Are We Spending Too Much on Bikes? | $500 MTB Challenge

[@seancarrico9028]

When my daughter decided she wanted to try riding for the local NICA team I as able to build a pretty decent XC/Down Country bike on the cheap. I started with a 2019 Trek Marlin 7 as the base. I added an 2 degree angled headset from Works on sale (headset allows for tapered fork on straight steerer tube), a bought a 120mm RS Recon with 110 thru axel and wheel from the local classifieds, and a Deore 1x10 drivetrain on clearance. This allowed me to create a bike for about $600 that has a 66.5 degree head tube angle, a 75 degree seat tube angle, a 1x drivetrain, and tubeless setup. Rear rim is not tubeless, ready, but it still works. The point is that with some industry, a willingness to learn, and patience you can have a very capable MTB for a lot less than one would think.

[@99spokes]

Right on, thanks for sharing!

[@iecrime]

Good stuff. Don't get me wrong since I don't mean this as a criticism, but if we're talking getting people into the sport who previously never rode mtb, then we can't expect them to go out and find good but inexpensive new or used components and know what might be a decent but less expensive frame. That type of knowledge takes time to acquire. New riders don't know what they don't know or what it is they need to really know in getting started. Better to identify the least expensive but best spec'd complete bikes at retail that would provide a good entry into the sport. And none of them need to be full suss :)

[@gabormolnar6126]

You are right, but there is nothing to talk about… just buy a bike that is at your price point… there are 100s of videos which say that you should look for 1x (max 2by drivetrain), hydraulic brakes, do you need anything else? That leaves us with the rockhopper, marlin, marin bobcat trail, giant talon, gt avalanche Usually used There is nothing more to talk about in my opinon

[@99spokes]

You’re right, replicating this video would definitely take the help of someone who was already bike savvy!

[@iecrime]

@@gabormolnar6126 I tend to think there is plenty to talk about--keep pounding the message why a budget friendly marlin, rockhopper etc. are terrific bikes. Other hand, I really enjoyed the vid. Showed what is possible with a little effort.

[@laurradu868]

The entry level Avalanche, in my country, is around 520$. So, good starting bike.

[@iecrime]

@@99spokes Should mention that I really did like the vid. Shows what can be achieved without breaking the bank.

[@Djacob_]

I’ve been riding my whole life. My trail bike is a Giant Stance. It’s considered “entry level.” I out ride 95% of people on the trails and I even use it as a dirt jumper at the bike park. I also have a Giant Contend. It’s considered an “entry level” road bike. I pass people with carbon fiber bikes on the ascents and I just joined the top 2% on a downhill section on Strava. It’s all based on YOUR SKILL LEVEL! I’m perfectly happy with my “beginner” bikes

[@andreifranca]

I think It just needs a budget functional 120mm air fork... Like the Suntour Raidon... It is a similar level of the drivetrain... Would love to see if you still will feel it loose

[@99spokes]

Yeah, I think that would definitely take it to the next level!

[@_Vicarious]

Hardly replicatable.

[@99spokes]

How so? Every part here was bought off a public marketplace, meaning you could have done the exact same thing 👌

[@_Vicarious]

@@99spokes Dude, who else would find 90% of a bike, that was sent to someone on accident, then sold for a fraction of it's worth? The likelihood of that happening again is near on impossible. And for you to suggest otherwise means you're unfit for this line of work.

[@TechnicallyNotSteve]

There are used bike deals that pop up alllll the time, this happens to be a crazy one, but it's the same concept. Why you so salty?

[@_Vicarious]

@TheTacticalButterknife Not salty dude. Just pointing out that it's dishonest to the viewers to suggest that this random and rare situation is easily obtainable for the average punter. Stuff like this makes channels lose credibility.

