A Killer MTB Doesn’t Have To Cost $$$

[@CanWeBike]

So many big brands cut corners in all the wrong places. Building allows you to spend a little extra in the most important areas like drivetrain, brakes and fork while saving money in the less important areas like the finishing kit. Great video!

[@Spindatt]

I don’t understand how Brian’s build as a mullet looks so much better than what mine did hahaha

[@TheBikeSauce]

😆 must be “the angles.” Also yours looks pretty good

[@aeshultz55]

Another tip for building something like this is to find, join, and hang out at your local bike co-op. They will have lots of parts that you'll need, have lots of expertise that will be helpful, and can guide you through the build process because they'll genuinely be stoked to see you do it. Win-Win all around.

[@jacobatherton8339]

Definitely tap into your friends parts bins. I personally love seeing my friends shredding gear that I kept but didnt have a bike to put it on.

[@linusmushroomtips776]

Front brake adapter is the wrong way

[@peroMajdandzic]

Mate, you have to go back to school, you guesstimated it cost less than 700 to build the bike............ That is way off, the real cost even with second hand parts, wheelset and fork is more likely about $1,500 and that doesn't include the cost of the tools you will need at a minimum possibly $100 (bleed kit, chain cutter, cassette tool, cable cutters etc) - Here is the real breakdown: FRAME- $300 Box 9 (cassette, shifter, derailleur, chain) - $210 Cables and housing for the shifter and dropper post - $20 Shimano Cranks (second hand) - possibly $40 Bottom Bracket - $30 Pedals - $30 Fork - $150 Stem - $30 Dropper Post - $150 Tires - $80 Tubeless Valves - $20 Sealant - $30 Seat - $50 Handlebars - $30 Grips - $30 Brakes - $100 Wheelset (good luck finding the right driver on the rear hub) - $200 Total: $1500 (not including the tools to assemble - at the least - $100)

[@surfotaku]

Front brake adapter is the wrong way up (or a wrong adapter altogether)

[@jevgeniardassov]

I have built my wife gravel bike last year exactly same way. I had old 105 11s lying around, full kit, did not like old shifters so got new ones from 7000 series for 210.- euros, GRX calipers and new hoses, stem, handlebar, tape, seat, brake discs and wheels had laying around anyways. Ordered Lightcarbon frameset for 740.- euros. Painted myself (luckily I have access to car bodyshop) built it up, all in cost me 1234.- euros, full carbon bike (besides stem)…

[@SuperTap007]

I just got one couple weeks ago after watching yours and Spindatt videos on the Norton. The things I upgraded are the forks with 140mm Marzocchi Z2 Bomber, Hollowtech BB with 170 cranks and some Shimano M520 SPD pedals. She runs a lot a quicker and lighter. Super fun bike!

[@austinsp00l24]

Great vid, good info. Building up my own bike with second hand parts was a very rewarding experience. One of the best things is being able to pick the parts that work best for you instead of replacing or having to live with some stock parts you don't like.

[@TheBikeSauce]

100%!

[@flexxx222]

I really like the green one with yellow logo. Great colorway!

[@timshelhamer7374]

Buying used suspension is risky for people who aren’t knowledgeable. Used hard and never serviced? Is it really a new takeoff? Steerer tube cut too short? In my experience it is always more expensive to build frame up unless you have access to a well stocked parts bin or dealer discount pricing. Every little part you have to buy adds up fast.

[@kbd13-n9c]

Exactly, I would only ever get a used for from somebody I knew and knew how it was serviced. Yeah it definitely depends on what you want. My problem with stock bikes is 9/10 they cheap out somewhere I’d want to upgrade anyway, like wheels and tires. Even a lot of otherwise good builds come with pretty “meh” wheels. I can get 100% what I want for a little more overall just price shopping.

[@AlfredoFrancisco-dm4pk]

That's what I did I build may one hardtail 2022, now I have, custom mtb, very solid,,,, 💯💯💯👍👍it's joy, wen yuo luke at,, 😊

[@manchesterexplorer8519]

Buying a frame to build your own bike is typically cheaper unless you're buying something at the entry level. The market is saturated with brand new , high end 1-3 year old components at up to 50% off as its easy to build a bike for less than what most companies charge for a full build. For what most companies are charging for a full build , you can build a better bike for less with all the discounts. You're also paying for the labor that the company charges to build the bike + shipping , so yes you get more for your money building your own bike.

[@dustinharber3744]

one day ill build up a modern 2nd hand rig. im still rocking my 2009 kona stuff thats been upgraded over the years with a modern stem, bars, dropper etc. its a 26 inch do it all beast that handles gnarly tech sections to flowy dirt jumps. its getting hard to find parts so i grab stuff whenever i see something for a good deal.

[@adammoonface]

The black on black looks so good! In 25+ years of riding, I've only ever had 2 complete new bikes. One was in 1998 at the age of 14 (which I still own) and one was in 2016 (which is still my main bike to this day). I have lost count of how many other bikes I have owned, and all of them I've built up from parts. I love building bikes, and part of the appeal is sourcing bargains! Sticking it to "big bike"! My most recent is based around a Marino hardtail frame I picked up second hand. It's an absolute beast and the whole build owes me less than £600 (about $750).

