Wolfvegas

So, on a bicycle what is the first thing you go out and buy/upgrade on your bike to notice the most improvements, pedals, tires,rims, cables what?

Mobile 155

Saddle, wheels, Pedals.

McFlurrey06

Motor

midschool22

This. I need a new one or at least a tune up.

Wolfvegas

engine you say.... well im bio-mechanical with my heart and pacemaker so that beats dirty ol' gasoline and a sparkplug any day IMO... unless it's a Harley or yammy... mmmm yam

ThermionicScott 

Usually the brake pads. Kool-Stops for everything.

Shimagnolo

+1
Look for a lighter, more powerful model.

IthaDan 

Clipless pedals.

devianb

Tires for speed, seat for comfort.

MichaelW

Tyres

duckliondog

Rider, saddle, and wheels are the major items, but new cables and housing can really make a bike feel young again. That's probably the most cost effective way to satisfy that springtime urge to buy stuff for your bike.

Phil_gretz

Save your money. Ride and train harder. Eat more healthy. Get more sleep. Become a better rider. Your bike will thank you for taking the initiative...

ChowChow

The saddle and handlebar grips are a must for me. Also tires, barends and get clipless pedals, but then these three could wait. So far, the only thing left to get is clipless pedals.

cyccommute 

For the same rider without modifications and in order of decreasing return on investment:

wheels
tires
frame
gearing changes
clipless pedals
crank
saddle
handlebars
stem
seatpost
helium in the frame tubes
cables
handlebar tape

The first 3 can have a large effect on the bike's ride and speed. After that you're only gliding the lily.

By the way, putting helium in the tubes would be silly and would waste good helium. Changing cables and putting on new handlebar tape just to 'improve' the bike rank below that.

bkaapcke

Really nice wheels with cartridge bearings will put your ride in a different league. It may be the beginning of many upgrades. bk

Monster Pete

Engine, tyres (if the bike I've acquired has knobbly ones I'll swap them for slicks) saddle.

Tuc

Depends on what it has already, but usually the biggest hits for me are brake pads, seat, wheels in that order. Each of these if chosen thoughtfully to your needs give the most impact on increasing your satisfaction with your bike. And like bk sez above, the wheel replacement is the serious beginning of many upgrades after that.

KLiNCK

^^ +1

cyclist2000

Depends on what you have and what you want to improve. The first thing that I changed on my touring bike was the gearing, wider range rear cassette and a smaller granny gear. This made a noticeable improvement climbing with a loaded bike.

Since it didn't come with pedals, I put clip less pedals on first.

Dave P

Saddle, if necessary. It's tough to ride a bike with an uncomfortable saddle.

Nightshade

Better bars and the most comfortable damn seat you can find!

DCB0

Depends on what youwant to improve. Saddle, handlebars, stem, grips/tape... adjustments or replacements if the bike is less comfortable than optimal. Tires, wheels if performance is the goal and the motor has been optimized. Tires are also good for adapting a bike to different terrain - if you ride a MTB or hybrid on the road then changing the stock tires to high pressure road-style tires makes a massive difference. If you have narrow high pressure tires and want more comfort or the ability to ride rougher terrain then wider tires are the answer... there are limits, though.

fietsbob

Yea not getting T boned in an intersection will extend your life.
so #1, make the brakes work well.

cyccommute 

...and "the most comfortable damn seat you can find" isn't going to be what many newbies think it is. A squishy gel marshmallow saddle isn't the most comfortable saddle you can find. Nor is the widest saddle you can find.

no1mad 

You're relatively new here (and I'm tired) so I'll point out that you aren't that far off. When people say "engine" or "motor" around here , they are referring to the fitness level and/or power output/energy exerted/effort that a person puts forth while riding a bike.