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The Upgraded Bike

06.13.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 5 Comments

Over the past month, my bike has acquired a new seat, new handlebars, and a new crankset. The seat came at the recommendation of my sore butt, and the bars and cranks at the recommendation of my bike fitter. The question is: Has all this stuff made a difference?

You bet they have.

First, the seat. It’s a WTB Speed V. I’ve already posted on this. I still like it, and since I’ve had it for more than a month without any complaints, I guess I can keep it permanently. I wish I’d gone this route a long time ago.

The handlebars. I got a pair of 44 cm bars, although the bike fitter recommended 46  But he said I could get by with a minimum width of 44 centimeters. I picked up a used pair at a good price. Even though they’re only 2 cm wider than the old bars, I can feel the difference.  There’s a less constricted feeling in the chest, resulting in a more comfortable riding position. The new bar is a smaller diameter than the bar it replaced, but that’s only really noticeable when I grab the top during climbs.  Not a big deal.

The crankset. I replaced the Shimano Tiagra crankset that came with the bike with a Truvativ Rouleur.  The new cranks are shorter — 172.5 mm instead of 175s.  This is the change I was most interested in, because I was told it would make climbing easier. I suppose it has, although as noted here a few days ago, I’m working more on hills than I have in the past, so I’m getting stronger legs anyway.  However, what I have noticed is that it makes turning the pedals easier. I get moving faster, and I run at a somewhat higher cadence than I had been. In other words, they’re easier to ride than the old cranks, and I am pleasantly surprised at the change.

So, as Don Blount reported last month, upgrading the bike results in a better ride. If you know what you need and have some spare cash lying around, you can coax more performance from your bike without having to spend big bucks for a whole new one.

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Categories // Equipment Tags // Equipment, upgrades

Comments

  1. Jeff says

    June 13, 2010 at 8:00 pm

    Man, first Don and now you. You guys are really making me want to buy something!!!

    Reply
    • rainycamp says

      June 13, 2010 at 9:06 pm

      That was our plan. We decided it’s time for you to spend lots of money.

      Reply
  2. Ashley says

    June 14, 2010 at 10:24 am

    I’m pretty sure I need to get new crankarms as well. I’m 5’4″ and ride a 50cm bike, even though some people my height ride 47’s. I’ve noticed I don’t have the top-of-the-stroke power to pedal circles, and feel like I need to lift the seat, but then when I get to the bottom of the stroke the seat height is just right.

    So yeah, shorter crankarms are needed.

    Reply
    • rainycamp says

      June 14, 2010 at 11:19 am

      The length of your crankarms is stamped on their inside surface, if you need to double check.

      Reply
  3. Tim says

    June 15, 2010 at 10:09 am

    dude! you’re going to get me in trouble with the wife…now I want to upgrade my bike

    Reply

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