Upgrade
We have compiled a list of topics related to bicycle upgrades, from full-scale upgrades for road bikes and other sport bikes to petite upgrades that make everyday bikes such as cross bikes and mini-velos more comfortable.
TOPICS
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Overview and Specifications of WheelTop's Affordable Electronic Groupset "EDS"
This article summarizes the features and specifications of the budget-friendly electronic groupset "EDS" newly released by the Chinese manufacturer WheelTop.
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What Is Shimano Shadow RD? Features and Benefits
What is Shimano’s Shadow RD used in their latest rear derailleurs? This article explains its features and the benefits of choosing Shadow RD.
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[MTB / Hybrid Bike] Hydraulic Brake Manufacturers for Flat Bars
An overview of manufacturers that produce hydraulic brakes for flat-bar MTB and hybrid bikes, along with their key features. Also includes tips on how to choose the right flat-bar hydraulic brake brand.
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Shimano Chain Compatibility for Road, MTB, and Hybrid Bikes
An overview of Shimano chain compatibility across road bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrid bikes. Includes guidance on how to choose the right chain for your drivetrain.
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Shimano ESSA Lineup and Compatibility with Existing 8-Speed Parts
An overview of Shimano's newly released 8-speed component group "ESSA" and its compatibility with existing 8-speed parts.
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Electronic Shifting Groupsets Compatible with Mechanical Brakes
A roundup of electronic shifting groupsets that work with traditional mechanical cable-actuated brakes, instead of hydraulic disc brakes.
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Advantages, Disadvantages, and Precautions of Upgrading to a Large Pulley for Rear Derailleurs
Though a relatively niche customization, upgrading a rear derailleur to a large pulley system has gained quiet popularity. This article summarizes the benefits, drawbacks, and key precautions to take when installing one.
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Overview of Electronic Shifting Systems for Bicycles: Brands and Series
Electronic shifting is becoming increasingly popular among both road and mountain bike users. This article provides an overview of major brands and series of electronic shifting systems for bicycles.
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What Is a Mullet MTB? Key Features, Pros and Cons
This article explains what a mullet mountain bike is, covering its features, advantages and disadvantages, how to choose a mullet MTB, and key points to consider when converting a standard bike.
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Emergency Solutions When You're Out of Spare Tubes
What to do when you’ve run out of spare tubes or don't have one on the road—this guide outlines emergency fixes by tire type.
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Shimano I-SPEC Shift Lever Mount Standards Explained
A complete guide to Shimano's I-SPEC shift lever mount standards, covering features, differences between models, and compatibility.
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Bicycle Disc Rotor Sizes: Features and How to Choose
Rotor size is a key factor affecting the performance of bicycle disc brakes. This article explains how rotor size impacts braking, the features of common sizes, their advantages, ideal use cases, and how to choose the right size for your riding style.
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Pros and Cons of Replacing a Road Bike Chainring
While replacing a cassette is more common, swapping out a road bike chainring also has its advantages and disadvantages. This article explains the pros and cons of replacing the chainring and how it differs from cassette replacement.
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Shimano CUES Components Lineup and Compatibility Guide
A comprehensive guide to Shimano's new CUES component group for MTB and lifestyle categories, including gear ratios, part lineup, and compatibility with traditional components.
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TPU Inner Tube: Features, Pros, and Cons for Road Bikes and MTB
TPU inner tubes are gaining attention as the third force in bicycle tires. We summarize its features, advantages and disadvantages of using it on Road bikes and MTBs, and major manufacturers.
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Shimano Mechanical Brake Levers for MTB and Hybrid Bike
Shimano mechanical brake levers are now few and far between. The following is a summary of the current model lineup, specifications, and compatible components.
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Differences Between 700C Road Wheels and 29er MTB Wheels
A comparison of the similarities and differences between 700C road bike wheels and 29er MTB wheels, including key points on how to choose and the considerations when switching between these types of wheels.
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MTB Flat Pedals: Key Brands and Product Lineups
An overview of major MTB flat pedal manufacturers and their product lineups. This guide also highlights the features of MTB flat pedals and how they differ from clipless pedals.
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Flat Bar Brake Levers: Types, Differences, and How to Choose
Flat bar brake levers, commonly used on MTBs and hybrid bikes, come in various types with distinct characteristics. This article outlines the differences and how to select the right one.