[@pascal379]

One day i want to build a bike but for now i have got a pretty nice one for about 750 new with an RockShox air fork and deore drivtrain. But i think building a bike is a cool process and i want to do it in the future. Nice video

[@workshopninjathe1st]

For not much more money I’ve just built a Pace hardtail with 12 speed full XT, Fox Factory fork and carbon wheels for just over 2 grand. First new MTB for 20 years :)

[@johndef5075]

I just built a 2017 nos Sworks full suspension Epic frame up with full Xt and Fox 32 stepcast. $2800. 25.2 lbs with pedals ready to ride. Pedals like a hardtail but shock there when needed.

[@hardware4computer]

check out the Trek Procaliber 8: alloy frame, 12 speed, dropper, boost, tubeless, Shimano groupset, Recon fork, …

[@cornish_boy6235]

I just built a Ragley mmmbop for around £800/£900. Yari forks, deore 11 speed, fox transfer dropper, deore 4 piston brakes, etc. all new/second hand parts, bike looks brand new.

[@giulianos9345]

That's what I did. I got a BMC Twostroke AL six for 550 bucks. So I had another 500 bucks for upgrades. And now it's a hell of a beast, exactly the way I wanted it. Customized cockpit, dropper seatpost, better fork, wider rims, upgraded brakes. And as I sold all of the original parts I had a little extra budget for some shiny, super unnecessary but extremely nice looking parts 😅

[@donavinnezar]

bought a supermarket bike 8 years ago , allright components on it deore 3x9 suntour fork , upgraded the fork in 2020 and now finally goinf 1x12 using shimano shifter and deraileur with sunrace casette and kmc chain and raceface narrow wide , would have stuck with full shimano if it didnt require me to basically replace my back wheel to more modern freehub standards to fit the shimano 10-51 casettes (hg freehubs are limited ot the 11 tooth minimum size)

[@mitmon_8538]

Aside from weight, are square taper BBs really that bad? I have mostly external BBs, but it seems like some people swear by square tapers.

[@NonLegitNation2]

this frame is a life saver it's literally the only frame with modern geometry at this low of a price. My matte black XL Norton frame arrives on Monday and I can't wait to start transferring my parts over to it from my current bike when i get off work that day, lol. You wouldn't happen to know if along with the included headset it also includes the extra crown race for using a straight steerer fork with the frame? I'm only asking because I already bought another headset with the correct crown race but if it's already included with the frame then i can return the one I bought and it would save me the pain of having to remove the included one and installing the one i got. I emailed Poseidon and asked but haven't heard back from them yet.

[@TheBikeSauce]

I’m not entirely sure because I tested a complete. Enjoy!

[@NonLegitNation2]

@@TheBikeSauce Update, had small fumble, the frame arrived with a dented headtube (occured during shipping) so I had to send it back, but the Poseidon CS guys were awesome and shipped out a replacement frame right away so i wouldn't have to wait for them to receive the damaged frame then wait for them to ship the new one. All in all it just ended up taking an extra week, and the upside is in that extra week i also got a 160mm RS Domain RC fork on sale for $230 so i didn't have to worry about using my old straight steerer Recon RL. I've been riding this bike now for a couple of months and it's pretty much perfect.

[@madtownangler]

The last bike I bought except for my fatbike was from Craigslist Some guy was just trying to get rid of his GT for a few hundred bucks. He tried to make it a single speed and included all the stuff he took off. Was a young guy with a way older woman in a really nice truck so he didn't really need the money LOL.

[@djkenny1202]

I bought an Orange P7 steel frame mountain bike with Fox Shock, all SRAM 1X. It’s very nice and in sake it was under $1800!

[@cristianulmeanu3702]

Any good forums or sites where I can dig more into this like what parts are compatible with what, how good a part is? I am searching right now to get my first mtb and the prices aren't the most friendly. I have some mechanical knowledge so I should be able to build it without too many problems and sourcing parts I don't have a sh market in my country but even buying them new I am more certain it will be cheaper then completely buying a prebuilt bike.

[@mygamertag2010X]

Great video. Great information provided.

[@Grrg]

It's a sick bike, I have a helm mk2 on mine and can adjust the geo from 120-150 pretty reasonably, but I leave it at 130

[@Ellerich800]

What's the maximum 27.5 rear tire width supported?

[@cory7328]

The exact frame I want to build

[@automat8]

Thank you! Nolan Thinking of dipping my toe into a Mountain bike. Why 27.5" v 29"?

[@TheBikeSauce]

Some ppl still like the poppy bmx-y feel of 27.5. It’s just a bit more nimble

[@callumbolch]

Is anyone going to talk about what's going on with that front brake adaptor? Either wrong size or upsidedown - that rotor doesn't have much contact with pad and won't be stopping much.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Apparently you and everyone else in the comments 😆. We’ll get that sorted

[@mkgearhead5151]

I built a 27.5 carbon hardtail last summer with mostly used parts from Marketplace and Craigslist for about $800. I live in Colorado where people upgrade their bikes and sell off the "old" parts dirt cheap.

