B
Brian Walker
Guest
I started looking at other road bikes over the past month and decided I
liked quite a bit of the features the upper end bikes offer. When I started
looking at the price tags, I knew I couldn't afford to plunk down $1500+ on
a bike all at once. I figured I'd instead upgrade my existing bike. I have a
2003 Trek 1000. I was looking for performance and comfort all in one
package. I started by changing the handlebars from the stock ones to the FSA
K-Wing carbon. After that, I changed the fork to a full carbon fork with
carbon steerer and changed the stem. Talking with others about wheels, I was
told different wheels would help both with performance and comfort. At first
I didn't believe them, but I did some research and found that there might've
been some truth to it. I found some Spinergy wheels that were in my budget
and bought those to put on in place of the Alex rims it had. I changed the
seat and went with a Selle San Marco ASPire. Now I'm looking at changing the
top chainring from a 52 to a 55.
Now that I'm riding this bike, it's a completely different riding bike than
before. It's super smooth, has plenty of performance in handling and speed
and looks GOOD! I never thought these changes would yield such a difference
in a bike, but they have. I've found with these parts I've added that I'm
able to go farther, faster and less stress than before. I've also noticed
the big difference that I don't have that bone-jarring ride I did before.
My question is whether I'm simply throwing my money away by pouring these
upgrades into an entry level bike, or if the bike is now a high-end quality
bike riding on an entry level frame? Did I make the best decision by
upgrading this bike, or should I have went ahead and bought one of the other
bikes I was looking at?
For comparison, I'm only at $1100 total price for my bike with bike and
upgrades combined....still $400 under the price of the bike I was looking at
buying to replace this one with.
liked quite a bit of the features the upper end bikes offer. When I started
looking at the price tags, I knew I couldn't afford to plunk down $1500+ on
a bike all at once. I figured I'd instead upgrade my existing bike. I have a
2003 Trek 1000. I was looking for performance and comfort all in one
package. I started by changing the handlebars from the stock ones to the FSA
K-Wing carbon. After that, I changed the fork to a full carbon fork with
carbon steerer and changed the stem. Talking with others about wheels, I was
told different wheels would help both with performance and comfort. At first
I didn't believe them, but I did some research and found that there might've
been some truth to it. I found some Spinergy wheels that were in my budget
and bought those to put on in place of the Alex rims it had. I changed the
seat and went with a Selle San Marco ASPire. Now I'm looking at changing the
top chainring from a 52 to a 55.
Now that I'm riding this bike, it's a completely different riding bike than
before. It's super smooth, has plenty of performance in handling and speed
and looks GOOD! I never thought these changes would yield such a difference
in a bike, but they have. I've found with these parts I've added that I'm
able to go farther, faster and less stress than before. I've also noticed
the big difference that I don't have that bone-jarring ride I did before.
My question is whether I'm simply throwing my money away by pouring these
upgrades into an entry level bike, or if the bike is now a high-end quality
bike riding on an entry level frame? Did I make the best decision by
upgrading this bike, or should I have went ahead and bought one of the other
bikes I was looking at?
For comparison, I'm only at $1100 total price for my bike with bike and
upgrades combined....still $400 under the price of the bike I was looking at
buying to replace this one with.