Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

The best equipment upgrade for improved performance is....

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

The best equipment upgrade for improved performance is....

Old 08-30-14, 04:06 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,433
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times in 230 Posts
The best equipment upgrade for improved performance is....

Clothing. The best thing I have ever done to make myself a faster cyclist is buy the appropriate clothing for the conditions I was riding in. I am lucky living in the Seattle, Washington area of the PNW because the weather rarely gets to the point that one can't ride, so basically having clothing in the closet that works from around 15° to 90° F. Means that you can ride all year round. What is the clothing that you have found to work the best for you?
colnago62 is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 04:08 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
gdhillard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 249

Bikes: 2008 Scott SUB 30, 1981 Miyata Ridge Runner, Dahon Speed 8

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Healthy diet is the best performance upgrade.
gdhillard is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 04:29 PM
  #3  
Farmer tan
 
f4rrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Burbank, CA
Posts: 7,986

Bikes: Allez, SuperSix Evo

Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2870 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times in 23 Posts
It depends on what you already own. MTB? Then a road bike would definitely be a performance upgrade.
f4rrest is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 04:49 PM
  #4  
Super Moderator
 
Homebrew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843

Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times in 612 Posts
EPO, or so I've heard.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.

FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Homebrew01 is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 05:05 PM
  #5  
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,626

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3870 Post(s)
Liked 2,563 Times in 1,577 Posts
Losing weight off the engine.
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498
ThermionicScott is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 06:31 PM
  #6  
Should Be More Popular
 
datlas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,025

Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix

Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22570 Post(s)
Liked 8,918 Times in 4,152 Posts
The true answer is a power meter.

But most people don't want the truth. I know I don't!
__________________
Originally Posted by rjones28
Addiction is all about class.
datlas is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 07:52 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 20
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I like how no one actually responded to the question that OP asked. Did any of the people who responded actually read through his post? I think the intended purpose of the thread was to talk about clothing, not necessarily what you believe is the best upgrade.

Anywho, being relatively new to the sport, and only experiencing summer cycling so far, I have found that ridiculously tight, very lightweight clothing to work best. Obviously, any type of road bike shorts are going to be tight, but the jerseys that are marketed as being aerodynamic seem to be the best for me. My favorite clothing so far has been Castelli bibs, jerseys, and the San Remo speedsuit. I prefer the speedsuit over everything else just because it is so simple, well put together, and about as form fitting as a piece of clothing can get.

I've blown all of my money on a new bike frame and an excessive amount of upgrades and clothing, so I won't be able to afford winter clothing for quite a while. Probably gonna sit inside on the rollers this time around.
pmclamb is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 07:55 PM
  #8  
Super Moderator
 
Homebrew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843

Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times in 612 Posts
Originally Posted by pmclamb
I like how no one actually responded to the question that OP asked. Did any of the people who responded actually read through his post? I think the intended purpose of the thread was to talk about clothing, not necessarily what you believe is the best upgrade.

Anywho, being relatively new to the sport, and only experiencing summer cycling so far, I have found that ridiculously tight, very lightweight clothing to work best. Obviously, any type of road bike shorts are going to be tight, but the jerseys that are marketed as being aerodynamic seem to be the best for me. My favorite clothing so far has been Castelli bibs, jerseys, and the San Remo speedsuit. I prefer the speedsuit over everything else just because it is so simple, well put together, and about as form fitting as a piece of clothing can get.

I've blown all of my money on a new bike frame and an excessive amount of upgrades and clothing, so I won't be able to afford winter clothing for quite a while. Probably gonna sit inside on the rollers this time around.
Welcome to Bike Forums
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.

FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Homebrew01 is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 08:17 PM
  #9  
Banned
 
BoSoxYacht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: take your time, enjoy the scenery, it will be there when you get to it
Posts: 7,281

Bikes: 07 IRO BFGB fixed-gear, 07 Pedal Force RS

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Sunscreen.

/thread

Last edited by BoSoxYacht; 08-30-14 at 08:20 PM.
BoSoxYacht is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 08:30 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 7,048
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by BoSoxYacht
Sunscreen.

