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Our Favourite upgrades
Everyone enjoys upgrading their bikes and kit, having the newest, lightest, stiffest, strongest, flashiest item on their bike, and those that work in cycle shops are no different.
The advantage/disadvantage we have, depending upon your opinion, is we get to see and test all the kit out there, so we know what works and what is pure flash or hype. On this page you'll find out what we have on our bikes, and more importantly, why.
1. Stans No Tubes Tubeless kit.
At £50 for a kit it's not the cheapest but far from the most expensive upgrade you can make. We're firm believers that after, or sometimes almost equal to, the frame/fork, wheels and tyres can make the biggest difference to how a bike feels.
This kit allows you to go tubeless for lower weight, lower rolling resistance, better traction and less punctures without having to change your wheels or tyres. How?
The kit comes with everything you need to seal up your existing rims and a liquid sealant to seal the tyres against porosity and future punctures.
Kits are now available for road as well as off road and make a real difference you can feel, but your mates don't see the upgrade - Stealth speed!!
Click the link for more details ->
2. Maverick/Joplin (or Specialized descender) Seatpost.
Ok, so this one's not for everybody.
Do you often lower your seatpost off road for improved descending confidence and control? If so, do you get frustrated by having to stop to lower at the top, stop to raise at the bottom so you can ride rather than push back up, several times per ride?
If so, get a joplin seatpost. When your mates are adjusting their saddle height you're already far ahead, as you no longer have to stop thanks to the on the fly adjustment through 3 inches of non-indexed travel. Ride harder and faster.
3. Swiss Stop brake pads.
Do you want the best power, best control, and long life for your brake pads?
Whether road, off road, disc or rim brake we can find nothing that beats these in all weather conditions. Specific compounds for ceramic or carbon rims available. You can buy cheaper brake pads, but they won't slow you as quickly or predictably or give the same lifespan.
On rim brakes your rims last longer too thanks to less abrasive pad compounds.
4. Handbuilt wheels.
If you're serious about performance you will not beat a decent set of handbuilt wheels. Priced from £68 per wheel.
Mavic, Shimano, Fulcrum, etc.? The pros use them because they are paid to. If they wear out/break and need replacement they get a replacement free of charge. If they last one race/stage they have done their job.
Handbuilt wheels can be tailored to your exact needs/riding style, not the general masses.
They can be lighter than the above at a lower cost and longer lifespan (Mavic Ksyrium ES actual weight 1528.9 g pair £569 cheapest mail order, Tune/open pro handbuilt actual weight 1440 g pair £450.00 - source weightweenies.starbike.com). Even the best rims (excluding carbon) cost less than £40, where a Ksyrium rim will cost almost double, plus not many shops will keep them in stock. Spokes are a similar story.
It's simple really.
If you're a pro lookalike wannabe get the wheels the pros are paid to ride.
If you want to spend less, get better performance, longer lifespan, and have what suits YOU, give us a call and get yourself a handbuilt custom wheelset. You know it makes sense.
