First Post- a true noob...
 

Hello-

I just got my first bike yesterday, and have been riding the hell out of it ever since. After riding 4 or 5 different single speed/fixed gear bikes I settled on the Felt Dispatch.

Being fresh into this lifestyle, I'd like a little help from some of you-

I want to do a couple mods to the bike, and I'm wondering what suggestions you guys/girls might have. I know I want to switch out the front wheel for an aerospoke 700c clincher (with brake capability...), but other than that- I don't know...

here is a quick pic of it:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...thy41/felt.jpg

thanks!

Aerospoke's aren't that great for the price and can often be a downgrade performance wise.

As well, if you don't know what mods you want, you don't need them. Ride your bike until you notice an area you'd like to improve, then buy the part that improves it. Modifying for the sake of modifying is stupid

aha AEROSPOKE!!!!

well- don't mock me...

I love the aesthetics of them.. is there anything with the same sort of look out there that isn't as expensive?

also, as for mods to the bike, I was merely thinking cosmetic- maybe some stuff that I don't know about to flair it up a little.

oh man, you just opened a can of worms. Poor guy, first shot out of the gate.

I like the aesthetics too, but they're heavy and they can't be trued so they're not terribly practical. As for the same look, they're pretty much the cheapest. Beyond that you start getting into carbon fiber spoked wheels that actually perform better but cost a fortune.

As for mods, are those platform pedals? Those would be the first thing I would change, get yourself either some clips and cages or some clipless pedals. Maybe get them anodized in some fun colors.

Maybe get a decent wheelset and have the rims anodizing and make it match your bar tape if you're that concerned about looking fly

instead of the aerospoke, if you want it to stand out, pick a color (or a set of colors) and get colored chain/bar tape/pedals (w/cages)

i would look into some deep v's or some h+plusson wheels

cool guys- all that sounds great! really appreciate the help.

any online stores for this type of stuff that you guys prefer?

where do people hear about aerospokes and get these ideas anyway?

a friend of mine just set his bike up with them, I liked the way they looked & inquired about them... I won't pretend to know anything about them, praise them, or anything of that nature- I liked them purely for looks

for that type of wheel, aerospoke is the least expensive, but also the heaviest and in my opinion would be a downgrade to the wheel you have on there. i will admit that i like the look of them though.

is that front wheel on the dispatch radial laced? interesting that kona spec'd the dispatch like that.

:twitchy:

I totally get the whole wanting to upgrade right away thing. But I would say since this is your first bike, just ride it as is and start to learn about how everything works. You'll be surprised how well those parts hold up. And then when you actually need them down the road, upgrade.

seriously. its just a bike!

all other things aside, id start with upgrading the wheelset, then the crankset/bb.

They're perfectly good parts. Why are you already trying to toss stuff that you got brand new? If something comes to your attention as particularly shoddy or not to your liking, replace it. In the mean time, nothing says "bling" to me like a brand new bike bought off the shelf.

cheap fix for hipster cool bike status
1. flip stem and get some risers with oury grips
2. lose the back brake and get a cycle cross brake lever(unless your are still on the freewheel then keep it)
3. But should be 1 GET SOME TOE CLIPS AND STRAPS its cooler to be alive and control your bike.oh wait ire you on a freewheel?
4. paint your chain or go spend $7.99 on one , my fault you already did.
have fun and use your google search alot it will tell you some much and you won't get **** from the likes of me.

btw I own an aerospoke, but its on my wife bike now it still amazes me how heavy it is. we are all noobs once good luck

The age-old advice for upgrading is to start with the places your body touches the bike (handlebars, seat, pedals).

Some bullhorns or risers will make your bike look more "scene" and might make sense if you don't anticipate spending time in the drops. That seat is pretty ugly.

But waiting a bit to get a better feel for your bike and your riding style is good advice.

Don't forget the PBR, the skinny jeans, lots of cigarettes, and multiple STDs.

just cruise til stuff breaks dude. i'd kill for a bike that i'm not always having to fux with

That bike is begging for some egg beaters.

We're, uh, we're actually required to wear fifteen pieces of flair.

I would agree with the general sentiment to slow down a little bit. It's easy to get carried away with the bling at first, but as you learn more your tastes will change and get a little more sober. At the end of the day, a really good looking bike is one that is well-maintained and simple. The whole having a flashy bike thing fades fast if you're actually using it a lot.