Orbea Carpe commuter upgrades - where to start?
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I’ll hold my hands up here and admit I’m a bit of noddy when it comes to bikes. I’ve owned the below purchasing new in January 2021.
The only things I’ve changed so far is the seat for a DMR oioi and the pedals.
Due getting rather told off by the nurse at my 40 year old well man check, my cholesterol was through the roof and I was told I’m a stroke/heart attack waiting to happen. Anyhow over the past month I’ve jumped back on the bike and am really enjoying being out and about. This is my current route which I’m doing four days a week.
I’m 6ft, 15st 6lb now. I started at 16st 10lb so with riding and diet change the weight is going in the right direction. However my poor bike is make some quite sad groaning noises. I’ve traced these to the crankset and rear wheel. My question is I guess, is it possible to upgrade these parts to take a little extra punishment?. The path along the Upper Lea leaving Luton to Harpenden is great for my comfort as I prefer to ride up and out of the seat while attacking inclines. As also for Sun Lane leaving Harpenden and reverse back heading towards home.
I’ve taken a look online and YouTube and by god it’s information overload. I’ve no problem taking stuff apart and building it back up, it’s more of question of where to start and ultimately is it worth it or just swap over to a bike that can handle most things off the bat?.
Here’s what my Orbea is currently spec’d with also it’s a size Medium which upon reflection maybe a little small?.
All advice/critiques are well appreciated
I’ll hold my hands up here and admit I’m a bit of noddy when it comes to bikes. I’ve owned the below purchasing new in January 2021.
The only things I’ve changed so far is the seat for a DMR oioi and the pedals.
Due getting rather told off by the nurse at my 40 year old well man check, my cholesterol was through the roof and I was told I’m a stroke/heart attack waiting to happen. Anyhow over the past month I’ve jumped back on the bike and am really enjoying being out and about. This is my current route which I’m doing four days a week.
I’m 6ft, 15st 6lb now. I started at 16st 10lb so with riding and diet change the weight is going in the right direction. However my poor bike is make some quite sad groaning noises. I’ve traced these to the crankset and rear wheel. My question is I guess, is it possible to upgrade these parts to take a little extra punishment?. The path along the Upper Lea leaving Luton to Harpenden is great for my comfort as I prefer to ride up and out of the seat while attacking inclines. As also for Sun Lane leaving Harpenden and reverse back heading towards home.
I’ve taken a look online and YouTube and by god it’s information overload. I’ve no problem taking stuff apart and building it back up, it’s more of question of where to start and ultimately is it worth it or just swap over to a bike that can handle most things off the bat?.
Here’s what my Orbea is currently spec’d with also it’s a size Medium which upon reflection maybe a little small?.
All advice/critiques are well appreciated
The bike should be perfectly capable of handling that weight... you're about the same as me 
Check your rear QR skewer is done up nice and tight (you should see a bit of an impression of the lever on your palm just after closing it, but you shouldn't have to use serious force); that the chain and cogs are clean and lubed; and that there's no play in bottom bracket. Most likely one of the first two will sort your creaks and groans... eventually you'll start wanting to clean/adjust/lube the various bearings - BB, wheels, etc but they shouldn't really be too bad now if the bike's just a year or so old and you've not done big miles.
Commuting upgrades:
Mudguards. Good full-coverage long ones, both ends. But especially the front for the sake of your socks and shoes.
Rack - carrying stuff in panniers is much nicer than on your back, however uncool panniers may be.
Minimum of 2 lights each end - one flashing for attention, one steady to give drivers positional information. And just in case one fails. One of the front ones should be enough to see by, power will depend on how much of your route is lit, and how well.
Small tool kit (inc plastic gloves if you need to at all be smart at work), spare inner tube. Your most likely failure to proceed will be a puncture; and it's much easier to just swap a tube and get going again than finding and sealing a hole at the roadside (in the rain, natch). You can add tubeless slime to innertubes if you want a bit more protection from thorns etc. Make sure the tyre levers you have with you in the kit are capable of removing and replacing the tyre.
Waterproof jacket, however nice the weather was on the way in to work.
And if you can't take the bike inside, a decent lock.
Check your rear QR skewer is done up nice and tight (you should see a bit of an impression of the lever on your palm just after closing it, but you shouldn't have to use serious force); that the chain and cogs are clean and lubed; and that there's no play in bottom bracket. Most likely one of the first two will sort your creaks and groans... eventually you'll start wanting to clean/adjust/lube the various bearings - BB, wheels, etc but they shouldn't really be too bad now if the bike's just a year or so old and you've not done big miles.
Commuting upgrades:
Mudguards. Good full-coverage long ones, both ends. But especially the front for the sake of your socks and shoes.
Rack - carrying stuff in panniers is much nicer than on your back, however uncool panniers may be.
Minimum of 2 lights each end - one flashing for attention, one steady to give drivers positional information. And just in case one fails. One of the front ones should be enough to see by, power will depend on how much of your route is lit, and how well.
Small tool kit (inc plastic gloves if you need to at all be smart at work), spare inner tube. Your most likely failure to proceed will be a puncture; and it's much easier to just swap a tube and get going again than finding and sealing a hole at the roadside (in the rain, natch). You can add tubeless slime to innertubes if you want a bit more protection from thorns etc. Make sure the tyre levers you have with you in the kit are capable of removing and replacing the tyre.
Waterproof jacket, however nice the weather was on the way in to work.
And if you can't take the bike inside, a decent lock.
IMHO -
tyres - look at something potentially thinner and lighter, more gravel specific,
drivetrain- cranks and cassette and chain and rear mech to a set of used (or discounted) shimano xt , and you might need a bottom bracket too, but it might come with it - Shimano XT will take plenty of abuse, and lighten your cranks A LOT, and that rotational mass too . plenty of vids on how to install these things, a couple of tools and perhaps a dedicated bottom bracket tool.
brakes - get hydro brakes, these can be picked up cheap as cheaps new and easy install and greatly improve feel over cable discs, which it looks like you might have. also less issues with cable stretch and having to constantly tune that out while keeping it tight.
after that the next biggest choice you have for shedding weight is wheels. plenty of lightweight used wheelsets out there , again thats rotational mass too.
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