Why Mountain Bikes ARE NOT Worth The Money

[@briansmith6862]

When people tell me I can't do a downhill without rear suspension, I remind them that I come from a time BEFORE rear suspension existed!

[@rocstarang5747]

We didn't even have suspension forks when I started 🚲

[@shanemorales7846]

same here

[@TheCheesewalrus]

@@markdennis5150while I don’t doubt you it’s a tough comparison. You would crash way more riding that and break parts consistently. Today’s base level components are exponentially better than the best parts from 20 years ago.

[@TheCheesewalrus]

@@markdennis5150 interesting. my bike was broken every 2 weeks with LX parts

[@KA-ne2et]

Exactly

[@joshuawatkins9552]

They are worth the money if you don’t buy a new one every other season.

[@Anth230]

Haha. So true. Some people need a new 8k bike every year...😂

[@petesahad3028]

​@@Anth230 But.... it's got the newest gimmic...😂

[@TheCheesewalrus]

Was on the same full suspension from 2008 until this year. It’s vastly different but still a bike. Every 5 years is probably the sweet spot.

[@Anth230]

@@petesahad3028 haha. Yeah...gotta love those gimmicks.. 😂

[@allenpiscitello]

@@Anth230 Dentistry can pay well

[@SurlyriderBilly]

Keep preaching it brother, don’t have to spend big bucks to have a big time, good message

[@Animalstyle69]

Spoken like a steel surly rider 😃 they are heavy and slow but fun I have two of them

[@milanradulovic3915]

In my case is quite opposite. So many times I want to reach the places that are pretty elevated (going up) or pretty low (coming back). So I finally got my eMTB for a very good offer (I will not say cheap) but it was. So, for me it will be the money well spent this year! And is TREK… soo

[@allenvayner4987]

Soon, there is going to be the rapture. It's when there will be trumpet sounds, and after the trumpet sounds, God will lift his people from here. Also, God said people should be living by the Bible. Amen, and God bless you. ❤* John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal life". ❤

[@spookyshark632]

​@@allenvayner4987 Does heaven have skiing?

[@allenvayner4987]

@@spookyshark632 I can't even imagine how amazing it is. I .

[@alexisonbike3652]

Some things that are worth spending on imo : - Good 4 pot brakes - Good tires - 1x drivetrain - dropper post - suspension service - a bike trip

[@serjturischev9557]

4 pot brakes are very controverse point.

[@aaaaea9268]

4 pods aren't mandatory or even necessary for most, it's better to focus on getting a bike with good brake levers, the 2 pod Deore works amazing for me, I can one finger brake with it no problem. All other points tho I totally get them, they may be pricey but are so worth it for many of us.

[@FIGHTTHECABLE]

4 piston brakes depend how heavy you are and how hard you ride. I have shimano saint with metal pads and I still have trouble stopping.

[@serjturischev9557]

@@FIGHTTHECABLE my eqiupped weight near 85kg,no probs wit stopping. Have 2pot shimano slx 203 front 185 rear. Dont forget that your stopping ability ,depends also from tyres set.

[@FIGHTTHECABLE]

@@serjturischev9557 Yeah I'm with gear around 120kg. 😄 And I use Schwalbe Magic Mary as tyres. 😉

[@ericbeech2652]

I'll ride a hardtail anywhere. Chances are, those people who said that you can't ride a hardtail here and there, have only rode full squish.

[@user-to2de3sp3m]

Well,...how many career ending back injuries do you have...?

[@ericbeech2652]

@user-to2de3sp3m I currently have a fused lumbar and right foot. Prior injuries from Iraq. Also, I just turned 50 years old. I've been shredding colorado for years, my man!

[@downhilljedi]

You canbride a hard tail anywhere. But if your hitting bike park trails above blue level a full squish bike will make it more enjoyable. And safer. ​@@ericbeech2652

[@sergiolandz6056]

@@ericbeech2652 thats all we had back in the day was hardtails and it didnt stop us from riding the gnar.

[@ericbeech2652]

@@sergiolandz6056 fully rigid single speeds are what we grew up on.

[@DaBinChe]

The bike I riding is the one I already got.

[@MattyActive]

I love it!

[@user-kk9ez9hg4z]

Last year I bought lightly used previous gen Polygon N9 for $860. If you know any experienced rider just ask them to help finding a bike that fits in your budget. It's always fun to find good deals in used market.

[@josefsteven9955]

I race enduro on a 2019 specialized enduro It’s ridiculous how expensive suspension and drive train has become!!!! I spend thousands of dollars to keep my bike in shape and race. The industry is going nuts!!!

[@TheCheesewalrus]

They prey on piece by piece part buyers. You’d be further ahead to replace your entire bike every 5 years.

[@David-cx4wy]

yeah i agree. Mountain biking is quickly becoming one of the most expensive (leisure) sports out there. Kind of getting silly now and if I'm honest its actually putting me off a little.

[@schlooonginator1227]

Great channel. Really stoked by the fact you documented your experience as a noob and growing into it, finding out what suits you, your style and improving. There's endless channels of pros riding insane lines and that's all good but there's a ton of folks who want something they can relate to along with the common questions people have regarding bikes. Unfortunately the industry pushes the most extreme of everything from terrain to top end bikes and people probably think they cannot even bother but it's so true you can ride almost all trails with a hardtail. For the longest time, it was standard and people rode crazy stuff on them.

[@rustychain9518]

My wife’s Polygon Siskiu D7 was $1199 and does its job every bit as good as my 4K+ Trek Fuel EX…$1200 isn’t cheap but it’s a ton of bike for that money.

