Modernized Retro MTB |Complete Cost Breakdown|

[@rhysmanley3217]

At the risk of being an enabler, I'll point out that your final Rockhopper price includes a bunch of parts that aren't currently on the bike which could be counted as "free" towards a different project or as deductions to the Rockhopper price. I'm looking forward to when I have enough spare components that I can tinker endlessly for close to free.

[@criddler_9738]

This is the most relatable video I have watched all morning. “Spendatt”🤣🤣🤣

[@jackmcglasson3766]

Helpful to know that I'm not the only one that spends money (sometimes a bundle) on building up or rebuilding my retro bikes. Decreases my guilt.

[@drew657]

I have the great misfortune of constantly keeping track of the expenses of all of my projects. My Grouch-esque old-MTB-turned-gravel bike is currently sitting at 956.64. I sometimes think that for a similar cost I could have something significantly newer and lighter than a mid-80's steel behemoth with a sub-par 1x10 groupset. But then I remember that one must suffer for one's art, and I downshift to the lowest gear and light my glutes up trying to climb another hill. Love is pain.

[@fernandopimentel1176]

Your biggest problem is that you like nice brand name components that drive your costs up which is fine,but it can be done much cheaper and you know it. But I do respect your choices and that’s what makes your content/videos fun. Great job!

[@Bi6M4C]

for sure u r right but if u wanna ride a smooth feeling bike u shouldn't buy the cheapest components anyways. would be a different story if u want to build the cheapest bike u possibly can.

[@froggerc625]

Yeah I cheaped out on cable housing and instantly regretted it when they arrived labeled with RISK all over them..

[@ziodonnie]

@@froggerc625 meh, they are not that bad, as long as you run anything with less than 9 gears. Otherwise good cabling helps a lot with accurate shifting. Never cheap out on anything with 11/12 gears.

[@froggerc625]

@@ziodonnie Yeah they actually seem fine for the lower end drivetrains and better than the old stuff, just really dislike the obnoxious "RISK" branding. I wonder how easy that would be to remove.

[@ziodonnie]

@@froggerc625 depending on what you got, either with fine sandpaper or paint over them with a matching color marker. If you got that fancy aluminum housing, I doubt that you can remove that without ruining the anodizing. You could also spend some time and tilt the cables so that the branding faces the frame, so it's not immediately visible. Some Chinese components are not even bad, but I don't understand how nobody has told them that the lame graphics hinder their sales.

[@layspeed]

In my experience whether it be cars or bikes restomod builds always end up costing more than planned. But almost always worth the smile and fun they bring on afterwards.

[@Spindatt]

Completely true. I wouldn't change it

[@andrewpintar1620]

The process of the restomod itself brings fun - even when you're racking your brain as to what to do next and it's incomplete 👍🏻

[@genetrew2599]

Don't ever think about total cost.. smiles per mile is what I say. Worth every penny!

[@TheBRad704]

Between videos like this and the trash bike rebuild project and all the other restorations and conversions you do, it’s like I’m watching a documentary about myself starring someone other than myself.

[@ek8507]

alternative title: for just two dollars a day, you too could fund your own grouch-hopper. and for anyone wanting a lower barrier to entry, you can modernize a retro MTB for less if youre patient and looking for deals locally or if youve got a co-op available nearby. it wont be new new, but it'll be old new. regardless, the 1k over a year is also just... part of the cost of fun. theres enjoyment in building, and tinkering, especially if theres not yet an 'endgame' or goal in mind. learning about mechanics, budgeting, and how different parts affect the ride. its certainly hours more entertainment and learning that could be spent less productively and less efficiently. the skills you learn from tinkering, encountering mistakes, and engineering solutions are beneficial in everyday life, useful every day and has a potential savings of several thousands of dollars and hours, as it may translate to confidence in general maintenance of home, car, or other generally tinkery sort of device. it keeps the grey matter wrinkly and healthy.

[@oldshovel]

Lol I don’t like doing this for my builds… lol 😁😁😁

[@MABCME]

I feel ya on that one

[@jp93309]

Oldshovel’s builds give me parts envy EVERY SINGLE TIME.

[@kristiandawe85]

This is exactly how I go about upgrading or building a bike, i call it stages of upgrade, for me it just works as funds are always limited. I know a lot of people would not buy an old bike and modernize the crap out of it, but in my mind i love doing excatly what you have done to the Rockhopper and so many other bikes you built up on the channel, I just got to say I would totally love to own the Rockhopper, it a very appealing bike to me.

