How To Buy Your First Mountain Bike From A Shop!

Buying your first MTB is always a really amazing experience, but with so many options out there from different sizing to styles of bike, it's a good idea to know roughly what you should be looking for in a new bike and how you go about getting the perfect one for you! Join Rich Payne and his dad as they spend the afternoon at the ‪@frictioncycles7218‬ bike shop to have a chat and a look at some amazing MTB choices!
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[@gmbn]

Where did you buy your first MTB from? Let us know down below and help out our amazing community of riders! 👇

[@PiloMegaTron]

The bike shop I worked at the time. A nineties Giant Boulder! In february of this year picked up a Santacruz 5010 (V4 XT) from a local bikeshop, since we don't carry that brand in our shop...

[@quited579]

I bought it from Decathlon! Its a orange Rockrider ST500.

[@stujm8376]

Rich's dad needs his own show, he's hilarious. It's always a pleasure to see him on the channel. You should do a section called Dad rides... just a thought...

[@leehanlon4932]

Mate we need more of Dad. He’s absolutely amazing. DGMBN (Dad Global Mountain Biking Network). With the older generation getting out on the trails GMBN is missing a Client base to target and get onboard.

[@markhowlett9951]

That's a great idea, I'm 56 with bad knees and still loving riding, looking at getting a new full suspension next year as well.

[@martinh2783]

You should check out the GCN videos with Hanks dad. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6PafKyqhrNpppI

[@the_trooper_72]

I was thinking the same thing!!! He would definitely speak to the older generation!! 👍🏻😎

[@jamescleeton8440]

It’s not my first MTB, but I watched this just because of the entertainment value of watching Rich and his Dad

[@22Jeffers]

Dropper post is a must. I’d have bought one while I was in the shop or at least on the way home. Arguable more useful than rear suspension. If on a budget, you can’t go wrong with a Brand-X Ascend.

[@voltage80x]

Yep love it, best upgrade I've made to the hardtail

[@dadventuretv2538]

Totally agree

[@zachm1313]

Or PNW cycled has a lot of good used droppers

[@risbyp]

Dropper is a must have on any MTB ... invaluable to have the flexibility to get the saddle in the right position for the terrain being ridden

[@BlueKnows]

That wink after saying about the saddle height coming back from the test ride... Well chuffed with himself on the improv there 😂 Good job Mr and Mr Payne 👏🏻

[@TwinPeaks_MTB]

We just started mountain biking a year ago, it was a ride with us having little knowledge of bikes and what to get! I wish I had these video back then to get the perspective of an advanced rider like Rich and the bike store owner on the mistakes a beginners makes when looking at bikes! Love your guys content! 🤟🏻

[@lingmlbb2314]

So true

[@LucasPH23]

I made this mistake: bought one of the first bikes I saw in the shop without asking for advice and only started to learn about bikes after I bought it but I guess I know what to do when I upgrade next time

[@fud1376]

You CAN get a decent budget full susser for around £1000...Calibre, Boardman, to name a few....So....!!! If you're not doing PRO riding, they're well equiped and will last a good while...

[@leestewart9002]

I was thinking the same thing my Vitus was £1650 I've had it almost 2 years with no problems and that's hitting 6f drop's and the like in the forest

[@elvislad]

Jesus,this guy needs a full sus obviously,he is not even going to be riding in 5...10 years so give him the benefit of a full sus straight away,irrelevant that the components are worse,comfort and control is paramount.

[@duckey599]

those suntour forks are horrible after 6months of use

[@MikeleSalaud]

I just bought a Trek Marlin 5 from a bike shop here in Kansas about a month ago. And yeah, the guys were very knowledgeable and helped out a lot. Also got the bike on a huge sale so a $750 bike was $520..... Looking at a full suspension later when I drop some weight and can afford one...