[@charliedillon1400]

Colorado here. If you know the gear Craigslist is great here. So many rich posers selling stuff off they barely used. Never buying a new bike again.

[@TheBikeSauce]

😆😆

[@lov3r672]

Those bikes you all got in the USA are great bro, this would be perfect for me as i want to start mtb, but i live in europe so there are not really any good budget frame brands like this, and shipping from poseidon to here would cost more than the frame itself.

[@Penofhell]

Brand-X doesnt exist anymore. Used to be a great recommendation for a build lole that but not if you can't find them or service/get warranty on them.

[@Ghostinsickness]

Norton is the best example for hardtail, we really need this kind of video for fullsus bikes also. To have fun on a trails without braking the bank🥹🤓

[@leokuo7127]

Did Poseidon include the rear thru axle with the frame? I saw some early buyers claiming that they had to source the rear thru axle separately when they bought the frame.

[@riffmeisterkl]

Any suggestions for getting a gravel frame? Does Poseidon sell them?

[@TheBikeSauce]

I don't know if they do frame-only for gravel, but they're a small company. Wouldn't hurt to reach out.

[@tinglydingle]

My hot take about MTB groupsets is that more gears is generally a bad thing; in a discipline where rapid changes in terrain necessitate numerous rapid gear changes, pressing the lever an extra couple of times to get to your desired gear is more annoying than being slightly over or under geared sometimes. I like 10 speed.

[@timshelhamer7374]

Agreed!

[@coreyreeder3549]

Solid point

[@johndef5075]

I would agree until I just installed an xt 12 speed drivetrain. Amazing shifting and the 4 pot brakes the best Ive tried in 34 years of mtb.

[@jeffthewhiterican]

So the rear post mount is 180mm spec??

[@_MattyG_]

It’s all about the friends bike network!

[@coreyreeder3549]

I really want to build up a Norton but I already own a Redwood and feel like there’s not a great reason for me to own both.

[@vitoonto]

I wish this frame could accommodate a larger size 29 rear. I only have 29 wheelsets on hand 😢

[@OutThere42]

It can’t?

[@drbobjohnson812]

In the specs it says frame is specific to 27.5 but is 29er compatible up to a 2.1 rear tire, so unless when you say "larger size" you mean tire with, you will be OK with 29er wheelset

[@vitoonto]

@@drbobjohnson812 I meant larger than the 2.1 wide tires

[@LethWinchester]

3:57 looks wrong

[@michaelgunawan2319]

Correct, the brake adapter is upside down, causing the pad not to match the rotor correctly.

[@thispod]

Yup, pads barely gripping the rotor

[@cegalleta]

If you bought a 135x10 bike not everything is lost though! Even though boost wheels are stronger, if you build a wheel with nice spokes and nipples and choose a decent hub it will still be trail worthy. Just talking from experience hehe

[@TheBikeSauce]

Oh definitely. There are just more options available off the shelf in boost

[@davidcrowson4745]

Nice looking bike.

[@findtherightbeat]

Going for quality take offs is the way to go to build a good beater bike. 🍻🍻

[@oliverislost]

that bike looks nice bookmarking for later

[@kjracz15]

I'd say find a cheaper old model bike with good parts, then buy a modern geo frame. Transfer those parts to the new frame, and do whatever with the other frame. "Take offs" are definitely cheaper than those bought brand new.

[@Rootdown45941]

What size 29 tire can fit?

[@TheBikeSauce]

2.1 officially, but perhaps a touch more

[@Spindatt]

😊

[@Canigetanawwwwyyyyeeeah]

Like a bear, build it. 😂

[@floris2872]

If you have the patience you can find some great deals on used bikes

[@David-iq9ne]

Nice you've estimated that Brian spent less than $700 for this build but you donated him the front wheel, tyres and the fork...

[@TheBikeSauce]

True. I guess the point is with some luck and patience, most people can find some parts donors too

[@kris8165]

"Average consumers"😑😌

[@fatrobdouble]

I'm in the process of "downgrading" many of my bikes to square taper. Bearing life matters to me, as does a more tunable chainline.

[@DerRofflers]

progressive geometry isn't good enough, we need woke geometry in 2024

[@wematanye533]

I prefer establishment defenders-of-the-status-quo geometry

[@pex3]

@@wematanye533"gravel bikes are just 90s mountain bikes" regressive conservatives

[@TheBikeSauce]

😆😆😆

[@dasauto7346]

I prefer "collectivist geometry" where we're forced to share a state-assigned tandem bike

[@johndef5075]

Another idiot using the word woke. Isnt racism hilarious?

[@Saladon89]

Damn dude, why u pushing this bike soo hard. No one talking about it except for you. Must be a bad bike reducing price from 1k to 699

[@TheBikeSauce]

😆 the video’s not about the bike specifically. Just building a bike from the frame up. Poseidon happens to be a decent budget foundation

[@Saladon89]

@@TheBikeSauce Then just buy the frame i guess. Walmarts Ozark trail is a good bike to build up and costs about $400.