10 Coolest Mountain Bike Upgrades That Will Make Your Bike Better

A lot of us hit that point where the bike's good, but we still feel like something's missing. Not enough grip, not enough feedback. And here, we've pulled together some of the coolest mountain bike upgrades that will improve your mountain biking experience. A different pedal, smarter shock, crank set that helps you understand your power better. Stuff like that changes the ride. No gimmicks, just smart gear that works. Let's get started.

1. OneUp Wave Pedals: A Pedal Designed for How We Ride

Let's start with a pedal that actually feels like it was made for how we ride. The OneUp Wave. This thing doesn't follow the usual flat pedal shape. It's not flat, not concave either. It's shaped like a wave. Front half grabs your foot. Back half slopes down to naturally drop your heel.

That riding position gives way more control. Especially on steep descents. You feel glued to the pedal even if you're not cranking your foot down. What's neat is the pins are angled forward, which works with how your feet shift during aggressive riding.

Plus, it's built tough with a sealed axle system and three cartridge bearings. Fully serviceable at home, too, so you're not tossing it after a rough season. If you're someone who rides clipped out, but still wants grip and control, this might be your next go-to.

2. Deity Super Cush Grips: Comfort for Your Hands

And speaking of comfort, wait till you check out the grips we're diving into next. Once your feet are sorted, next up is your hands. And Deity Super Cush grips are all about all day comfort. These are beefy with a 34 mm outer diameter, so they feel super cushy even when the trail gets rough.

The grip pattern is deep and squishy, which gives great control without needing to clamp down too hard. That's a big deal when you're on long rides or dealing with constant chatter. 

The TRC Plus compound feels soft, but it's built to last. It doesn't wear down too fast like some of the ultra soft ones out there.

The inner sleeve tapers perfectly around the bar, so there's no weird movement underneath. And that single locking clamp, clean, simple, with a forward bolt that stays tight without fuss. If your hands usually feel numb or buzzed out after rides, this upgrade really makes a difference.

3. PNW LOM Carbon Handlebar: Changing the Cockpit Feel

But now, let's move on to something that changes how the whole cockpit feels. Your handlebar. Handlebars usually don't get much attention, but they can change how your whole bike feels. The LOM carbon bar from PNW is one of those upgrades you don't think you need until you ride with it.

It's got this mix of stiffness across and flex up and down, which helps smooth out those harsh hits without making the front feel vague. That's because of their CBD layup. Not that kind. It's their own tuned carbon layering that eats up trail chatter while keeping things precise in corners.

The 800 mm width and relaxed geometry also put your wrists in a more natural position, which helps if you're riding longer trails or taking bigger hits. And don't worry, it's tough enough for DH and eBike use. You can feel the balance between comfort and control here.

4. Rock Shocks Vivid Rear Shock: Plushness for Downhill Riders

Now, if you're pushing descents, let's get into a rear shock that's built exactly for that kind of riding. All right, this one's for the downhill crowd or anyone who's tired of their rear end feeling sketchy on big hits. The Rock Shocks Vivid brings that coil-like plushness without the weight.

It's an air shock, but it doesn't feel like one. That's mostly because of the new touchdown damping. Early travel feels forgiving, then firms up as you go deeper into the stroke, so you don't get that harsh bottom out feeling, even on drops.

And tuning, it's actually super specific. You balance air pressure between positive and negative chambers at deeper sag points, around 35%. That gives you more control over small bump sensitivity and mid-stroke support. It's not plug-and-play, but once dialed in, it's hard to go back.

If you're running a capable frame, this thing unlocks way more from it.

5. Race Era Carbon Wheels: Lightweight, Strong, and Compliant

Next up, we'll talk about something lightweight but strong. Designed to carry gear without slowing you down. If you've ever ridden carbon wheels that feel too stiff or too harsh, the Race Era might surprise you. These wheels are tuned with something called compliance.

