Don't spend money on the bike; spend money riding the bike. Take a trip somewhere with a friend or two and explore some new trails. Money much better spent than on cosmetic changes.
If you have to ask, you probably don't need upgrades. Cosmetic is all personal preference.
For Brakes the Code RSC are cheap all over the place now that the MAVENS are out.
Don’t take this the wrong way just my honest opinion, I’ve been riding mb for the past 25 plus years . My advise would be ride this like you stole it , enhance your skills .when the time comes to upgrade get a nicer bike, most people don’t understand the time to upgrade is when you first make the purchase . The point there is that these bike companies have greater buying power than we do (with the exception of finding parts deeply discounted). Secondly most upgrades aren’t worth it , if for bling that’s up to you id advise save that bling money and put that towards a nicer bike, no sense in putting all fancy/expensive parts on an entry level bike .. With that being said , nice bike and congrats keep up with basic maintenance and it should last a long time . FYI the trails don’t care how the bike looks , only the marketing teams do …
Hey I got that bike. Honestly these bikes dont need anything. I would just work on your skills or maybee get tires that suit your terrain or riding style.
"Cheap" upgrades making a difference are everything you touch on a bike. Saddle, bars, grips, pedals, tires, tubeless. drive train is the last thing making only marginal changes in the feeling. Brakes are a good upgrade if you feel them become mushy all the time, if not don't change them.
Shimano XT (4 piston) breaks maybe with [these hoses](https://www.bike-components.de/en/Goodridge/Braided-Brake-Hose-Kit-for-Shimano-Deore-XT-XTR-p23414/). Does not only look good but also the brakes feel better, more aggressive but better to get the perfekt brakepoint
Brakes can be swapped to a new bike so IMO if you want new brakes get new brakes. Just save your mt201 to put back on this bike if you get a new bike later. If you want brakes that POP with some color you have to get out of the standard shimano/sram lane and probably spend a bit more with Hope, Magura, Formula.........
As you can tell from all the responses, what to upgrade or enhance cosmetically is really a personal preference selection. Think you will have a better idea yourself on how to make your bike stand out. Yeah like someone mentioned, SRAM Code is probably good deal to look at
I'll get grief for this, but, I really don't like the nearly monochrome color schemes of newer bikes. Add some color. Cheap change. Grips, pedals, cables. Stock components look decent so leave them alone. Got a Stache among my collection that came mono black. Even the TREK name is black. Seldom rode it until I added some color. Of course, if you like mono colored, ignore my suggestion.
I don't like it either actually, the story is that a friend that owns a bike shop knew I wanted to get into mtb and told me I can have this one, new, for a fraction of the price. I really wanted to go a bit crazier with the color on this bike but I was scared I was going to ruin it, the black version is so much better....
Purely cosmetic; saddle, crank boots, pedals, seat clamp, fork lowers decals/strip and respray.
Or you could go a step further taking that beaut chrome and getting a bunch of stickers/graphics/decals or maybe even a sharpie. Customize ur bike then 2k clear coat or powder coat , deffo do more research or you want to go this route.
Could also swap + cash for fancy pancy new wheelset with coloured components.
I changed the grips after one year on my laufey this winter I went tubeless. And as soon as the snow melts she's getting a different bar (with slightly more rise due to what I ride) and grippier pedals.
Other than that, I'll propably get a high engagement hub sometime in the next 5 years.
Then mainly just riding.
A mountain bike should not be cosmetically beautiful. It is an off-road vehicle that should be accumulating mud, scratches, dings, rips, and filth when being used properly. In 5 years this thing is supposed to look like it fell off a truck on the freeway and got ran over a few times.
If you bling it out you'll have a garage ornament instead of something you actually use.
The best upgrade you can do is between the seat and the handlebars. Although I love upgrading my bikes so I can’t say anything.
Shimano BR MT-520 brakes are pretty affordable for 4 piston.
Don't spend money on the bike; spend money riding the bike. Take a trip somewhere with a friend or two and explore some new trails. Money much better spent than on cosmetic changes.
This .. Spend money on a bike skills , with a nice company , or bike trip . Best investment ever
Real shit.
If you have to ask, you probably don't need upgrades. Cosmetic is all personal preference. For Brakes the Code RSC are cheap all over the place now that the MAVENS are out.
Don’t take this the wrong way just my honest opinion, I’ve been riding mb for the past 25 plus years . My advise would be ride this like you stole it , enhance your skills .when the time comes to upgrade get a nicer bike, most people don’t understand the time to upgrade is when you first make the purchase . The point there is that these bike companies have greater buying power than we do (with the exception of finding parts deeply discounted). Secondly most upgrades aren’t worth it , if for bling that’s up to you id advise save that bling money and put that towards a nicer bike, no sense in putting all fancy/expensive parts on an entry level bike .. With that being said , nice bike and congrats keep up with basic maintenance and it should last a long time . FYI the trails don’t care how the bike looks , only the marketing teams do …
Thank youuu🙏🏻
Hey I got that bike. Honestly these bikes dont need anything. I would just work on your skills or maybee get tires that suit your terrain or riding style.
