Marginal gains

The 17 expensive upgrades that you may want but really don’t need

Nick Clark

01 An aero bike Unless you’re racing or have ambitions of shaving time off your course record, an aero bike might be overkill. While these designs enable you to reach blistering speeds on flat roads, they’re incredibly specialised, and with that comes some drawbacks for everyday riding. Large, aero tubing makes aero bikes heavier, and they can feel slightly sluggish on the hills compared to an all-rounder road bike. These tube shapes often lead to a less damped ride feel too. This can make tarmac feel like a washboard and potholes like craters. Their geometry is also very race-orientated, which is no problem if you’re used to it, but can cause more relaxed riders to develop aches and pains if they’re not familiar with contorting into a race position. 02…

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Cycling Plus (Digital) - 1 Issue, May 2025

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