Saddle, Tires, or Shorts??
 

Im having trouble to decide which to upgrade next, which is best to upgrade first? The seat is some new form of bicycle hell, the tires are slow stock poop, and ive never really tried proper bike shorts (i know, im an abomination)

However much id lik e GP4000's and an Aliante saddle, im also on a budget, opinions?

The tires can probably wait.

I figure the saddle with probably have the best cost-benefit ratio, then shorts.

Why not get all three? You can pick up inexpensive versions of all three which would probably make your cycling somewhat more enjoyable. Check your local Performance, REI, or even LBSs for sales.

I would go with shorts first. And by shorts I mean bibs. Love2pedal.com has nice ones for cheap.

+1 on ultra fashionable spandex. It'll take care of some of the saddle discomfort too.

He said he was on a budget...

Yes, exactly ... which is why I made the suggestion I did.


There's an Aliante saddle on sale at Nashbar for $120.

But, from Nashbar, the OP could pick up Conti Ultrasport tires (I've used them for years, and I find them decent) for $23, plus his choice of shorts on sale at Nashbar for under $30, plus he could experiment with various saddles for under $30, all for under $100.

Nashbar is just one example of a source for these things. I've also used MEC, which has some decent prices, and various bicycle shops when they put something on sale.

The OP could visit various bicycle shops in his area, and check to see if they have The Box of Saddles and then try some of the saddles from there. Many bicycles shops have The Box of Saddles - a collection of saddles they are selling at deeply discounted prices. I bought a saddle from The Box of Saddles many years ago for $14 and rode two 1200K randonnees on it plus a whole lot of other riding. The bicycle shops may even let him buy a saddle, try a saddle for a week or so, and if he doesn't like it, he can return it.

It's a gradual approach ... get something a bit better so that the cyclist can ride more comfortably, ride it for a while ... and when the cyclist has more money available, then upgrade to the really nice stuff as desired.

I don't think that buying super-ultra cheap products is really going to make his riding more comfortable... If he could only upgrade one, which one would you upgrade (that is the question he is asking)

I'd go for saddle if you're uncomfortable with your current one. Even wearing the nicest shorts and on a bike with the sweetest tires on, I don't wanna ride much on the wrong saddle.

I can ride 35 miles in Levis at a mellow pace on the right saddle. I usually roll out in Wrangler shorts. Not denim shorts, a light chino type fabric. Shorts don't really matter unless you have problems. I don't have problems personally because I ride 30-40 minutes a day in non-cycling shorts or pants, so I've built up a resistance to those kinds of problems. If I'm heading out for 50 miles or more, I usually get my cheap Canari bike shorts on, however.

I typically ride crappy tires like Michelin Dynamics, but do occasionally spoil myself with better tires. Dynamics are fine if you don't wanna take really fast turns. I don't think I'll be getting any GP 4000s anytime soon unless I can find them for $25. I've decided that $15 is too little to spend on a tire, but over $25 is too much. Tires really don't make you that much faster, they just feel better, especially in the curves.

See my edited comment above.

I'm a long distance cyclist who has been and is very comfortable using inexpensive equipment. My current saddle is the least expensive Brooks, and as mentioned above, I did a lot of riding, comfortably, on a $14 saddle. I have never paid more than $40 for a pair of cycling shorts. I got my current favourite shorts half price for $35 from one of the bicycle shops in the area ... they are Fox shorts and are beautifully comfortable. Also as mentioned above, I use Conti Ultrasport tires, and have ridden something over 100,000 km with them.

Would I be significantly more comfortable with more expensive stuff? Maybe ... but not necessarily. I figure, why fix what ain't broke. :)

So for to the OP, I'm suggesting shopping around, checking the sales, and quite possibly being able to buy inexpensive versions of all three items to make cycling more comfortable.

I would also just try to find a used saddle. I got a beat up selle flite for $5, as long as you don't mind some wear and tear good comfortable saddles can be had for cheap now and then.

Tires on the other hand are not cheap. Well, cheap tires are, but I hate cheap tires. Vittoria rubino pros are pretty much the cheapest tires I would want to pay money for, but like saddles, you might be able to get a good deal on some take-offs if your LBS does that (the one here sells take-off saddles in a box and sometimes has tires).

I say decent shorts first.

The saddle he has may turn out to be fine just by adding decent shorts.

Buy one pair shorts/bibs at the end of every season. After 10 seasons,.......

Saddle is also a comfort thing.
Tires is a safety thing. Don't let them wear out.

Do you need tires? Can they go another 1000 miles?
I ride 4,000 miles a year, so one set of tires per year is about it.

Saddle first, then get some bibs from love2pedal (inexpensive but comfortable on long rides), replace the tires when they wear out.

To Machka, i dont have enough for a new Aliante, so thats out, ive got about 80 dollars in points at performance

i was thinking the Terry FLX or Rocket V saddle, and cheap performance shorts (bib-shorts, not sure yet)

im "pretty noob" at the road biking still, what are the advantages of bib shorts over normal shorts?

tires ... saddle ... shorts in that order, but get them all in one day! hahaha

Bib shorts are so much comfier without restriction around the waist. If you have a beer belly like me, the bibs dont sag below the belly at the front, leaving cleavage at the back - none of the professional racers have this problem but they all choose them. The downside is taking a cr*p.

Is this a new bike that you don't have a lot of miles on? If so:

1) Get a good pair of shorts.
2) Make sure the bike fits you correctly before changing any components.
3) Get at least 500 miles on before changing any components.
4) Once you have a good base get your sit bones measured and try a few saddles on a trial program. It took me 6 weeks to find the right one.
5) Tires should be down at the bottom of the concern list.

1. Bib shorts
2. Saddle

Let the tires wear out and then you can upgrade. Cheap tires may only last a few thousand miles

Seconded. Altogether possible that the shorts will fix the saddle problem, and they can definitely be had for less than the saddle will cost. Even if it doesn't make it perfect, it'll make it better.

But ... if you've got a bicycle that fits well (and that might be something for the OP to consider if he hasn't already), and a good saddle, you can ride without cycling shorts ... in just ordinary shorts.

If I had to pick just one thing of the three, I'd say saddle, combined with a good bicycle fit.


Find out what Performance's policy on returning saddles is, and start trying out saddles. They might have The Box of Saddles too and who knows, you might be able to pick one up that's better than your current one for just a few dollars.

shorts first. if you still find the saddle uncomfortable after the shorts then change the saddle. change the tires when they start flatting.

I think this depends on the type of saddle. Saddles I can use for hours on end with cycling shorts, are pure hell over 15 minutes in street clothes.

saddle first.

i don't know why people are saying shorts or bibs. you should be able to ride a saddle with anything pretty comfortably for at least 30 or so miles.

saddle as posted above, saw an aliante in a saddle box at a LBS, so root around....