bluefoxicy

I have a 2010 GT Tachyon 3.0 I got for $450. It's got parts I can swap in and out on it--I have the original seat post, pedals, etc, even though I've upgraded some stuff.

I'm thinking of changing the crank and such ... in the future I may want a 10 speed, front discs, etc as time goes by. More pertinently, I've considered looking through performance parts and swapping in some reasonably smooth bottom brackets and freewheels and such, just find all the places I can lower friction and upgrade all that. I still need to finish tuning my derailleurs first though, but after that it's all friction components and heavy rims to worry about, and upgrading that stuff can be expensive.

Is it worth building up as time goes on, or should I keep it simple and keep an eye out for something like a used Trek FX or such instead? I'm doing neither right now, just wondering if I should plan for the future in the mindset of "Upgrades" or "New Bike."

OH FOR ... somebody move this to the Mechanic's forum.

CB HI

Why not try just riding your brand new bike for awhile and building your skills before going hyper about your friction load. At least wear out one component first.

bluefoxicy

Because I make flexible long-term plans and adjust them as time goes by. I do very little purely on impulse... well, I actually execute very little on impulse; I do a lot of long-term-replanning on impulse.

CB HI

Your bike is like two months old. So in your long range planning, which component have you decided is going to wear out first and what date will that be.

Digital_Cowboy

That's a good question. The first component on my Hardrock that needed replacing was the cassette, but that was only because it had a defect and I lost a tooth on the smallest gear. The chain and cassette were the first parts that needed to be replaced because of the miles that I ride. I've worn out two or three cassettes as well as chains.

wahoonc

Unless you are a top end racer, friction reduction is probably not worth the expense. Best 3 things to do are: Keep the drive train adjusted and lubed, pay attention to your riding form and try a different tire with lower rolling resistance. Oh and ride the bike, besides friction will add to the overall workout and just make you stronger.

I have to grin when I see some people show up at the LBS obsessing over the difference of a couple of grams of weight on an item like pedals, and worrying about the aerodynamics of a brake lever when the best gain would be to lose 10# off the engine...

We have one young guy that rides a variety of different bikes, his theory is the heavier and uglier it is the stronger it makes you and the more people you can piss off when you go blowing by them. He does have a couple of very nice Orbea bikes that he races, but for training rides I have seen him on a 35 year old Fuji finest with a rear rack...leading the pack

Aaron