binstpa

Getting a tax refund and my wife and I decided we'd each take $150 apiece for no-questions-asked-spending. I was wondering what the best use of that money would be to upgrade my bike. Here is what I have:

2008 Felt F75 with approx. 800 miles which I just bought new in October;
Shimano SPD mountain bike pedals which I got for free from a buddy; as well as
Nike T-Speeds cycling shoes;and
Various other miscellaneous goodies (cateye strada, floor pump, shorts & shirt, chain cleaning kit, underseat bag, CO2 pump and cartridges, tubes, tools, wrenches, cheap aluminum bottle cages and a couple bottles).

The current setup is fine and I have no complaints. I am looking for a pure luxury purchase. I was thinking of maybe getting a better computer with heartrate and cadence, or possibly getting some better pedals (speedplay?). Is there anything you would recommend? I heard the handlebars on the Felt are very heavy as are the wheels? Maybe reducing weight that way or getting some carbon cages would be a good use of the money? I don't know if decent wheels or handlebars can be had for $150 or if that is a good place to put the money.

I don't want to get new tires or anything like that because the current ones are fine and as soon as they go out I can just get some new one's under a "necessity clause."

AngryScientist 

carbon cages are ridiculous "upgrades" forget those. i like your original idea about the better computer with HR and cadence. speedplay's are also very nice (thats what i use - zero's). you wont get better wheels for 150. leave the bars alone if they are comfortable.

best "upgrade" i've ever done to any bike i have owned was switch out the saddle for one that really fits me well. thats where my money would go if i were you...

RazorWind

I noticed you didn't mention a helmet. That's what I'd get, if you really don't have one.

The handlebars could be replaced for $150, but you wouldn't notice much difference. Wheels are out of the state price range for any that are really nice. About $300 is the starting point there, I'd say.

Saving up for a set of nicer wheels or some more clothes is what I'd do.

Edit: He's right about the saddle too, if you have issues with the one you have.

kimconyc

Sounds like you want to bling out your bike. I vote KCNC skewers (or other ridiculously light skewers) in a flashy color of your choice and a nice pair of summer gloves.

Or EPO.

sheddle

If you have a stock saddle, you can get a great one for $100 or so.

kimconyc

Actually, I change my vote with the above.

Or some nice shades.

sheddle

Screw nice shades, $10 department store specials is where it's at.

Phantoj

Get more clothes, especially if you have only one pair of shorts/shirt right now. Do you ever need a jacket in Florida?

rydaddy

I would work on whatever is least comfortable with your current setup. Shoes, clothing, pro bike fit, pedals, etc.

bdcheung

+1

binstpa

I do have a helmet. I don't have any issues with the saddle, but I was thinking of possibly switching it for a red one and getting some red bartape.



I really don't know where to start with a saddle. Can you try various ones out before buying them (not just sitting on them in the store but riding them for an extended period of time)? It could be that I am used to this one but could be blown away by a nice one.

I am tempted with the wheels idea. However, money isn't really too much of an issue for us. I could swing a new set of wheels, but this money is just purely selfish spending without any questions. If I wanted to spend more on some nice wheels, I'd have to lobby the finance chairman and make a compelling reason why I need them. She is a tough sell. I was thinking of "accidentally" running over them in a year or so to make the argument for me.

binstpa

Also, I am all set on clothing, and, at least in Naples, Florida, you do not need a jacket.

sheddle

For $75, Compettitve Cyclist ships a pack of ten saddles for you to try out for a week, and if you buy one, half gets credited to your purchase. Check it out.

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/ro...es/demo-saddle

bigskyTi

I get a nice pair (or two if done right) of bib shorts. I'm a total believer, so comfy. Or is you live whre it gets cold some bib knickers - best money I've spent in a long time.

Oh, If you got really lucky you could get some Zero Gravity brakes - Bling Bling

tombailey

Or do the same thing, but for free, from your well-known local/online bicycle retailer.

urbanknight

I have been trying to get the budget approved for a new set of wheels since last Summer. I already have the hubs, too, so I'm just asking for about $170 for spokes and rims. It doesn't help that ALL our federal return went to our underpaid state taxes... somehow her work underpaid state a lot but overpaid federal a little, and I overpaid both a little

Anyway, $150 isn't going to make a huge difference on anything. Bling skewers is a nice idea. If you don't like your current pedals, go for it, but don't change if you like your current ones. Same with the saddle. It's so hard to find a saddle that feels good, I would only spend $150 on a new one if it was a lighter or blingy version of the same thing. Other things to think about might be what I spent my recent gift cards on, so I could ride in inclimate weather without feeling like crap: waterproof shoe covers, full fingered gloves, and headwear.

urbanknight

Oh, and on the bling factor, you could replace your cable housing with red!

RazorWind

If you're not having any problems with soreness or penis numbness, I'd leave the saddle alone.

I say additional shorts and jersey.

urbanknight

I forgot how flat Florida is. How about some aerobars?

IAMTB

Spending money on the three areas where you interact with the bike is usually a good place to start. Shoes can be a big deal, are you current shoes comfortable? Pedals as well, if you're not using a road pedal that would be money well spent. New bar tape perhaps? And saddle which was covered. I'm a believer in just as nice gear as bike. It's no fun to ride your sweet bike if you're uncomfortable doing so.

dsellinger

I think the felt saddle is pretty good.

Some compact bars are on my list... Plus the felt ones are quite heavy (450g range).
I had mine setup kinda like yours were and my hands were just falling to the bottom/end of the drops. I've rotated them down a lot and they are much better, but the hoods are pretty useless except for when standing now.

binstpa

Thanks for the suggestions. In addition to the year round beautiful weather, there is no state tax in Florida, so I was able avoid urbanknight's problems (and get a 5 figure return - and we thought a new baby and my wife staying at home would end up costing us money).

Everything with my set up is fine. I hesitate to say it is great since this is my first road bike and I have only been riding for 6 months. I don't have much to compare it with. Really, I just want to put things on the bike that would noticeably improve my enjoyment of the bike. I think I will get the following:

Speedplay Zeros (red)
Red Fizik Bar Tape
New Jersey

If I play it right, I may be able to swing it under $150.

urbanknight

We stopped trying to have a baby because of the ecnonomy and our pay decreases. Maybe we're going about it backwards?

idcruiserman

New tires.

kayakdiver

I don't see a cycle computer? I would invest in one with cadence if you don't have one. Maybe I'm just blind and don't see it. If you have one................forget this post.

Edit... that's a stock photo it looks like.