CHECKING IN : OZARK TRAIL G-1 EXPLORER BIKE CHECK

[@tomstark28]

Dude thank you so much for making this g1 series in such detail these videos will inevitably blow up as the bike is gaining popularity quickly.

[@MASHLEY69]

It’s been my pleasure 😊

[@chiparooo]

Cool! Thanks for the follow up. Thanks for sharing!

[@RefinedHonkey]

I replaced the saddle. Rose the handlebars 4 inches and been riding 12 miles a day 6 days a week. No complaints

[@paulg7002]

Great video. I bought this bike in June. I have ridden it every day and about 20 to 30 miles each ride. I did change the saddle to one with a cutout, and replaced the pedals, and the seatpost for a carbon seatpost (along with carbon paste). After more than a month of riding, the brakes have softened and dont have such an anoying gritty sound and feel. The shifter and shifting seems to be better as well. I think when the bike is sold, it needs proper greasing and lubing, a bit if a minor rebuild. The ride is very comfortable and it is amazing when you consider the price. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has basic knowledge of bike assembly and proper tools. In the future, I will probably put a Sora groupset and change the wheels to spec it similar to a Giant Revolt and keep it below the actual price of buying the Giant. The main issue with this bike, especially living in Colorado is the gearing of the bike as is, is not setup for climbing in the mountains.

[@MASHLEY69]

@@paulg7002 yes everything you mentioned is spot on. Especially the gearing, I think a cassette with a larger climbing gear and a 1x is the only thing walmart missed the mark on for this bike. I personally prefer the road gearing as that’s how I’m going to use mine. But for those wanting this for light single track, the 2x is a bit limiting and hard to use on the fly.

[@bassibernie]

Nice upgrades man. Looks sick

[@gfxman14]

The ride is looking good Matt. I have my first round of upgrades coming in this week. I wanted to get some miles on it before I changed anything. Now I know what to start with I am going with a seat post, stem, brake pads, and pedals.

[@MASHLEY69]

Nice! Those are always a safe bet for first modifications 😊 enjoy the build!

[@SmallADVentures1973]

Great update ✌️😁

[@Dieguisrockanlover]

Quedo muy bien con las modificaciones, ese cuadro esta muy bonito cuanto pesaba originalmente y cuanto pesa ahora?

[@andrewplays2084]

Purple accent looks amazing on this bike, I have purple bottle cages, pedals and bar tape, stands out imo

[@MASHLEY69]

Yes sir…can’t go wrong with purple. 😊

[@andrewplays2084]

@@MASHLEY69 Glad we were thinking alike

[@disobayishness]

How funny I got purple aluminum pedals on mine too. Rockbros though. Sick!!!

[@MASHLEY69]

Purple is always a safe choice. I had orange on there, didn’t quite like the combo.

[@disobayishness]

I’d also like to do a carbon fork but I don’t want to have to saw anything like you had to with that one? Any ideas? Don’t mine spending some here and there. Would like to cut some weight off this bike

[@MASHLEY69]

@@disobayishness I just used a hack saw and carefully cut as straight as I could. Really not a big deal. Just gotta take it slow and measure like 4 times before cutting 😂 fork saved me the most weight, the stock one weighs around 3.5lbs

[@-MakeItGood-]

Was able to find one of these today at a local Walmart. 2 rides today and I’m still getting used to the drop bars.

[@MASHLEY69]

It’ll take a few rides to get comfortable with the drop bars. Hang in there !

[@tenfourproductionsllc]

How does the posture feel compared to a flat bar bike? Does it make you lean down more? That's what is keeping me from the getting the bike, I want a more upright position.

[@MASHLEY69]

@@tenfourproductionsllc yes with the drop bars you will definitely notice a difference in riding position. It’s not super terrible, and you’ll get used to it over time. You can add riser drop bars, and riser stems and give it a more upright position. You could also do a flat bar conversion, relatively easy. If you have parts laying around it could cost next to nothing.

[@-MakeItGood-]

@@tenfourproductionsllc yeah it’s a much more forward leaning position. Like sport motorcycle vs adventure/standard

[@greenscobie86]

Just picked this bike up. Love it so far. Curious about the total weight of it after all the carbon upgrades you’ve done.

[@MASHLEY69]

Hey thanks for the comment. I’m sitting at around 24.5lbs still a bit on the “heavy side” but feels good for me.

[@kwaktak]

Hello, I'm a new subscriber. I see that you're also a Matty Active follower and a former Trek Marlin rider. I guess the algorithm threw you on my home page and I decided to check out the Ozark gravel bike content to see if it's a fad or not. I don't know if I'll pull the trigger on the Ozark because I don't really like drop bars or even riding on asphalt so much. I'm happy riding rail trails and swapping out parts on my 2019 Marlin 7. When I saw that you were into modding your bikes as well I decided to subscribe.

[@MASHLEY69]

Sweet man! Thanks for the support! The drop bar bikes, I felt the same way. . . Since 2021ish I’ve really come to love them for what I use them for. They’re good for getting in lots of miles in a shorter amount of time. Because they’re more efficient than the trail bikes. I also like them because I live where it can be weeks of trails being closed at a time due to wet conditions.

[@HectorLeDuc9]

just started watching you because I got this bike and suprised that I'm early to this video lmao gotta love the algorithm

[@HectorLeDuc9]

Also, went on a 32 mile ride yesterday and everything went well. Excited to see what's working for you to potentially upgrade my bike just like yours! Thanks for the content.

