dylan 84

I just got a 2008 Fuji Absolute 3.0 (https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...+3.0&Type=bike)


I was wondering what upgrades I should consider? All I've done so far is add a Topeak seat post mounted quick release rack w/ bag, and add toe clips.


What would be a noticeable upgrade, as far as performance?


I ride this bike everyday, basically as a commuter, but I do love speed as well.


I've considered things to make it lighter, as it is 24 pounds w/ out the rear rack, but other than that, I'm not sure what upgrades, if any, should be done.

Flatballer

Don't bother making it lighter or faster. It will cost you a lot of money for very little gain. Just ride it. The best thing you can do is buy some clipless MTB pedals and shoes. Other than that, save up for a real road bike, don't try to make that into one.

Busta Quad

3 items:

1. Engine

2. Engine

3. Engine


Cheers

borg

Once those 3 upgrades are in progress, the next you may want to focus on are the 3 contact points between you and your bike. Pedals will help performance directly, otherwise they will let you focus on upgrading the engine which has short and long term health benefits.

4. shoes/pedals
5. saddle/shorts
6. handlebars/bar tape/gloves

weavers

6.5 drop bars with brifters
7. wheels and tires, 23 or 25c slicks
8, cassette, thats a really wide range which means poor cadence.
9, cycle comp with speed, heart rate, cadence, and gps
10 group rides

walshconor

if you dont race and the bike works for your purposes why upgrade

cslone

It's a hybrid bike that is meant to put you in an upright position and ride at a leisurely pace. Your body is roughly 80% of the aerodynamic drag. There is not much that is going to make it "perform" better. Dropping to 23c tires might help, but only if you buy higher end tires like the Michelin Pro Race, Bontrager RXL, or Conti GP4000's. At most shops that will run you $100 right there. What people are saying is, it's a $500 hybrid bike. It's not a bad bike, but it wasn't made for speed like a typical road bike and if you put any "real" performance upgrades on it, you will pay more than you did for the bike initially.

And being a complete ******* will get you eaten alive in this forum. Go try the commuter forum if this bothers you.

frpax

I was never a fan of twist shifters, so I'd upgrade that to a rapid fire style that you see on most mountain bikes.

I'd also go with Shimano LX derailleurs (or the nicer XT if you want to spend more money). Shifting performance will be a lot better.

Nicer/lighter wheels will be a nice upgrade too. Tires? I don't know what you have on there now...

Just my 2 cents--

Flatballer

Don't ask stupid questions then. I gave you the correct answer, if you don't like it, that's too bad. I'm trying to save you some money, but if you wanna blow $1000 to make your 22 lb hybrid weigh 20 lbs, go for it. You'll help the economy.

Oh, and GTFO.

wanders

Zipp 404's and a bell.

Little Darwin

I must admit that I don't much see the point of buying a bike then immediately upgrading... It is almost always cheaper to just buy a better bike.

Nor do I see the point of blasting a person's bike style choice when they ask about upgrades as some did...

But I loved this response!!!


To the OP, I would suggest looking at clipless pedals for efficiency and comfort instead of clips, tires for lower rolling resistance, and possibly mustache bars, or some other alternative to get you into a slightly more aero position without the need to go with drops.

Weight won't matter unless it is up hill. Once you are rolling, and on the flats or down hill, wind resistance is the limiting factor.

bjoerges

Maybe read the point that they are trying to make rather than get angry. They are right.

You bought a bike that is designed for leisurely pace riding and want to ride faster.

Riding speed factors (in order of importance):
Leg Power
Riding Skill
Frame geometry
Wheel weight
Saddle comfort
Shifting components
Rolling resistance in tires
Frame weight

So if you want performance, go ride. Become a good rider on your heavy bike and save your money. In order to get a noticeable difference in your ride without getting stronger, you'll probably have to spend $750 in components ($500 wheels, $100 tires, $150 shifting components) you are far better off riding the heck out of what you got until your body is at a peak performance level (or at least in very good condition). By then, you can take the cash you would have spent on upgrades and buy a second bike. If you prefer the flat bar, look at a Trek 7.5FX. Flat bar (which you said you like), ~20lbs, carbon fork, lighter wheels, aluminum frame, deore lx, 27 speed, with rack mount points.

I say this as someone who rides a 30-40lb single speed commuter bike daily. Only major changes I made were putting drop bars on to cut wind resistance, clipless pedals for pedalling efficiency and a more comfortable saddle. I lost 45lbs of body weight from riding 1300 miles and eating better. I am in great shape now and am ordering a Trek 2.1 next week to use as my speed bike. Also planning to (down the road) pick up a lighter wheelset once I have maximized my ride speed on that bike.

MrCrassic 

So what happened with the Giant?

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cslone

Approximately 100 times cooler.

Read the road biking forum primer. You came in here looking for advice on making an upright hybrid faster. You got it, then got all pu$sy hurt over it. I stand by my comment. If you can't handle the road forum, go to the commuters forum, which is about what your bike is. They're friendlier over there.

You got answers, but you weren't going to listen to what anyone said anyway. Go buy some Zipp tubulars and a behind the saddle bottle cage. There, that will increase your speed by 8-10 mph. Happy?