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What have you upgraded on your stock bike and why ?

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

What have you upgraded on your stock bike and why ?

Old 08-16-10, 01:28 PM
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What have you upgraded on your stock bike and why ?

Just for the fun of it, give your bike model, the parts you've changed, prive paid, and why...

Bike : Fuji Track 570$CAN

Front brake, shimano tiagra : 30$CAN, for security
Cog and lockring : 30$CAN, 15T was too hard and the stock formula lockring kept slipping
Saddle, sella italia : 25$CAN, because the stock one hurt my butt
Back wheel, surly hub, alex da22 rim : 110$CAN, because the stock hub had loose ball bearing that didn't like winter riding. Minus 50$CAN (sold the old wheel)
Back fender : 10$CAN
BB, shimano UN54 : 20$CAN, the first one had developped play.

Total 745$, without tires, tubes, tools... and these upgrades have little to no visual impact on the bike, i could easily see myself spending much more !
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Old 08-16-10, 02:33 PM
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Specialized langster: 250
To date;
bartape - 20, comfort
seat - 0, comfort
foot retention, 20, better pedal stroke
tires, 45/ea, less rolling resistance, flats
seatbag, 30, incase of flats
lights, 25, i dont use them. why? because they're knogs. and they suck.

next: back wheel. stripped the crap specialized hub already.
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Old 08-16-10, 02:49 PM
  #3  
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Windsor the Hour: 279$

Bullhorns 35$ - didnt like drops
Straps for foot retention 35$ - obvious
Knogs: 6$ - needed lights for night
SRAM s300 110$ - stock was worn and stripped
KMC kool chain 12$ - stock one plate snapped
DP18's 120$ - wanted some deep love
Cog + lockring 18$ - wanted less gear inches, stock was high (48/16)
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Old 08-16-10, 02:51 PM
  #4  
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Originally Posted by xkillemallx16
lights, 25, i dont use them. why? because they're knogs. and they suck.
Knogs are great for being seen on already-lit city streets.

Obviously if you're gonna be riding on dark roads/trails... you need something bigger.
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Old 08-16-10, 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by dsh
Knogs are great for being seen on already-lit city streets.

Obviously if you're gonna be riding on dark roads/trails... you need something bigger.
I think they work fine for city riding, at least better than nothing. And they are cheap
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Old 08-16-10, 02:57 PM
  #6  
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Handle bars to bull-horns, I can't get the leverage to skid on the stock handle bars that come on that bike, and I re-tape them every so often.
So back when i used to skid alot. I needed different bars.


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Old 08-16-10, 04:32 PM
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3 Sets of bars (mustache, tt, riser).
Grips and bartape.
Couple sets of tires.
Swapped saddle.
Lots of stickers.

I don't upgrade stuff unless it is broken or hurts to ride.
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Old 08-16-10, 05:03 PM
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Raleigh Rush Hour 09
MKS gr-9s with MKS toe cllps and allcity double straps. This was because the stock pedals hurt my feet with flat soled shoes and the cages were too small for my feet.
Bought a set of Deep v's laced to formulas from Bicycle Wheel Warehouse to replace my stock wheels because the spokes kept popping out.
A new Brooks saddle because the stock one hurt my ass.
A new KMC chain because my stock one broke twice
A new Thompson seatpost because my stock seat post kept sliding and there were a ton of insertion marks along the sides.
And finally new Fiziks microtex grip tape because I didn't want to have raw bars except for in the drops.
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Old 08-16-10, 05:05 PM
  #9  
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bike: Kilo TT from BD - $349

saddle : to Brooks | $150 | comfort reasons
handlebar : flop n'chop from other bike | $0 | comfort reasons
pedals : MKS sylvans | $25 | stock pedal is crap
toe clips : MKS alloy | $15 | stock plastic is crap
toe straps : origin8 (don't hate) | $20 | for foot retention
fenders : woodys fenders | $25 | no skunk lines
wheels : veeps | $140 | didn't like stock hubs
tires : panaracer paselas x2 | $80 | stock kilo tires are very UN-puncture resistant
rear light : PBSF | $25 | safety
front light : Fenix LD20 | $50 | safety

total $849

hmmm................
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Old 08-16-10, 05:25 PM
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yep. i rode it stock for a long time though. eventually i wanted to replace my drops with risers. after i did that the stem looked dumb so i bought a new one that matched the bars. pedals kinda sucked so i got some mks sylvan's. rear wheel got bent out of shape after a minor crash, that needed to go and i got a dp18. bottom bracket was completely messed up after 2 years and I had a new and slightly better one installed at my LBS. basically stuff brakes and i have upgraded over time. the rear wheel replacement was just 2 weeks ago. now i am going to get a dp18 for my front because i noticed how much my stock wheels suck!
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Old 08-16-10, 06:12 PM
  #11  
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'09 Gutterball, $600 CDN.
Replaced riser bars with a shortened, (18"/457mm) flatter bar $30 because I hate wide bars and risers :-)
Brooks B17 $85 because the Silverado is a PITA...
Big, shiny VP 559 BMX pedals with pins ($16 on sale). I don't ride fixed and the straps and clips won't fit 'round work boots.
About $778 with tax.
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Old 08-16-10, 06:20 PM
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'10 Jamis Sputnik - ~$900+tax