/thread
You have sunshine where you live? I'm jealous.
B. Carfree is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 08:33 PM
  #11  
Friendship is Magic
 
3alarmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,983

Bikes: old ones

Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26374 Post(s)
Liked 10,346 Times in 7,189 Posts
.
...wheels. It's always wheels. If you want, I guess you can wear them. But tires and wheels. (PED's being equal, that is.)
__________________
3alarmer is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 08:43 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
ckFoxTrot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 89

Bikes: Scwinn 754; CAAD 8 5 (61cm)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I really like my PI sun sleeves riding around during the summer here in AZ, they definitely produce a cooling effect. That said, the heat still takes a lot out of me. Can't wait until it's "winter" again and I can wear tights for a few days and long sleeves.
ckFoxTrot is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 08:47 PM
  #13  
Banned
 
BoSoxYacht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: take your time, enjoy the scenery, it will be there when you get to it
Posts: 7,281

Bikes: 07 IRO BFGB fixed-gear, 07 Pedal Force RS

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by B. Carfree
You have sunshine where you live? I'm jealous.
I live in NW Phoenix.
BoSoxYacht is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 08:54 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 7,048
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by BoSoxYacht
I live in NW Phoenix.
I'm less jealous now. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
B. Carfree is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 09:11 PM
  #15  
Banned
 
BoSoxYacht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: take your time, enjoy the scenery, it will be there when you get to it
Posts: 7,281

Bikes: 07 IRO BFGB fixed-gear, 07 Pedal Force RS

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by B. Carfree
I'm less jealous now. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
You are wrong. We also have nighttime.
BoSoxYacht is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 09:13 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
klmmicro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: San Diego
Posts: 201

Bikes: 2007 GT Avalanche 2.0, 2011 Felt Z85

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Muscles...upgrading muscles through exercise is a great upgrade!
klmmicro is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 09:57 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,433
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times in 230 Posts
Originally Posted by BoSoxYacht
You are wrong. We also have nighttime.
Man, nighttime in Phoenix is more heat than midday in Seattle. I couldn't do it.
colnago62 is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 10:02 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
ckFoxTrot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 89

Bikes: Scwinn 754; CAAD 8 5 (61cm)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
9pm and just dipped below 100 not long ago
ckFoxTrot is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 10:47 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Clothing? Arm and knee warmers.
caloso is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 10:55 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Dave Cutter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,139

Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
A jacket. A good jacket that allows venting so you don't overheat... but can block out cold and wind when it's cold.
Dave Cutter is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 11:05 PM
  #21  
Bike rider
 
alexaschwanden's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: san jose
Posts: 3,167

Bikes: 2017 Raleigh Clubman

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Buying a Felt Z5 carbon bike was an upgrade for me, clip less pedals and shoes.
alexaschwanden is offline  
Old 08-30-14, 11:06 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 974

Bikes: One with square wheels

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
cat ears. /discussion.
Team Sarcasm is offline  
Old 08-31-14, 12:36 AM
  #23  
Friendship is Magic
 
3alarmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,983

Bikes: old ones

Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26374 Post(s)
Liked 10,346 Times in 7,189 Posts
Originally Posted by Team Sarcasm
cat ears. /discussion.
...I put a pair of those on one of my helments, and suddenly everyone loved me. I got smiles and waves from strangers constantly.

I took them off, because I was starting to lose some of the paranoia that I need to stay in avoidance mode when I ride.
__________________
3alarmer is offline  
Old 08-31-14, 01:07 AM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: La Porte Texas
Posts: 319

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock 29er Sport Disc Trek Domane 4.0c

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Team Sarcasm
cat ears. /discussion.
OK for the newbs what are cat ears?
rick458 is offline  
Old 08-31-14, 04:59 AM
  #25  
Should Be More Popular
 
datlas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,025

Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix

Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22570 Post(s)
Liked 8,918 Times in 4,152 Posts
@pmclamb is right! OP is asking about clothing. This changes everything!!

Vest/gillet. Perfect for rides that start off cool and end up warm, as well as if rain an issue. Thin enough to roll up and put in jersey pocket.
__________________
Originally Posted by rjones28
Addiction is all about class.
datlas is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.