Originally Posted by simplybao

As a mad modder, I love changing my bike. Sometimes it's just because, sometimes because I think it's a better part. For me, it's all about personalization much like a car is. You know, I think that sometimes when we make changes, we think they are better but in reality, they may not be. The only way to objectively tell if something is better is by getting real measurements, e.g. weight, speed, etc... Those are things you can measure. Of course, there are other measurements as well, e.g. how does the bike feel now? How do I feel about the bike? Do I like the way it looks now? Does the bike excite me when I get on to ride? Sometimes, the way we feel about our mods can make a difference in how we ride. It's like having a clean car. Somehow, having a clean car always make the car feel faster and better to me.

My Escape is so heavily modified that I should have just bought a frame and built it up. The only thing stock is the frame, wheels, and fork. And I'm looking to change the wheels. For me, it's about weight and it's about things I like. I like nice things. And sure, some of it is a waste of money, but I don't care. it makes me feel better and I enjoy the experience of changing out parts, trying new things, and therefore, the bike rides better. Oh, and my bike lost a little weight. In all, my bike has lost a little over 1.5 lbs. Not much in the grand scheme of things but quite a bit for a bike. Sure, it shifts better and makes less noise and racket, and it will still shift if I'm pedaling hard.