changes
-Brooks Swallow - stock saddle hurt my ass and taint, I like the Swallow, it's comfy.. $235
-Nitto RB002 Bullhorns - stock drops are uncomfortable for street riding.. $70-ish (+$15-ish for fizik microtex tape)
-Velo-Orange stem - stock stem is oversize and doesn't fit the Nittos..$35

additions
-bottle cage - i get thirsty when I ride ~$5
-knog skink rear light - $30-ish
-blackburn flea front light - small and bright - $30-ish..
-kryptonite cable - extra security for front wheel and saddle (already had a u-lock) - $20-ish

I think that's about it.. I don't feel the need to change anything else really..
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Old 08-16-10, 06:37 PM
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Kilo TT Pro - $399

Nashbar bullhorns, didnt want drops. $15
Charge Spoon Saddle. My ass hurts. $30
MKS GR-9. Stock sucks. $25
MKS clips/straps. stock sucks. $25
Clip on fender. I like to keep my ass dry. $10
FSA 70mm stem. stock is too long. $45
New bar tape. n/a $15
PD T2+. Always liked tt bars. $65
Pasela TG. for my rear tire, losing treads. $25
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Old 08-16-10, 07:22 PM
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lots of stuff

Last edited by c double; 08-18-10 at 06:24 AM.
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Old 10-09-10, 10:20 PM
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Windsor Hour here. Cool thread let's keep it going.

Pedals: MKS Platform Pedal GR9
Straps: All-City Deluxe Double Toe Straps - White
Toe Clips: All-City Swan Style Double Toe Clips - Chrome
Had power grips for a while now onto these.

Lockring: Dura-Ace track lockring
Cog: 17T 1/8" Rockwerks
Stock one was shoddy

Deep V's
Tires: 700X28 Michelin DYNAMIC BLACK tires
Pretty colors

Front Brake: Tektro Track Bike Brake Set Caliper & Lever
safety

Handlebar: Ritchey risers
Saddle: Brooks B17 standard honey
Seat Post: Thomson Elite 27.2mm 300mm
comfort.
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Old 10-09-10, 10:30 PM
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everything


because i'm fresshhhhhh
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Old 10-09-10, 10:53 PM
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I don't know if anything I've installed on my bike has been an upgrade...
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Old 10-09-10, 11:07 PM
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07 Sputnik (was sold to me as an 09)
Handlebars ---> RB-018(20, CL) ---> RB-021 (25, Ebay) because RB-018 are not aggressive enough. I find the 021's to be pretty comfortable.
Saddle ---> Selle San Marco Ponza Lux ----> Fizik Arione (80, Used, CL) (which I one day hope to ditch for a brooks.)
Pedals ----> Stock with Clips -----> platforms with Wig straps(60+20) ----> M520 Clipless (40 + shoes)
Im currently trying to get me some Omniums or 75's on the cheap, we'll see how it works out.
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Old 10-10-10, 07:44 AM
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Vilano $ 256

Front Fork $ 0, why, fork was damaged/bent during shipping ?
Wheel truing $ 12, internet bike they were close to being true, but needed the final adjustments @ LBS.
Pedals $ 21, Original Wellgo's were sticky and didn't spin freely, they were binding on themselves and weren't adjustable.
Dicta SS Freewheel 16T $ 21, Original freewheel was collapsed and compressed, probably installed incorrectly. Replacement from LBS incl. installation.
Origin 8 Chain Tensioners $ 9, the original hardware were cheap eyebolts.
Zefal front & rear lighting $ 19

Ineternet bike listed for $ 239, free S&H, but was a FL sale so tax applied to get it to $ 256, the rest of it gets it to $ 338.

The Zefal lighting, somewhat like the Knog's, the tail light is fine, but the headlight is a 9 lcd headlight that exceeds the FL SS 316 requirements for being seen. But don't let that make you think they light up the road enough to really ride at any pace safely. I may try them out in the park tonight because it's unlit and pitch dark to see what happens in that situation, but these lights are to be seen and limp home at a slower speed in case you get caught after sundown or you want to take advantage of the cover of darkness and get a head start on your ride before the sun rises. You're street legal for sure, but you'd need a Q-Beam light to see the road and for $ 19 after taxes, temper your expectations.

Yep, the Zefal headlight is for being seen, if I point it at the ground, I may be able to see a pothole in time, if I'm going slow enough to avoid it.

