10 Cheap Bike Upgrades For Under £100
Mountain biking is expensive enough with all the equipment and clothing you need to buy. But, you will get to a point when you will want to start to upgrade your bike. You can spend silly money on upgrades, from new suspension, drivetrain components, wheels, brakes and more. But, there are some cheap bike upgrades, that will make a difference in your riding experience. Here are my top picks for cheap bike upgrades for under £100.
1. Tyre Inserts
Tyre inserts protect your rims, help to prevent punctures and soften the impact. There are a few different ones on the market. But, I think for the money, the Nukeproof A.R.D is the Best Buy. They are lightweight and are very effective.
2. Grips
Your grips are your points of contact where you control the bike and get feedback through the handlebars. This makes them pretty essential components. The great thing about grips is that they are inexpensive and can make a surprising difference in how you ride.
There are two different types of grips. Single clamp grips are clamped to your bars with a collar, on the inside end of the grip. The end of your handlebar is covered by rubber, to prevent the “apple corer” effect (it is perilous not to have an end cap or cover over the end of your bars, they can get a bit stabby if you land on them).
Double clamp grips have metal collars at both ends with and end cap for safety.
The material of your grip is usually rubber or a rubber-like material. If you are new to mountain biking, go for a softer compound as they are easier on your hands. They will wear out quicker, but grips are not that expensive in the grand scheme of things.
Just like shoes, you can buy grips with different grip patterns, but what you choose is a matter of personal preference. However, you really need to make sure that there is plenty of rubber under your palms, for comfort and durability.
3. Tubeless Tyres
Most tyres are tubeless-ready these days, but people still use tubes in them. Lots of people say it is a waste of time and money. I disagree, I haven’t had a puncture since I went tubeless. I live in the french alps, so the terrain I ride is pretty punishing on tyres. Yes, it can be a bit messy when you go tubeless, especially for the first time. However, when it is pouring down with rain, and you have cold fingers, trying to replace an inner tube. You will have wished you had gone tubeless.
5. Better Tyres
Tyres choice is crucial, as you probably know. However, are you sure you have the correct tyres for your riding? The type of tyre you need depends on the terrain you ride on and the type of riding you are doing.
Different tread patterns have large influences on how your bike behaves. Also, the size of the tyres is a factor in the amount of grip you have. You may want more grip; you may want less.
Click here to learn how to choose the correct mountain bike tyres
6. Shorter Stem
The stem is the chunk of metal that holds your handlebars to your steering tube. The length of this has quite an impact on how your bike handles. In general, a longer stem is suitable for those that do a lot of climbing, and a shorter stem is good for those that ride steeper downhill sections. A shorter stem moves your centre of gravity back a bit, making decent more stable.
7. A Saddle the works for you
It is quite common for riders to give up mountain biking because they are too uncomfortable. One of the best cheap mountain bike upgrades is to buy the right saddle. You can spend lots of money, but the right one for you could easily come in under £100. Buying the squashiest saddle you can, doesn’t necessarily mean more comfortable.
Click here to learn how to learn about choosing the right saddle for you
8. A new chain
If you run the same chain for too long, the bushings wear out, and it stretches. This causes your gears and chainrings to wear prematurely. This results in poor gear changes and “chain skipping”. Chains should be replaced at least every season—and more often if you ride more than a couple times a week. Don’t simply wait for your chain to break and then try to fix it. A little preventative maintenance now will prevent high costs down the road.
Click here to learn how to learn everything you need to know about your chain
9. Cleaning Kit
A decent cleaning kit will help keep your bike running smoothly and looking nice. You can get some great cleaning kits that have everything you need to get the mud out of the drivetrain and polish up your frame.
10. New riding gear
Proper mountain bike clothing makes the experience a whole lot more comfortable. Techy fabrics and mountain bike specific fitting is way better than an old t-shirt and board shorts. There are lots of sales for mountain bike clothing online all the time.
Click here to for everything related to mountain bike clothing
