upgrades?

[boydj]

There's no point in major upgrades until you've had plenty of time on the bike to learn what works for you and what doesn't. The bike is a decent starter for a beginner. Read the forums and magazines to increase your knowledge, but most importantly, ride the bike regularly, without overdoing things until you have built up your fitness.

There's good advice already on tyres, pedals, shoes and pumps and maybe a saddle. There's no point buying major items like wheels and spending money without really knowing what you're trying to achieve. If you have money to spend, best to get some decent cycling clothes, tools and spare tubes etc., so that you are comfortable on the road and can deal with any problems you might encounter.

 

[machew]

Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades

 

[cyberknight]

Aldi have clipless shoes for £20 on thursday, you can get m520s fairly cheap if you shop around.
Theonly thing i would change asap would be the tyres as the stock ones tend to be horrible.

 

[Rob3rt]

Just ride the damn bike, don't bother spending additional sums of money.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Just ride the damn bike, don't bother spending additional sums of money.

Well put - I did say that but you are more succinct!

Tbh - I find it complete cobblers to start suggesting tyres/wheels upgrades (sorry Biker Joe) for someone brand new to cycling with his first starter bike. There's a lot to learn ie how to ride the bike, road-craft and actually getting into the groove of riding for longer than the new bike honeymoon period. All way more important than the possibly 1 second or so per mile difference some new Big S wheels will make.

I'd wager quite a lot of money on the fact that R500's or whatever will make no real-world discernible difference to a Newbie on a basic bike (nothing wrong with the Carrera I hasten to add).

Same old same old - buy a bike, any bike at most price points, and the advice is upgrade upgrade. Mainly tosh imo.

 

[Biker Joe]

Well put - I did say that but you are more succinct!

Tbh - I find it complete cobblers to start suggesting tyres/wheels upgrades (sorry Biker Joe) for someone brand new to cycling with his first starter bike. There's a lot to learn ie how to ride the bike, road-craft and actually getting into the groove of riding for longer than the new bike honeymoon period. All way more important than the possibly 1 second or so per mile difference some new Big S wheels will make.

I'd wager quite a lot of money on the fact that R500's or whatever will make no real-world discernible difference to a Newbie on a basic bike (nothing wrong with the Carrera I hasten to add).

Same old same old - buy a bike, any bike at most price points, and the advice is upgrade upgrade. Mainly tosh imo.

I'm sorry but Beal998 stated quite clearly, "does anyone know any good upgreades i could do" I simply answered his question.
Of course there's a lot to learn but he wasn't asking that.

 

[Rob3rt]

Sometimes people ask the wrong questions. When they do, advise accordingly.

It is an entry level bike, you could upgrade pretty much everything, down to dust caps, but should you bother?

 

[Born2die]

From an owner of the bike

the wheels are sound and sturdy no point in changing them to save 200g

the frame is sound and solid some flex yes but as a beginners bike to get you through the 1st year you will rarely notice that's if you can put the power required down that early on as a cyclist

the tyres are so so but again adequate and enough quality in them to last till they wear out then change for better they are 25s on that bike btw

The pedals are standard really cheap cages I used to put my feet. On top of the cages as I could never get my feet in to sometimes out hence I recommend changing them to better cages or preferably clipless and shoes spd's or spds your choice easier to put the power down more bike and man feeling like one and safer IMHO

The chain set is ok for a beginner good wide selection of gears reliable and sturdy easy to maintain

Ok it's not the lightest of bikes but once you have it wound up you won't really notice even on big hills there is one in my local club and the lad riding it is always in the lead group and besides you get so used to pushing a heavier bike when you get a more expensive lighter bike you will be glad of the extra muscles you grew in the 1st year


Mostly just ride enjoy and get addicted put in the miles fall in love with your bike cherish it and weep when you sell I to fund the new more expensive lightweight racing blade

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I'm sorry but Beal998 stated quite clearly, "does anyone know any good upgreades i could do" I simply answered his question.
Of course there's a lot to learn but he wasn't asking that.

I know that and did not post to cause offence - apologies if I have.

I just find it pointless to advise upgrades that have little effect in the situation that the OP finds himself. Seriously, what difference will spending about half the cost of the bike (currently £250) on tyres and wheels for a Newbie? That's all I'm saying.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Replace things if and when they brake/wear out, i.e. New tyres in about 3,000 miles hopefully the wheels are better than the Weinmann wheels I had where I got through 8 spokes in the first 10 months hence the wheel upgrade when the front axle gave up the ghost. Pedals once you have some road experience I would advice change to clipless but again wait till you know where you are going with your cycling, saddle possibly, but clothing is a must good quality shorts/leggings, base layers for winter and a good wind/weather proof Jacket.

 

[Bealz998]

Thanks everyone all ur advice is great, I'm looking for some standard flat pedals really and can you buy some sort of cover to stop the gear/bra cables rubbing the fram near the headset

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Helicopter tape patches - I use these:

http://www.heli-pads.co.uk/#/r-d/4561435378

 

[paul04]

Thanks everyone all ur advice is great, I'm looking for some standard flat pedals really and can you buy some sort of cover to stop the gear/bra cables rubbing the fram near the headset

A cheap set of pedals from Halfords
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_566835_langId_-1_categoryId_165566

or your local bike shop will have some aswell

 

[Doyleyburger]

Just ride the damn bike, don't bother spending additional sums of money.

Don't bother upgrading anything apart from the pedals and tyres. Even then there's no need to rush into anything. Got my carrera tdf 8 weeks or so ago and haven't done a thing to it yet, apart from a phone holder on the bars. Get used to cycling, enjoy it and in a year or two's time just upgrade the bike. That's what I'm gonna do, you won't lose too much money on it anyway. Great bike you've got there, good choice..... And Rob3rt there's no need to be rude, this guy is new like a lot of us!

 

[Bealz998]

Does anybody know any bottle holders what will fit on my carrera tdf?