After seeing the picture I'd say that Hillborne looks great as is. I have used most of those parts and they are solid choices. I still stand behind the Nitto S83 seatpost though, especially if you are switching to a Brooks which can require some futzing to get the tilt dialed in.
I think now you need some accessories like: - A small saddle bag to carry a tube, patch kit, tools, tire levers - Bottle cages, oh heck go all out and get Nitto - Frame Pump like a Silca to fit that pump peg - If you don't want to commit to a full time rear rack, you can get a Ortlieb Quick Rack, which has small studs that stay attached to the eyelets and then pops on and off in a minute. REI sells them. https://us.ortlieb.com/products/quick-rack?srsltid=AfmBOoqlfeMycBwgy9NB2b5j-V7HLWdjHn2iXwypYsSkqR-uAgNsn8bO&variant=45562361282738 - A larger handlebar bag. There are lots of kinds, I'm liking my much cheaper Chrome, but maybe a Riv Sackville Rollo. https://www.rivbike.com/products/sackville-ezpz?variant=41110260842607 On Mon, Jun 15, 2026 at 10:35 AM Bill Lindsay <[email protected]> wrote: > That's a great looking bike, and the OP wants to upgrade some of the stock > components. I think the important step is to consider one important > question: What will these upgrades accomplish? Lots of people endeavor > upgrading their bikes, and they have various reasons: > > A. By upgrading my bike, I'll make it a better bike, and that better bike > will be lighter, and/or faster, and/or easier to ride at the same effort > B. By upgrading my bike, I will make it a more beautiful bike > C. By upgrading my bike, I will show the world that I love my bike, and > make my bike more unique and more "mine" > D. By upgrading my bike I will change it into a more useful bike > E. By upgrading my bike, I will change the bike's "personality" or > identity to something closer to what I want it to be > F. By upgrading my bike, I will make it into a more reliable, easier to > maintain bike > > I'd wager most upgrade projects fall into that group of six for the most > part, in terms of the "why", and the answer(s) would help people make > suggestions. A secondary question is more for the person to answer > themselves, and I think it can be useful. That's another form of "Why?". > The first question above is mostly about the person, and the second "Why?" > is entirely about the person and it has to do with motivations. That > question is "Why now?". Those answers can include: > > 1. I'm doing it now because I am preparing for "Big Event X" on the horizon > 2. I'm doing it now because I've got the money and I can't take it with me > 3. I'm doing it now because I'm restless/bored, and it will be enjoyable > to have a project > 4. I'm doing it now because my active participation in current "Activity > Y" is being held back by the bike > > I'd recommend to anybody garnering advice on an upgrade project to have a > decent handle on both those questions. The only specific recommendation > you've gotten was to replace a $30 aluminum seatpost with a $100 Nitto > seatpost. That definitely fits into B. and maybe E. > > My main recommendation(s) if I were to make any would be to focus on C and > D. My recommendation would be to make sure your bike allows you to do all > the cycling things you want to do with it (D), and then make it yours, and > then ride it as much as you can. Like a great new baseball glove, you'll > imprint yourself onto your bike. Towards that, the biggest shortcomings of > the bike in the photo are: it doesn't look like it's been ridden, and it > has no bags. That bike doesn't need much in the way of upgrades. It needs > bags and it needs miles. > > On the frivolous end of things, I love bike bling. An acquaintance gave > me a skull bead on a Rivendell overnighter, and it now hangs on my saddle > rail with a loop of string. I like hearing it click against my seat post. > Today I noticed how it wrapped around itself on my ride: > > Bike Bling > <https://www.flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/55336868470/in/album-72177720334209300> > > I like little details that individuals put on their bikes to make the bike > more theirs. I'm going to make a little photo album for bike bling. > > Bill Lindsay > El Cerrito, CA > > On Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 5:27:03 PM UTC-7 [email protected] wrote: > >> Hi Folks, I purchased a used Sam several years back and I absolutely love >> it and I am interested in feedback on how to upgrade some of the stock >> components. I am in my 70's and ride primarily on the road and packed >> gravel, not mountain biking for sure. I don't drink fine wine or have >> expensive cars but I am willing to put some resources into beautiful >> components. My current components are Tektro R559 V brakes, Sugino chain >> rings, Shimano deore derailleurs. Shimano bar end shifters and brake >> levers. I have upgraded the seat (brooks) and the pedals (oneup). I am >> moving from 45mm to 42 mm tires. 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