Should I upgrade my Trek 2.3 or replace it?

lastbuilders · 03-03-2026 10:18PM

Screenshot_2026-03-03-21-15-02-35_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg

Thanks for the advice. Might get these to see if it helps. I wonder how much "easier" will it make the spins. 😉

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124280797#Comment_124280797

nicksnikita · 03-03-2026 10:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124280410#Comment_124280410

Thanks for the shout out chief.

nicksnikita · 03-03-2026 10:38PM

Mavics are always a good shout. Pair them with the gp5000s and you should be onto a winner.

You could probably land a set of carbon aero wheels from a Chinese manufacturer at that budget but that doesn’t suit everyone..

Large bottle small glass · 04-03-2026 07:39AM

If you are losing people when speed goes up travelling downhill it's a confidence/bike handling issue.

Credit card or new wheels won't fix it.

By struggling there you are adding difficulty to part of a ride you could be recovering in when out with stronger riders.

Get out more, talk to whoever leads group and incrementally get better.

Get the gp5000 tyres maybe. The difference between wheelsets at the speeds most regular lads do is tiny; changing wheels without fixing your cycling is majoring in the minors

lastbuilders · 04-03-2026 11:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124283308#Comment_124283308

I know I do need to work on my confidence when downhill in the rain ok like last weekends spin but I feel I was getting more comfortable last year when I made about 15 spins and hope to do more this year. I actually was keeping in the pack for longer as the year went on too. I'm going to order in a few weeks so will keep an eye out for other options in the mean time. Touch wood I have not even changed a tube, tyre or chain in the roughly 13 years (famous last words I know 😜) I have the bike and am on the same stock setup so think a new wheelset and tyres are warranted at this point. Having invested it will also motivate to get our more 😁Thanks

CramCycle · 05-03-2026 08:57AM

When I got my Newman wheels, the difference in downhills was I was freewheeling into the back of the rider in front and had to feather the breaks. On my old Askiums, I had to pedal to hold the wheel. In my opinion, it makes a difference. Not much, and it's not like I had to burst myself but there is a difference if riders are opening up on the downhill. The difference in uphills was noticeable as well with the drop in weight. Tyres, followed by a wheelset are the best investment if nothing else has changed on the bike.

nicksnikita · 05-03-2026 10:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124283308#Comment_124283308

upgrading from 10+ year old stock Bontragers to a mid-range wheelset will make a noticeable difference. Would probably drop 0.5kg also.
Especially with gp5000s

CramCycle · 05-03-2026 10:51PM

https://www.winspace.cc/collections/wheelsets/products/lun-hyper-50mm-rim-brake-wheelset under 700 so you can also get GP5000S under budget. Maybe email the lad who runs More Aero and see can he get them in for the same price so you are at least supporting local.

Large bottle small glass · 06-03-2026 09:13AM

I am an occasional 48 year old cyclist, 10-12 cycles a year of 40 Kms or so, who does quite a bit of running and is thinking of getting more into cycling in 2024.

Hi All, I'm back. Ended up not cycling much last year as focused on running

Hi, I am normally fine on the flat. It has been on the downhill I was dropped recently where there is a bend on the downhill as I am not as confident here going at 55+km/h 😬.

There is only one group too that might split in two mid spin but all the riders would have many more miles in than myself."

That's 3 direct quotes from the OP.

We can summarise

*He has limited cycling experience

*He's cycling in a group with more experienced and likely fitter cyclists who are more comfortable group riding.

*He's primarily struggling going downhill at a higher speed in the group

Getting more comfortable cycling at speed in a group and learning how to safely descend in a more aero position are his solutions. This solutions are incremental and will take sometime.

Saving 1-3W between an old hub and newer higher grade hubs is as I've said majoring in the minors.

Weirdly all the original advice were it's not the bike 😄

lastbuilders · 06-03-2026 02:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124289605#Comment_124289605

Yes, it's the engine or lack thereof 😄 but I think some upgrades are due.