[@dadventuretv2538]

Get him that dropper on the new bike so he learns how to use it from day. While I generally agree on putting a newbie on a hard tail because it really does teach better riding technique, I might change that stance with an older first time rider. It will give that bit extra safety net which is important for us more mature crowd who maybe dont think crashing is cool anymore. Of course budget may make the choice for you.

[@grantwalter6811]

I am 67 and started mountain biking 2 years ago. I have a hard tail to which I added a dropper post. The bike came with air shock fork. I love it. However, I am lucky enough to live in a mountainous area and I am now looking at a FS e-bike.

[@domanater480]

Really genuine shop, wasn’t just trying to upsell for no reason

[@maxjamieson3341]

Loved the idea of this but the guy in the shop was talking bollox about how much you need to spend to get a decent bike these days I have sold and repaired bikes for years and I can tell you now this guy in shop is only there to upsell saying you have to spend a grand at least to get a entry level bike is pure lies! Like I say loved the idea of this but execution was poor

[@louiscorreia1693]

He’s not saying anything unreasonable, new bikes below 1000 come with significantly worse suspension compared to bikes over that. You can’t compare a rockshoxs recon with a lyrik 🤷‍♂️.

[@maxjamieson3341]

@@louiscorreia1693 a recon is more of a fork than most people need nearly every customer I've seen with lyric or fox 38/40s or pike or similar doesn't ride anywhere near hard enough or far enough to warrant the gear on thier bike they have no idea how to use the adjustability offered by higher end suspension, it's all just for bragging rights / competing with the neighbours. There is so many bikes well under a grand these days that are excellent first bikes and in a lot of cases still more bike than some people will ever need! I mean there is nothing wrong with getting some bling for ya bike but don't pretend you NEED it and don't make out to new riders anything less is not up to the task as that's just lies

[@luisarmandotorres6367]

@@maxjamieson3341 hello sir, which bikes do you recommend under 1k?

[@orangebrand1037]

I think a grand on the lower end is about right at least for original MSRP. Something cheaper would work if you want something to ride around the dirt paths through a neighborhood, but it would really stress a cheap bike to take it down a hard blue or a black trail at speed. I wouldn’t go any lower than 1000 if your trying to become a better rider

[@carolinelief9132]

You can't beat the service of a local bike shop, love mine. I like that there was no hard sell to go over budget, then you keep going back

[@mikedwiles]

I agree with Lee. We need more of Dad. I just turned 66 and started mountain biking about 6 months ago. I'm learning a lot. Love GMBN. Watch it every day. Thanks for the encouraging and informative videos!

[@DirtlovR]

I'd love my local bike shop to have that much selection of bikes and gear. I need to do at least 80 kilometers to see a full sus bike in a shop. Local bike shops offer only cheap, casual bikes and gear. I bought all my bikes and 90% of gear online.

[@DirtDiaryMTB]

HA! This is my local bike shop too!!

[@chrisridesbicycles]

„we have some lovely options in stock“ - not heard that in a ling time. Looks like 1500 complete with dropper and better fitting saddle and we have a deal to me.

[@dit4963]

LBS will give you terrible advice. They will try to sell you what they have for selling, not what it's the best for you. Better do your own research.

[@clestoncoxii7506]

I'm 58 an 230lbs I got into MTB to spend some quality time with my 4 sons in their 30s. I started with a really cheap full sus for the first year and within 6mos I was hooked and looking to upgrade. I settled on a lightly used Giant Trance X 150/130 travel and 203/180 brakes. Terrific bike. Good luck to dad.

[@Paganiproductions84]

1000 to 1500 uk pound is not entry level i started on a Merida big seven 100 that cost 700 euros that is what call entry level

[@ivansemanco6976]

My entry was 680Euros hardtail from Ghost, you are right.

[@mattes3183]

Bobcat Trail is aa often overlooked bike. I like where it sits between xc and trail. Great bike for beginners.

[@komoonkh]

Anything from Marin is a good idea

[@markcosens1]

Just buy yourself an emtb Mr P.

[@killenukont4170]

Awsome video like how you done it at made it simple for starters. And you dad ask some genuine questions that everyone should ask

[@VanPelt408]

A dropper post is a must have IMO.

