Originally Posted by Rocket Dawg
I can't tell if the chainstay protector is a wrap around protector or the cheap vinyl thing that most manufacturers use. If it isn't a wrap around one, buy a Lizard Skin. ('Buy' it. They already gave you $200 off
)
I agree that the grips suck but then I think all the grips out there suck. Most of them have about as much cushion as the aluminum bar underneath. I'd replace them with
Grab-ons but those are very old school. They feel better and grip better than any of the rubber ones I've ever tried but that's just my opinion
You might want to look at barends also. (Again 'buy' them!) They give you more options on hand position so that your hands don't go numb.
Keep the 520 pedals unless you have other bikes with different pedals. They are a good cheap pedal that do the job they were meant to do. There are lots of other pedals out there (Eggbeaters, Time, Speedplay, etc.) but few of them work as well for as cheap as the 520 (roughly $50). If this is your only bike, look into the others but if you have multiple bikes, go with the 520s.