[@Lee-ic2yn]

Nah

[@JohnDough-yr2zt]

That’s what you get for buying a trek bike.

[@FuriousFilipino]

Bought a Polygon D6 for one of the tweens in my family about 2 years ago. Many a bike trip and dirt jump sessions later, it’s still alive on all stock components-just an occasional tune, brake bleed, and wash. As a former professional bike mechanic, I’m impressed with the build. Lighter riders like younger teens really don’t push the suspension hard enough unless you’re riding the bike park every single weekend-if you are, you are in the minority. Some things I would change: the Suntour fork requires a fork wiper/stanchion clean and lube every ride, otherwise there is a lot of stiction. If the bike cost $100 more and came with a a ubiquitous Rockshox Recon or even Judy, it would have been worth it. I worry about the availability of suspension bearings/bushings and bolts/pins-at the rate that they change models and as an online only entity in the USA, I need to look into getting spares soon.

[@thombatty1950]

Totally agree with you on the hardtail. I own a bike shop, get to try lots of bikes and I still prefer hardtails 90% of the time. I'm currently on a Marin El Roy, I love it.

[@santisanti7048]

cool

[@topspot4834]

Agreed. Only time I'm on my FS is at the bike park. There's nothing here in PA that can't be ridden on a hardtail.

[@FIGHTTHECABLE]

Sethsbikehacks has a hardtail way over 10k.

[@gainknowledgeandinsight]

For old men like me - the bumps, the roots and rocks beat on your body and full suspension is huge. I got taken for a bit of a ride on a recent new Trek 9.8 XT - I thought it was a 2023 but it was a 2022 and paid 5.5k. I got that pit in the stomach feeling - but I don’t want to cause any problems with the local bike shop. To be fair he didn’t tell me the year - I ASSUMED. So my bad. Anyway. Looking back I feel like he was trying to move inventory and not meet a need - 😮

[@LOUIS-nx8jd]

woa Marin still make bikes, i used to ride in the 90s, Marin something woods, my mate had that bike, i had a beast of the east. dont people buy 2nd hand bikes? seen some amazin deals, what does everyone think of 2nd hand?

[@BrianRPaterson]

You are spot on with all that. I'm done with chasing full-sus performance. The next bike I buy will likely be a hardtail -- half the price, and plenty of fun on the flowy trails I like to ride. I could care less about 12-speed. An 11-speed Shimano Deore drive train with an 11-51 cassette in a 1X set up will do me fine. Push the boat out and get an XT shifter for a bit more comfort and precision. BTW: I've ridden Shimano's Deore 4-piston brakes quite a bit, and I can't tell the difference between them and the XT variety. But, they are a fraction of the price. And when it comes to forks, I'll pick Marzocchi Z1 or Z2 over Fox or Rochshox. All in all, you get what you pay for. But the middle ground is where all the value sits. And, importantly, it's much cheaper to replace when things wear out or break. Cheers

[@leereiyuu]

You are correct: You will not feel a difference between Deore and XT 4-piston brakes, as they are performing the same. The difference is only weight, materials and ergonomic features. So Shimono, being a good guy here, giving all the performance already at Deore pricepoint. Thanks for that, by the way.

[@diversedad7954]

Dude your channel is killing it! I think you are just a genuinely kind/fun person that bleeds through your videos and that has led to your success. You deserve it! As for me, I love it simple. I love my Specialized Fuse with mid fat tires and a simple air fork. I'd like to maybe upgrade my fork but overall, as long as my body can take it I think I'll stick to the simplicity of the hard tail. Only thing I don't like is even though the fatter tires give nice cushion they are annoyingly bouncy at times. I love riding a hard tail around guys that think they need a full suspension.

[@nicholasdunn3499]

As we sometimes say in the dirt bike racing world. Sure the type of bike your ride helps but it really comes down to riding skill that makes you fast.

[@basedlord88]

I rode a 24 inch Dirt Jumper on actual MTB trails for years to start 😂 then borrowed my brothers FS cross country bike and was blown away, like man that thing has a shock! Ended up buying an older FS frame, 2008 cannondale, built it with parts from my Dirt Jumper and new drive tran/forks/tires… love that bike been riding it for 7 years now no issues and gives me extra satisfaction blowing past the dorks riding 6-11k bikes who don’t have the ability to use them close to their potential.

[@basedlord88]

Riding the 24 dirt jumper, full steel frame and clapped out front forks on actual MTB trails made me a lot better rider and was funny seeing people turn their heads at me 😂

[@mytoyota80]

Well said ! Need and Want when choosing a bike is like "peer pressure". I almost fell into a trap back then but my instinct helped out . Loved how you put it out and thanks.

[@tracymcmanus550]

Polygon is changing the game with quality bikes at affordable prices

[@MattyActive]

I totally agree, idk exactly how they are pulling it off but if they keep it up then I think it will definitely change a lot of things

[@christopherharmon9336]

@@MattyActive In part, it must be the direct-to-consumer business model. There is a LOT of overhead in a brick and mortar store!

[@erraldstyler]

Thats true. Besides that, my T7 (lime/turquiose) looks phenomenal. Some people even thought it was the new Trek back then :D

[@underrideproductions]

I got a t8 last fall and it's more then capable on any trail I've ridden so for. I come from a bmx background and just wanted to get into the mtb world to explore my local trails. I have no regrets.

[@erraldstyler]

One of the Polygon factory riders raced Enduro World Cup on th T8. Bike is really good on itself, price point just comes on top.