What that means? It's less chatter and will give you more control. The front wheel flexes just a bit more to help with tracking, while the rear one stays stiff to hold up on impacts. They even designed the rim edges to spread out impact forces, which helps cut down on pinch flats.

• The anvil edge bead wall spreads out the force during a hard hit, which helps prevent pinch flats.
• It took 3 years, 45 testers, and over 5,000 ride hours to lock this design in.
• The result is a set of 29er wheels at just 1,750 g, backed by a lifetime crash warranty.

So, yeah, these aren't just about weight. They're about ride quality and confidence when it gets fast and wild.

6. SDG Telus V2 Dropper Post: Reliable and Adjustable

Now, if you just want a dropper post that works every time, the Telus V2 is an easy pick. SDG didn't try to reinvent the wheel here. They just made everything better. Thicker stanchion, lower stack height, and smoother head design.

You've got easy access to the saddle clamp bolts now, so adjusting saddle tilt doesn't feel like surgery. Inside, it's still a sealed cartridge with IGUS bushings, which means it runs smooth and doesn't need much from us.

What's really handy is the travel adjustment. Every post comes with shims so we can fine-tune the drop to our fit without swapping models. It's available in a bunch of lengths up to 230 mm and all the common diameters, too. 

Whether you're tall, short, or somewhere in between, this post should slot right into your setup without any drama.

Also Read: Discover the Canyon Grail Rift: Gravel Biking Meets Suspension Innovation

7. Fidlock Vacuum Phone Mount: Snap, Twist, and Ride

Phone mounts can be a headache. Some bounce around, others need two hands just to clip in. The Fidlock vacuum mount just works. You twist the base onto your stem cap, snap your phone in, and you're good to roll.

It uses magnets and suction together, so your phone feels locked in, but pops off easily when you're done. You can spin it 360°, too, which is nice for switching between maps and video.

The mount works with their magnetic phone cases, or you can just slap a universal patch on the one you already have. 

What's cool is you can move it to your car, too. Same mount, different base. It's the kind of little upgrade that keeps your cockpit clean and your phone right where you want it. No rattle, no drama. Just snap, twist, and ride.

8. Shimano XT SPD Pedals: Durable and High Performance

If you're hitting rough trails and want to stay locked in with full control, Shimano's XT are hard to beat. These are SPD pedals built for trail and enduro with a wide contact area and a slightly lower stack height that helps with stable pedaling whether you're climbing techy stuff or hammering through fast descents.

The integrated cage adds protection and gives us more support even when we're not fully clipped in. You also get adjustable tension which is handy if you like to fine-tune that in-n-out feel.

And yeah, these can take a beating. That chromoly spindle and the solid body are built to shrug off rock strikes. It's a smart upgrade for anyone who rides hard and doesn't want to fuss over gear. Clip in, rip trails, and just forget about them. They're that solid.

9. Cane Creek Taigon Rear Shock: Best of Both Worlds

All right, this one's for riders who want that smooth coil feel, but with more punch in the middle. The Cane Creek Taigon mixes a coil's grip with a clever air chamber called the ramp tube. 

That extra support helps during big hits and hard pushes, which makes this shock feel way more playful without losing that planted vibe.

It holds traction like a classic coil, but it won't bottom out the way some coils do. And thanks to the new layout, it also deals better with side loads, so it stays stiff and supportive even under odd landings or heavy corners.

This isn't just a tweak to an old shock. It's a full redesign with trail and enduro riders in mind. If you've ever wanted the best of both worlds, coil comfort, and air backup, Taigon nails that balance. Grip, support, and a playful ride feel all in one tidy package.

10. Rotor Inspire Capic Carbon Crankset: Power Meter Integration

If you care about numbers, weight, and clean looks, the Rotor Inspire Capic carbon crank set is what you need. This setup blends a carbon crank with an integrated power meter in the Spider, so nothing sticks out or clutters the bike's look.

