5 Reasons to upgrade your MTB instead of buying new

In this video we discuss all the reasons why it might be better to upgrade your or your kid's starter hardtail for NICA / XC race domination as opposed to buying a brand new bike.
If you'd like to get a discount on the components needed to make these sorts of upgrades yourself, go here:
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Full Speed Ahead K-Force Light MTB 12 Speed Chain: geni.us/OK9HOd
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[@cedricclamaran]

Im all for upgrading. But if the frame is too old (qr, straight steerer, outdated geo) , just buy a new bike and upgrade it in the following years.

[@Hempflakes]

As someone with a over $5k BASE Stumpjumper Alloy, upgrading my bike was just a paid maintenance class 😂

[@ValueAdd-Dad]

This was my first video of yours and I love it. The fun in upgrading my bike has been therapeutic, but you make an awesome theory to upgrades over time. I love it. Thanks for the rationale and confirming my approach as this was not a popular approach by my neighbors, but fun for me anyway.

[@BigBig5]

I have a 2007 Specialized Hardrock that I've been slowly upgrading the past 3-4 years. Now in the process of finishing the full upgrade. Here are all the parts, Box Prime 9: Wide-Range 1x9, absoluteBLACK 28t ovel chainring, RockShox Reba RL Suspension Fork: 26" - 120mm Solo Air - Straight Steerer, Shimano SM-RT66 Disc Rotor - 160mm, Shimano SM-RT66 Disc Rotor - 180mm, Shimano Deore M6100 Disc Brakes, Race Face Ride pedals, Ergon SMC Sport Gel saddle. Magura Rotor adaptors, Sun SOS 26″ Disc Wheel Set, Kenda 26x2.35 Nevegal X DTC KSCT tires, Vittoria Air-Liner MTB.

[@xcx8646]

Man - bikes have come on SUCH a long way since 2007! The geometry is longer and slacker, making them much more stable downhill; they are stronger, for increased abuse; they have internal cable routing; they have seat tubes ready for droppers. You need a newer frame!

[@Crankaholic]

Great video! I’m a huge fan of sweat equity in bikes. I couldn’t afford the sport without buying older basic bikes, upgrading and fixing them myself. One day I’ll do it for my kid when he is older and hopefully starts riding. But I do love some of those “cheaper” ten speed drivetrains like Advent X. Cheap, and reliable, easy to tune and the parts are very durable.

[@TheJam53ice]

I have a 2016 Whyte 629, took it to a bike park for the first time and it rode really well, but another bike I rode was a 2022 model and that was so smooth compared to mine, I was planning on upgrading my bike, but after riding the 2022 model, I'm torn between upgrading or buying a second hand 2022 model, the only upgrades I have in mind is a Shimano Cues 10s 1x groupset to replace the mismatch of drivetrain parts it currently has and also putting the bike back to 29" wheels, this all in will cost north of £350, whereas I could save up a bit more and buy a 2022 model for £600 and have most of these parts already fitted but with updated geometry.

[@ryansteiger6960]

Thank you for the video 👍 Every time I watch one of your videos, I want to buy a trueing stand. I have never built a wheel and it looks fun 🤣

[@chinabicycle]

the best upgrade is to put high-quality tires

[@MTB_CRZY]

The only time I question upgrading the more affordable bike frames is when they dont have modern standards. Of course you can still upgrade it with nice, quality parts but sometimes that doesnt transfer over to the next bike frame if the standards are different. (Hub spacing is 99% of this arguement lol) wheels are easy enough to swap out though! I love that you give so much care and attention to the more affordable side of cycling because a lot of youtube channels are too busy reviewing and showcasing the 10-15k bikes thats only dentists and lawyers buy 😂

[@RisteDervishov]

My Cube AIM 2020 I have upgraded my fork, groupset to Cues 10x, dropper post, saddle Selle Italia, new tyres Continental, new handlebar , new better grips, stem only the frame is original and the wheels.

[@PhillipandreiEstravela-fg8if]

An it's another reason why you want to upgrade your existing bike is some entry level full suspension have low spec rather than upgraded hardtail which is much more lighter rather than full suspension

[@bradgotthis3744]

6:41 omg watching this part, ur thumb is it fine xD got scared on how tight that disc brake is.

