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    How to “mean up” my gravel racer

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    30 Comments

    6. lostdysonsphere on

      High profile rims immediately make any bike look better but for that budget, just ride the bike and save up, maybe some good tires but I wouldn’t add more with that budget. 

      Edit: I’ll get downvotes to hell but that MTB position is never gonna be “mean and fast”

    7. otismcotis on

      Nothing “mean” about bars higher than saddle… not that that’s a bad thing. But no matter how you modify the bike, you’re never gonna get an aggressive look with a relaxed riding position.

      Things you can change:

      – I wouldn’t try upgrading wheels on a £500 budget. Instead fit the widest tire your frame will allow – maybe 2-4 mm wider than your current tires.
      – ditch the stem mounted phone holder. Switch to a cycling computer with out-front mount instead.
      – Get the light off the bar – see if it’s possible to mount under the stem, otherwise something like the [K-Edge Max](https://k-edge.com/products/max-mount?variant=41755711373401&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=21693518587&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21693525328&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm93DBhD_ARIsADR_DjHC15R9193fYpj9qscdtKcdKgpwqINmMJfAHpgeM84nxdbe9D0lGyYaAjr6EALw_wcB) can let you mount a bike computer and light out front for a sleeker look.
      – Pick your favorite tail light and ditch the other one. Bare seatpost is sexy.
      – ditch the dork disc and reflectors

    8. HenryFlowerEsq on

      Remove phone holder, plastic cassette disc, reflectors, and one of the tail lights. add stylish front bar bag and use clipless pedals. Get some matching bottles. Ride more and eventually experiment with more aggressive positioning with regards to saddle and bar height.

    10. johnny_evil on

      When you’re sitting on the bike and the pedal is at 6 o’clock, is your leg nearly fully extended?

      Your seat looks really low in this photo.

      Personally, to me, a low seat detracts from the look of a bike.

    11. dadbodcx on

      Remove reflectors, put gravel tires on it, and spd pedals or other clipless pedals

    13. AlarmingLawyer3920 on

      Why oh why do you still have your dust caps and washer on? Bin them off. Unnecessary weight!

      You do get points for correct tyre positioning though.

    14. Dura-Ace-Ventura on

      Forget the bike, I wanna hear about your sound system! How’s it all wired up? Do you have the rack mount equalizer connected to your Yamaha, separate from the other amp and whatever is on top of it?

    16. nhbd on

      Easy- Take off the reflectors and dork disk. New tires, knobbier look better imo. Clipless pedals. Take off the phone mount. Tilt your bars down to be more level and turn your hoods in

      Hard and/or expensive- slam your stem. Wouldn’t advise for ergonomics but looks better no question. New crankset, maybe a GRX 600 crank . Wheels, Easton EA70s are good wheels you could go for off the top of my head at your budget. I’d just shop takeoffs on marketplace or whatever

    19. case2150 on

      Could get some red handlebar tape to match the trek logo. Maybe some red bottle cages.

      I would consider where you ride before changing the tires and changing to thicker or knobby tires. This is going to increase your rolling resistance and can slow you down. Also, your frame might not allow for much wider tires.

    22. jsmithx__ on

      As everyone has stated:

      Get rid of those reflectors

      Beefier tires

      Clipless pedals

      Start there, that will be under budget & gives you room to see how everything else feels and upgrade from there

    27. hozndanger on

      Deep wheels go a long way, but the “mean” aesthetic is an aggressive riding position. I.e. slam that stem.

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