Kookiebrew

Hi.. I've been seeing everyone wants to change something on their bikes to make it better/faster/etc but do I really need to "pimp" out a brand spanking new bike.... Getting a giant rapid 4 and after riding it on the test ride I found absolutely nothing wrong with it... Maybe after a few weeks this might change but I'm from the don't fix it if it's not broke mould...

practical

I agree with you - don't add anything unless you really feel you need to. With that said, I would need a mirror and a computer.

Kookiebrew

I got a few basics with it... Computer, bottle, saddlebag,mudguards (for the wet irish weather)... Never thought of a mirror.. Prob something I should get too

desertdork

No, riding more gets the job done. Just maintain your bike and replace components as they wear out.

The upgrade bug doesn't bite everyone.

Kookiebrew

Suppose there's nothing wrong with tweaking a few things but why change saddle, bars, brakes etc...

NormanF

I find a stem riser and new bars are the first to do things on my list as well as do a saddle swap. The bike height feels low coming from the factory. Can never get with stock build an upright comfortable riding position.

badger1

You've answered your own question ^^^ !

a1penguin

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Unless you discover a problem, there's nothing to change. Except for adding accessories like fenders, mirrors, computer, lights, etc, etc. In fact, you should be thankful that the bike is perfect and you don't have to spend more $ making changes.

WDH74

As you say, if there's nothing wrong there's nothing to fix. But, the same attitude occurs in the car and motorcycle world, too. I've lost track of the number of people I've talked to who bought a brand new Lamborgotti Fasterosa or something, and immediately said it was the best car they ever drove, what wheel/tire combo should they upgrade to, and is it really necessary to upgrade Z-flange at the same time you upgrade to a free-flow canuter valve, and will all this invalidate the warranty. It's just a mindset some people have.

That said, you may find that, as you ride, you might want or need to change out or upgrade components. I've put several hundred miles on my Trek since I got it in May, and while I've not done anything except add a bottle cage, I'm considering a saddle change for next season and maybe some grippier tires.

Kookiebrew

Fair enough if you've had the bike and put up a few hundred miles you may wanna tweak it a bit but I've read people getting brand new bikes and wanting to change It straight off...don't make sense to me...

giantcfr1

I understand your point, but some people have a vision of what they want, but can't get a bike in a store exactly fitting their wishes. I personally waited till things failed or wore before I changed things, but my purchase fit my needs.

mario23

I prefer to ride the bike a bit before I make any changes but there are a couple of exceptions.

I always get a computer and some SPD pedals. I'm waiting for my Hybrid to come in right now and just dying to buy stuff for it but I gotta calm down!

Jaeger99

I'm not into modding as a sports / recreation activity unto itself, but there were a few things that I felt I wanted to upgrade over time (okay, a fairly short period of time). These didn't present themselves on day one - much less before I even took delivery of the bike. Clipless pedals, bar ends and narrower tires top my list.

Which is a long way of saying - of course you don't embark on upgrades before the bike is even in your possession, but likewise, don't think that just because you felt no need to change anything on your little test ride, that this feeling will last over the coming weeks and months and miles.

themishmosh

Bikes are no different from cars, homes, yards, etc. You can personalize things with stuff that you like. If it is already to your liking, great!

limbot

If there's nothing wrong with it then leave it IMHO. However assuming you're a fairly new rider ( and haven't found things like a saddle to suits you or something) then upgrade as required.

When I restarted riding again bought a Trek DS 8.4. Rode it stock for 8 months, then as I was getting fitter started going longer distances ( like from struggling to go 2 km to being able to easily do 45 km ). After one particular longer ride however I ended up with tingly "nether regions" for a week so upgraded the saddle.

After taking the DS along some fire trails the next month found that the OEM pedals felt too small to me when I was standing up on them so upgraded the pedals to larger platform.

Now I had a more comfortable seat ended up riding longer and longer distances so added some bar ends for more hand positions.

Things like a rack have gone on because I thought I'd use it a lot but has now been removed.

I've basically modded it on an as needs basis.

In comparison my Ridley X-Bow CX bike is stock, the only thing I've put on is pedals ( since it didn't come with any ). Seat's stock, bars are stock, tape's stock, gears stock. Oh I did change brake pads, again because the stock ones were rubbish. As I find "inadequacies" I'll most likely start changing things but so far I'm 4 months down the track on it with a stock bike.

Of course many people like to "pimp their ride"

YMMV