Most cost-effective upgrade?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 120
Bikes: Giant TCR Advanced 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Most cost-effective upgrade?
So I just started racing and am looking to upgrade my bike (am also working my a$$ off to upgrade my fitness, but that's for a different discussion). Unfortunately I'm a student with no income at the moment and so my options are somewhat limited. I'm currently riding a Motobecane Le Champion frame with the components of a Trek Pilot 2.1 - long story. The wheels are the basic Bontrager Race Lights, and the drive train is Shimano 105 triple with Bontrager cranks. My thought is that upgrading the wheelset or drivetrain would have the greatest impact on performance, but I wanted to ask the advice of the more experienced. I've been looking at Neuvation R28 wheels but am certainly open to suggestions. My budget is around $400-500 max, but the greatest improvement at the lowest cost is what I'm going for.
#2
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,271
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1426 Post(s)
Liked 692 Times
in
351 Posts
It's really handy to have a spare set of wheels. (most notably for the wheel pit) So I would put any money you plan to spend on a nice set of wheels.
#3
Globo Gym lifetime member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 5,204
Bikes: Fast ones
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 410 Post(s)
Liked 614 Times
in
306 Posts
Have someone fit you on the bike. Then buy some supplements from HERE.
Sounds like your bike will be fine.
Sounds like your bike will be fine.
__________________
#4
Slow'n'Aero
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Driving the pace in the crosswind
Posts: 2,599
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Spend a few hundred bucks on a power meter (The IBike has decent reviews) and use that to supplement your training. Everyone will agree that training is more important than any component, and a power meter will be great to have.
Outside of that, a spare set of wheels is nice.
Outside of that, a spare set of wheels is nice.
#5
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
+1 on the power meter.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
#6
Blast from the Past
+1 on wheels, you need at least 2 sets. Beyond that my recomendation is always to spend money on more entry fees and travel to races outside your immediate area. Race often.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Shenandoah Valley, VA
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by gtmandsager
So I just started racing and am looking to upgrade my bike (am also working my a$$ off to upgrade my fitness, but that's for a different discussion). Unfortunately I'm a student with no income at the moment and so my options are somewhat limited. I'm currently riding a Motobecane Le Champion frame with the components of a Trek Pilot 2.1 - long story. The wheels are the basic Bontrager Race Lights, and the drive train is Shimano 105 triple with Bontrager cranks. My thought is that upgrading the wheelset or drivetrain would have the greatest impact on performance, but I wanted to ask the advice of the more experienced. I've been looking at Neuvation R28 wheels but am certainly open to suggestions. My budget is around $400-500 max, but the greatest improvement at the lowest cost is what I'm going for.
#8
NorCal Climbing Freak
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 872
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'd echo what other people are saying, and suggest either going down the power meter route. Or at least something related to training.
To be honest, the engine is a more important component than wheels or drive train. That said, then, I'd recommend putting the money towards something that will improve your training. But, if you have to get something, and it's not coaching / power, then wheels would be a decent choice.
To be honest, the engine is a more important component than wheels or drive train. That said, then, I'd recommend putting the money towards something that will improve your training. But, if you have to get something, and it's not coaching / power, then wheels would be a decent choice.
#9
Oh The Huge Manatee
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: mabra
Posts: 4,528
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My advice would be just to save the money until you know exactly what you want/need. No reason to upgrade just to upgrade if you really dont have the means.
just use the money for races and good food and save the rest.
just use the money for races and good food and save the rest.
#10
starting pistol means war
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 3,150
Bikes: Cervelo R3
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Like a few before have said, money is for race entries, travel, hotels, etc. Kind of silly to spend what little you have on equipment or meters and then sit home on the weekend.
#11
Will race for points
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 165
Bikes: Tarmac, looking for another tri bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
an extra set of wheels helps and they don't have to be extra light/aero or anything, just extra. If you're smart with your training a pen and paper will help you improve although not as much as a meter but that's a luxury item right now and of course, race! If you have a club around join that too, you'll get good advice and a lot of those guys will probably be upgrading equipment so you can have first dibs on their hand me downs.
Good luck.
Good luck.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 288
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hmmm. Race lites are what, a little above 1900 grams? There are budget wheelsets out there in the 1500-1600 range. So you could go that route. I wouldn't advise on changing any of your drivetrain out. It's not worth it. 105 is perfectly fine for racing.
Power meters are fine, but the Ibike is like $400 and it's kind of a you get what you pay for thing. You'll eventually want to upgrade to powertap or something similar. Also if you don't have someone to show you how to reap the most benefits out of a power meter then it's kind of a waste.
I'd say sit down and figure out what races you want to do this year, add up all the entry fees and then see where you are. I'm sure your bike is fine. It's probably decently light anyway.
Power meters are fine, but the Ibike is like $400 and it's kind of a you get what you pay for thing. You'll eventually want to upgrade to powertap or something similar. Also if you don't have someone to show you how to reap the most benefits out of a power meter then it's kind of a waste.
I'd say sit down and figure out what races you want to do this year, add up all the entry fees and then see where you are. I'm sure your bike is fine. It's probably decently light anyway.