[@soggyshores]

Your content really speaks to me. Currently I’m making a 94 Hardrock into a touring rig. Cherry picked most parts off other bikes I have from that era.

[@smckinley524]

The bike toss was the best. I have only ever seen that move with golf clubs :)

[@nathangascoigne3745]

Hey Eric 👋 it was me who asked this question in the last Q&A, so cheers very much for such a thorough response!! It looked like making this content was pretty painful tho so I fully understand why the rawnstercross will forever remain priceless!! Having been inspired by Spindatt over and over again, I’ve decided to start showcasing my builds in a new channel (trirealhard) and I’m making plans for your upcoming build comp as we speak! Just need to finish my budget TT bike build series first (shameless plug) 😂

[@tylerpilkington8554]

The only way I can adhere to any sort of budget with common-sense parts is if I'm doing it for someone else. Frame-up rebuilds are never cost-effective, but when it's stuff I'm building for me, lol forget it. I'll look at an old frame for 5 minutes and I'm already on ebay getting tempted by NOS XTR v-brakes.

[@davidburgess741]

I haven't thought much about this. My track bike only has a few stock parts. Frame, front wheel, front brake, cranks, and handlebars. That's it! Fun per dollar- massive!

[@bparker]

This was very helpful! Things really added up over time, didn't they? That bike is beautiful with all the updates and TLC, but I think it is really a looker with the drop bars on!

[@WalkerBikes]

Flat bar swap pricing for the wins lol (more like CT for the win) ....the fun you had and friends you made along the way.... priceless....lol

[@prommerjakub]

I did very extensive research before I did my build like this.. I watched every video of this kind before ordering parts including yours ones... which were just releasing as I was building it. My final sum is somewhere around 500€ and I didn't have many additional costs... had to buy new chainring cuz i found out it not working well... so I guess I planned it rather well and did know what I wanted from my bike. And it is fun.. but after more than a year I'm coming to a conclusion that I want normal 28'' gravel bike with modern parts... Not regreting doing my first build tho... it was lots of fun and thought me a loooot.

[@jfspurlin1]

Interesting video. I have a 1998 (I think - I bought it new in '98) Rockhopper (frame looks the same as yours). I think it was about $400 new. It's essentially a Ritchey Bicycle. Frame, wheels, headset are all Ritchey. It has SRAM twist shifters, a triple crank and Shimano derailleurs, Dia-Compe v-brakes. In all this time the only replacements have been the seatpost (original was crap, replaced with a basic Bontrager aluminum post for about $20), saddle, and just for fun I recently replaced the short flat bars with Velo Orange Milano bars. Except for that, basic maintenance and a new chain and brake pads now and then is all I've done, and it still operates well and is fun to ride. I've use it for commuting, errands, fun rides on paths and gravel, and even for a tour with a rack and panniers (back only, the front end was very "light" on hills! Not ideal but I didn't have a proper touring bike). It's heavy but still a great bike. I'm tempted all the time to "modernize it" (new drivetrain, lighter wheels?), but would it really be worth it?

[@marcusathome]

Aish.... That's some good money.... Not wasted. Think about the fun you had bringing it up to where it is now. I did something similar with a '93 Stumpjumper (but will keep the drop bars) and spent similar money - never regretted thrown all this money on the bike.

[@brotherfishwrite]

I coincidentally found a nearly identical wheelset for $60 USD for my ‘88 stumpjumper build, heavily inspired by this bike! Awesome to see the breakdown on yours!

[@Spindatt]

love when the sick wheels come up for little money!

[@ronnisullivan9794]

Helps to hear real world costs. Kinda tired of videos saying I got this bike for 50 and spent 20 on parts. Riiight🤨. So good to know what others are spending. I do it for fun trying to not go crazy with spendy parts

[@semiclean]

You doing these iterations helped me get straight to the last version. I bought a Peugeot Alpine Express for 90€ (check it out), adapter stem + stem + flat bar + break levers + grips second hand for 20€. I got a good deal on full drive train, a shimano deore 105 10 speed 11-46 + 10 speed Zrace casette + rear wheel + CNCed narrow wide 38T chainring to match the original 110 BCD 5 bolts crank for 200€ (I also remember vividly pressing that purchase button), New set of tyres for 30€. Grand total of 440€. Could have been much more if not second hand or not thanks to you :)

[@stuvademakaroner9607]

200€ for a chainring? Why not an aliexpress one for 10€?

