Folding Bikes - trek f400

hi again, i am getting along great with my trek and i love the bike alot but i would'nt exactly say its the most comfortable bike ever and i was wondering how i could make it more comfortable.

what type:

Grips:

Seat:

Tyres:

Pedals:

Break leavers:

And also ive been looking at seat pole suspension and i was wondering is it worth getting some and if so what type.

And if there is any front forks or anything else that would make it more comfortable please state.

thanks :D

Welcome back WB!

If you want a smoother ride and not outlay too much in components then I highly recommend Schwalbe Big Apple tyres. Just check they have the clearance for your mudguards, they should have. See:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Schwalbe-Big-Apple-Tires-20x2-0-for-dahon-and-others_W0QQitemZ150282481107QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150282481107&_trkparms=72%3A985|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

This seems a good price

I recommend Ergon grips for the handlebars. See:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-ERGON-GP1-L-HANDLEBAR-GRIPS-130-130_W0QQitemZ110281839047QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item110281839047&_trkparms=72%3A985|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I boought off this seller and use them on my Brompton (pared down a couple of inches to fit smaller M-type handlebars) I find they really add to my riding grip and overall comfort. Not cheap but worth it. Easy to fit too.

ok thanks im still pretty skint at the moment but im thinking of selling my i-pod so i should get some cash from that to spend on the bike, however i am just interseted at this point so the price does not matter :D

Well of all the upgrades the tyres will smooth the ride the most for the money!

The components on your bike are quite good quality, it's just won't be as comfortable on trails as a full suspension bike. You can get the thudbuster or butt buddy (harder to get hold of) but they can prove expensive. Sammyboy managed to get hold of the but buddy from the US.

ok thanks ill keep an eye out for them, any more advice on any other components?

is there a difference between ergo and ergon grips?, also is there any better grips than these?

is there a difference between ergo and ergon grips?, also is there any better grips than these?
Ergo is a brand, Ergon is BBB's grip. Google it.

Other than those 2 there's the 2008 Specialized BG grips. I've not tried them.

What diameter is your seat post?

i think i am going to get the ergon grips when i get more cash, now i need advice on bike seats :D, and i am not sure lol

are there any specific rear panier makes which are good that would fit a bike with "20" wheels

i think i am going to get the ergon grips when i get more cash, now i need advice on bike seats :D, and i am not sure lol

You could try out the butt buddy for very little money:

http://www.sidetrak.com/Catalog/components.html

Most people on this forum use it to get more leg extension (adds 2 inches to seatpost length) but it also has a shock-absorbing quality as well.

but if i was to get a brooks saddle with suspension would that be necisary?

The Buttbuddy is heavy for what it is. A saddle with elastomers built in would save a lot of weight.

I replaced the original saddle on my Trek F400 with a Brooks Champion Flyer. For me, the sprung Brooks saddle does just fine on the stock seat post.

Ok thanks i think ive made my mind up about the seat, are the brooks grips any good? Or would a ergon or cane creek pair be better? and i still havent decided what rear pannier.

Ok thanks i think ive made my mind up about the seat, are the brooks grips any good? Or would a ergon or cane creek pair be better? and i still havent decided what rear pannier.

The Brooks are for looks.

The Ergon grips are for comfort trips.


Ergons best!

ok thanks mulleady, any advice on rear panniers?

Bontrager seat rack. See my thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=433020&highlight=downtube+upgraded

wow nice that looks perfect where could i get one also the bag to?

edit: would any of these do the job?

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/images/prod_thu_327.jpg&imgrefurl=http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/index.html%3Faction%3Dsearch%26searchtype%3DcatID%26quicksearch%3D4%26p_start%3D27%26sortType%3D%26s ubmit%3Derm&h=157&w=175&sz=4&hl=en&start=42&um=1&usg=__zsUwHS-5xu_NFWxBV5bnjoBdXhU=&tbnid=FmZSrQMBoDHm-M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=100&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtortec%26start%3D40%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN