This post is not for racers, purists, weight weenies, the guys who can buy new bikes whenever they want, or those set in their ways. It's for the average rider who probably has a typical XC/trail type bike, and just wants to have more fun riding trails.

These are all things you hear people recommend many times, but maybe you're not sure. I even hesitate to call them upgrades. They're just changes you might like. I've done these to my current and previous bike, and they made me happy.

Some cost more than others, but you don't have to do 'em all. In no particular order, and why:

- Tubeless conversion - No more flats.
- Lower tire pressures - Better traction. Yes, it won't roll as fast, but you're not a racer.
- Wider tires - Better traction & braking; more fun & safer. Definitely in the front for fewer washouts, better handling in rocks. In the rear, yes, more rolling resistance, but you'll smile when you make it up that tough climb you used to lose traction on.
- Dropper seatpost - More flow, less stopping. Sure, you could ride all day in one position, or stop and adjust, but doing it on the fly is great! Get it just right in one second, for more power uphill and confidence downhill.
- Shorter stem - More upright riding position. Easier to look down the trail, easier on your back, neck & shoulders, easier to pop the front end over a rock. Yeah, the front end might wander a little more on a climb; just lean forward a little more.
- Wider bars - Greater control & leverage. I didn't even get new bars. I noticed my hands weren't all the way out to the ends, so adjusted my brakes & shifter so I could scoot 'em out a little more.
- Trail seat - More comfortable than a lightweight racing saddle so you can spend more hours smiling. Long rounded nose so you can slide out there on a steep climb.
- Platfrom pedals & sticky rubber shoes - Just charge right into that tricky section without a mental pause to consider unclipping. And then step right off the bike instead of going OTB when you screw up.
- Bashguard instead of a third chainring - No more shin scars, and simplified shifting. Typically you only lose a couple of gears (due to ratio overlap), and if you go a little bigger on the middle ring, you'll get one or two of those back.
- Better fork - Better, safer handling at speed and in the rough stuff. If your XC bike has a steep head angle and short travel fork, an extra inch can make it less twitchy.
- New shifter cables - Amazingly better shifting. You usually don't notice it degrading over time.
- A handlebar bell - Keeps unpleasant trail encounters to a minimum, puts a smile on the faces of children, and let's you ride fast more safely.

Your smileage may vary, and every one of these can be debated or qualified. But generally they've allowed a lot of people, not just me, to have more fun riding their old bike.

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

Excellent "upgrades". In fact there is a article about tubeless and lower tire pressure floating around the web somewhere (I'm just too lazy to Google it right now) that explains how and why lower tire pressures do not affect rolling resistance ( and may even make it less in some cases) making a tubeless conversion an even better "upgrade".

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Sorry, remembered wrong… it's tire width and rolling resistance, not tire pressure that I read.

Here's the info … http://www.schwalbetires.com/tech_info/ ... resistance

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8/12- it made riding more enjoyable. I never use the big ring, so bash guard and a more comfy saddle are next!

great post Dan.

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"it can go full porno alley"

- Kimba - One love, many bikes - 2020

good list of "upgrades" ODD
Did most of them and like them all so far. Way to keep it real for the masses

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You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti
"Go ride your bike today, don't let the old man in.."

Mike

You missed "Install a HammerSchmidt"...

No front derailleur.
Instant gear changing, and I mean completely instant.
Able to pedal backwards without the chain moving.
Tiny chain ring so the BB clearance is immense.
Chainline is consistent as the chain doesn’t move in the front.

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"My favorite part of riding a bike is when I get off the bike." - Jim Gaffigan

You don't like your ergon grips? They're grrrreat!

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We'll ride it till they pave it. -Clyde

For a post without pictures or videos, post of the year! Start of a cool thread.

One thing I'd add is having a tube, air and tools in your pack. Makes rides much better for everybody.

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"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

Clyde

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I never would have thought that Harley would end up being my inspiration. (well..maybe a little).

avidtest


"it makes mountain biking fun again"

Ozzer

ive done all of that to my trance and everything you said is truth.

i have yet to replace the fork though... i'd love a good 130mm fork that uses more than 100mm of its travel... but that seems to be the most expensive upgrade.

I find no mention of Carbon Fiber anywhere in your post, gasp!

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A mountain biker who doesn't ride road has no legs
A road biker who doesn't ride mountain has no soul