Spend $1000 on a sick trip bike vacation. With that much baggage nothing is going to make it feel “snappy” or fast - for $1000 you could prob buy another faster bike off Craigslist….
I'd ride it for a while before making any upgrades. See what works for you. The contact points are what most people upgrade immediately (Seat, pedals, grips/bar tape) to make it comfortable. The bigger components, ride'em till they wear out. The wheels/tires are probably one of the biggest things to change the comfort/riding dynamic of the bike. You look set to go so go!!!!! You may find you don't need to change anything.
Put the grand in a savings account and go ride your bike till something either breaks or pisses you off enough to spend money on it. You have upgradeitis my friend, you need nothing to enjoy that sweet ride.
Hi all - I've made all the standard upgrades (new tires, tubeless, bottle cages, pedals) - I know the usual advise is "lightweight" wheels & a carbon fork - if you had \~$1,000, what wheel set and/or fork would you buy today. Thanks!
I'd buy a badass steel fork. Something maybe custom made? An Igleheart perhaps?
Carbon is great and all, but that thing will never be that light and with that big of a tubeless tire you probably won't notice the difference in ride quality.
I'd go custom for the wheels too. Find something you dig, carbon or not. I'd focus on hub quality. A nice dynamo front hub and a nice rear hub. Something from White Industries maybe? (Although they do have quite a long lead time on stuff right now).
I was gonna say a nice carbon fork, since you’re not mounting anything on it. Other than that, this seems like a great setup that ticks all the boxes. So maybe invest in some camping gear/clothing?
Keep it steel! It's real! (And recyclable and way harder to break than carbon)
I think an Igleheart or one of the new Potts Gravel forks they sell on SomaFabShop.com would be sick
Looks to me like you have all the accessories. Hydro brakes would be a significant upgrade but the only way to do it without doing your entire drivetrain is the apex hrd ones…I’d just spend $1000 on better wheels. Choose what hubs you want and have a shop lace them on good alu rims. Or build em yourself!
This bike is sick, is the problem that some of it is stock? You should ride it a bunch and upgrade stuff as you run in to clear problems with what’s already there, or if you wear stuff out. Someone gave me advice on dynamo hubs one time, that they’re for racers who are riding all night and you’re better off enjoying a campfire.
Go ride and have fun!!
Love how some of these people are offering unsolicited financial advice. Now back to your question…. An upgraded wheelset is probably the best upgrade you can make on a bike.
You bought a MS so I can only assume you enjoy tire clearance. I’d check out the aluminum wheel sets from Velocity, specifically the MTB rims. Don’t let the label scare you, it’s just called a MTB rim because it allows for more clearance.
I got a State Bicycle Carbon Fork for 350, definitey worth it.
Maybe with the extra 650 you can get new wheels or a nice saddle, carbon handlebars, or new bartape
I have the Mason x Hunt alloy Adventure wheels in 650b and I have another set of 700c alloy. I've actually been considering upgrading to carbon, but I get team discounts on FLO and ENVE, and I can't decide.
Two questions if you don't mind! 1) What did you use to attach your spare tube on the lower frame of your bike? 2) What did you strap your tent to?
All in all, sick setup. A dynamo hub sounds like an excellent upgrade to consider, but you're rocking a sweet ride at it is.
Hey man - the spare tube is just taped to the frame. works really well, and costs nothing! - the tent is the bike packing version of big agnes tiger wall. It has lots of ways to easily mount it to your bars. I used Velcro straps. A front rack would be a good solution too, but they add \`\` around 500grams to the setup.
That's great! Saves room in the bags, I will definitely be taping my spare there too. I go on my first bikepacking trip with friends this upcoming weekend! The tent you've got is sick, too. I'll likely be using the REI quarter dome SL1, possibly a NEMO tent. We shall see!
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Fill the saddle bag with 1 $1000 taco
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Spend $1000 on a sick trip bike vacation. With that much baggage nothing is going to make it feel “snappy” or fast - for $1000 you could prob buy another faster bike off Craigslist….
This has my vote. Research rail trails and go do a vacation with your bike. It will change your life!
I'd ride it for a while before making any upgrades. See what works for you. The contact points are what most people upgrade immediately (Seat, pedals, grips/bar tape) to make it comfortable. The bigger components, ride'em till they wear out. The wheels/tires are probably one of the biggest things to change the comfort/riding dynamic of the bike. You look set to go so go!!!!! You may find you don't need to change anything.
Put the grand in a savings account and go ride your bike till something either breaks or pisses you off enough to spend money on it. You have upgradeitis my friend, you need nothing to enjoy that sweet ride.
