Originally Posted by
practical
Interesting and informative replies. I was wondering how someone might do annual upgrades to their bike in order to get a much better bike over the course of several years. So, let's say you start by buying an "affordable" bike then spend $100 to $200 each year to upgrade some aspect of it so that over the course of few years you'd have a high end bike that you paid for on the "installment plan." I don't know if this is a sensible strategy or not, but was trying to think it through. So one might start with easy things like tires, then derailleurs and shifters, then brakes, wheels, etc. For example, the Giant Escape 1 is $650 and the Escape RX is over $1,100. The differences between these bikes appear to be component sets (Shimano Altus vs. Shimano R460) 9-speed vs. 10 speed, and the wheel hubs. My guess is that I could purchase these upgrades for less than paying for the RX and do it over time. What do you think?
Interesting you talk about these 2 bikes because I just bought an Escape 1 and set off on upgrades/changes. From what I can tell, the RX aluminum is the same frame. The main difference is in the drivetrain. The RX uses road components versus the Escape 1. The shifters are Tiagra level which is around a Deore level on an MTB group set. The drivetrain is also a 2x10 on RX versus a 3x9 on Escape 1.
Now if you step up to the RX composite, you get the carbon frame and fork and the component set changes again.
You could do the spend $100-$200 upgrade option each year and end up with a different bike. Will you be able to tell? It all depends on you. The cost can get expensive but you'll have a bike that is uniquely yours. Or you could go my route. I got an Escape 1 and have changed out everything except the wheel set, frame, and fork. All in, I've spent a shade under $1200. I decided to stick to a MTB 3x9 drivetrain because I like having the super low granny gear and I had some spare parts laying around. The other thing is that if you shop around, you can get parts really inexpensively. Look to PricePoint, Nashbar, eBay, Amazon and shop around. If you can install the parts yourself, you'll save yourself some money as well. If you go to an LBS, the parts will cost you more. Also, you'll have to research to understand which parts work with what.
For me, my upgrade/change list:
Crank Brothers Iodine 2 handlebar
Thomson 90x10 stem
Thomson setback seatpost
Bontrager Nebula Saddle (my stock Giant saddle didn't fit my sit bones too well)
Ergon GC5 grips with bar ends
Azonic 420 platform pedals
Shimano XTR shifter/brake combo
Shimano XTR v-brakes
Shimano Deore LX 26/36/48 crankset (wanted XT cranks but I would have had to change all the chainrings and all of the current XT cranks are 3x10)
Shimano XT front/rear Deraileurs
My goal? Better drivetrain performance and some lighter weight. My bike stock in the small size with the stock equipment was just a hair under 27 lbs. My bike now weighs 25.3 lbs.
Back to the wheels. I'll say what everyone else is saying. Upgrades depend on what you're looking for. Lighter weight? Stronger wheels? etc... I'll be changing my wheels and cassette as well. For me, it's about weight and looks. I think the factory Giant wheels are ugly, I hate the schrader valves (there are 3 bikes in my garage and this is the only one with those valves), and I want lighter weight. I'm currently eying the Easton EA70 wheelset with a Shimano 9sp aluminum cassette and Shimano XT chain.
At the end of the day, will it matter if you can't tell? I say, test ride the bike, see if you like it, and ride it and change parts as they need changing. But if you're like me and have an itch to scratch and want to change just to change, then that's ok too.
As it sits now, my bike is unique and I don't think I'll see another one like it and I like it that way
