Small Upgrades, Big Impact

Bike envy is real. With so many new bike models and components launching, it's tempting to think you need to invest in a new ride. That's not always in the budget, but making a few smart upgrades can breathe new life into your current bike and dramatically improve your ride experience. Whether you're current bike is road, gravel, mountain, or your commuter, these upgrades and updates will make your bike feel exciting and new again.

A good place to start is the touch points on your bike, the grips, bars, pedals, and saddles. Each one of these touchpoints can change how your bike feels and fits. These minor adjustments can make a big impact at a low cost. 

Grips & Tape

Replacing your old, worn out grips or bar tape is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to make your bike feel fresh again. Over time, grips can become worn, dirty, and compressed, while bar tape can lose its cushioning and start to peel. Swapping them out not only refreshes the look of your bike but also improves comfort and control, giving your hands a better connection to the bars. Grips and bar tape are an important touch point for grip, comfort, and performance. They are a direct line to controlling your bike during technical sections of trail and adds padding for comfort by dampening vibration for long rides on imperfect roads. Whether you prefer the tacky feel of Supacaz tape, a colourful locked in feel from OneUp Components, or an ergonomic Bontrager grip, this simple upgrade can dramatically improve your riding experience. 

Saddle

If your current saddle is worn out, uncomfortable, or simply not the right fit for your body, then it might be time to replace it or try something new. A properly sized saddle supports your sit bones, reduces pressure on soft tissue, and can eliminate numbness and discomfort on your bike.

Finding the right saddle isn't always easy, which is why we offer product guarantees from Bontrager and Specialized. Get a saddle and try it out, you have 30 days to decide if it’s the right fit. If it’s not, send it back for a full refund.

Handlebars

Your handlebars can have an impact on the fit of your bike and the stance you ride in. For mountain bikes, a wider bar can help improve control, but too wide of a bar may leave you in discomfort. The rise and sweep of the handlebar is also something to take note of that will impact your fit and ride. On a road or gravel bike a suitable shape and width of handlebar can really improve the comfort and control on your bike. Handlebars are available in alloy and carbon options. If you choose to upgrade to a carbon bar, you will get a lighter handlebar that dampens vibration to reduce numb hands and tired arms on longer rides and descents. 

It's important to love your ride, and any of these simple upgrades may seem like a small upgrade but when it comes to your bike, it is the small changes that can make a big impact.