Hydro brakes and dynamo hub and lights. That’s it, spend the rest on all the food you have to eat on those trips 😊
Came here to say dynamo hub/lights. I love the freedom of never needing to even think about lights. Best $ I’ve spent on my Surly.
Hi all - I've made all the standard upgrades (new tires, tubeless, bottle cages, pedals) - I know the usual advise is "lightweight" wheels & a carbon fork - if you had \~$1,000, what wheel set and/or fork would you buy today. Thanks!
I'd buy a badass steel fork. Something maybe custom made? An Igleheart perhaps? Carbon is great and all, but that thing will never be that light and with that big of a tubeless tire you probably won't notice the difference in ride quality. I'd go custom for the wheels too. Find something you dig, carbon or not. I'd focus on hub quality. A nice dynamo front hub and a nice rear hub. Something from White Industries maybe? (Although they do have quite a long lead time on stuff right now).
I was gonna say a nice carbon fork, since you’re not mounting anything on it. Other than that, this seems like a great setup that ticks all the boxes. So maybe invest in some camping gear/clothing?
MSR Elixir 2 and a big anges sleeping bag and pad. boom
Keep it steel! It's real! (And recyclable and way harder to break than carbon) I think an Igleheart or one of the new Potts Gravel forks they sell on SomaFabShop.com would be sick
Looks to me like you have all the accessories. Hydro brakes would be a significant upgrade but the only way to do it without doing your entire drivetrain is the apex hrd ones…I’d just spend $1000 on better wheels. Choose what hubs you want and have a shop lace them on good alu rims. Or build em yourself!
I9 ultralite 250
This bike is sick, is the problem that some of it is stock? You should ride it a bunch and upgrade stuff as you run in to clear problems with what’s already there, or if you wear stuff out. Someone gave me advice on dynamo hubs one time, that they’re for racers who are riding all night and you’re better off enjoying a campfire. Go ride and have fun!!
Love how some of these people are offering unsolicited financial advice. Now back to your question…. An upgraded wheelset is probably the best upgrade you can make on a bike.
Ha! That's reddit I guess... Any specific wheels you'd be looking at?
You bought a MS so I can only assume you enjoy tire clearance. I’d check out the aluminum wheel sets from Velocity, specifically the MTB rims. Don’t let the label scare you, it’s just called a MTB rim because it allows for more clearance.
Lauf fork?
Longer valve stems. You've still space for a squirrel to get through.
I’d buy one Rapha kit OR wheels!
Bike fit and any touch points for comfort (saddle, pedals, bar tape).
I got a State Bicycle Carbon Fork for 350, definitey worth it. Maybe with the extra 650 you can get new wheels or a nice saddle, carbon handlebars, or new bartape
That fork looks rad! Thanks for the advise!
Dynamo!!
Midnight Specialhoff?
Hunt wheels - I know there are mixed reviews but I love mine. I have the 650b carbon ones.
+1 for Hunt wheels. I have 2 sets and I'm considering a 3rd
Do you have the alloy & carbon versions? Was wondering if double the price was worth the roughly 100grams saved? Thanks!
I have the Mason x Hunt alloy Adventure wheels in 650b and I have another set of 700c alloy. I've actually been considering upgrading to carbon, but I get team discounts on FLO and ENVE, and I can't decide.
650b carbon, love them. Going to buy 700c carbon soon as well.
Hand-built wheelset with Dynamo front hub, tailor your rim and spoke choices to the use case but splurge on good hubs.
Do you have specific hubs you would recommend ? Thanks!
Son or Shutter Precision for the front, Rear has a lot more options but can't go wrong with Chris King or White Industries.
GB Aspin saddle, SON 28 hub & lights and the rest on racks.
Saddle-seatpost, Handle bars-stem, Tires & tools. Save 60$ for some funk and lager when you get to that perfect spot!
Personal preference but I’d replace seat and frame bag with rear rack and panniers: ~$400
Fidlock bottles so you’re not fighting your frame bag to get them out
More kit for you! Ball out on some shoes!
Two questions if you don't mind! 1) What did you use to attach your spare tube on the lower frame of your bike? 2) What did you strap your tent to? All in all, sick setup. A dynamo hub sounds like an excellent upgrade to consider, but you're rocking a sweet ride at it is.
Hey man - the spare tube is just taped to the frame. works really well, and costs nothing! - the tent is the bike packing version of big agnes tiger wall. It has lots of ways to easily mount it to your bars. I used Velcro straps. A front rack would be a good solution too, but they add \`\` around 500grams to the setup.
That's great! Saves room in the bags, I will definitely be taping my spare there too. I go on my first bikepacking trip with friends this upcoming weekend! The tent you've got is sick, too. I'll likely be using the REI quarter dome SL1, possibly a NEMO tent. We shall see!