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Summary of electric components for MTB
This section summarizes the types of electric components for MTB and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
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Tubeless Tape Types and How to Choose
A guide to tubeless tapes for tubeless-ready wheels, including how to choose the right tape for your wheels and a comparison of major brands.
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Overview of RACE FACE Components and Brand Grades
RACE FACE is a popular MTB component manufacturer. This article summarizes the different product lines and grades of RACE FACE components by category.
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MTB Dropper Seatposts: Types and Considerations
The dropper seat post is becoming a "must-have" part for MTB. Here we summarize the lineup, specifications, and features of dropper seatposts for MTB from major manufacturers, as well as a comparison of each manufacturer and points to consider when choosing a dropper seatpost.
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Freehub Types, Standards, and Compatibility for Road and MTB Wheels
A summary of the different types and standards of freehubs used in road and MTB wheels, along with their compatibility with various cassettes.
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SRAM Component Grades and Compatibility Summary for MTB
This section summarizes the grades, features, and compatibility of SRAM's Eagle series of components for MTB, as well as the electric component AXS and the latest component, Eagle Transmission.
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Choosing SRAM MTB Sprockets: Compatibility and Key Considerations
SRAM components are being increasingly adopted in entry-grade MTB. In this issue, we summarize SRAM's sprockets for MTB and points to consider when choosing one.
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12-speed sprockets for MTB compatible with Shimano Free Hub(HG spline)
We have put together a 12-speed sprocket that is not part of Shimano's 12-speed lineup for MTB. With this one, it is possible to convert to 12-speed with a conventional Shimano Free Hub (HG spline) without upgrading the wheels.
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MTB suspension fork interchangeability standard! You definitely want to check when replacing.
When it comes to serious MTB customization, suspension fork upgrades are the way to go. However, there are various standards for MTB suspension forks, and if you choose the wrong one, it may not work at all.
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Shimano MTB sprocket and wheel compatibility summary
This section summarizes the compatibility of Shimano's sprockets and wheels (free bodies) for MTB, which are a mixture of old and new standards, the latest Micro Spline and the previous HG spline, and what to look out for when purchasing.
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MTB End Standards: What to Consider When Buying
Detailed explanation of MTB end standards! What is the boost standard? What is the O.L.D. that fits your MTB, points to keep in mind when buying an MTB, etc.
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MTB wheel standards and how to choose one without fail.
The following is an overview of MTB wheel standards, their compatibility, and how to choose the right wheel for you.
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What is a Tire Insert? Advantages and Disadvantages
This section summarizes what tire inserts are and the advantages and disadvantages of using them, which have been attracting attention along with the spread of tubeless tires and have recently been used in professional road racing.
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Shimano disc brake pad types and compatibility
This section summarizes the types of Shimano disc brake pads, the differences between models, and compatible brake calipers.
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TPI, Compound, Tread? Understanding Bicycle Tire Specifications
When looking for items to upgrade your road, MTB, or gravel bike tires, technical terms such as TPI, compound, and pattern appear in the descriptions. At first glance, tire specifications may seem difficult to understand, but if you keep only the important details in mind, your tire selection will be enhanced.
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Perfect Guide: How to Raise Tubeless Tire Bead
Bead raising is an essential task with tubeless tires. However, there are times when it is easy to raise the bead, and other times when it does not raise at all despite your best efforts. In this issue, we will introduce a method to raise the bead of a tubeless tire that will not raise, considering the cause.
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Bicycle Disc Rotor Distortion: Causes and Correction
If you hear a strange "shuffling" noise coming from the disc rotor area of your disc brake bicycle, it could be disc rotor distortion. This section summarizes why disc rotor distortion occurs and how to correct the distortion.
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Tubeless Booster and Air Pumps with Booster: Pros and Cons, how to choose
The booster simplifies bead raising, which is the most difficult part of tubeless installation. We have compiled a list of air pumps with booster(boost functions) that are reassuring to have one.
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Hookless Rim: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Considerations
Many "hookless rim" wheels are lightweight and cost-effective. What is hookless? We have compiled a list of advantages and disadvantages of hookless, as well as points to keep in mind when choosing.
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What is the ASTM standard for bicycle wheels?
What is the ASTM standard for bicycle wheels? We have compiled a list of points to note when choosing a wheel.
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How to Handle Flat Tires with Tubeless and Tubeless-Ready Tires
Tubeless tires have seen a dramatic increase in the number of users over the past few years. Even with tubeless and tubeless ready tires, punctures cannot be reduced to zero. The following is a summary of the causes of punctures and how to deal with them.
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