Wanna upgrade my bike ... advice needed.

[Daniel Crispin]

Ok. So for those of you who remember, I decided to change my
back wheel.

Got one that is really good now and have not had a single
problem since it was installed over a week ago.

Now I have the following I want to do:

Now -----> Upgrade to

Same kind of cheap front wheel -----> Deore hub with good
quality spokes and good quality rim

Shimano C50 front derailleur --------> Deore front
derailleur

Standard seat that came with bike ---> High end seat

Average quality pedals + clips -------> Clipless
pedals and shoes

Standard tires -----------------------> High quality
Kevlar tires

My question is, what should I upgrade first?

Front wheel is cheap but since it is not supporting my
weight it does not get out of alignment that fast. It's
starting to but it's not doing as badly as it's twin sister
in the back.

Derailleur... not sure what the difference whould be, but
this one has derailled a few times and got me mad

As for the seat, mine is a pain. If I put it at the height I
like, I get this huge burning sensation in the crotch area.
If I put it lower it's ok but I hate a low seat. Also it has
a built in suspension in the post... can I change the seat
and keep the suspension? It's on a rack type mount.

Pedals I have the most questions about. I know there are
several standards out there... if I decide to go clipless
what should I choose? I am heavy (270 now) and I need
something strong. Can someone explain the advantages and
inconveniants of clipless system for me? Also I know you can
get them for bike shoes or normal looking shoes with clips
in them... I would prefer that.

As for tires. I am sure that will come last. When I see mine
needs changing I will get good quality ones.

 

[Dan Daniel]

On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 22:27:50 -0400, "Daniel Crispin"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Ok. So for those of you who remember, I decided to change
>my back wheel.
>
>Got one that is really good now and have not had a single
>problem since it was installed over a week ago.
>
>Now I have the following I want to do:
>
>Now -----> Upgrade to
>
>Same kind of cheap front wheel -----> Deore hub with good
>quality spokes and good quality rim
>
>Shimano C50 front derailleur --------> Deore front
>derailleur
>
>Standard seat that came with bike ---> High end seat
>
>Average quality pedals + clips -------> Clipless pedals
>and shoes
>
>Standard tires -----------------------> High quality
>Kevlar tires
>
>My question is, what should I upgrade first?
>

Seat. Period. You shouldn't have a sore crotch from biking,
and you shouldn't be using a bad seat height to make up for
a poor seat. Everything else is secondary.

Check seat position right away- fore/aft and tilt- to see if
that improves anything while you embark on what can be a
difficult search for the right seat.

Then I'd do the wheel. At your weight, a well-built 36 spoke
wheel is a great investment that will let you ride with
peace of mind. Look at an XT level wheel and see if the
price is close.

 

[Pbwalther]

>Seat. Period. You shouldn't have a sore crotch from biking,
>and you shouldn't be using a bad seat height to make up for
>a poor seat. Everything else is secondary.

>Check seat position right away- fore/aft and tilt- to see
>if that improves anything while you embark on what can be a
>difficult search for the right seat.

Very good advice. A cheap bike that fits and is comfortable
is far superior to an expensive bike that is excruciating to
ride. Which do you think would get ridden the most? Comfort,
comfort, comfort.

 

[David Kerber]

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 22:27:50 -0400, "Daniel Crispin"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Ok. So for those of you who remember, I decided to change
> >my back wheel.
> >
> >Got one that is really good now and have not had a single
> >problem since it was installed over a week ago.
> >
> >Now I have the following I want to do:
> >
> >Now -----> Upgrade to
> >
> >Same kind of cheap front wheel -----> Deore hub with good
> >quality spokes and good quality rim
> >
> >Shimano C50 front derailleur --------> Deore front
> >derailleur
> >
> >Standard seat that came with bike ---> High end seat
> >
> >Average quality pedals + clips -------> Clipless pedals
> >and shoes
> >
> >Standard tires -----------------------> High quality
> >Kevlar tires
> >
> >My question is, what should I upgrade first?
> >
>
> Seat. Period. You shouldn't have a sore crotch from
> biking, and you shouldn't be using a bad seat height to
> make up for a poor seat. Everything else is secondary.
>
> Check seat position right away- fore/aft and tilt- to see
> if that improves anything while you embark on what can be
> a difficult search for the right seat.

Indeed it can be! I'm on number 6, though I think I've
finally found my one true saddle <Grin>; I'll know for sure
after the 70-miler this weekend. I think part of the
problem was trying to get away too cheap. You don't need to
spend $100 to get a good comfortable saddle, but you might
need to go $50.

> Then I'd do the wheel. At your weight, a well-built 36
> spoke wheel is a great investment that will let you ride
> with peace of mind. Look at an XT level wheel and see if
> the price is close.

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