[@komoonkh]

Not until you try one. I did and I am never going back haha

[@markhowlett9951]

Don't forget the extras you will need if starting out. Helmet, gloves, pads, eye protection, water bottles, tire pump, shok pump, bike rack ? bike stand ? some basic tools.

[@ivansemanco6976]

I hope this pieces will pay Richard so budget will not been exceeded. 😃

[@PiloMegaTron]

He'll use a lot of Rich's stuff I assume... ;)

[@roonietunes7]

pedals on some higher-end bikes, even nice-ish entry level bikes...that was a bit of a shock when i got my first nice mtb!

[@anitalandkroon]

Great video 😃 i love these kind of videos ❤ doing things with family is always good 😃

[@22Jeffers]

Full suspension Calibre Bossnut, £1000 is considered a proper mountain bike.

[@ianlamberts7927]

Hi why didnt you guys get ur dad a ebike

[@ocbyn]

Get the fella an eeb and he’ll be out every day

[@SkarryTerry]

I have a Marin Bobcat 3, bought it during the height of Covid to get back into MTB, and boys/girls, THE BIKE IS MADE FOR FUN. I love Marin, main issue was the tires, but Maxxis Assegai front with Aggressor rear was my go to combo in the beginning. Now I’m Rekon front and Aggressor rear today, with a SUNRACE 32t 1x8, the 11 speed is coming soon.(xmas).

[@nigelwest3430]

Mr Payne snr has kept his hair better than Rich 🙂I did the exact opposite of this and bought my first mountain bike online from Wiggle (Vitas Mythique VRX 29er) they checked height, inside leg etc, the bike arrived perfectly set up for me, sadly due to a seriously knackered hip it's only been used to go to the pub so far.....................not that that is a bad thing 🙂

[@shawngifford]

Wholesome Dad content always gets a like.

[@frictioncycles7218]

12:20 “Love Channel” Cheers mate! How on earth do you respond to that?!?

[@gmbn]

🤣

[@richardpayne5176]

You just don’t, pretend it never happened 😂

[@KPOPIVESTEVE]

£2500 for a budget full suspension. I recently spent that building up my 1st ever mtb, a nukeproof scout 2022. brought parts & fully assembled it myself

[@Dlawler]

I found that very interesting to, and makes me wonder what the Marin and Polygon full suspension retail for over there, as the $ to £ conversion of them in Australia is a good bit less than that

[@nodaysoff23]

These days, take out a loan first.

[@vainparasite]

Saying you need to spend upwards of £2500 is a bit far. There are loads of good full Sus bikes around for less than the scout he's selling there. Polygon siskiu springs to mind straight away. At his age I would have gone for a full Sus too because aches and pains are real as we get older and anything to alleviate that with a bit of comfort is definitely money well spent. Also you could get good used bikes too as many think it's a good idea, they buy it, use it twice and it never leaves the garage again 😊👍 enjoy your trails 😊👍

[@zacharypump5910]

I think the advice here is pretty weak. If you’re willing to stretch to a 2K investment, it’ll be cheaper to start with a entry-level, full suspension bike and upgrade parts overtime as long as the frame is decent and from a major manufacturer. I think you’ll be out more money if you spring 1.2 K on a Hardtail then get rid of it and buy a full suspension.. also, don’t be a fool and buy a new bike at the beginning of the season at full price, take advantage of sales in the fall or off-season. Your friendly local bike shop owner is never going to tell you to come back in six months when there are better deals, they will just happily take your money :-)

[@scph321]

NOT SMART: Test rides are free. Every human (especially people over 30) shopping for a bike should test ride a great geometry full suspension EMTB w drop seat bike, even if it's out of the price range.

[@roonietunes7]

...and find the bike they can actually afford to be disappointing after..? i dunno, i'd prefer to test something i can actually get if it fall in love with it.

