After lots of research, talking to your friends, comparing different bike models, equipment, browsing through forums and finding there is something wrong with every bike you pick (don’t worry, there is something wrong with every bike out there if you read forums too much), browsing through reviews… you finally make a choice for your perfect bike. Yeah!
But over time, and as the bike becomes more worn and used, it’s only natural that it may not perform as it once did. Technology will also move forward and what was once exotic and expensive will become standard equipment in regular bikes. So your bike will slowly feel a bit left behind. Now for sure, you can buy a new bike. But bikes are quite pricey so sometimes it is best to freshen up the bike a little bit, do a few upgrades and your bike will be useful for a few more years. By making some simple changes, you can breathe new life into your bike and really transform it into the bike you want and need.
Unsure of where to spend your money and focus when it comes to upgrades? Here’s a look at a few mountain bike upgrades worth considering.
Dropper seatpost
If your bike is a few years old there is a good chance it doesn’t have a dropper seatpost. When I did not have one I used to think I don’t actually need it. That since I hate cross country type of trails where you constantly go up and down and I don’t ride them it would be useless. That because I like to pedal up and then ride down I only have to adjust the seat once and dropper seatpost wouldn’t make such a difference. Boy was I wrong. Dropper seatpost is THE upgrade that you need. It is actually the only one that you will notice and love from the get go. It is imho better invention than 27.5 and 29 wheel sizes and 11 speed chain cassette. So if you can afford it, go and get it. And you can always sell it separately when you are selling your bike.
Tires
New tires are pretty much a no brainer. Even if your tires were top of the line when you purchased the bike, wear and tear will take a toll on them and eventually they will need replacing. At this point, you can stick with the same quality you started with, or you can choose to upgrade and invest in a high-performance tire that can offer better traction, allow you to cover more types of terrain, and even last longer. There are lengthy discussions on various MTB forums which tires are best but if you are more into downhill oriented mountain biking, enduro bikes and 150-170mm travel or more, I would go with Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR. These tires rock! I used to have a few different tires like Specialized Butcher, Schwalbe Hans Dampf, Continental (forgot the model), Maxxis High Roller etc… and I can say that the grip on the DHF/DHR is noticeably better. They really give you confidence. And the knobs don’t peel off like with Schwalbe.
Fork
Here’s an upgrade that people don’t always think about but can end up having a huge impact when it comes to the performance of your bike. Even if you have a budget mountain bike that wasn’t exactly high quality, if you put a high-performance fork on it, you’ll find the bike will be completely transformed and you can unlock all kinds of potential.
As for what type of fork to get, this blog takes an in-depth look at the Best Mountain Bike Forks Under 300, discussing each model at length. It can take all the confusion out of the process and ensure you walk away happy with your upgrade.
Grips
Now maybe you just want to make a few minor upgrades and aren’t ready or willing to shell out a lot of money on them. If that’s the case, investing in the best grips can be a great option. Did you know that if you don’t have the optimal grips, you can start to suffer from a sore neck, sore shoulders, arm fatigue, and even blisters on your hands? The grips on the handlebar are what can make your ride more comfortable, especially if you’re heading out on a long journey, will face bumpy terrain, and a variety of weather conditions. And using different colors you can use the grips to give your bike a face lift.
Pedals
Pedals are another thing that gets worn out. Hitting rocks and wearing down the pins on the pedals can in time make your pedals give you way less grip than they used to. So either invest in new pedals or at least get a set of new pins and replace the old ones.
Brakes
Brakes are the one thing that must work no matter what. If you have brake problems even the best bike will feel like shit. Not being able to stop at will takes all the fun out of mountain biking. You are always riding conservatively and slow and where is the fun in that. So if you can not rely on your brakes to stop you when you want to, this is the first thing you will want to replace. Now sometimes you just need to bleed and service them. Actually most of the times. But if problems and the need to bleed them keeps reappearing maybe it is time to throw them away and invest in something new. Most of people will vote for Shimano and I don’t think they are wrong.
Each of these upgrades will work to improve the ride and overall performance, and give the feeling of a brand-new bike that you’re ready to take out for an adventure.