Bike modding

[sone]

I bought a Cannondale Synapse 2017 road bike last year and have thoroughly enjoyed it and while I have no aspirations to be at all competitive ( too fat, too short, too old) Id like to improve the bike it that's at all possible beyond replacing it all together. Are there any obvious mods that I might feel a benefit from or is this a slippery slope like cars?

Cheers

Steve

[TwistingMyMelon]

Tyres and wheels are a good starting point

A saddle that fits you as well

BAr tape is a cheap mod as well

[anonymous-user]

it can be a slippery slope, but the cut off point at which replacement is the best option comes sooner, especially if you are happy to buy a used bike

in addition to the already mentioned components, here is a meatier upgrade: electronic gears (Di2 / etap / EPS)

[lufbramatt]

Cannondale usually fit crap wheels, I'd be looking at a decent set of handbuilt wheels e.g. Borg31, will probably take a pound of weight off the bike if the wheels are anything like those on my CAAD8.

If your bike has oem Schwalbe Lugano tyres like mine did, they are rubbish, throw them away ASAP with something like a Conti GP4000 or similar, they roll faster and grip better.

I'm in a similar situation, I'm saving for some better wheels but I won't be upgrading anything else on the bike until it wears out as the frame is the limiting factor. I expect in a few years time it will be getting replaced and relegated to life on the turbo.

Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 30th July 12:06

[sone]

Thanks for responses so far, much food for thought. I expected to be told change the gear sets and maybe the wheels, who knew it was such a science.
Id love to change the seat that would be a great first step to make it more comfortable. How do you go about getting fitted for sounds like it could be a little embarrassing?

Cheers

Steve

[Dannbodge]

Speak with your local bike shop.

It's pretty easy, you go in and sit on a piece of foam or gel
after a couple of mins, you get up and they measure the piece of foam/gel and tell you your sit bone width.

They should then say which width (Normally 143, 155 or 166) saddle you need to buy.

They should be able to recommend ones based on your weight, age, riding style and flexibility (they may get you to try and touch your toes)

[rastapasta]

You can change everything but, like everyone says, the area to start are the wheels and tyres as bike companies try to save money through these areas. I wouldn't bother going over the gears as that will just make a new bike a viable argument. you can now also buy carbon stem and handlebars and integrated units which are nice. Pedals, are also an area. you could buy a gold plated KMC chain also for example or a carbon seatpost to go with the saddle the other posters mention.

[SVS]

I’d suggest starting with a professional bike fit, then wheels and tyres as suggested.

A proper bike fit can improve your efficiency, not to mention reducing the chance of getting various injuries.