MrEaves

I have just bought a Pinnacle Evolution 1, feels like a good bike and something that could last me for quite some time (better than my Halfords special did anyway!).

My question is how easy is it to upgrade (over-time) to a better spec, and would I really feel the difference?

At the moment it has a set of Deore Derailleurs (3 front and 9 back). How easy would it be at some point in the future to switch to the XT variants, and would it really make a difference? (could I do this myself).

Also, what other things are easy to upgrade that would give me a better ride/feel?

I commute 20 miles a day so I have switched to a nice set of road tires on this.

AndrewP

You wont feel any difference. The better ones will last longer so wait until the current ones wear out or get smashed. Better tires, brake pads and saddles are the most cost effective upgrades you can make.

NoRacer

Better wheels are -the- most cost effective upgrade you can do. Nothing else compares until you do this.

MrEaves

Yep, replaced the mountain off road tyres with the Nimbus road tyres from my old Hybrid. What a difference, I only used the off road tyres for one commute (until I got time to switch over), but they were a struggle. Now it glides along, and feels totally different. At some point (and when I get some money), I'll get a spare set of wheels so I can quick change to off roads when I want to do that.

kartoffel

+1million

The best rear dérailleur in the world will shift like crap if it and the rest of the drivetrain aren't set up right.

Portis

You've got derailleur envy. I've had that before. The deore stuff will last a long time and will perform the same as anything above it. I have had XT, LX, Alivio, Acera, Tiagra, etc. and I can tell you that when shifting if you didn't look down, you would never be able to tell the difference.

The biggest factor is having evertything adjusted correctly. A properly tuned Alivio is much better than an improperly adjusted XTR. I do concur that the less expensive derailleurs wear out somewhat faster but even then, that is a long time for most riders. (plus they are cheap to begin with)

MrEaves

Thanks for all the replies. The gears are skipping a little now when on the front middle cog (which is the one I am practically always in). This could be bedding in, and it is due to go back to Evans Cycles for its first free service in the next week or two, so that should cure it.