[@rubioe3067]

In the shops of my town the members of the business always try to sell me all of that i don't need ,for the reason that all people know, if you buy the perfect item you won't return, but if you buy a 💩 you will have to buy another one as fast as you bought the first one, pure capitalism. Your history is very sentimental with your father, bla, bla, bla, but the reality (on all the shops that i enter) is the same, compare with the bikes of the front shop.

[@Peter-dc4dd]

Just bought a Merida big trail 600 from a local bike shop in Liverpool first ever bike to go to some bike parks total beginner here for a solo rider would you need to lock up your bike in a bike park if you want to go and get a cup of coffee

[@christopherpetts6599]

Just got me a scout in the sales. Its one hell of a bike. Just needed a dropper post and a better cassette on the back wheel (xt). Rides like a dream.

[@corneliusbadenhorst5612]

If never had a salesman care that much about the customer. Normally it’s just to get a sale lol😂

[@ThermaltakeAustralia]

So wholesome ❤️

[@gmbn]

🫶

[@fairsaa7975]

That's a man from Somerset if I've ever heard one

[@utsabgopali162]

Wish all LBS was like FRICTION CYCLES

[@gmbn]

🙏

[@user-sb4pl6yu1n]

No luck catching those hard tails then?

[@ryanthecaptain189]

This is a crazy entry price for a hobby. No one should have to put down $1k to 1.5k to see if they like riding mountain bikes ffs. This is not targeted at beginner riders, this is targeted at rich hobbyists or people that already know they definitely want to invest in the sport.

[@ryanthecaptain189]

fwiw i was looking for info on beginner mountain biking and this was def not it. good vibes for people inthe hobby already im sure.

[@DeeJoseph-jv7ib]

They're identical lol

[@DeeJoseph-jv7ib]

Dad's awareness is on point

[@jettruth]

I’ve purchased from shops, but I did just purchase my first direct to consumer bike!

[@justinmills556]

Riding for the Nukeproof team. Please welcome, Rich’s dad. Sponsors dream. Plus because of this video. Probably tax deductible.

[@AyBee9725]

Whenever your dad said “thank you very much” to the salesman for opening the door, I thought he was saying “time for lunch” 😅😅😅😅

[@brassblastuk]

We so need more papa Payne on the channel it’s a big market senior new riders getting into the sport! Plus he is a lovely guy!

[@jamesstammers6696]

The content and advice is usually great on the channel, but not keen on this. £2500, there are loads of bikes for half that that are perfect for a beginner rider (buying something secondhand would be way better). This sort of thing will put people off biking! It's not as expensive as this.

[@winkydee]

Good informative content. Dropper post is a game changer, a must-have. Sturmey-Archer makes a great dropper post, lol!

[@grumpy-dad3701]

My 1st MTB I bought was online through tredz during the pandemic. A Scott 940 awesome bike loved it, although it got stolen, The next bike I bought from Evans cycles and to be honest a really poor purchasing experience. No customer care helping me pick the right bike.

[@michaeljohnpeel6900]

...The Love Channel!! 🤣😂 Get that man a beer! 🍻 Definitely need to see Rich taking his old man out on his new purchase in further videos. 👌

[@haventpickedanameyet1232]

What is a red trail

[@davidblowe9096]

Your better off getting a hard tail and putting you money into better quality fork, brakes and drive train than budget friendly full sus,

[@BlackMan614]

Geezers don't like the wide handlebars. Too much pressure on the shoulders.

[@prestachuck2867]

Oh man… that salesman didn’t close the deal, he also forgotten to mention that a newbie should allow for the cost of gear and accessories when figuring how to spend on a first bike. Don’t forget to price pump, helmet, hydration pack, multitool, flats kit, bike specific clothing, etc.

[@johnnydoe66]

Alot of new riders need to be told to include riding accessories in their budget. A helmet, gloves, proper shoes, and shorts/pants. I myself believe a hardtail is a great way to start off in mtn biking because you definitely get better performing components price wise. If after a year or two, the new rider is still at it, then upgrade to full suspension if they desire

[@philanimasuku4256]

As someone who’s looking to buy their first mountain bike, this was gem to watch.