[@MASHLEY69]

@@HectorLeDuc9 sweet man! It really is a great bike with not much needed for upgrades. I went to the extreme with mine. I will not be using it as a gravel bike but more of a road bike, for when I can’t make it to the trails

[@Mr.PhatsVarietyVibesShow]

all that work you putting into it you might as well go for broke & install the E converter kit

[@orson347]

Can you please provide links to the shifters and the cassette/derailleur you used? Thanks!!

[@MASHLEY69]

I don’t have links for that, as this groupset was a Facebook marketplace find. Its Shimano 105 R7020 11s Disk Brake Road Groupset

[@WayneSmith-zx3tf]

How deep $$ for the upgrades? Thinking of doing this build.

[@MASHLEY69]

@@WayneSmith-zx3tf I think I’m around $750 into it from purchase of bike to today. However, I had the wheels already. I also picked up the 105 Groupset off Facebook marketplace. So this build would probably cost way more if you were starting from scratch and buying all new parts

[@MrOnlinenow]

Thank you for the video. By the way, do you remember how much the frame itself weighs? (just the frame)

[@MASHLEY69]

I didn’t weight the frame by itself. I’d imagine it weighs between 4 to 6 ish lbs, but can’t say for sure.

[@micahwilliams2281]

If you didnt have some of these parts on hand, how much do you think these ugrades would have cost?

[@MrStingraybernard]

Toseek has actually been around a long time ,I remember buying there parts years ago , how much weight did you save changing out parts ,a lot just with the fork I imagine

[@MASHLEY69]

Good to know thanks for sharing 😊 The bike was around 30lbs before any modifications, I’m currently sitting around 24lbs

[@EBikeBuilder_]

Nice, grats on the new subs lately man good to see success coming your way. You did jump on this one , some times that’s all it takes on yt , jump at the right time 👍

[@NickelEye.]

Any chance you’ll go to a flatbar? Maybe just try for a ride. It would make for a good vid.

[@MASHLEY69]

Flat bar conversion, would be good, maybe if I pick up another frame.

[@DjangoPorter]

If the carbon fiber. Fork is so dangerous. Then did would you put one on your bike?

[@MASHLEY69]

@@DjangoPorter sometimes I have a fear that these budget Amazon special items might be of a lesser quality, with the potential for failure. Just a little nervous. Generally carbon fiber is very strong, and I will likely never have an issue with it. It was also my first time cutting a carbon steer tube, and clamping it with the stem. Lots of potential for installer error. I am now confident that this fork is perfectly safe 😊

[@DjangoPorter]

Interesting Thanx I have the. G1. And. I'm getting into. Makbtenance some and will be. Interested in. Modification s

[@tenfourproductionsllc]

Thanks for the videos but with so many mods you have done, it's barely the same bike. One thing I do notice is they did not put a granny gear on it, which would have been nice. Don't know if it being a freewheel has anything to do with that decision.

[@MASHLEY69]

Hey thanks for the comment. You’re so right. I basically picked up a $250 frame and made it personal for me. I’ve got trail bikes for the dirt, that’s where I love to spend most of my riding time. However, when the rain closes them around here, it could be several days before they open back up. I still get that itch to go spin the legs so that’s where this bike comes in. It’ll be a pavement princess. Originally I was only intending to change the fork and wheels. But I found a great deal on the 105 Groupset on Facebook marketplace place. 😊

[@maxab7e63s5]

Nice upgrades and I'm sure you spent less than a similar specd bike.

[@karloguillermo3977]

Hey Matt that’s a nice set up you got. I’ve been watching your videos on the G1 explorer bc I bought the same bike. I like it so much but the stock seat becomes unbearable after awhile. What upgrade do you recommend for that?

[@MASHLEY69]

Hey there… thanks for watching and commenting… I actually like the saddle and still have it on the bike. . . I think this is one of the best stock saddles I’ve seen on a budget bike. I’m usually ok with almost any saddle. However, back a few years ago when I got back into cycling … I thought OMG THESE SEATS, they’re killing me!! lol. I instantly reached for “comfy” gel saddles. But found that those didn’t really help either. It was just a matter of getting your bottom used to the seat. Padded cycling shorts will help, and eventually I believe your butt will adapt to the seat and it becomes less uncomfortable. But a seat is one of those things that is going to be personal and different for everyone.

[@karloguillermo3977]

@@MASHLEY69 thanks man! You’re right I’ve just been getting back to cycling and my behind just needs to get used to it. I guess I’m just wondering how fellow G1 owners felt about the stock seat. Have fun riding out there and looking forward to your future upgrade videos!

[@torokun]

Eva-01

[@MarleyFett]

Put 200 miles on that thing and let us know. Just curious. No disrespect.🙏🏻✌️

[@MarleyFett]

I appreciate what your doing here. I have toured all over the world, and put bikes to the test. I regularly do Flagstaff to Tucson and buried several Walmart bikes so I could soundly say. If you love your kids don't buy them a Walmart bike. Jokes aside you earned a sub ✌️

[@Makeguillotinesgreatagain]

Who else is confused about why there was a picture of Joe Swanson from Family Guy? Lol

[@MASHLEY69]

Ha! In an episode, Joe is asking Meg talk about lady Gaga, and he says something along the lines of “is that a band or a soda…? Whatever it is I LIKE IT!”