Last edited by fuji86; 10-11-10 at 12:51 AM.
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Old 10-10-10, 10:11 AM
  #20  
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Kilo TT Stripper (Flat Black)

Saddle: Specialized Phenom - ebay $75 - makes my butt happy
Seatpost: Thomson (silver) - ebay 50 - non-indexed adjustment to make butt happier/looks
Stem: Thomson (silver, -17 deg) - ebay 30 - to match seatpost
Headset: Chris King (silver) - ebay 50 - can not justify. just wanted it.
Bars: Generic silver risers - ebay 15 - did not like drops
Grips: Oury (seafoam green) - LBS 12 - comfy/pretty

Wheelset - formula hubs to bright silver deep v's - ebay 200 - stock hubs bugged me, rims got wobbly under my 225lbs, looks
Tires: Hutchinson Fusion Tubeless with Stans kit - no more pinch flats
Cog: EAI 18T - bens 35 - supposed to be the best
Lockring: Dura Ace - bens 12 - best?
Crankset: Omniums - ebay 130 - can not justify. just wanted them.
Chain: Sram 7 - LBS 12 - needed to run 1/8" for new cranks/cog
Pedals: Atomlab Platforms - already owned - clips and straps do not agree with me.

Total: $1100-1200

Ouch. Wish I hadn't added all that up...
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Old 10-10-10, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by dsh
Knogs are great for being seen on already-lit city streets.

Obviously if you're gonna be riding on dark roads/trails... you need something bigger.
They work fine for city riding if your concerned is following laws requiring bikes on your light. If you actually want motorists to see you from far enough off to compensate without a knee-jerk reaction they are grossly inadequate.
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Old 10-10-10, 01:15 PM
  #22  
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Too much $$$$!

2009 Dawes SST-AL - 369

Dead Pista drops - 80 The stock road drops were mad ghey

Used riser bars - 10 + 10 for Ourys Who doesn't have a set lying around?

Carbon Bontrager Seatpost - 20 (used) BLING

Crank Brothers Eggbeater C pedals - 60 Stock pedals = sketchy and uncomfy

Sidi Giau shoes - 120

Bell Computer - 20 Waste of money, it is the suck

Planet Bike Super Flash and Blaze lights - 50 great package deal courtesy of ebay

Aerosports carbon disc wheel - 100 (old and heavy, but loud as f*** and sniped off of ebay) Why not??

HED 3 front wheel - 275 I always wanted one

88mm full carbon tubulars from ebay + spokes + nipplez + Formula hubs = ~600 They're dope and strong and cheap and prolly just as fast as the straight walled EC90 TT wheels for a 1/3 of the price

Vittoria Rally tubular tires - 30 each

Tufo Extreme Gluing tape - 15 per wheel

KMC K710SL Chain - 30 Stock chain was kind of crap-like

Aerus full carbon aero bladed fork - 80

2 17t and 1 15t EAI cogs - 90 Stock was 18

3 Dura Ace lock rings - 35 umm.. They're good and cheap?

TOTAL = $1670 ouch

I. love. wheelz.

O.M.Gosh! This is the first time I've added up everything together and in the year and half I've spent over 1700 (including several tire changes and tubular tape) on a bike that initially cost less than 400 But its all good cuase I'm prolly going to move most of it to my next frame and rebuilt this one stock to get rid of it.

Last edited by Turbo Mini; 10-10-10 at 01:18 PM.
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Old 10-10-10, 02:20 PM
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Stock Kilo TT - $350
MKS Gr9 Pedals - $28
MKS Large Clips - $14
Leather Straps - $5
Charge Bucket - $27
KMC Z410 - $8
46T Sugino Chainring - $32
18T Eighthinch Cog - $25-$20 for that Coupon that Eighthinch was giving out a while ago
Brake Cables - ~$5 for a large set
(3) Specialized Tri-Sport tires - ~$60
(6) Tubes - ~$20
Knog Front and rear set - $25
Cat-Eye Front - $15

Total comes to $594 without tax or shipping, so I'm putting the real estimate around $650.
I'm probably missing a bunch of things though, but meh not really that bad.

Didn't even think about adding in the work I've had the LBS do on my bike. Multiple wheels trued and retensioned (I've used about 6 different rims since I've got my bike).

Last edited by prind0; 10-10-10 at 02:30 PM.
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Old 10-10-10, 03:19 PM
  #24  
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my upgrades

2007 bianchi pista chrome
i bought it used on craigslist for $500 delivered, the original owner changed the stock track drops to syntace stratos bullhorns and the stock 16t cog to a milwaukee 17t cog, it also came with mks chain tensioners, these are great, they make chain tension adjustment much easier! the bike didnt come with pedals because the guy ran a clipless setup
my upgrades were...

dura ace track crankset, bottom bracket. the stock truvativ were ugly! imho!
fsa pro track chainring 48t. nice strong chainring, at a good price.
izumi eco chain 1/8 chrome. looks good with the rest of the chrome!
euro asia imports cog 17t 1/8. the rumor was these are the best, i am very happy with mine.
dura ace lockring. why not for an extra $12
vittoria rubino pro tires. great tires, i like to run high psi and these can handle it, and they look great!
mks sylvan road pedals, small mks steel clips, lapize laminate straps. my personal favorites!

with all the upgrades and the price of the bike its was around $900 but i am very happy with the performace (there was a difference!) and of course the way it looks, here is a pic.
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Old 10-10-10, 03:38 PM
  #25  
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Everything. Cause it was just a frame.
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