The best road bike upgrades under £50 2024 — get a better bike on a budget with these excellent components and accessories

The KranX Base 145 Road and Commuter Saddle is a comfortable and likeable budget saddle that doesn’t do anything wrong at all. Okay, it’s a little heavy (335g) but it’s still a strong option.

As with most saddles at this price point, you get a nylon base, chromoly rails, synthetic cover and PU (polyurethane) cushioning. There’s plenty of flex in the base while a central cut-out avoids any excess pressure that could cause numbness.

Reviewer Dave said, “Big wads of padding are by no means a guarantee of comfort; some of the most comfortable saddles I've ever used have been pretty thin. But the amount and consistency of the PU foam used here was just the ticket for me, and I love it.”

The Genetic STV Road Bar offers a balance of stiffness, comfort and weight, and it comes at a decent price. It also has a compact shape that might be a bonus for less flexible riders who struggle to get down on the drops.

The STV does everything a handlebar should. Made from 6061 series aluminium alloy, it doesn't flex and its slightly thinner-than-usual top section means you can run thicker bar tape for extra comfort without adding too much to the bulk. 

Replacing worn or uncomfortable bar tape can transform the appearance and comfort of your bike, and here’s a luxury bar tape that looks good, lasts well and feels great. It’s also available in a wide range of colours so you can match it up to your bike if you’re that way inclined.

It's less supple than some handlebar tapes and that means that fitting it can take a little longer, but it's worth the effort. This is a high-quality and very effective option.

If you’re looking to make the leap to clipless pedals, Look's entry-level Keo pedals won’t break the bank and offer excellent performance that belies their low price. They offer lots of support thanks to a large platform, a decent amount of float (foot movement before you unclip), and the release spring tension can easily be adjusted.

There are certainly lighter options out there but these are well-made and robust and do a great job.

Bicycle tyres can be surprisingly dear but Continental’s mid-range rubber bucks that trend. Although the version with a rigid bead has an RRP of £35.95 (the folding bead version is £44.95), shop around and you should be able to find it cheaper.

The Grand Prix is a really good all-round tyre with decent grip, rolling resistance that’s almost as good as the more expensive GP5000 and slightly better puncture resistance.

It comes in 23mm, 25mm, and 28mm widths, and provides most of the performance of a more expensive tyre at a palatable price.

If your new bike came with no bottle cages, you’ll want to add one or two to avoid dehydration if you ever ride for more than an hour.

There are plenty of bottle cages to choose from and Zefal makes some really good ones. This affordable plastic cage holds water bottles securely with a nice firm grip – there’s no fear of bottle ejection here.

It is tough, lightweight and flexible enough to take any standard bottle. The elastomer gripper is securely fixed and… well, it just does its job really well.

Okay, Restrap’s Tool Pouch doesn’t necessarily break any new ground but it’s high quality and durable and is a great example of how it should be done.

The Tool Pouch is made from tough 1000D textured nylon that stands up to everyday abuse, and it is resistant to rain and road spray. The strap is robust too and there are no zips to wear out over time.

The Tool Pouch has a 0.6 litre capacity so it’s perfectly sized to take an inner tube, a multitool, some CO₂ canisters and a few other ride essentials.

These CL Brakes 4064 RDX Disc Brake Pads are impressive, offering a performance that’s noticeably better than the original equipment pads they replace. They aren't the cheapest out there but nor are they more expensive than other pads we rate highly.

These RDX sintered pads are designed for road and gravel bikes, and this 4064 version fits J-Type callipers including 105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace and GRX.

The overall quality looks and feels to be high, both in the finish of the backing plate and the pad shape itself.

The RDX pads give a firm initial grip on the rotors regardless of the temperature or conditions, and they maintain the progressive braking feel of Shimano callipers. Overall, they’re noticeably better than the standard Shimano pads they replace. They’re also very quiet and their durability is good.

We're big fans of these Flinger clip-on mudguards, our reviewer Liam saying that they offer a near-perfect performance at a sensible price. We like that! Although the retail price is outside of our £50 limit, shop around and you might be able to find them below that. 

All Race Pro guards accept a maximum tyre size of 32mm. If you'd like to commute on your regular road bike while keeping spray off then these are a great option. They're quick and easy to install and once in place they stay secure, with the stays fitting to the frame via a rubber band that can be cut to length.

A lot of people like to run lights even during daytime riding and the Giant Recon TL 100 is bright enough to get you noticed in all conditions. It’s small – a 3cm cube – and lightweight – just 39g – yet still manages to offer a 100-lumen output.

Run-times are good when you consider its tiny size: three hours on constant full power and 18 hours on low flash. LEDs behind the switch change from green to red to indicate battery life, and the light will automatically switch itself to low flash mode before it runs out of juice.

The level of waterproofing is great and you can’t argue with the price.

If you want a small front light too, you can buy the Recon HL 100 together with this Recon TL 100. This combo has an RRP of £44.99.

This bar is unusual in that the drops flare outwards by 16° while the tops rise 20mm from their central point. This rise will come in handy for those looking for a more upright position for long rides on or off-road without getting a new stem or – for anyone who has maxed out their steerer tube – a new fork.

Genetic describes the top sections as ‘semi-aero palm friendly’, meaning even extra-large hands get plenty of grip with just a single layer of bar tape.

The flare makes for a wider stance and confident handling at speed, even on rough roads. The end of the drop section is straight for a palm’s width and immediately above that is a pistol grip for all-out efforts where you need access to the shifters and brakes.

All in all, the Genetic Driser-16 is a cracking handlebar for more adventurous riding, and with the 20mm rise and wide tops, it may well suit you for less-rigorous pursuits as well.

On top of all that, the value is good too. Although the RRP is £54.99, this handlebar is available for under 50 quid.