wheel (or other) upgrade for wife's bike?

[jh_on_the_cape]

My wife promised herself some sort of bike upgrade after 1000k on her bike. Well it's coming up. Everything works as it should. It's a Trek Lexa SLX with 105 10 speed group. I am going to get a new chain, clean it up nicely.

All miles are commuting in fair weather. She uses one side of an Ortlieb pannier for her stuff.

New tires... which? I am just going to get something at an online place, but suggestions welcome.

I was going to upgrade the stock wheels, which are starting to show rust on the spokes and I have found in my experience are the most noticeable upgrade for the money. clinchers... seen any deals around? looking to spend max 250.

Finally, she has a ho-hum old gary fisher rack. I was looking at Tubus racks but am overwhelmed by the choices. which for general commuting and maybe some light touring? Something that works well with the Ortlieb classic. Frame is pretty small so bag has to be pretty far back to not hit the heal.

Thanks!

I used to spend lots of time looking at bike parts on the internet, but not so much in the last few years...

[stien]

I think I have a pretty decent rack you can straight up just have if you come get it. I'll go out to the barn and take a look at it. I have some old MTB stuff too if you're still into that.

Commuters seem to like Panaracer tires. I'd say wider would be nice around here, depends on the frame/fork though.

If you're getting new wheels you might as well make sure they're 11 speed compatible for the eventual upgrade. Compared to the 5700 series the new 11s stuff is a big step up, even 5800.

[jh_on_the_cape]

Originally Posted by stien

I think I have a pretty decent rack you can straight up just have if you come get it. I'll go out to the barn and take a look at it.

Commuters seem to like Panaracer tires. I'd say wider would be nice around here, depends on the frame/fork though.

Thanks! I will text you now.

[Ken Robb]

I sent you a PM.

[dustyrider]

Don't buy parts. Take the bikes someplace new and ride together!
If it ain't broke and all...!

[eddief]

https://www.rivbike.com/products/ham...ike-bell-brass

[jh_on_the_cape]

Originally Posted by eddief

https://www.rivbike.com/products/ham...ike-bell-brass

yes but that would be nice small item to put on her bike. thanks

[jh_on_the_cape]

Originally Posted by dustyrider

Don't buy parts. Take the bikes someplace new and ride together!
If it ain't broke and all...!

Oh we are! that is sage advice for sure.

[jh_on_the_cape]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

I sent you a PM.

well I did not receive it...

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by jh_on_the_cape

well I did not receive it...

Sorry. I just tried again.

[jh_on_the_cape]

I just bought her a spurcycle bell. I plan on engraving it with a "1000k".
Do you think that will mess up the sound or function in any way?

Originally Posted by eddief

https://www.rivbike.com/products/ham...ike-bell-brass

[torquer]

If you're still looking at a wheels upgrade (absolutely the biggest upgrade for almost any off-the-shelf bike) that $250 cap won't buy huge benefits.
If you can swing another C-note, these are available across the hall:
https://www.velocipedesalon.com/foru...set-48147.html
I offered my wife the loan of my C-24 wheels (essentially the same as those above, only with a little lighter hubs) when she was doing a hilly tour on her Liv (Giant women's line) hybrid. Saved her 4 1/2 pounds (with Vittoria Corsas) which she really appreciated on the hills. Unfortunately for me, I'm still waiting to get the wheels back. No road racing for me this year, so that hasn't been a big issue.
There's also a set of Hampstem-built HED tubeless wheels in our own classifieds closer to your max, but you'd have to figure out how to deal with the Campy hubs.
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=210226

[572cv]

I upgraded my good wife's Serotta with a lovely set of (2nd hand) dura ace hubs and belgium rims. They roll so well. The hubs have almost no resistance, the rims carry forward momentum and bridge bumps, they are poetry, and she, knowing her equipment, knows it. She rolls past the group on a downhill. She loves her bike. again.

A really good set of wheels is a great upgrade, a great gift. They can carry through to the next bike. The custom frame you are going to get her someday, because, well, it is so worth it, for her.

[jh_on_the_cape]

i cant find the one across the hall...

Originally Posted by torquer

If you're still looking at a wheels upgrade (absolutely the biggest upgrade for almost any off-the-shelf bike) that $250 cap won't buy huge benefits.
If you can swing another C-note, these are available across the hall:
https://www.velocipedesalon.com/foru...set-48147.html
I offered my wife the loan of my C-24 wheels (essentially the same as those above, only with a little lighter hubs) when she was doing a hilly tour on her Liv (Giant women's line) hybrid. Saved her 4 1/2 pounds (with Vittoria Corsas) which she really appreciated on the hills. Unfortunately for me, I'm still waiting to get the wheels back. No road racing for me this year, so that hasn't been a big issue.
There's also a set of Hampstem-built HED tubeless wheels in our own classifieds closer to your max, but you'd have to figure out how to deal with the Campy hubs.
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=210226

[classtimesailer]

Get her some matching 105 hubs and the new open pros 32 3x DT comps and brass nipples. Classy.