The Inspire is light, just 105 g, and it's built tough. It's waterproof, dustproof, and happy to ride in temps from -20 to 50° C. Pair it with ANT+ or Bluetooth, and you're good to go with any bike computer.

The modular design also means it fits Boost and Super Boost frames, and it plays nice with Shimano and SRAM 1x12 or 1x11 drivetrains. You can even slap on Q-rings if you're into oval chain rings for smoother power and less knee stress.

For riders who want real performance data without extra weight or hassle, this is one of the cleanest ways to upgrade your drivetrain.

Summary Table of Upgrades

Upgrade	Key Features	Best For
OneUp Wave Pedals	Wave shape, forward-angled pins, sealed axle, serviceable	Riders wanting grip and control, clipped or flat
Deity Super Cush Grips	34 mm diameter, TRC Plus compound, locking clamp	Comfort on long rides, reduce hand numbness
PNW LOM Carbon Handlebar	CBD layup, 800 mm width, flex up/down, stiff across	Trail riders needing comfort and control
Rock Shocks Vivid Rear Shock	Touchdown damping, air shock with coil feel, tunable	Downhill and aggressive riders
Race Era Carbon Wheels	Compliance tuned, anvil edge bead, 1750 g, lifetime warranty	Riders wanting lightweight, durable wheels
SDG Telus V2 Dropper Post	Thicker stanchion, travel adjustment shims, sealed cartridge	All riders needing reliable dropper posts
Fidlock Vacuum Phone Mount	Magnet + suction, 360° rotation, quick snap-on/off	Riders wanting secure, easy phone mounting
Shimano XT SPD Pedals	Wide contact, adjustable tension, durable chromoly spindle	Trail and enduro riders needing reliable pedals
Cane Creek Taigon Rear Shock	Coil feel + air ramp tube, side load support, playful	Trail and enduro riders wanting coil and air benefits
Rotor Inspire Capic Carbon Crankset	Integrated power meter, lightweight, modular, waterproof	Performance-focused riders tracking power

FAQs About Mountain Bike Upgrades

1. Why should I upgrade my pedals?
   Upgrading pedals like the OneUp Wave provides better grip, control, and foot positioning, which enhances safety and riding confidence especially on technical terrain.
2. Are softer grips better for long rides?
   Yes, grips like the Deity Super Cush with a soft compound reduce hand fatigue and numbness by absorbing trail chatter, making long rides more comfortable.
3. How can a handlebar affect my ride?
   Handlebars like the PNW LOM carbon bar can improve comfort and control by balancing stiffness and flex, reducing wrist strain and smoothing rough trail impacts.
4. What is touchdown damping in shocks?
   Touchdown damping is a feature in shocks like the Rock Shocks Vivid that provides a plush feel early in the travel and firms up deeper in the stroke to prevent harsh bottom outs.
5. Why choose wheels with compliance tuning?
   Compliance-tuned wheels, such as Race Era carbon wheels, flex slightly to absorb trail chatter, improving control and reducing fatigue without sacrificing strength.
6. What makes the SDG Telus V2 dropper post stand out?
   It offers smooth operation, travel adjustability with shims, and easy saddle tilt adjustment, making it versatile and user-friendly for all riders.
7. How does the Fidlock Vacuum mount work?
   It uses a combination of magnets and suction to securely hold your phone on the bike, allowing quick attachment and removal with a simple twist and snap.
8. Are Shimano XT pedals durable?
   Yes, Shimano XT SPD pedals have a chromoly spindle and solid body designed to withstand rock strikes and rough riding conditions, making them very durable.
9. What benefits does the Cane Creek Taigon shock offer?
   It combines coil-like traction and air shock adjustability for a playful yet supportive ride, handling big hits and side loads effectively.
10. Why invest in a power meter crankset?
    A crankset like the Rotor Inspire Capic provides accurate power data without extra weight or bulk, helping riders track performance and improve training.

Gear up, hit the trails, and experience the difference these upgrades can make. Thanks for reading. For more biking tips and upgrades, check out our website.