[@BuildaBetterBike]

That lockring was way overtightened. Took a lot of force. But no thumbs were harmed. ;)

[@dannyspivak6526]

I have an old mid 2000`s GT avalanche , since GT announced they will be out of business i have an urge to do something with them, they have an old suntour that does not work well, i converted it to single speed. but now they sit in the storage and no one ride them. any ideas on what can i do with them?

[@TheArimatheus]

Completes are so so cheap right now though... You can buy them just for parts sometimes.

[@jeehoonjones1389]

I have a marin san quentin 3, 1x12 deore and 130mm revelation fork with 4pot brakes. Its amazing but racing enduro its not enough, so I am looking for a mid/high end full sus for 4200 usd. I was thinking of a new spectral but any suggestions?

[@diveaddict6885]

Plus a hard tail you learn all your skills on

[@Notaloras]

Guys do you know how to fit a tapered headtube fork on a straight headtube frame? I have a cannondale u trail 5 and i am looking forward to upgrading a fork to an air one, but i dont know how, would appreciate any help

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Yup. I discussed this on my previous video. Check it out.

[@cjmpaja]

Before trying to fit a tapered fork into a straight headtube frame you need to make sure that the frame can handle the upgrade. To do that compatibility check you need to look at how big the headtube is, and what kind of headset it uses now. If the headtube is really narrow, and the headset bearing cups are outside then the frame can't be made to work with tapered forks. However if the headtube is a bit big, and the fork crown sits flush with the frame then it can handle the upgrade. In order to do that upgrade you need to buy a headset that adapts a tapered fork to a frame that's designed with straight steerers...

[@statom985]

what are the grips ?

[@alwinvanasperen1895]

Your talking about an heavy full suspension for xc racing but if you get an good bike there around 9.5 kg and way better then an hardtail.

[@eXaviar]

Never thought about changing the frame to accommodate for the physical growth of my child 😅🫣👍 awesome idea. I will keep that in mind

[@unforgiven101inc]

I want the carbon fiber handlebars

[@rodrigogomes8663]

I have a 2010 specialized epic comp fsr do you think i should upgrade it and if i should should i start by the drive train (it's a 3x9 sram x0 derailleur and Shimano slx at front)

[@BuildaBetterBike]

I would. :)

[@Summit-Adventures]

Hey, I was wondering so I’m looking to build out a bike for my final year as a high school athlete. What should I do frame wise? I do want a really light bike, but I don’t think I could sacrifice the rear suspension. Should I go used? Should I buy a brand new frame? By the way I do Nica so that’s the kind of stuff I’m riding.

[@BuildaBetterBike]

I would find a deal on Pinkbike

[@nealnewhof]

Great stuff! Double like!

[@Paulklampeeps]

I can't choose tho. Should I buy a rigid fork for my mtb or just buy a gravel bike? Thanks !

[@MTB_CRZY]

Have a suspension fork for mtb days and a rigid fork for gravel days! But you can really never go wrong with N+1 if you've got the money for it.

[@meneerbas]

6. It's also more sustainable to repair and revitalize your used bikes.❤

[@diveaddict6885]

Do you sell bike tools individually? Like park tools?

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Certainly. Just reach out and let me know what you need: buildabetterbike at gmail dot com

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

I think the point against it is with people who don't wrench at all, people go in a bike shop and get charged 150$ in parts and labors for things like brake pad changes or derailleur cable change and adjustments, like it should be an incentive to learn to do it yourself but it's often just scaring people even more. Price of parts and service in the bike industry is quite a sham most of the time...

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Having worked as a mechanic I can tell you it's very difficult to make it. The odds are stacked against local bike shops so I have a hard time seeing them as the villains in just about any scenario

[@domerarieldelacruz78]

its because you had a good quality and pricy frame not like us 😢

[@chubscoi]

10 speed isnt that bad. A high range 10 speed drivetrain i.e microshift advent x, will be easier to tune and cheaper to maintain.

[@endremajos2566]

Combining entry level parts with high end parts are nonsens, on aluminium hardtail frame ... why ? SID fork with mt 200 brakes ... , only if the frame too will be replaced in the future.

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Sounds like you didn't make it to my Reason #3.

[@andthefunkybunch1466]

Bro, until I saw your face I thought you were like 19yo just from your voice

[@성휘열7233]

1등 🎉