CramCycle · 06-03-2026 04:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124289605#Comment_124289605

Missed that one:

Hi, I am normally fine on the flat. It has been on the downhill I was dropped recently where there is a bend on the downhill as I am not as confident here going at 55+km/h 😬.

Practice and GP5000s are the initial answer here, I definitely felt more confident on the GP5000 but as you said, I also had the experience to push them to see how far I could go with them. Bigger tyres will help with dampening road feedback, lowering pressure a bit as well if he is running them at higher than necessary.

New wheels though will be a benefit once you get those other things sorted.

Also at the OP, get out more than 12 or 13 times a year.

lastbuilders · 07-03-2026 01:00PM

I put the tyres up to 100-110 psi so maybe if I lower this a little it might be better.

Large bottle small glass · 07-03-2026 01:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124293407#Comment_124293407

https://int.vittoria.com/pages/tire-pressure

https://silca.cc/en-eu/pages/pro-tire-pressure-calculator?srsltid=AfmBOortU_oT-xVuuGgp52DARKnRj8GMftHn1KRt1YiHAbmLTRecm5CC

I'm 90kgs or so and total weight including bike is over 100kgs.

With 30mm/32mm tyres I'm down around 60psi for a decade without any real issue. I ride primarily on really bad broken surfaces.

CramCycle · 07-03-2026 09:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124293407#Comment_124293407

Definitely lower, I used to pump mine to 120psi but now get around fine at 80psi on 25c, and many ride lower. The SILCA calculator will give a good ball park, I imagine it will recommend almost half what you are on. To get the beat bang for buck, get good supple tyres eg GP5000s

lastbuilders · 07-03-2026 10:40PM

The tyres are Bortrager 700 * 23 and has 90-125 psi on the side. I weigh 83.5 Kg.

There is a spin in the morning so might try going to 90. Silca said 92 and 94

lastbuilders · 08-03-2026 07:35PM

55k spin today. Went well and put tyres at 90psi. Do need to fuel up beforehand as tired badly in last 15k which was also the hilliest. Did one of my faster 5k Splits at 34km/h early on when in a group of 3 so, for me😄, that was a success.

nicksnikita · 08-03-2026 08:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124296558#Comment_124296558

tidy

Seth Brundle · 08-03-2026 09:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124296558#Comment_124296558

Fuel before, during & after! And keep hydrating!

I tend to eat a banana every 40 or 50km. Some eat bars, others prefer gels. Whatever works for you!

lastbuilders · 10-03-2026 07:19PM

Wheelset and tyres on the way. Mentioned it to the better half and am not very popular so they better be gold plated 😁

Large bottle small glass · 10-03-2026 07:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124302100#Comment_124302100

"Mentioned it to the better half"

You have a bit to learn when off the bike to 😁

lastbuilders · 22-03-2026 09:47PM

Wheelset and GP5000s arrived. Can't wait to get them fitted over next few weeks. Did club spin this morning and with a lot of help managed 70km at 26.5 average so starting to get a bit stronger. Some hills still a challenge but bit by bit are getting more manageable.

nicksnikita · 23-03-2026 09:54PM

tidy. Best of luck with them

MojoMaker · 26-03-2026 02:18PM

What wheels did you go for in the end?

lastbuilders · 26-03-2026 02:47PM

Ksyrium SLs

MojoMaker · 26-03-2026 02:57PM

Ah yea, nice. GP5Ks will complement them nicely - happy riding 🙂

lastbuilders · 01-04-2026 12:53PM

Bike in to get set up, rebuilt, new cables, brake pads, bar tape and wheelset installed. Can't wait to try it out 😀. Might be able to keep up now 😉.

MojoMaker · 02-04-2026 09:36AM

You won't know yourself!

CramCycle · 02-04-2026 10:23AM

I want data, Strava pre and post updates, speed, HR, RPE etc. We need people to know if new wheels are good, and if so, by what measurable metric.

Should I upgrade my Trek 2.3 or replace it?

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