Buying performance doesn’t happen very often! There are few times that I have spent money and noticed an immediate increase in my speed and performance on the bike. Because of that, I wanted to share the parts where I did feel an immediate increase in speed and performance on the bike. I’m also going to chat about  why I think these parts are doing what they’re doin, and how you can leverage this for you and your bike.

1. Astra Offroad Handlebars

I’ve been running Astra Offroad handlebars since 2021, shortly after they partnered with Chris Birch. When I first saw their design, I thought, “Holy crap, these are low-rise handlebars.” And I wasn’t wrong. The Chris Birch model I use has a rise of just 22mm—less than an inch.

For comparison:

• Renthal 999 handlebars have a 42mm rise.
• Renthal 996’s: 53mm.

So why go so low?

It’s all about riding position. Astra calls these “Poster Centric Handlebars,” designed to naturally shift the rider’s weight forward into a more aggressive attack position.

From day one, I could feel the difference. The low rise doesn’t just help when I’m standing—it also pulls me into the bike during seated cornering, keeping me planted in the cockpit. Over time, this has translated to better control, faster cornering, and a more confident riding style.

Are they pricey? Yes. But in the three years I’ve used them, they’ve never bent—despite all the chaos I’ve put them through. This summer, I even bought a second pair with a slightly higher rise (27mm) for whatever bike I end up with next.

Pro Tip: I pair these bars with the MAKO360 and Ryan Sipes’ lowered perches to keep them lower than the stock bar position. The combination has been a huge win for both comfort and performance.

2. Fastway EVO 4 Foot Pegs

Next up: the Fastway EVO 4 foot pegs. I use the steel version with the super-pointy F7 cleats, and let me tell you, these pegs are a beast. They’re wider and beefier than stock pegs, giving me a larger platform to stand on and more confidence when shifting my weight.

One of the coolest features is their adjustability. These pegs can be mounted in the stock position or in a lower and back position. I opted for the latter because I was having trouble getting my feet off the pegs—especially during quick adjustments while riding. This often led to frustrating tip-overs (you know, the kind where you look around hoping no one saw).

At 5’11”, I’m slightly taller than average, and the lower-back position has been a game-changer. It lets me grip the bike better and move around the cockpit more freely. Over time, this added control has translated to better handling and more speed.

Another adjustment I haven’t played with yet is the peg tilt. Using washers, you can angle the pegs inward toward the bike, which could improve leg grip and comfort. It’s on my list to experiment with!

3. ARC Levers

I’ll admit it—I didn’t expect levers to have such a big impact on my riding. But the ARC levers I installed this summer completely blew me away.

Before the ARC levers, I was running Midwest Mountain Engineering levers. After some clutch issues at Red Canyon, I decided to upgrade to ARC’s folding-style levers. These are a popular choice in the pits, and after using them, I can see why.

The adjustability of the ACR lever is next-level. I spent half a day fine-tuning bar placement and lever reach on a test loop. Once I found the sweet spot, the difference was immediate:

• I could brake harder and later, carrying more speed into corners.
• My overall control improved, which made me faster without pushing harder.

The result? I revisited my throttle and braking points to maximize this newfound control. The ARC levers I chose were the standard, shorty length (OEM equivalent), but they now offer longer options if you prefer.

Note: Their website can be a bit overwhelming with all the options, so take your time to find what fits your bike and hand size.

Final Thoughts

I’m not someone who expects instant performance gains just by throwing money at my bike. But these three parts delivered exactly that. If I had to pick one standout, the ARC levers surprised me the most. Once dialed in, they transformed how I approached braking and speed control—proof that sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference.

What about you? Have you ever installed a part that immediately improved your riding? Share your experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear what worked for you!

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