[@ZachGallardo]

Humble brag: I purposely buy baller bike parts for tax deductions.

[@Spindatt]

Lol I have 18 bikes to spread this out over. But totally feel this

[@jp93309]

Yes if these purchases are essential to your business (ie. making youtube videos), then you should be able to deduct them from your taxes.

[@deanjones4033]

Do you have a vid where you swap out a square taper bottom bracket (on an older frame) for a modern external bearing type? I swear I saw one but can't find it again.

[@arisu1252]

I recently built a similar bike for my girlfriend and i spent a lot less. I bought all parts online, some used from ebay like the frame and crank. Grips from aliexpress. All other parts here and there online. I spent (i think) 345 Euro. Parts bin was only the nipples, bottom bracket, stem and pedals. Frame is some old focus aluminium frame called blue mountain. I still have 2 rims because i found a package with 4 26'' rims at an online shop for only 18 euros. The cheap shimano hubs were not very good when i bought them so i had to disassemble them and rebuild them but still. The only "popular" brand parts are the shimano shifters, crank, hubs and raceface pedals. Still i was really inspired by your videos to do this. Also i could never ever ever spend 171$ on tires, not even for my road bike!?

[@derekmosher4561]

I have always done my builds that way and still do . I like buying used bikes or getting them for free just for the parts . I don`t really upgrade parts till they break or just worn out , just cheap I guess . I always regret buying new parts but that goes away real quick when I get the bike out to ride , so don`t feel bad just go for a ride .

[@brianferdon105]

I have a similar bike set up as a drop bar gravel grinder bike. It's an 88 peugot orient express with sensa SRX 11 speed. Velo Orange Crank, a salsa cowchipper bar, and Brooks saddle and bar tape. I was charged $500 for the frame and labor to put it together and retail for everything else. Total came out to a little under $1,800.00.

[@Spindatt]

its the saddle that brought the price up so high i bet haha

[@nyohaku]

Swapped out almost everything on the aluminum Langster. Then the parts bin gave me a complete bike when I found a nice garbage schwinn. Built up a nice steel track bike frame up after that. Three dream bikes now. 😀😀😀❗️

[@naufalkurn]

Loved the bike setup, nice combination color!

[@billmortin3724]

Love this video. Meat and potatoes! Love the cost breakdown.

[@adrianalborez5176]

This is very helpful, now I know if I owned a 90s MTBl, I’m going to have to spend $2000 because I don’t get free parts. I think I’m gonna have to go and buy myself a brand new bike.

[@johnnydoe66]

Glad I have been subscribed for over 3 years now, so I would be thrilled with any of these giveaways. Note: it'll be sad to see the Grouch....if it does. 🤞

[@TheMannuman]

How much was it in total? (Including bin parts - i know it hurts but it would be nice to know) & you could have put in some footage of the stages. Anyway love your content, watch pretty much all of it!

[@achn2b]

Gotta say, that is a sweet looking bike.

[@JimacGTti]

I've been building up bikes for my two girls over the last 6 months, so in my mind they have only cost a couple of hundred quid each.... No way I'm going to do proper accounting on them, as there is basically nothing left of either of the bikes I bought (even the paint has been changed) :) fwiw, I think that ol' Rockhopper is worth spending that on - great reliable old bike for commuting/gravel blasts and I just love the way it looks!

[@ziodonnie]

I love neo-retro builds but it's hard to stay on budget. Everything escalates. You get a nice groupset, then the wheelset looks garbage, then with a nice groupset and wheels, what are you gonna keep the old finishing kit? No way. And now you need the old saddle for another bike, that Brooks is on 7% sale, it's mine. And I really need tanwalls. Oh what is this, a freaky colored bartape? Will match my anodized barplugs.

[@solitaryrefinement6787]

I've played with the numbers of modernizing a retro steel MTB. It costs $100 "less" than an entry-level aluminum framed Trek with a suspension fork and disc brakes. BUT...is the $100-more bike actually better than the old school rig with a new cockpit, tires, brake pads and cables & chains? Better is a relative word, but for me, I don't know of a modern MTB bike in it's price range that puts a bigger smile on my face and an old school mid-90's Trek. They ride SOOO nice. Try buying a new steel framed mountain bike today, it'd be twice as much as the entry-level aluminum Trek. Besides, the whole frame is a suspension system on a steel bike when it comes to compliance and I'm just talking for trail riding which is what entry-level Marlins are advertised for. PS Great subject matter, but the soundtrack is a smidge too high bro. PPS That Rockhopper is SMOKIN' HOT! I love those old skinny steel frames with a streamlined cockpit, a rigid fork & big tires!!!