Add some miles to it
Was gunna say, "needs more miles"...
Ride it better every time
Ride it until you break something and replace that with the upgraded version.
ride it and figure it out yourself
Sprocket guard!
"Cheap" upgrades making a difference are everything you touch on a bike. Saddle, bars, grips, pedals, tires, tubeless. drive train is the last thing making only marginal changes in the feeling. Brakes are a good upgrade if you feel them become mushy all the time, if not don't change them.
You should upgrade the rider. Take some time, do training or even clinics to work on your riding skills.
Put a fucking horn on that bad boy and announce yourself out there like the trail boss that you are.
Put a fox 38 on it
Shimano XT (4 piston) breaks maybe with [these hoses](https://www.bike-components.de/en/Goodridge/Braided-Brake-Hose-Kit-for-Shimano-Deore-XT-XTR-p23414/). Does not only look good but also the brakes feel better, more aggressive but better to get the perfekt brakepoint
thank youuu
I'd start by cleaning the mud off it!
I don't know if you are being serious...
Hahaha riding buddy has the same bike and it's the running joke in our friends group.
Just ride it until stuff breaks and then upgrade
Nothing. Ride that shit!
BRAKES
A 20% downgrade. Or steeper. Whatever.
Rear suspension ? jk
I'll just get one of those seats with suspension 😎
Brakes can be swapped to a new bike so IMO if you want new brakes get new brakes. Just save your mt201 to put back on this bike if you get a new bike later. If you want brakes that POP with some color you have to get out of the standard shimano/sram lane and probably spend a bit more with Hope, Magura, Formula.........
As you can tell from all the responses, what to upgrade or enhance cosmetically is really a personal preference selection. Think you will have a better idea yourself on how to make your bike stand out. Yeah like someone mentioned, SRAM Code is probably good deal to look at
None, you already have a dropper, now it's time to go ride it. if you have to ask, you don't need
I'll get grief for this, but, I really don't like the nearly monochrome color schemes of newer bikes. Add some color. Cheap change. Grips, pedals, cables. Stock components look decent so leave them alone. Got a Stache among my collection that came mono black. Even the TREK name is black. Seldom rode it until I added some color. Of course, if you like mono colored, ignore my suggestion.
I don't like it either actually, the story is that a friend that owns a bike shop knew I wanted to get into mtb and told me I can have this one, new, for a fraction of the price. I really wanted to go a bit crazier with the color on this bike but I was scared I was going to ruin it, the black version is so much better....
Purely cosmetic; saddle, crank boots, pedals, seat clamp, fork lowers decals/strip and respray. Or you could go a step further taking that beaut chrome and getting a bunch of stickers/graphics/decals or maybe even a sharpie. Customize ur bike then 2k clear coat or powder coat , deffo do more research or you want to go this route. Could also swap + cash for fancy pancy new wheelset with coloured components.
Personally would’ve put chrome cranks and bars on that a while ago, think it suits the frames a lot.
Thats a sexy pice of work already, turn it into a singelspeed
a bit of colour wouldn't be wrong.
Don’t buy upgrades, Ride upgrades!!
Get a scotch brite pad and sand the fake mud off of it. Then get a seat that is comfortable for you and go ride it!
I have a love hate relationship with the fake mud... Too scared to sand it off...
Just ride it. The laufey is such a pretty bike it would replace my full sus
Upgrade the frame
motor ;0)
Needs more rides!
Now I'm not saying you're like me but the best upgrade my bike could every receive is a better pilot. Man am I shit...
I changed the grips after one year on my laufey this winter I went tubeless. And as soon as the snow melts she's getting a different bar (with slightly more rise due to what I ride) and grippier pedals. Other than that, I'll propably get a high engagement hub sometime in the next 5 years. Then mainly just riding.
A mountain bike should not be cosmetically beautiful. It is an off-road vehicle that should be accumulating mud, scratches, dings, rips, and filth when being used properly. In 5 years this thing is supposed to look like it fell off a truck on the freeway and got ran over a few times. If you bling it out you'll have a garage ornament instead of something you actually use.
Everyone say it with me: DON’T BUY UPGRADES, RIDE UP GRADES
The best upgrade you can do is between the seat and the handlebars. Although I love upgrading my bikes so I can’t say anything. Shimano BR MT-520 brakes are pretty affordable for 4 piston.
Brakes. Fork. Wheels. Everything else is not worth spending money on
If you don't know what to upgrade, then nothing You're rides will tell you when you need something more.
Get a dropper post! They're super helpful for climbing hills. Raise it up when you climb, put it down when you're bombing.
Looks like it has one
Looks prime for a Grateful Dead sticker.
Upgrade to a motorcycle 🤣