[@randommtbridr]

@@erraldstylerI wanna see it do you have the name or something?

[@charlesholland6851]

I have some pretty good money in a few bikes. But I have tons of fun on early 2000s classic Cannondales and Schwinn. Eff the haters. 😂

[@kaosaechao4049]

I bought a used like new specialize stumpjumper for $1,100 and it works very well and I sure have lots of fun with it over a year now. So yeah, you don’t need to spend like $3000 bike to have fun.

[@waldowsxxghostxx8577]

You’re right I made a really bad mistake and bought a hardtail frame and a bunch of PNW components and I decided to buy Marin Riftzone 3 27.5 since it was discounted now I have a brand new frame and a bunch of parts just laying around and the bike shop offered me $500 for around $1200 worth of parts brand new and think I learned a valuable lesson.

[@lmaowhatzz]

Ouch, what's keeping you from putting the bike together? Building a bike is pretty fun and rewarding. Definitely expensive though

[@waldowsxxghostxx8577]

@@lmaowhatzz welp the thing is my local bike shop has a Marin Riftzone 3 27.5 in a medium my exact size it’s been their since 2022 and it retailed for $3000 it’s $2400 and I took my opportunity and got it and I’m left with this frame and a bunch of parts I’m still thinking about it I may just keep it and put it away for a future project. $500 isn’t really worth it it’s a trek Roscoe 7 2023 black and silver frame and near $1300 worth of parts :(

[@kbd13-n9c]

@@waldowsxxghostxx8577so just ride both man! Different bikes for different trails. I have an old single-speed hardtail that I ride a lot, but am also getting a full suspension again so I don’t feel so beat up

[@jokermtb]

4 years ago I bought an unwanted rental bike, a 2019 GT Sensor from an out of state bike shop for $1500 ( including shipping). I still love riding it, and predictably, I’ve replaced almost everything except the frame over the years. You don’t have to spend a lot initially, but over the years, things wear out or you just want some bling parts and you’ll eventually keep spending money regardless of if you buy on the cheaper or not, if mtb is your thing

[@Tightt88]

This is a hot take lol. But I do kinda agree. MTB riders have become the new Cyclist. They have a smug elitist attitude. Back in the early 2000-2010s that wasn’t the case. I just recently got back into MTB and spent $600 on a MTB and when I was on the trails everyone else had $2000-4000 bikes and made fun of my bike. Reminded me of when I used to cycle.

[@AIMarketingFunnels]

At 60 I wanted to ride like I was 26 again. So I grabbed a Trek Fuel EXe 9.7. With that I am able to keep in zone 2 and 3 and ride 2+ hours daily. When looking at costs of a bike I look at how many hours I get out of it over the year, then divide that into the cost. This bike, while probably the most initial outlay will probably yield the lowest cost per hour because I can simply get so much use out of it by staying at better target heart range and reducing the load on the knees

[@8654ZuluFoxtrot]

Just snatched up a great deal (IMHO).....Canyon Spectral 125 CF8 for, get this, $1200 off!!! That sale lasted a whopping 2 days and it's back down to just $400 off now. That put this amazing full XT build for less than the lower model AND lower than the Aluminum models. My wife is considering MT'ing with me, and I'll most likely go with a Polygon to keep the costs down while she figures out how dedicated she'll be.

[@brahsumatra]

Hard tail mtb’s and hard tail ev mtb’s are more than enough for the average user.

[@dragonflygenetics420]

My $5500 full suspension bike is broken after 10 years. I'm just trying to get back on a bike and polygon looks like the way to go.

[@cccycling5835]

10 years is a reasonable amount of time for a regularly ridden bicycle imo

[@dragonflygenetics420]

@@cccycling5835 Yes it is and I'd like to hand down the bike or at least be able to get parts for it to be able to hand it down. Back in the days we used to have antiques.

[@gainknowledgeandinsight]

What do you mean by broken? Surely it can be fixed?

[@jmard24]

Some of this depends on the type of riding you do and how sensitive you are to feel. For me personally, I like hubs with instant engagement. ( I like to techy rock stuff) and a good shifter. I also like to have compression adjustments in my suspension minus a lockout. I don't use lockouts but my bike is also on the dw platform. What he is talking about will cover probably 99% of the people. The other 1% are the faster more technical riders that are sensitive to feel and need something that is more precise.

[@ROBinJVILLE]

dw link is goated

[@abutt55]

Matty, your new subscriber here & a hardcore hardtail enthusiast. You are correct, Polygon is criminally underrated! That said, this is an observation I'd like to share, I saw this back in the States side & in Asia where I currently reside. While full suspensions MTB are a technical marvel to tackle different terrains. But as you said, marketing had caused too many poorly thought-out impulse purchases. In addition, I see WAY too many riders are "over bike", Figuratively speaking, "over bike" is similar to a 16 yrs old thrown into driving an F1... just my humble 2 cents... Keep up the good work! Look forward to seeing your channel grow! 🤙

[@6Midnite6Raven6]

I have my faithful specialized since 2007. I upgraded it with brand new components, but it is time to upgrade. Now I'm building my own with 29ers. So excited!

[@mcbrian]

Hardtails are the best man. The simplicity and weight savings are so worth what you lose in "capability" because they force you to build your technique. Love these videos, stay active!

[@jericlamb2676]

Popular brands can be expensive and not always worth it. That's why I chose to buy a bike from a less popular brand that still offered quality and value for money. I was considering Trek or Giant at first but they were too expensive. I initially planned to get an MTB, but in the end, I bought a road bike because I often saw road bikes being used on GCN, and I primarily ride on the road. I bought my bike for $440, and I'm really happy with it. You're right, it's just a status symbol.

[@jpk1681]

I accidentally found polygon bikes and its otw. I'm so excited! After bad experiences with Specialized and trek I was about to give up but then I stumbled up polygon bikes and was amazed at the features you get on these "budget" bikes! Your video was very encouraging! Also, that bike trail looked awesome!!

[@porkyparry1]

Its all about the law of diminishing returns. My first mountain bike was a voodoo bizango it was about 750 stirling, it had pretty good specs for the price. then i pulled the trigger on 2500 bike with sram eagle and fox forks. Was it 3 times a better bike . No way.

[@dracorosso7129]

People who complain about MTB prices need see the eye watering prices of the car hobby. Plus MTBs are of the most cost effective fun machines money can buy. No other hobby has this much fun for such low price.

[@spongesurf]

Motorcycles offer a much better value for the money. Both on and offroad.

[@TDF2004]

I'm a car guy and a mountain biker. I don't have my license yet so I'm yet to experience how expensive it really gets.

[@muthatrucker6485]

If you buy car parts 2nd hand they hold their value for decades. If you have a cult car they go up in value. Over 20 of my cars I've sold are worth 4-10x what I sold them for 10 years ago

[@dracorosso7129]

@@TDF2004 your in for a world of hurt once you find out how much a car hobby cost.

[@dracorosso7129]

@@spongesurf motorcycle can't touch the fun of a high quality MTB going downhill. Plus I personally don't like motorcycles, I don't like motorcycle culture.

[@frozencanuck6764]

Im still riding my 1998 Specialized M2 Stumpjumper Comp I bought brand new. I paid $1100 for it...and it still rides like a champ. Id never pay the prices they want for a bike now.

[@traviswoyen2243]

A couple years ago, I bought a Giant Trance for about $2,500 (I'd have probably gotten the Polygon D7 if it would have had a boost fork at the time). There are definitely some big steps up a guy can take on spec, but you wind up paying a lot for them and unless you're a really particular rider, a lot of them aren't huge. The biggest difference I've felt was from buying a used set of carbon fiber wheels and lighter tires. It goes to show how good the "low midrange" actually is. So much of the stuff doesn't actually function worse, it's maybe a bit heavier - like Shimano Deore vs. XTR.

[@StefanDrake]

Where im from the Polygon siskiu D5 costs 2000$ I ride a 670$ full suspension bike which people always overlook or ignore its the rockrider st530s doesn't bother me that it doesn't have 29" wheels 27,5 is good enough, don't need preinstalles dropper or internal routing im glad it has a 120mm coil shock/fork and hydraulic disk breaks and 1x9 drivetrain I like that bike, when interacting ur interacting with the rider not the bike

[@akb1974]

I got into mountain biking on a trek Marlin V. After a year I needed to replace pretty much everything. All the upgraded replacement parts were going to cost me 1800ish. So I came acrossed Polygon and bought the T9 for a few hundred dollars more than it would have cost me to fix the Marlin. I love that thing. I take it to trestle, keystone, copper mountain and all over colorado springs and it's fun.

[@Team81MTB]

I've always tapped into the used bike market Matty. I started MTBing 3 years ago on a 95 Gary Fisher taikai that I bought for $50. Well that bike got stolen so I found a 2012 Kona hei hei deluxe 29r on eBay for $1100 and raced it for a season and a half. Still have it and ride it often. My next and current race bike is a 2016 Niner jet 9 rdo that I found for $1500! I see no need in upgrading anytime soon as both the Kona and Niner are both better than my abilities by a big margin.😂 I do agree that new bikes are horribly over priced. I'll probably always hit the used bike market because you never know what kind of deal is out there. If you save a lot of money on a used bike it leaves extra money to upgrade the components and still have money left over. Just my thoughts......

[@mtbstylus]

I’m with you on that. Bought a hardly used 2021 chromag stylus frame for $200 and built it out. Love that bike and it’s pretty much my forever bike.

[@alissoncapelin6528]

If you guys think bikes are expensive in US, come to Brazil and try to buy a bike. A brand new trek Roscoe 9 costs around US$6000. A brand new specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL LTD costs around US$28000. You guys have absolutely no reason to complain.

[@the.communist]

Brazil is madness then

[@JessopVTS]

Be cheaper to travel and ride one home

[@spongesurf]

Excellent video. To be fair, seeing the trail you were riding...it could have also easily been done on a hard tail with plus sized tires too! I only avoid places with nonstop chatter like rocks/roots on my hardtail. It can do it but it's no fun to me anyway coming from road riding where everything is so much smoother. I like it fast and flowy.

[@Ferrari255GTO]

People underestimate SUPER BAD how much a set of chonky tyres can change a "normal" bike. Ever since i rode my first set of 2.5s i just don't want anything that's notizably smaller, especially when i had a blast with a fatbike (wich are underrated AF btw)

[@barrettridesbikes]

On my hardtail I put some 2.5 tires on it and it turned the bike from a definite cross country bike into something that I could take on just about every trail around.

[@1stRateNate]

Really appreciate this perspective. As someone who lives in Bentonville and is learning to ride it is intimidating being surrounded by $5K-$10K full sus luxury bikes. Meanwhile I’m in year 2 on my $1200 Giant Fathom 2 and have yet to find a trail I can’t shred on it!

[@KA-ne2et]

I have fathom 29 1 And was blowing by guys on $5k bikes

[@Magnarmis]

You have to ask yourself if diminishing returns are worth the investment. I have a trail bike, a dirt jumper, and a commuting bike. I have all that I need already.

[@Da.Onus.Burger.618]

Hey, Matty! I was subbed to your channel all through the Treks, and somehow lost you for a while, but I'm glad I found your channel again. Your video quality has improved TREMENDOUSLY!

[@erraldstyler]

I bought my T7 in Feb 21´ right when the market was nuts during covid. 1999€ including 19% vat and shipping, it literally was the only AM full-sus below 3k that i could find and i tried hard. Not only that everything was 1k more with some weaker components, it also was the only affordable bike with good geometry being the just refreshed model and a good drivetrain. Components might be basic and some people will call it shit nonetheless, but the components are well combined and although at entrey level point, they are really good enough even for ambitious riding. 4 pot front and *working* suspension. Drivetrain is a gem, the Deore 12s is so good! I swapped my forks to a Yari and added the MegNeg to the shock. It also looks sick (lime/turqoise). Bike is really fun to ride (i run a medium 27.5 at 5"11, so a little on the smaller side for me.) I plan to keep this bike for a long time. Looking into a big Enduro next, its probably also gonna be Polygon. Just not easily available here, since the only importer is a small brick and mortar store in eastern Germany, but that kinda adds to the charm. Never seen another Polygon here once and the kids around town love it although some of them have "better" bikes.

[@mtbstylus]

One of these days you need to test a high quality steel hardtail. Yes they’re not cheap but they’re an amazing experience and ride

[@HansensUniverseT-A]

My 2012 Surly Pugsley is great for offroading, don't need anything else frankly.

[@dsb1829]

Coming from a background that included about 10yr working in bike shops, I tend to agree with the sentiment. I have owned a $7K+ bike. My last three bikes have been well optioned used/demo bikes picked up at about half price and I am currently on a $3600 last year's model bike that I got for under $2K. For most riders a $1-2K bike is more than enough to handle all their needs. I will say that in chunky terrain higher level suspension is noticeably better at it's job.

[@taylorbrown7912]

I rode a Trek Marlin 5 for 9 years - they are fantastic bikes. I'm happy I upgraded to a Canyon Spectral 125 AL5 (I think they are like $2900 now) though.

[@nachohernandez9491]

Ive been riding for 40 years on a hardtail and never wanted to up grade to a full suspensión

[@KA-ne2et]

Same 👍

[@CDcooper3876]

I bought a Gary Fisher X-Caliber 29er hard tail ,for 1500.00 ,15 years ago , and it still shreds trails like a champ to this day .

[@colingryms3373]

I have a couple of Santa Cruz bikes and love them... one bike needed the pivot bearings replaced (lifetime warranty) and it took months for SC to cover the cost of the bearings. My Tallboy has a Reverb RockShox dropper post that lasted for about 30 cycles (and failed) and it's been off the bike being warrantied by RockShox. The problem, it's been over for 6 months. If I had to do it again I would choose a less expensive bike and have money left for additional parts... it doesn't matter if the warranty is good if it takes a year to get results. We are in an age of you're on your own. This is just not SC, my friend has had the same experience with a Scott dealer... sorry we can't get that part (for a bike that was a month old).

[@raulrivera3010]

My first bike I got for MTB was the Siskiu D6. Fast forward 10 months later I upgraded the fork and rear suspension and feels like a brand new bike! Loving my Siskiu D6!!

[@jeffreyardziejewski2547]

Nukeproof Scout with Marzocchi Bomber Z1. I ride it hard and usually crash at least once per ride …….. and only worry about me getting hurt. Great video!!!!

[@Arkie_Outdoors]

The Scout is bombproof. It may be my favorite bike that I own. I’ve got a Marzocchi on it at well. I take it to the DH trails and Bike parks and can outrun most of the people there on their expensive FS bikes. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the ease of plowing through the wrong line on my FS bikes, but the Scout is a blast.

[@dcdude81]

My first MTB was a Diamond Back Line, I paid $600 in 2015! Last year I wanted to upgrade and received the same advice “you want a full suspension”. I almost gave in, instead I went with a Guerrilla Gravity hardtail (sadly closed down) But I love my hardtail.

[@rainmancw9022]

I ride in a group. We are known as the Trek Boys. We ride Marlin and Roscoe 6 and 7. No more than $1500 is all good. Don't get the money-pits from big box stores. Go to a bike specialty store. Great video! You got it down

[@derek2gloves]

Someone who has owned several bikes and upgrades. #1 How well bike fits you #2 Tubeless Tires #3 Deore derailleur #4 Air fork and anything else you spend beyond that you will hardly notice any difference lol. Anything over $2500 new or over $2000 used only necessary if you absolutely shred at bike parks. Most riders can find great bike for them $500-$1200 new or used.

[@stanleykachuik2589]

Been riding DH since 97. Stopped buying DH rigs in 2016. Now in my mid fifties.when i go park riding. I rent the latest tech on the hill. It's the only way to keep up with the fast pace changes of these bikes. I have mostly purchased from pink bike within my city. Spend most of my riding time at the outdoor pump tracks with the grandkids. Starting them on dirt jumpers. Those are the essential skills needed to progress to DH in my opinion.

[@feliperodriguez6885]

I'm looking to upgrade from my marlin 5 3x7 but I'm on the fence about upgrading to a better bike due to cost or upgrading what i have. I have been looking at polygon t9 for quit a while, great video thanks for the info.

[@marksfarmcraft1888]

I came before 'Mountain Bikes'. We all had modified 'Stingray' bikes in the 70's and did a lot the same things. OBVIOUSLY not at the speed and control of today. We were in great shape! Single speed with back-pedal rear brakes only. We did some crazy things and huge jumps and drops considering. That said, at 63 I'm all into 29" wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, and FULL suspension! The old bones don't absorb like they used to.

[@sirflappington2484]

I spent 130 dollars on a new hardtail I had to assemble myself but it came with a warped brake rotor, bend derailleur hanger, broken derailleur and the worst grips I've ever seen. But $35 in parts to fix it up and $10 dollars on new grips and I got myself a pretty good hardtail. It probably wouldn't hold up on big jumps and fast rides through rock gardens but for $170, I've got no complaints.

[@paul.p.smellthetruth2667]

That is why I do not buy a new highend fork but just a USED Yari or select and let it custom tune. Still far cheaper but better than highend stuff of the shelf. Example for shocks: Bomber Cr/VanRC used for under 200 euro+custom tune for 160 for bike,ridingstyle and bike from M-Suspensiontech (pistons and shims). Works better than 1000 buck shicks of the shelf. Just lacls the climb switch. Or get the used float x,then you have the switch. Same price relations for the forks.

[@WireShark]

You can ride everything with a hardtail, full sus will give you more confidence and is more forgiving. You can send everything with a hardtail, big drops and huge jumps will be a lot harsher. You want a more forgiving ride, you have the money, full sus is worth it. You're bored with your local trails, want a bit more challenge, switch to a HT.

[@jeffreyhoops3611]

I like your approach. I feel sorry for those who came into the sport on a full suspension bike and have known nothing else. I feel that they would be at a distinct disadvantage if they were to find themselves on a hard tail riding technical trails. I was fortunate in that my introduction to mtb’ing was on a fully ridged bike in ‘94. I honed my skills on that bike and now modern bikes are just the icing on the cake. Sort of like when I learned to drive. My father taught me on a stick shift. His rationale was that “if you can drive this, you can drive anything on the road”.

[@blizzardskier89]

Don't let people scare you out of hardtails because "they can't handle certain terrain" you can do just about anything on a hardtail that you can on a full sus, you just won't be as fast and you'll have to make sure your technique is top notch

[@victorolmos3639]

Let’s not mislead people, let’s be clear any can do what the rider is capable of doing BUT that’s no the reason you buy a nice bike, the nicer bikes will do the same as the cheap ones but they will do it for much much longer, I had a polygon FS and it only last me 1 season, the frame bent the rear suspension broke and the front fork never felt good it was just ok, not to mention the horrible brakes, now I ride a Santa Cruz Bronson that I owned for almost 3 years all stock and all original parts and everything works as is supposed to, not to mention that almost all parts are serviceable which means I don’t have to replace every part that fails

[@TCK-9]

🤣

[@soarstar]

As many are aware, prices for components went bonkers during COVID. Worrying about breaking $275 XTR derailleurs changed my perspective. Picked up a $50 1992 rigid Rockhopper, changed out the drivetrain with some older parts on hand (1X9) - changed the cockpit with about $70 in parts and went to 2.4" tubeless tires. It ended up being way more capable and fun than expected. Beyond the fun, you can ride without any fear of damage. Reliable too!

[@ER-me1ii]

Best time I’ve ever seen to buy. Got my new Norco sight c3 for almost half off brand new and included the build. I’m feeling pretty good right now. But never buy anything to impress anyone. To thine own self be true.

[@zimmejoc]

I have a Status. Love it, but it was also a purchase rooted in hours of research and test riding. You're right, buy the bike you love and that you connect with.

[@Spoolingturbski]

Instead of buying a $1300 entry level and growing out of it, buy a $2,500 bike and grow into. You can upgrade parts and keep the bike for a long time.

[@mroc48]

I agree with your thinking. I started mountain biking with a Trek 3700 doing simple cross country stuff. Then as my skills and enthusiasm grew I tried more expensive bikes such as the Giant Anthem X and a Scott Spark full suspension. In the uk the price for the Giant was £2000 and for the Scott £4000 however the Scott was not £2000 better than the Giant Anthem. So for me the Giant Anthem suits the riding i do at a price which I can justify.. I'm so glad I started with the Trek because it helped me develop my skills and did'nt cost me a lot of money if it turned out that I did'nt like mountain biking after all.

[@dough.1355]

Nice video Matty! I do some wrenching on my bikes but don't have much experience with rear suspension maintenance. So, I gravitate toward buying from a local shop instead of online. That being said, the Polygon lineup seems like a good deal.

[@MattyActive]

I wish I could wrench on my bikes! That’s the way to go for sure because then you could save tons of money

[@Matsmaurits]

Nice video with an important message. I do agree 100% with you. I am in my 40s and have mountain biking since early teens. Done a lot of lift based park riding on hardtail xc and dj bikes, last years on a slacker Marin San Quentin hardtail. I do se the benefits of better bikes, full suspension, slacker head tube angle, e.c.t. But you can have hell off a good time with less expensive equipment. I think your polygon are equipped with a Rocxshox Recon silver solo air, or something; it’s not a Fox, but it’s a great inexpensive fork which preforming great, and it’s like 4 times cheaper than a Fox, and almost as good as one. I know because I also have some of that expensive stuff, it’s better, but not that much. You can get far with a cheap Dirtjumper or even an xc bike. And if you can afford it; better brakes, gears, more suspension and modern geometry doesn’t need to cost a fortune to work good, like your Polygon.

[@grevron7607]

awesome advise. I used to have entry-level bike during my beginner's day. Then I upgraded to more serious brands. I would say, Polygon bikes, give you the best performance on a budget.

[@bradfoster874]

I got a marlin 6 i bought 4 yrs ago. Still goin strong. Just keep it clean and everything lubricated and it'll last forever.

[@anthonyvizzo1456]

I think a lot of the FS vs HT debate is due to regional differences. In New England most of my friends agreed that while it's technically rideable on a HT you will have more fun on FS. Rocks and Chunk all over. Now I'm in New Zealand and have access to lots of nice flow, and there's a lot of trails you could have a lot of fun, or even be competitive in a race on a HT. I think people go on the internet and just don't understand other people's situation and make blanket recommendations based on local trails.

[@goaheadskinit]

Appreciate the video as someone who's also started off on a hard tail trek. There's definitely a lot of people out on trails that are crazy judgemental if you don't have the most expensive rig......at the end of the day the bike doesn't make you the best rider or the one having the most fun.

[@WELSHMIKEY]

Most people overestimate how much bike they actually need. Personally I don't like full suspension, best bike I ever owned for me was a specialised hardrock hardtail. In the 90s small suspension hardtail were the norm and we were still doing stuff that a beginner would not be doing. Fast forward 15 years and I was doing MTB tracks and very rocky bridleways on a skinny tyre no-suspension cyclo-cross bike - quite painful and I broke lots of bearings but it still worked on almost any natural MTB terrain and flow trails, it ould do drops and more than a beginner on a MTB normally does, though I tended to avoid jumps. Going for a fully rigid drop bar MTB now but a good one, it's still being built but I'm super excited. Just pick any hardtail from a good brand if you are starting out. They are capable of alot more than you think.

[@lbe1ger777]

I am the proud owner of a Scott spark rc worldcup evo with a msrp including the upgrades of 13000€. What I can say is that it is the best bike I’ve ever owned, BUT the huge difference in price from my former giant anthem and the minor performance boost are in no relation whatsoever.

[@RexDogPets]

You are right. I picked up a Kona Big Dawg for $400. It looks like the guy just rode it on sidewalks. I literally bought it just to take my Dogo for rides. Now I need to explain to him not pulling me off is acceptable. Great video for sure.

[@supersyx]

First of all, Green World is not consider a downhill trail. Its a green trail that's going downhill, which is perfect for that polygon but still a big difference. I also understand the purpose of your videos to bring new riders to the mtb world. It all depends on the rider and what type of trials they would be into and trails mostly are called green, blue, black and double black diamond. they're mostly 4 categories of mtb riders, XC, trail, enduro and downhill. Once you find your riding type then comes along the bike that is appropriate for that category. mtb bikes are categized by there suspension travel. 0-120mm xc, 120-145mm trail, 150-170mm enduro and 175-210mm downhill. Now its up to you but you can ride any bike down any trail but you and your bike WILL take a betting and most likely brake something. I had a 2021 polygon dual suspension bike 140mm suspension front and rear. it rode well but when it came to enduro trails I was maxing out the bike for what it was built for. One of my vids shows a big hit and blow up the rear shock. So, to the people that is watching your videos, if your in the camp of an enduro or downhill rider then yes bikes cost more because they're built for the abuse and the fork and shocks become very expensive and you will absolutely need a bike that's capable. For the xc and trail riding you can by on a less affordable option to get started. You can upgrade later if you enjoy enduro type trials of drops, rock gardens, steep descents, jumps and going hella fast. mtb biking dramatically changes when you hit these levels of blazing speeds downhill. Great video i enjoyed watching but there's a lot more to this...............especially if you haven't toke your polygon down any real trails, cuz I have.

[@TCK-9]

Same with anything and he's aiming this at entry level, so no need to defend your choice when nobody asked.

[@SteveSavage79]

Great video brother glad to have you join the shredding club.

[@MattyActive]

Thank you Steve! I really appreciate it

[@HealthSportSpace]

I've been riding a full suspension bike for several years (2000km/y). It's 2015 model, the paintwork is battered, but I wouldn't trade it for a new model. Parts are cheap and available. For me, the most important thing is the 2x10 drive. I don't like the 1x solution. . Watch old videos of what people rode and don't be manipulated by advertising. My phone is also 9 years old and I am still happy with it. Greetings from Poland 👊

[@joebill3290]

i love seeing the respect for polygon bikes. I got a siskyu D-seven and it has been more than capabale for so much of the riding that i do.

[@J.William78]

When i was a young lad the only bikes around were steel and ridged. Bit the bullet and bought a lavish roscoe 8 and haven't looked back. It eats absolutely everything i can throw at it. Tried full suspension but just didn't dig it. Too much pedal bob, Too much kinetic energy waste. Hardtails will always be king IMO.

[@lalaswe]

Got my first bike at the end of last season a siskiu D6 and for someone getting back in to biking again it's perfect

[@jitterbuba]

Never had problem buying used bikes or cars... For the trails I'm capable to ride... an old cannondale prophet is more then good... old XT or XTR is stil good stuff... ofcourse I wanted to try more modern geometry... got me a 2018 Mondraker Dune... nice bike both up and down the hill... It's how much you are willing to invest,,, like in any other hobby...burning desire to try it... If the fancy 6K machine will boost your motivation... I can understand.

[@bazil4146]

I feel like with mountain bikes, there are diminishing returns for going higher in price. All you need for a mountain bike Is a good suspension, a dropper post, 1x drivetrain, a wide enough, Cassatte to climb hills, hydraulic disc brakes, and tires that are grippy.

[@pasp6868]

I’ve been riding a Polygon D7 for a couple of years now and for me 75 yrs old it has been a great buy. No real jumps on our trail so plenty of suspension for me. Ride it almost every day throughout the season…

[@blakekennard7700]

When I got into the sport I started out with a budget ht(scwhinn axum). After a couple months of progressing on it I started making it more capable over the next several months. It took about 1200$ to make it capable of how I was riding. But I was able to pick and choose over time what it needed (18months). Now it’s a trail shredder. The only stock parts on it besides the frame is rear spokes and rim hoop, seat post, and clamp. No regrets, it fits me perfectly and is completely customized to my preferences and I was able to learn a lot about working on bikes, geometry, and developing a machine that has characteristics that I was after. I did what to get a full sus to handle larger hits, and after months of research and saving money, and now knowing what I wanted from a bike,( fitment and ride characteristics), I was able to buy a Marin Riftzone XR for $2400 new. I love both of my shred machines equally, but definitely spent the time had to learning what I really wanted. Out of the box the XR came exactly how I needed it to, but depending on what I want to do on the trail, I grab the bike that suits that goal. Always have fun and keep riding! Thanks for the vid

[@topspot4834]

I have a fancy Pivot Mach 6 with all the expensive stuff. I love it. That said, more times than not I'm riding my $800 hardtail and I have a blast on it. My FS I pretty much just use at the bike park, which I visit a lot, but for most riders, myself included, you really don't need anything more than a capable hardtail. The Pivot is sick though ngl, got Reserves on there and everything. Edit: Watched the whole video and I should clarify, when I'm riding my local trails I'm on the hardtail, but the majority of my riding is at the bike park. I hit big jumps and drops, some pro lines so I need a capable bike. I could've found a used DH bike though and then upgraded components as things get replaced.

[@justforfun4623]

I am just now getting into mountain biking and the only thing that worries me is the older you get the longer it takes to heal lol. But I am getting me a Walmart Schwinn and gonna upgrade it as I can afford and enjoy it until then lol

[@jeffcarr2265]

Back before all the new tec there was no suspension and before that only 10 speeds and yes I've been there. I'm 57 and riding with my wife and grand children. I have probably been my last bike , I have a Huffy rock creek.

[@Trazor2k0]

Got into MTB with my dad's Specialized stump jumper made in the 90s, was a hard tail with 25" wheels and ended up bending a wheel and couldn't never find a replacement. But a week ago I got a GT Aggressor Pro that used to be on sale but the Dicks Sporting goods forgot to take off the sake sticker but I still got it for $299, rode the trails here in Pueblo Colorado all weekend, felt great. I'll get a full sus hike here eventually when I find a good deal but I just wanted something affordable that I could take and go. I'll definitely look into the Polygon brand, never heard if it before. I definitely gotta hit Trestle

[@vonnie7713]

Agreed that one does not need the most expensive bike. What I am trying to figure out is this. Both my buddies bought budget hard tail MTB brand new. Specialized rockhopper and a polygon hard tail. Not sure on model. I had my used salsa horsethief mid range MTB. Al about same skill level. Riding loca Chicago trails so nothing more than some basic XC trails with mild features etc. My bike has had no issues at all over last few years riding. They both collectively keep breaking things, bending derailure, snapping chains etc. This leads me to believe the components are just poorly made? Or could be their riding habits? Not quite sure on the final ruling

[@user-pk6jf1fh5j]

I’m into the MTB since 2012, and through the time and all bikes I’ve been riding wanna say - if something seems too expensive for you - it’s not for you at the moment. Soon you’ll progress, maybe you’ll dive deeper into it and Santa Cruz Nomad or Propain Spindrift came out as a bike that you need and the price will looks like pretty reasonable. You don’t need to think about “what others rides”, concentrate on your own skills and find the option that will fit you

[@WOLF3GOIF]

Went with the only bike I could find when the pandemic hit in my size. Just wanted a cheaper hardtail style and ended up with a stumpy comp alloy. Cool looking bike but more bike than I need. Learned alot from this purchase and could have waited but the bike encouraged me to push my limits.

[@JustMeNoOther]

I have a Merida Big 9 Mod 15 hardtail (with a Suntour spring susp) = $800 USD Upgraded with a Marzocchi Bomber Z1 - 170 mm - Air charged = $870 USD, after one year Koozer boosters front and rear = $117 USD I am so happy with this bike, I take it to the limit of the limit and always give me special service. And you will see that a new expensive bike is more because the brand and the susp, the rest is the same platforms. Greetings!

[@joshuaallswang8016]

The key is buying a mid spec bike in a range and upgrading overtime. My 2022 Trek fuel ex 5 was $2700 new but with my upgraded parts over the last 6+ months, it would be over 5k brand new! 🔥 By the way I freaking love a hardtail. Love my 2021 BMC two stroke. I would sale my full suspension before I sale the Hardtail!💯

[@user-xi7xv8bh1c]

Rigid, hard tail, only way for me, love the challenge of me verses the track, having to read a line through it as opposed to straight lining on a full susp. .? My idea of fun is roughing it on a hard tail, why go off road on something that smooths the trail out .? U want Comfort .? Be a roadie 😂😂 ps old git 71. Never say die 👌