole bike?

[Boyfrom64]

First of all I need to point out that I am very new to this sport - hobby, about eight to nine weeks now and the bike I stumbled upon and ride is a Specialized Secteur, the entry level bike in the Secteur range.

Not only am I totally hooked and take every opportunity to get out on the bike when I can (the reason why I have posted on this forum so infrequently) but I find the bike an absolute joy and pleasure to ride.

The question which has been going through my mind re the future (again I realise it is still very early in my cycling life), how will I benefit from replacing the bike I have with a new model when surely it will be cheaper to simply change some of the lower level components on my current bike to higher quality components, because unless I am wrong so long as I am not looking to move away from an Aluminium frame, then there is no difference in the frames from the top model in a range to the bottom model in the range?

Your thoughts and experiences will be greatly received.

 

[Banjo]

One advantage of lower end groupset is the parts are cheaper to replace. If your enjoying the bike and it all works ok then I would say leave it alone and use and enjopy it.

Lots of people change wheels as a way of upgrading the bike .A better quality pair of tyres is probably the easiest and most effective upgrade.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I only upgrade or swap out a part when it is a/broken b/not allowing me to achieve something.

 

[mender]

Hi!

I used to design Hi-Fi. Subsequently I had a lot of the stuff around my home. And subsequent to that my own system was in a constant state of upgrade...

..I realised one day that I had stopped enjoying the music and only listened to how the system performed. My road to Damascus moment


I think upgrades are great - but don't let them take the fun and enjoyment out of zoooooooming down the road.

By changing my wife's road-bike's pedals, wheels, saddle and bars this weekend we shaved off nearly 1000g of weight. But what we have in mind with both hers and mine is that the upgrades (as best we can) will be transplanted on to the next frames that we buy so rather than upgrading a single bike we're going to constantly evolve the machines we're riding...

(BTW we're on pretty low-end machines at the mo.)

https://www.cyclechat.net/

Just my thoughts

Have fun!

 

[Paulus]

I upgrade parts as they wear out. Although, several times in the past I did go out and buy a new bike with better and more expensive groupsets.