[@kevinburke1325]

Found the cheapskate ​@@_Vicarious

[@ej22twagon]

You can buy the bike complete shipped to your door for $522

[@99spokes]

True, they have a crazy sale now! Though you won’t get the dropper post and upgraded brakes/drivetrain like we were able to get by shopping used

[@TheLoamMountaineer]

Correction….on Cambria bike, they are 499 and save more with 10%….shipped. My daughter needs her first trail MTB. I have many spare parts from my higher end mtb’ers that i want to toss on for her. The steerer tube i read is tapered, which means fox36 here we come. 462 shipped. Love me some of those killer Cambria bike deals fellas. Keep it steezy 🤘😱🤘

[@onikage2046]

It's a good bike frame design to me and I bought it for my wife size S I upgraded some parts such as 130mm air fork, deore crankset, deore derailleur set, 35mm stem, 30mm riser bars, 125mm dropper post, saddle and maxxis 2.5 tyres too. Personal test to ride it too and felt the rear triangle compliance really soften some bumps but I wouldn't recommend it to go on high drops. The only down side to me is the thru axle.

[@99spokes]

Nice, sounds like you built it up great!

[@joshdesj]

Cool video, thanks Josh! Definitely would like to see you guys put another $1k and beef it up as much as possible and see what you can do with it!

[@99spokes]

Right on, thanks man!

[@TheLoamMountaineer]

I know im not the first Dad to just pick one of these up for their kid. Awesome vid my man. Keep it steezy bro 🇺🇸🤘😎🤘🇺🇸

[@99spokes]

Glad you liked it! 👍

Unless you hear the fork bottoming out often try dropping the preload to perhaps 50% you might be surprised.

[@JogieGlenMait16]

Great job, mate. The bike also looks good.

[@99spokes]

Thank you 🤙🤙 Glad you like it!

[@franckying8917]

What is the name of the song played at the intro, please.

[@molybdnum]

I advise newer riders to go buy a walmart hardtail if they can (the new ones are decent) and take them to try it out on a beginner trail. $400 is crazy expensive for most who aren't around the cycling hobby, but if they're not into the overall experience of bikes in the woods the store return policy has them covered and nothing lost but some sweat. If they're hooked I usually loan them my full sus and talk about equipment *after a couple rides*, but I'm not going to shoot down anybody's introduction to the activity with the gear conversation. Helmet, two tires, and brakes? Let's go.

[@99spokes]

Good advice, thanks for sharing!

[@wftorres3913]

i have one like this and put on a dropper post , changed my suntour fork to manitou machete 120 travel and my wheelset to 2.3-2.4 for better traction, ,,,, didnt change my microshift groupset cause its does the job maybe in the future , oh changed my mechanical brakes to hydraulic shimano brakes MT 200.

[@99spokes]

Nice! I bet that new fork made a huge difference!!

[@wftorres3913]

@@99spokes it did especially rough downhill terrains

[@politan83]

I've been curious for a while about the marginal gains going from cheap to mid-range components, so I would be interested in seeing some upgrades to this build.

[@99spokes]

Good idea! Maybe some timed testing before and after?

[@politan83]

@@99spokes Yeah! There are other metrics that matter too, though they are harder to quantify, like comfort.

[@politan83]

And maybe from mid-range to mid-high-range?

[@glenmiller80]

Do a progression from this point. Kinda like person is starting , then has won their first race. then needs to do necessary upgrades to excel to the next level. Kind of like a story.

[@99spokes]

That’s creative, I like it!

[@HUKIT.]

You go from one extreme to another. From out of touch with entry level pricing to an experiment that 99/100 won’t be able to achieve. Big loss yet again…

[@99spokes]

I’m a bit confused how people can’t achieve it? Every part was purchased from PinkBike or Facebook marketplace. Installation was all relatively simple as well, but could also be done by a local bike shop for $100-$200. What do you think would be a more realistic goal?

[@lebowskiunderachiever3591]

I would buy that in a heartbeat !

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Under $500 in the tourist trap where I live is either a big bucks store bike shaped object or a low end used bike I often shop for under 1k cheap fun projects I could pimp out, it's hard out there 😅 *Obvious upgrade should be some decent budget airfork, maybe a suntour?

[@notpablo8369]

i race my avalanche with axon fork, i only wished the frame came with boost148 thru axle😁😁😁

[@99spokes]

Oh yeah, it’s tough! This took a few months to build up, waiting to find good deals

[@MrRafaztar]

Although not a off the shelf bike it shows what can be done and the pros and cons of the decision. . Those tyres seem to used for a bike send by mistake 🤔

[@MrRafaztar]

This doesn’t take into account all the tools you need to install these things

[@99spokes]

For sure, definitely plenty of sweat equity in it, so having a friend who was already bike savvy would be extremely helpful!

