UPDATED October 29, 2026 BY The TDA Team IN Cycle Touring Advice no comments 5 Quick & Easy Bike Upgrades To Improve Your Cycle Touring ExperienceAre you happy with your current bike and cycling gear? Or are you looking for ways to improve your performance on the road? We have hosted riders on our cycling adventures for over 20 years and recently asked our in-house experts for 5 quick and easy upgrades that should have an immediate impact on your cycling performance and enjoyment out on the road.1. Pedals and shoesAn upgrade to your pedals and shoes doesnt always mean switching to clip-in pedals. If you have found that you are falling or feeling unsafe or unstable while using clip-in, the best upgrade might be to switch to sturdy soled flat shoes like mountain bike riders use. Conversely, If you are considering moving up to clip-in, thats fine, just be sure to use them a lot at home before starting your adventure. And lastly, if you are riding in regular street shoes or running shoes, we highly recommend upgrading to sturdy-soled cycling shoes.2. Tires and tubesThe simplest upgrade of them all costs you nothing besides a few more pumps on your floor pump. Find the PSI or bar rating on the tire sidewall. Once inflated to the right pressure, you will find that you will cruise along much more smoothly and efficiently.Another tire consideration upgrade from the stock tires to the flat resistant Schwalbe Marathon line of tires. These tires have been tried and tested by touring cyclist over many years and we always recommend them to our tour participants.3. Seats and bike shortsThe seat that came on your bike is probably not ideal for touring. Speak to someone at your bike shop. Have your sit bones measured and get a seat that suits your body type and is good support for long days in the saddle.Its also important to choose high quality padded cycling shorts. The midrange to higher end padded cycling shorts will do a lot to help cushion your bum and a well fitting short, with good construction, will reduce the risk of chaffing and saddle sores. Dont go cheap on cycling shorts.4. GearingThe vast majority of riders will want easier gears than what comes on a new bike from the factory. Consider upgrading to a smaller chainring or bigger cassette. Your bike shop staff can help you with this. This can be a game changer in your overall enjoyment of a cycling tour. You essentially want to have the largest range of gears (especially climbing gears) that are compatible with your bike. A few extra teeth on the gears will make all the difference when you are ascending a steep hill.5. Grips and glovesThe original grips on your bike may not be the best choice for long days on the bike in a variety of weather. Make sure you have good thick and comfortable grips. For straight bar bikes, ergonomic grips are essential to avoid hand pain and numbness. A good pair of padded gloves are also a big part of this upgrade.Choosing the Right BikeI hope our 5 upgrades help make your ride more enjoyable. We have an even more detailed blog with an accompanying in-depth video to help you choose the right bike for your next cycling tour. Whether you are hitting the road with TDA Global Cycling or another outfit, this should be a great resource for you.Got some other suggested bike upgrades? Share them in the comments.Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "5 Quick & Easy Bike Upgrades To Improve Your Cycle Touring Experience" Cancel reply