Top 3 things to upgrade for better performance

[specialized sl2]

I am a pretty full on cyclist and I have a Specialized sl2 (ultegra) what we be the best 3 things to upgrade for better performance (I have already brought some good carbon cranks!)

[Xplora]

Double shot espresso 45 minutes before the race. More if you can handle it.
If you can't see hints of a six pack when you are really hungry, stop eating so much sugar.
Most expensive power meter that doesn't make you shake your head in disbelief.

All three upgrades above are for you, not the bike. Ergogenic aids, less weight and better training focus.

[Porridgewog]

The best upgrade would be using your training time better...perhaps spend money on some coaching...

[Walsh95]

saddle, wheels and powermeter for me! i'd love a pair of 202's and carbon saddle, pair that with an srm or quarq... but i'm in dreamland

[Nikolai]

Wheels, rubber and shoes.

[toolonglegs]

Power meter and coach.

[g-boaf]

Better training, better legs... etc.

Unfortunately you can't buy those.

I think a double espresso does help a little to clear the fog and get you awake, but too many of them makes you feel awful.

Trust me, I'm a reformed coffee addict.

Some things on the bike are worth changing if you aren't comfortable (bike fit) otherwise some people get around on low end bikes and still murder everyone else.

[ft_critical]

I am a pretty full on cyclist and I have a Specialized sl2 (ultegra) what we be the best 3 things to upgrade for better performance (I have already brought some good carbon cranks!)

Guaranteed performance upfrades:

1. Your bike looks like it is too slow, swap that out for a faster, lighter, cooler one,
2. It looks like you are slowing your bike down, swap out the rider for a better, lighter, cooler one, and
3. Get yourself selected for a pro team

[skull]

Power meter and coach.

This.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4

[march83]

Power meter and coach.

and this again. since you listed 3 things, the 3rd thing would be a CA license if you don't already have one so you can go racing...

[winstonw]

the latest about caffeine is that it temporarily lifts your performance, but drops it more so later on....so that your av speed over an hour is lower. so the science suggest only using it for shorter events.

there was a chart that showed shoe covers provide similar aerodynamic advantage to deep section aero wheels.

most recreational cyclists would get more performance advantage from better spinal flexibility (for a better aerodynamic position). However, that means losing weight around the gut.

slamming your stem costs nothing.

many cyclists overtrain, trying to smash every ride they do clocking up Strava PBs. or otherwise they do junk k's. clarify what your cycling performance 'goals' are, and get an intelligent training plan sorted. whether you bother with power, hr, or just rpe, depends on your performance goals. otherwise you are just a third world brain on a first world bike.

i don't give a stuff what few studies others have read....get into the gym and cross train and lift weights for 3 mths, and do some decent stretching.

ride with guys better than you.

challenge yourself on hills regularly

practice faster cornering and descending, harder braking.

practise track stands, lifting the front wheel, then the rear. it will all improve your oneness and feel for the bike at speed, and may very well save your bones one day.

on the flats, do hard efforts that are seriously uncomfortable.

eat a clean diet

once you've done all that, and naturally improved, you'll realize cycling is not about the bike.

[ball bearing]

...once you've done all that, and naturally improved, you'll realize cycling is not about the bike.

That's some of the best advice I have heard in a while.

[Ignoto]

there was a chart that showed shoe covers provide similar aerodynamic advantage to deep section aero wheels.

What? That can't be right. I better buy some booties if that's true.

[g-boaf]

practise track stands, lifting the front wheel, then the rear. it will all improve your oneness and feel for the bike at speed, and may very well save your bones one day.

on the flats, do hard efforts that are seriously uncomfortable.

eat a clean diet

once you've done all that, and naturally improved, you'll realize cycling is not about the bike.

Riding with people quicker than you is key. I had not been doing that very nuch. But I am now. While I haven't been going a lot quicker due to some injury niggles - I am seeing differences. I can accelerate much quicker than I used to and the top speeds I reach are higher too.

Your friends also encourage you to work harder too. That makes it fun.

[nailsaslegs]

A coach -
Then a power metre
Then wheels.

[winstonw]

there was a chart that showed shoe covers provide similar aerodynamic advantage to deep section aero wheels.

What? That can't be right. I better buy some booties if that's true.

http://www.aerosportsresearch.com/media.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2010 Velonews Buyers Guide (January-April, 2010) Buying Time: Which Aerodynamic equipment benefits most during the race of truth? | page 2 pp. 16 - 17

[warthog1]

heart
lungs
legs

[george-bob]

Sperm hat and calf compression socks
Ironman tattoo
Male sports bra top

[Chuck]

Trust me, I'm a reformed coffee addict.

I think you're in denial Chris

[thearthurdog]

Power meter and coach.

Yep.

[autumn acid]

- Drop an absolute bomb on bike equipment, so then that way you feel bad for not tearing it up at every given opportunity.
- Get a bike that you think looks good, because if it looks like crap at 5am in the morning you're not going to want to ride it.
- Invest in good lube.

The top 3 things also apply to potential partner.

[jules21]

1. punch yourself in the face, hard.
2. while cleaning yourself up, come clean with how pathetic your training is and what you need to change in order to get serious.
3. repeat daily.
3a. spend the money for your bike on rhinoplasty.

[ft_critical]

1. punch yourself in the face, hard.
2. while cleaning yourself up, come clean with how pathetic your training is and what you need to change in order to get serious.
3. repeat daily.
3a. spend the money for your bike on rhinoplasty.

Finally, someone who gets it, thanks be to him...

Time for bed Jules...

[g-boaf]

Trust me, I'm a reformed coffee addict.

I think you're in denial Chris

haha, guilty as charged.

I did upgrade one thing - cadence. I used to mash the pedals. Now I spin them quickly (95-110rpm). Big difference.

[Sith1]

1. PROFESSIONAL BIKE FIT
2. TRAIN HARD
3.TRAIN HARDER