Upgrade Options

[Sam Kennedy]

I was wondering what sort of things would be worth upgrading on my bike? Which would give the biggest weight saving for the money?
What would be short and long term upgrades?

Here is the full spec:
Specialized A1 Aluminium Frame
Specialized Carbon Fork
Planet X Model B Wheels
Specialized Sport Stem
Unbranded Brake Callipers
Sora STI Levers
Sora Front Derailleur
Tiagra Rear Derailleur
Shimano HG-50, 8 Speed, 12-25 teeth
Shimano UN-25 Bottom Bracket
Sora Cranks
Continental Ultra Gatorskin tyres
Specialized Comp Road Saddle
Specialized Carbon Fibre Seat Post

So which of these would be worth upgrading?

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[HLaB]

I've always thought the best place to start upgrading a bike is the wheels. My only experience of this is changing the ace rims on the sirrus for askiums IMO it had a good effect.

 

[Will1985]

For performance, tyres first (with lower rolling resistance), then wheels. Nothing else really stands out in that spec.

Other than that, the best weight saving could be made by getting a much lighter bb+crank...potentially expensive but cheaper than buying a new bike to reduce weight when going uphill.

The free option is more training and weight loss (if there's anything to lose).

 

[Sam Kennedy]

I've already upgraded the wheels, I'm not really going to get anything lighter, unless I want to spend another £500+.

My bottom bracket, is starting to wear out, I've heard something about ceramic bearings in a bottom bracket, I like the sound of that, will it be stupidly expensive?

I've also been looking at Dura Ace and Ultegra chainsets, would I be better off with saving the money and having Ultegra, rather than DA?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Which would give the biggest weight saving for the money?

I think the answer to the question requires i) knowing the weights of the components you have, ii) the weights of light components out there, and iii) their associated prices.

A digital scale plus this and this will provide most of the answers to the first two, and numerous web searches will give you the third. Then you will find the exercise has little if any effect on your speed, but has become an incurable obsession...

 

[threefingerjoe]

Are you a racer? In MOST cases, I find that people obsess with grams, when the best way to strip weight is to lose a couple of POUNDS from their bodies. Now, don't misunderstand...I'm not suggesting that you are overweight, in fact, I'll admit that I could stand to lose 2 stone. I'm just saying that unless you can't spare 1 single pound from your body, why worry about a few grams on the bike? And ceramic bearings? They are ridiculously expensive, and if you notice ANY difference with them, you'll have a hard time proving that it's not the "placebo effect." But, since you mention that you need a new bottom bracket, replace it with good quality componentry, and don't worry so much about the weight.

Touring cyclists carry tremendous loads (40 lbs of gear) up mountains on bikes with heavy-duty wheels and tyres. Unless you are racing, and looking for every possible advantage why are you concerned with weights as small as grams? As far as the difference in weight between ceramic and steel bearings, I'd think that you could save more weight by sandblasting the paint off of your frame.

From the specs, it sounds to me as if you have a fine bike. Enjoy it, maintain it, and ride it. Consider sensible upgrades as parts wear out.

 

[accountantpete]

Pedals and shoes are often overlooked.

A nice pair of shoes will give a more comfy ride and together with a good pair of pedals (Shimano Ultegra would be my recommendation) will transmit the power more efficiently.

Long term if you are keen then I'd start upgrading the components so that they can transferred to a really good frame which will get the most out of them.

 

[TheDoctor]

Looking at that, the one thing that jumps out at me is the brakes. Unbranded brakes are usually not that great, and a set of Tiagra or 105s will make all the difference. They may be a little lighter too, but the important thing is that they'll work better.
You can also drop a good 3/4 pound off the weight (and tweak the gearing!!) by swapping the steel Sora rings for alloy ones - Stronglight rings are cheap and work well.

 

[MichaelM]

So which of these would be worth upgrading?

Valid point about the calipers, other than that: nothing until it's worn out, it's all decent enough kit (unless you've got money to burn on your hobby).

 

[Sam Kennedy]

If ceramic bearings will cost loads, then I wont bother with them.
I am tempted by the Ultegra Chainset from Planet X, for £100 it doesn't sound like too bad of a deal, but I actually need to save up money first!

I'll look into new brake calipers, I doubt they will wear out, but I would replace them whenever I have the money.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I would be tempted to try some 'racier' tyres - Conti GP 4000S's, or Michelin Prorace 3's and appropriate tubes. 'Summer tyres', maybe, and keep the Gatorskins for the winter?

 

[zacklaws]

when the best way to strip weight is to lose a couple of POUNDS from their bodies. Now, don't misunderstand...I'm not suggesting that you are overweight, in fact, I'll admit that I could stand to lose 2 stone. I'm just saying that unless you can't spare 1 single pound from your body, why worry about a few grams on the bike? And ceramic bearings? They are ridiculously expensive, and if you notice ANY difference with them, you'll have a hard time proving that it's not the "placebo effect." But, since you mention that you need a new bottom bracket, replace it with good quality componentry, and don't worry so much about the weight.

From the specs, it sounds to me as if you have a fine bike. Enjoy it, maintain it, and ride it. Consider sensible upgrades as parts wear out.

I've delayed from answering the original post as I cannot find the reference to what I am looking for, but "threefingerjoe" has summed up what I have been looking for and wanted to post, the best upgrade is to loose a bit of body weight. Recently I saw somewhere, the same question posed, all components were priced, came too an astronomical figure, and the weight saving overall if I remember came to only about a couple of pound if that, and the summary was, take the cheaper option and loose body weight.

I know from experience, that I feel faster and fitter, especially on hills when I have shedded a couple of pounds.

Another thought to think about as well is, If you have a bike with top component parts, can you afford to maintain and replace them when they wear out? There is a post referencing Sora chain rings, I did the opposite and replaced my alloy with steel on my winter/commuter bike, as I found alloy wore out too quick aprox 1500 miles, they may only be cheap but it still adds up to the overall maintenance costs. My best bike is a Madone, it skint me to buy , but I worry constantly now about parts breaking or wearing out as I know the price of the parts will sting me and depending on circumstances may have to fit cheaper options, chains now, I replace the moment they appear to be worn, to prevent wear to chain rings and cassette just to prolong their life span.

 

[Sam Kennedy]

Last measurement I was 15% body fat, would it be safe to go any lower?
I really don't think I could lose anything more, and still stay healthy.

 

[B1LLY87]

I'm nowhere near 15% but you could still lose and go down to 10% or so. I know someone that is there and he's healthy enough.

 

[earth]

Looks like you upgraded the wheels already.
Tyres would make a difference.
What about changing the shifters for tiagra + 9 speed cassette and have 1 more gear.