Is It WORTH IT to Upgrade the Tron Bike?

Summary

In this video, the creator provides an updated analysis of the best bike and wheel setups for various routes, considering the latest bike performance updates. Using Zwifterbikes, the video compares the top non-Tron bike frames and wheel sets for flat, rolling, hilly, and climbing routes. Key comparisons include the fully upgraded Tron bike versus standard bikes, showing that the Tron’s upgrades aren't cost-effective for most riders. The creator recommends upgrading bikes strategically, starting with versatile frames and climbers, while suggesting ENVE 8.9 wheels for a good all-around performance. The video concludes with valuable tips for smart bike and wheel upgrades.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video provides an update on the best bike and wheel setups for different routes after a major update to bike performances.
• 😀 The Zwifterbikes website is used as the primary source for bike and wheel performance analysis.
• 😀 For most people, the focus is on having a level 5 bike for comparison, as upgrades for good bikes are not overly steep.
• 😀 Three best non-Tron bike frames and wheel sets are compared for each route type, including a comparison to the fully upgraded Tron bike.
• 😀 The video focuses on five routes ranging from flat to climbing, comparing bike frames and wheelsets separately for each route.
• 😀 On flat routes like Magnificent Eight, bike performance differences are minimal, with the fully upgraded Tron bike being only 3 seconds faster, which is not worth the high upgrade cost.
• 😀 On rolling routes like Volcano Climb, the top three bike frames and wheelsets show almost identical performance, with the upgraded Tron bike again being marginally faster by just 3 seconds.
• 😀 For fairly hilly routes like Elevation Evaluation, bike performance starts to separate slightly, but the fully upgraded Tron bike is still only slightly slower.
• 😀 On super hilly routes, such as the Mountain route, bike performance differences remain small, but the Tron bike falls significantly behind.
• 😀 On pure climbing routes like Ventop, the best frame clearly outperforms others, with wheels like Lightway Meilensteins showing a tie, while the Tron bike is completely ineffective.
• 😀 The Tron bike is not recommended due to its insane upgrade cost and poor performance, especially in comparison to fully upgraded standard bikes that are more versatile and practical for most routes.
• 😀 For bike upgrading strategy, it's best to fully upgrade a frame suitable for most routes first (e.g., S Works SL8), then upgrade a climber (e.g., Specialized Aethos), and lastly consider upgrading a TT bike or Tron bike, if desired.
• 😀 For wheels, ENVE 8.9s are recommended as the best option, offering solid performance across flat and hilly routes while also being visually appealing.

Q & A

Why is the presenter using Zwifterbikes website for the analysis?

The Zwifterbikes website is considered the best source for bike and wheel performance data, making it ideal for the analysis presented in the video.

What is the assumed rider profile used in the comparisons?

The assumed rider profile includes a height of 180 cm, weight of 75 kg, FTP of 300W, and power output of 250W.

Why is the presenter focusing on level 5 bikes in the video?

Level 5 bikes are used because most riders will either have or will reach this level soon, making comparisons with lower-level bikes less meaningful.

What routes are analyzed in the video, and what do they represent?

The video analyzes five different routes: Magnificent Eight (flat route), Volcano Climb (rolling course), Elevation Evaluation (hilly route), Mountain route (super hilly), and Ventop (pure climbing route). These represent various types of terrain for different riding conditions.

What is the performance difference between the top bikes and wheels on flat routes?

On flat routes like Magnificent Eight, the top three bikes and the best three wheel sets are almost identical in performance, with only a very small difference in times.

What are the issues with using the Tron bike, especially without upgrades?

The Tron bike, especially without upgrades, performs poorly compared to fully upgraded standard bikes. The upgrade costs for the Tron bike are also excessively high, making it impractical for most riders.

What is the best bike for hilly routes according to the video?

For hilly routes, the Specialized Aethos is recommended as the best climber bike due to its superior performance.

How does the Tron bike compare to other bikes on rolling and hilly courses?

The Tron bike is significantly behind on rolling and hilly routes, especially without upgrades. Even with upgrades, it only performs slightly better than standard bikes in specific conditions.

What is the recommended bike upgrade strategy?

The recommended upgrade strategy is to fully upgrade a versatile frame first (like the S Works SL8), then upgrade a climber bike (Specialized Aethos), and finally, you can choose a time trial bike or other bikes depending on your preferences.

Which wheels are recommended for riders, especially for a mix of terrains?

The ENVE 8.9 wheels are recommended for their versatility across flat to hilly routes. They also have the added benefit of looking good.

Is upgrading the Tron bike worth it?

No, upgrading the Tron bike is not worth it due to the high cost and low performance improvement, especially on more challenging routes. The cost of upgrading the Tron bike is excessive compared to other viable upgrade options.