[@99spokes]

Allen keys lol?

[@MrRafaztar]

@@99spokes you can install a drive train without changing cranksets? Cassette locker? Chain whip? Torque wrench?

[@ItsMeHammie]

Send it to Sam Pilgrim to launch it off gnarly free ride jumps? 😂

[@99spokes]

He would too 😂😂

[@aaronbehindbars]

This was a fun exercise, but as others pointed out, difficult to replicate. I think it would be more relevant and relatable if you went out and spent $500 on a bike an see how much used bike you can purchase without making any further upgrades. To add a greater level of interest, makr it a competition. Who can buy the best bike for $500.

[@AlEx-ck4dc]

Giant xtc slr 29 2 best buy 4 your buck wish you would review it

[@99spokes]

We’d love to! Sadly Giant hasn’t been able to send us any bikes yet

[@Mavczers]

Will you sell me this bike for 500$ then? It looks like an unicorn price for this stuff

[@99spokes]

The biggest unicorn was the bike, and I was on the market for a couple months before it popped up. If you’re on the market for a good deal on a used bike it definitely takes patience!

[@danieldeponte2631]

do an xc race on it.

[@TheSTGChannel]

So someone new to MTB is going to stumble onto a $100 bike that Cost 1k 😂 or buy a 1k bike. Come on guys.

[@99spokes]

Our goal was to come up with the best bike we could for $500, and it sounds like we did that! Hopefully most beginners entering the sport have a more experienced friend to help them shop around for good deals like we did

[@robertdominguez4003]

got a marin bobcat 5 for 500 bucks. beat that!

[@99spokes]

Nicely done!! How’s it been treating you?

[@cgriggsiv]

Dude I have a full suspension diamondback atroz 2 and I only paid just under $1,000 matter of fact it was $890 plus shipping and taxes I paid $1,125 My first full suspension was a diamondback coil EX and I got that for $350 at Dick's sporting goods and that lasted me 21 years I did have two other full suspension mountain bikes One was a GT RTS 3 which I paid close to $1,200 for 37 years ago and made the podium four times did I keep it no I didn't bother keep the bike yes but not the trophies I bypass that s*** I did it for spite just because I was told I could not do the racing I didn't have the stamina or the mindset Guess what second place third place third place first place yeah first time runs every time should have went pro The second full suspension bike after that was stolen I don't remember I think it was a it was a giant of some sort I don't remember it was a full suspension but I paid $750 bucks frame cracked and I came back with a $2,000 frame later on that was stolen so I went up to Dick's sporting goods got the diamondback for 350 bucks and that lasted me for 21 years until the rocker arm broke now I have another diamondback and that is lasting me 5 years now and I don't think I'm going to change

[@notpablo8369]

Wished it was boost148

[@99spokes]

You and I both lol!

[@notpablo8369]

​@@99spokes also gt remove the Zaskar xc version🥲🥲🥲

[@davidcawthorne7115]

No. You are all spending just the right amount on new bikes. And so providing me with lots of little used secondhand bikes to choose from. Thanks guys. Whoever you are. 🙃 ❤

[@99spokes]

This made me laugh 😂😂

[@BigJim_909]

Yes. Yes we Are. Didn’t even watch- just read the title, & YES.

[@99spokes]

😂😂

[@GenericShirtNinja]

You guys should review the Walmart Ozark Trail gravel bike, no joke.

[@99spokes]

Would love to!

[@AlEx-ck4dc]

Just buy a Giant xtc slr 29 2

[@99spokes]

That’s a good bit more than $500 🧐

[@snowman22ism]

You should sell it and see if you can make any money and then buy a better bike.. lol

[@99spokes]

lol that kind of defeats the purpose doesn’t it?

[@randomguy5284]

Bikes should not cost more than $1000 period

[@99spokes]

Why not?

[@acedotcom]

so what you are saying it everyone else you still end up buying this bike for 1000 dollars. what a pointless video

[@99spokes]

Nope, just showing what’s in the market of you’re interested in shopping around for good deals. Check out the rest of our videos if you’re interested in seeing reviews on new bikes!