Lets say you have £500-£600 for an upgrade. Carbon Wheels, Or a Power Meter?

[Drago]

I think you should decide what aspect of your performance you wish to improve, and that will ultimately guide your decision.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Get some spoke reflectors for a wheel upgrade and get the power meter for £200 (as available from 4iii right now)

 

[Big John]

I generally cycle for pleasure, although I keep on saying I'd look to dip my toe into racing (72Kg, 260+ FTP without any focussed training) for a laugh.

Do it. Give it a season and you'll be fitter than you've ever been. It'll knock carbon wheels or a power meter into a cocked hat. Spend that money on a TLI licence and a season's entry fees 👍

 

[fossyant]

Just try racing then, you'll need the budget for fees, parts, fuel etc. It's not cheap. I used to time trial and it was quite expensive with fuel costs along, and that's going 50 miles return for a race, which isn't far.

Wait and see - cycling can be, and is like golf - oohh, I need this new bit of kit. You don't. Half decent bike, some comfy clothing and decent shoes, and you're nearly there.

 

[HLaB]

It depends on you @razabbs . For immediate feel good factor, go for wheels, its debatable if they'll make you any faster, the placebo effect might or if you are replacing worn out wheels or they simply encourage you to cycle more but if your serious about long term training and have patience a power meter will probably get more solid speed benefits eventually.

 

[Bristolian]

I've never understood how fitting a power meter upgrades a bike in any way. It doesn't make the bike easier to ride or even 1mph faster than it was before - it's just a sensor to help improve the rider.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I've never understood how fitting a power meter upgrades a bike in any way. It doesn't make the bike easier to ride or even 1mph faster than it was before - it's just a sensor to help improve the rider.

You've kind of answered your own question. The bike has been upgraded from a bike without a sensor to a bike with a sensor. It's now over to the rider to make use of it.

 

[berty bassett]

Personally if it was me with my last 600 wanting gains on a bike I would go for secondhand high end wheels after doing homework . I don’t think you would notice much difference in 600 new wheels but I think you would definitely notice top end wheels ( not necessarily carbon ) . I can certainly feel the difference between my wheels and mine aren’t ‘top end ‘ by any means
As for power meter yes it is nice to know the watts you’re putting out and what you should be able to do but I guess you have a garmin or such so you could just ride to heart rate , much the same just a little delayed - and it gives you indication as to how you feel as well
On a long ride I have a hr I like to average , and a higher one on a short ride also long hills there is a magic hr that keeps things steady
Also I think tyres and pressure make a big difference
Free upgrades are a nice way to get speed up as well like positioning and a cleaned drive train and bearings all working as should
Just my opinion before anyone barks at me for being ridiculous

 

[Bristolian]

You've kind of answered your own question. The bike has been upgraded from a bike without a sensor to a bike with a sensor. It's now over to the rider to make use of it.

Is it an "upgrade" or a modification? i.e. does it make the bike better than it was or just different to what it was?

Is changing the bar tape an upgrade or just a (minor) modification?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Is it an "upgrade" or a modification? i.e. does it make the bike better than it was or just different to what it was?

Is changing the bar tape an upgrade or just a (minor) modification?

If you want to use a power meter (and many people do) it's definitely an upgrade.

If you have white bar tape, changing it to something that's not white is undeniably a massive upgrade.

If course you could argue that there's no such thing as an upgrade. Just changes. It's just semantics.

 

[fossyant]

Left field suggestion. Using that budget, how about a used hardtail MTB ? Life is about variety. Even a gravel bike ?

 

[Gunk]

Some sessions with a personal trainer.

I did track days in cars for years and best money ever spent was one to one tuition.

 

[teeonethousand]

IMHO If you are cycling because you are or hope to be an athlete then you need both ...if you get the meter first you may see any difference when you get the wheels.

If you are a recreational cyclist you need neither...but don't let that stop you buying them it's just that emotional logic kicks in rather that actual logic. Buy it/them because you want it and don't try to justify it further. Remember though that more than half the fun is researching and window shopping....once you have bought it you definitely need the next thing😂😂

 

[Dogtrousers]

Let's face it there are heaps of things you don't need. We got by perfectly well before clipless pedals, GPS, Strava, electronic shifting, tubeless tyres, carbon frames, indexed brifters, disc brakes blah blah.

I started on the slippery slope of unnecessary frippery with a clicky mile counter showing me distance (that I didn't need, and still don't) I replaced that with a fancy computer on my bike that also showed me my speed (that I also didn't need, and still don't). Now I have a GPS with sensors that shows me all kinds of stuff that I don't need, and records it for later unnecessary reference.

Yes there are quite a few on Cyclechat who are of the opinion that not only are all these things optional but they are downright bad. Which is, I suppose, an opinion to which they are entitled.

And there will be yet others who will say "Oh, but I need these things, that I have on my bike, but those things - the ones that I don't have - they are bad."

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Is it an "upgrade" or a modification? i.e. does it make the bike better than it was or just different to what it was?

Is changing the bar tape an upgrade or just a (minor) modification?

If you want to use a power meter (and many people do) it's definitely an upgrade.

If you have white bar tape, changing it to something that's not white is undeniably a massive upgrade.

If course you could argue that there's no such thing as an upgrade. Just changes. It's just semantics.

'Upgraded' is an oft misused word, imo.

Seems to be used more as 'changing to a more expensive version of something I already have', as opposed to something manifestly better.