Even darn nice road bikes can use the occasional upgrade, especially after they’re a few seasons old. Technology improves, parts wear out, and your skills and fitness start to push the limit of what you need to reach your full potential.
Not all road bike upgrades are worth it, and good bike shops will be honest about what to expect out of your new wheels, pedals, or other parts. Every bike and every rider is different, but here are a few things we consistently find are worth upgrading - and when you should.
The Best Road Bike Upgrades
Every upgrade you make should have a specific goal, whether it be improving aerodynamics, reducing bike weight, or increasing comfort. We also recommend upgrading high-wear parts (think chains, cassettes, tires, cables, etc.) as they need replacement. That way you’re only paying “extra” on a part you need, not splashing cash unnecessarily.
Tires (and Going Tubeless)
Tires make an incredibly big difference, and it makes sense. Tires are your sole connection to the tarmac and affect traction, rolling resistance, and how likely you are to get a flat. We recommend that nearly all riders try tubeless road tires for a more supple feel, better flat resistance, and to reduce weight.
We’re big fans of the Continental Grand Prix 5000 for tubeless road, though we have plenty of customers on Schwalbes, Maxxis, and other road tires, too.
Saddle
There’s a reason nearly every bike shop has a bin of take-off saddles; stock seats are rarely the most comfortable options, and many riders go through years of trial and error before finding a saddle they really like. Fizik and Specialized have an extensive array of seats to choose from, and we usually have a few bouncing around that you can take home and try for a few rides.
Start with the Fizik Arione if you’re flexible and tend to move around on the saddle - there’s a reason that saddle has hardly changed in over three decades!
Pedals
Like your seat, pedals are an important contact point. Your saddle bears relatively constant weight (unless you stand up, of course), while your pedals take constant yet dynamic pressure as you pedal harder or easier. Paired with the fit and stiffness of your shoe, the pedals' tension and style affect how efficiently you transfer power from your body to the pedal, through the chain, and finally into the pavement.
If you’re really looking to ride longer and go faster, it may be worth jumping up to a Shimano 105 or Ultegra road pedal, especially if you’ve previously only used mountain bike SPDs. Check out our guide to clipless road and mountain bike pedals if you’re ready to go down that rabbit hole.
Light Road Bike Wheels
It’s hard to overlook the benefits of lighter wheels on a road bike. Deep section carbon rims significantly improve aerodynamics, and reduced weight makes climbing more efficient, keeping you in the bunch longer with less effort. Upgrading to carbon wheels, or a lighter aluminum climbing wheel than you already have, is likely the best upgrade, but it’s not going to be the cheapest.
Is upgrading bike wheels worth it?
The answer comes down to math. If you’re considering buying new wheels for your road bike, try to find the following information before you buy.
What are the weight savings? Compare the actual wheelset weight of your new and old wheels in grams. One pound is equal to 453 pounds; if you’re saving over a pound, you’re definitely going to feel a difference.
Are they tubeless? Most road wheels are tubeless compatible these days, but double-check. Saving 400 grams only to throw in 200-300 grams of tubes is a very expensive wash.
Do they have a warranty? Especially with carbon wheels, find out if they have a manufacturer’s warranty and, ideally, if the brand has a crash-replacement program. Roval, Specialized’s in-house components brand, offers a limited lifetime warranty for defects and a no-fault crash-replacement program.
We’ll help you select the right wheels for what you’re looking to achieve, whether it’s winning the Tuesday Night Ride or having a second wheelset to swap between your road and gravel bikes.
Your Next Upgrade Starts Here
No matter what or how you ride, Einstein Cycles has you covered. With three locations in Traverse City, Cadillac, and Big Rapids, we carry a wide selection of gear, parts, and wheels to make any ride a little faster and a whole lot more fun! Stop in a shop near you today* for unmatched selection and reliable advice.
*Tomorrow is cool, too.