Upgrades and expectations

[winjim]

There's a lot of talk on this forum about upgrades, with people wondering should they get new wheels, or a carbon frame, or this or that. There often follows a lively debate about whether an "upgrade" is necessary, desirable or even noticeable. Some may say that it's a pointless waste of money, some that it won't make a difference but it's shiny so go for it, and some that it may make an improvement for a certain type of rider under certain conditions. However, some may ascribe almost magical properties to said upgrade, using words such as vertically compliant, more responsive, quicker to spin up etc etc and insisting that said upgrade will make you ride faster, climb better, and make you more attractive. With this in mind, I present to you the new iPhone 6S:

 

[vernon]

There's a lot of talk on this forum about upgrades, with people wondering should they get new wheels, or a carbon frame, or this or that. There often follows a lively debate about whether an "upgrade" is necessary, desirable or even noticeable. Some may say that it's a pointless waste of money, some that it won't make a difference but it's shiny so go for it, and some that it may make an improvement for a certain type of rider under certain conditions. However, some may ascribe almost magical properties to said upgrade, using words such as vertically compliant, more responsive, quicker to spin up etc etc and insisting that said upgrade will make you ride faster, climb better, and make you more attractive. With this in mind, I present to you the new iPhone 6S:

It's comparing apples (sic) with pears. Cycle upgrades are generic e.g. upgrade any make of bicycle by changing the wheels or frame or tyres etc then imagining any performance boost.

The phone example is more like comparing a specific 2014 model of one cycle manufacturer with the 2015 model from the same manufacturer hoping that the 2015 model is better in some way than the 2014 model.

Sometimes the 'improvements' deliver less than they promise. Update is more appropriate than upgrade when getting the latest model of anything.

I was so underwhelmed by my iPhone that I upgraded my user experience by swapping it for an Android phone.

 

[Mo1959]

I was so underwhelmed by my iPhone that I upgraded my user experience by swapping it for an Android phone.

It's all horses for courses, isn't it. I regret changing from the iPhone to a Samsung using Android. Nothing really wrong with the new one. Maybe I will eventually get used to it but I just found the iPhone simpler to use and miss some of my apps I had and don't want to have to repurchase even if they are available.

As for bike upgrades, the biggest I noticed was taking off Durano Plus tyres and putting on GP4000S. It gave me around 1mph increase for the same effort, but sadly I found they punctured too easily around here.

 

[vernon]

As for bike upgrades, the biggest I noticed was taking off Durano Plus tyres and putting on GP4000S. It gave me around 1mph increase for the same effort, but sadly I found they punctured too easily around here.

So your performance gain was illusory...

The thing is comparing the acquisition of a new phone to replace the previous model with swapping out components on a bike is invalid.

Perhaps I wasn't too clear in my previous posting.

My swipe at iPhones was a non sequitur. I just don't understand the passion for them.

 

[Markymark]

Did someone say new iphone?

Cool. Must get one to maintain my awesomeness.

 

[EltonFrog]

My contract ended in August and shopped around to see what was available. Nothing that did anything different or better than what I've got, so changed my contract and saved a tenner a month.

 

[Drago]

I'm still on a dumb phone. Not only am I hundreds of quid a year wealthier, I don't walk round in public with my head horizontal, gaze locked on to Facebook or some other meaningless crap.

If I want to read an email or go online I'll do it when I want to do it, not when a device in my pocket tells me to, and on a device much better suited to the task. Humbug.

 

[Mo1959]

I'm still on a dumb phone. Not only am I hundreds of quid a year wealthier, I don't walk round in public with my head horizontal, gaze locked on to Facebook or some other meaningless crap.

If I want to read an email or go online I'll do it when I want to do it, not when a device in my pocket tells me to, and on a device much better suited to the task. Humbug.

Got to agree. I usually forget to take the phone with me most places, including the bike! Really bugs me when walking along my favourite riverside walk and can't believe the amount of people walking along with their phone stuck to their head or texting. They are not even aware of the gorgeous scenery they are walking past.

 

[Drago]

If I didn't need one for SAR callouts I'd not bother at all.

 

[SteCenturion]

My body feels like it's had a downgrade.

Too many chips causes system overload.


I understand, I now have an octacore belly but don't feel the benefit.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Agree with the thoughts by all above. I take a phone out with me when cycling in case of emergency, but who am I kidding, there are several swathes of the Peak District, where I normally ride, which have no signal. The same for North Wales.

 

[Salar]

Basic flip phone for me.

Sim only contract £9 per month and I still have loads of minutes left.

 

[winjim]

There seem to be a lot of people taking this phone allegory very literally. I think this is where religious fundamentalism comes from.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Who said, "don't buy upgrades, ride up grades..."?

Was it...

a) Eddy Merckx
b) Eddie Large
c) Some twerp in a marketing department somewhere
d) Someone else

 

[vernon]

Who said, "don't buy upgrades, ride up grades..."?

It wasn't me.