Best bike upgrades 2022

By Jack Evans

Published: Wednesday, 15 June 2022 at 12:00 am

Getting fitter and more aero, or splashing out on the latest superbike are sure ways to go faster, but few of us have the time or money.

Thankfully, the best bike upgrades present simple and often affordable ways to ride faster, further and in greater comfort.

Some of the best bike upgrades will save you money in the long run by preserving expensive parts.

Others will see you spend less time fixing punctures on the side of the road, trail or track.

Unless your bike already has an impeccable spec, the best bike upgrades can transform your ride.

However, some fancy bike parts (think coloured chains, oversized pulley wheel systems) will make a dent in your bank balance and not your Strava PRs.

This is a general guide. Our best road bike upgrades guide has more tips for dedicated roadies. Specific mountain bike recommendations are in our best MTB upgrades.

The best bike upgrades in 2022

Tyres

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Quality tyres grip well and puncture infrequently, while upping your average speed.
Simon von Bromley / Immediate Media

The most effective, affordable upgrade you can make on your road bike will be to change its tyres.

The chances are the tyres that came with your bike will not be great.

They often look very similar to the aftermarket items you can buy as standalone items.

But original equipment tyres will usually deploy cost-saving measures such as using harder, less grippy rubber or a more basic construction with inferior puncture resistance.

Switching to the best road bike tyres can make big improvements to the comfort as well as the handling of your bike. You’re also likely to puncture less.

Handlebar tape

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Wave goodbye to bad vibrations by upgrading your bar tape.
David Caudery/Immediate Media

The contact point between your hands and bars, handlebar tape is meant to provide shock absorption and grip.

The best handlebar tape is a cost-effective way to make your bike more comfortable.

Fewer vibrations pass through the handlebars, so riding over broken surfaces and long days out are more forgiving on your hands, wrists and arms.

Plus, handlebar tape offers the opportunity to personalise your bars with cork or leather for a traditional look or lively-coloured modern synthetics.

However, there’s a knack to fitting the stuff. Read our guide on how to wrap bar tape if you’re unsure.

Seatpost

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An aero seatpost might save you watts and weight.
Russell Burton / Immediate Media

Seatposts extend vertically from a bike’s seat tube and hold the saddle in place. Cheaper bikes tend to have alloy seatposts.

By moving up or down, they permit saddle height adjustment. Seatposts flex to varying degrees in order to protect your backside from jolts and vibrations.

A lighter and more comfortable carbon seatpost is a great upgrade at reasonable cost.

Saddle

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A saddle with carbon rails is a worthwhile upgrade.
David Caudery / Immediate Media

Saddles are another component that can be underwhelming on otherwise adequate bikes.

Replacing your existing seat with a higher-quality model can save weight and prove far more comfortable.

Some saddles are designed for a racier position on the bike, allowing you to pedal faster.

Saddles are a highly personal choice, so we recommend trying before buying.

Consult our best road bike saddles list to narrow down your options.

Cleaning kit

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Washing a bike is much easier when everything’s to hand.
Tom Marvin / Our Media

Bike cleaning kits are a bundle of all you need to keep your bike looking smart and running smoothly.

These typically include bike cleaners, degreaser and chain lube. Brushes and sponges are there for applying and removing the products.

Such kits are often worth more than the sum of their parts. They’re easy to keep tidy and organised for when you need to clean your bike after a ride.

Service

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Paying for your bike to have every nut, bolt and component checked is worth it once in a while.
Ben Delaney / Immediate Media

Regular servicing can iron out more minor niggles, such as squeaking brakes and mysterious creaks.

A good mechanic will spot signs of drivetrain wear that, if acted on, can save a lot of dosh down the line.

An ageing chain will chew through your chainrings and cassette. Replacing the chain as it approaches its end is far cheaper than leaving it too late and having to buy expensive drivetrain parts.

A full service at your local bike shop should also look at often-neglected parts of the bike. Bearings in the rear hub and bottom bracket benefit from an occasional clean and grease.

Bike fit

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There’s a limit to how well you can dial in your position on your own.
Immediate Media

If your bike isn’t the correct size – or is the right size but doesn’t offer a good fit – that’s an issue.

A correctly fitting bike is more comfortable and efficient, and therefore, more enjoyable to ride.

While most bikes offer a degree of adjustability, there are limits – and if yours is significantly too large or too small you may want to consider trading it in.

For less experienced riders, it’s a good idea to visit your local bike shop and request a bike fit to perfect your road bike position.

More advanced riders may want to seek the advice of a professional bike fitter. These aren’t cheap, but some cyclists, whether racers or injury-prone recreational riders, swear by them.

Wheels

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You don’t need the highest-spec wheels to see performance benefits.
Simon von Bromley / Our Media

Some brands are prone to scrimping on wheels to lower the cost of complete builds. Many mid-range bikes roll out of the factory on unsatisfying wheels.

As a result, a way to improve the ride of your bike is to upgrade from its stock wheels.

Switching from alloy to carbon wheels, for example, is one of the pricier bike upgrades, but still much cheaper than a new bike.

The best road bike wheels are lighter, faster and increasingly compatible with wider tyres.

In addition, spare wheelsets enable you to use the same bike, particularly a gravel bike, on a variety of terrain.