[@ewh3705]

If friction cycles aren’t shifting as many bikes as they’d like to be I think we now know why 😅

[@s3aitken]

i started with a trek marlin 7, owned it for about 6 months and got a nukeproof scout elite. no regrets so far!

[@MrAdambinnie]

Always upvote Rich's dad.

[@Ffkvke]

Haha it reminds me of when I took my dad mountain biking for the first time😂

[@stephenevans684]

Very much satisfied with the product .

[@duckey599]

that is a fancy test ride fully decked out far from the new marin i think

[@grumpy-dad3701]

You could feel the tension change we dad mentioned budget.

[@Lightw81]

How much?! For a push bike?

[@samrhodes7836]

Did Blake have an input on the scout

[@XNick291X]

My local shop... Respect to the boys!

[@lomax1919]

Phil looks like a really cool guy to talk to ;-)

[@loekie-de-rookie7333]

i think you guys should try out: the rockrider st 540s it is a full suspension entry level mountainbike that's wat cheaper than most entry level full sus. but it truly is great after you make some adjustments to it

[@komoonkh]

I have seen it with some upgrades and it is ok for a beginner. But there are some limitations though

[@ignacioalonso9272]

11:39 the wint killed me 🤣

[@paramedicbarber974]

Get that man an E Bike lol

[@VanPelt408]

All of my buddies that started in a hard tail later spent more more money to buy a full suspension. It’s tough ti take that initial full suspension plunge, but one to strongly consider.

[@bobothericefarmer1878]

Mhm makes sense

[@thim8009]

Full squish

[@discophil6726]

Bedders!

[@ashtronite895]

Love it when a new gmbn video comes out!

[@gmbn]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@stu7588]

A got back in to biking during first lockdown a got Kona lava dome and upgrade everything ave no got a Kona honzo am going for a full sus mibi next but there crazy money

[@komoonkh]

Love my Lava dome. What a bang for a buck that bike is!

[@stu7588]

@@komoonkh yeah definitely brilliant bike I got the 2020 Kona lava dome in black and changed everything I put a Judy gold fork on mine and a dropper post and deore group set

[@coconutcowboy5768]

🚲💨💨🤙

[@brabbit3873]

Anyone else not a fan of the rolled benie look?

[@Badger-Z]

Felt like this was a terrible advertisment for a local bike shop. Two hardtails we're shown, but didnt mention why they we're different prices such as better quality components. He asked about saddles, most commonly because of comfort, but the dude didnt talk about seat width and how getting the right one can improve comfort. He specifically asked about pro's and cons of between hardtails and full sus. but the guy didnt really elaborate on it. If you we're there in person I'm sure it would of all of been covered. Shame the video did show the biggest advantage of local bike shop, the indepth knowledge, and instead showed the information not being given.

[@roonietunes7]

i have to disagree-i don't think you want to overwhelm a beginner with information, and i think: "this is cheaper and will force you to work on some basic skills, this is more expensive but will be more comfortable and more forgiving of lack of skills" is a perfect amount of information for a new rider.

[@lingmlbb2314]

First comment!

[@Gowessepedagunung]

amazingly cool mountain bike

[@alexanderh.999]

Recently got into mtb this year. Bought a entry level hardtail and Giant had the best value considering the size of the company they can use scale to their advantage and push down the price while providing better quality

[@pcdude2394]

My first mtb was a cannondale hard tail which I bought for 500 bucks 20 years ago. Wanted to make sure I enjoyed sports before I upgrade. I ended upgraded to a full suspension and will never go on back to hard tail again. Only hardtail I’ll be riding now is my gravel bike. Btw, Rich needs pay for his old man’s bike.

[@kobygillett5706]

3rd

[@bigman5085]

first

[@yousafkhanbikes]

Hiya , gimme a free bike (just jokin)