Left: crappy RaceFace dropper, that's been warrantied twice, I just need to sack up and buy a new one already.

Best upgrades:
-Spank wheelset w/ i9 Hydra's
-DVO Diamond fork & Ohlins TTX Air 2 shock
-AXS
-TRP DHR EVO brakes

 

On my Dragonslayer I've upgraded/replaced everything with the exception of the frame (soon to be replaced with a Sherpa frame) , headset, derailleur, and front/back rims.

On my Fezzari I've upgraded/replaced the tires, brakes, rotors, handlebar, grips, stem, seat, seat clamp, shock, chainring, crank, and pedals.

My most impactful upgrades (between both bikes) have been my Cane Creek DBAirIL shock, Marcocchi Bomber Z2 fork, XT 4-pot brakes w/ Ice Tech rotors, and Code RSC brakes w/HS2 rotors and MTX Red brake pads. Of course the connecting points are big upgrades too. I like a high rise bar and slammed stem.

I still have yet to try a nice set of wheels. I plan on doing that next year.

I haven't felt the need to upgrade any drivetrains, besides the chainrings (for ovalized ones). They work so well, that an upgrade doesn't even cross my mind. I'm still rockin' my 11-speed SLX derailleur/cassette on my Dragonslayer. I even downgraded the SLX shifter to a Deore for the I-Spec-EV function.The 12-speed GX on the Fezzari is also perfectly fine.

 

My oldest bike, a SS Raleigh XXIX only has three factory parts remaining. The rigid fork, headset and seat post clamp. Every other part has been replaced. Best upgrades:

1. Tires - Currently on 2.5/2.6 Teravails. Much better than the 2.25 RaRas and Crossmarks that were on it for many years, and I'm sure light years better than whatever came on it.
2. Riser bar - the bike isn't the only thing getting older
3. ESI Chunky Grips - 10+ years on these (multiple sets) and wouldn't ride rigid without them.

 

I've only purchased two bikes built up. Others I built myself. The one I improved most is my 2006 Specialized HardRock. Only the frame is left. Best upgrades were adding hydraulic brakes and swapping out the 80mm coil fork for a 120mm frankenfork built with the uppers of a Rockshox Recon Silver TK, 27.5 Sektor lowers (which gave me a thru-axle; had a QR skewer before), and swapped the damper to an Argyle MoCo damper.

Sent from my brain using my hand.

 

Favorite upgrades: m8000/MT5 shiguras (with 203 rotors), enve M9 bar, wtb pure saddle, high engagement hubs. And its more of an accessory, but a 1/2 frame bag that fits an apidura bladder.

All of my bikes are metal, I am not that interested in carbon frames but I do want to try a carbon wheelset, possibly Zipp motos.

 

Best upgrades on my Enduro bike

1. We are One wheelset
2. Vorsprung tuned rear shock
3. MTX gold brake pads
4. X01 cassette
5. PNW Range bar - 10 degree sweep is very comfortable

 

• Quality tires adjusted for use/needs.
• PNW dropper post.
• Oval chainring. I always thought these were a gimmick. Not on technical climbs.
• Orange Seal. I always used Stan's and thought topping air was normal. Now I hardly ever top air (though I always check) and seals much faster.
• Stainless shift cables. Shifting without adjustments for a loong time.

 

Best ever upgrade was the Gravity Dropper I bought in 2005 to replace the rigid post.

Second best upgrade is buying good tires. The DHF MaxxGrip in standard EXO casing is the golden unicorn tire I have been searching for for years for a front tire.

I seldom buy complete bikes, so I seldom leave much behind. I did pull the Cane Creek Kistuma Air off my Tilt frame and sell it as a new take off. More of a lateral move then an upgrade. I just wanted something that was user-serviceable.

 

I have parts that have been on several bikes.

1. Race Face Next SL wheels. They are on their third bike and still straight and round.
2. My 60mm -20 rise stem. Bikes don't come speced with them.
3. Last but not least my Selle Italia saddle. It is on its 8th bike, got it way back in 2012. Probably 50,000km on that saddle. I have a brand new sitting in a box to replace it when the time comes.

Best up grades.
1. transfer SL dropper
2. 2022 SC34

 

Mavic SLR wheels, Shimano XTR drivetrains, and Magura brakes. I am still riding bikes with all of these parts and a lot of them are now almost 15 years old.