[@manchesterexplorer8519]

That modern brand new bike will depreciate $100 instantly upon purchasing it as well .

[@michaelgoddard9089]

Shouldn’t you be taking off the $CDN as you removed parts ? Only including those parts that are currently on it ?

[@greggr1591]

Sucky intro? Nah -- real life. Totally relatable 👍🏻

[@chillwill1083]

Definitely better than the cost breakdown of my ibis DV9 I got last year XD Def worth it but astronomically higher than your build lol

[@lexingtonsparks3744]

Ya I cried a lil inside when I rounded up the cost of my retro Specialized 1998 Allez a1 but it was the first road frame ever so I build my 17 year old dream , Best not to think about it and enjoy the bike

[@tysonkturbo]

this still relates. my rough estimate for my build I just finished is about 1300. a 2012 jamis dragon SS with carbon wheels

[@Spindatt]

I’m so glad I don’t mess with these anymore

[@tysonkturbo]

@Spindatt I mean I'm pretty stoked on my bike hahah worth it!

[@dalailambda9420]

Does Angela watch these videos!? Brave man if she does!!!!

[@aaronbrunschot342]

I’ve rode the same bmx for the last 10 years , I traded a Nintendo wii for it. It’s a 2004/2006 free agent idk the year of it and I still don’t have the right seatpost in it I just mangled a seatpost with a hammer so it moves still lol

[@spooky8662]

Speaking of rockhopper parts, how can we convince panaracer to give us more 26" gravel kings?? Are you putting in a good word for us still on these old bikes?

[@Spindatt]

Always. They teased it a little bit on one of my IG posts actually

[@andrewschneider5722]

Is yours a direct mount rear derailleur situation? If so did you have to do a thing funky with the rival rd?

[@Spindatt]

bolted right up and started shifting

[@kevinford2223]

Solid stuff there 👍🏻

[@Spindatt]

don't do the math!

[@planepower8523]

Cost per hours ridden (or KM ridden)?

[@derman3658]

It's March now. Make a video about not giving the bikes away. Not sure how that would work though. Maybe how much you've saved on them since then??

[@dant6564]

The Grouch is priceless.

[@jamesbailey8449]

I rebuilt my fat bike from the frame up. I got extremely carried away and the cost is astronomical but worth it.

[@davetbassbos]

You just invented a new kind of BMX, there's Street, Trails, Park, and now "Woods" like street where you find things not meant to be ridden (so trails or built jumps don't count) I think that bench would count as woods because it's closer to the woods than the street.

[@emperorgsx]

Im in the process of restoring an old bianchi mtb like this😎🙌

[@loud479]

I am committed to only put one kinda bars on my 90s build so that'll save me some money

[@jackwilson8651]

Still the best looking (with the blue handle bars) of all your bikes

[@madblunted]

yeah its not worth it, but it makes the old slow feeling bike feel like when you first got it. I mean when I first got my rockhopper it felt like a rocket, when I got a modern mtb, it was like riding a brick, now when I upgraded my rockhopper with newer parts it feels like when i first got the bike, maybe its because i got accustom to the 1x drivetrain..

[@davebrydon9954]

Ugh... I do a lot of restorations as well as buying frames and doing build ups. I try not to look back at how much was spent, especially knowing that parts cost add up so fast... This video makes me feel like my wife is doing the cost breakdown... and I'm on the other side of the table trying to justify it... lol

[@123moof]

My last couple bikes were from frames on up. One harsh lesson is that if you take almost any bike and just buy the exact parts and frame, you will lose. Labor to assemble a bicycle is apparently negative dollars or some such insanity. Of course building it from frame means it will be exactly the way you chose to build it (usually a good thing). So the idea of finding a cheap used bike and refurbishing it has always struck me as a foolish financial choice, though there are plenty of non-financial reasons that still might make it totally worth it to you. If you value your own labor at anything, definitely don't try to flip bikes for a living.

[@timfreeman2603]

You should do a flip bike collab with Seth @ Berm peak.

[@Spindatt]

lol, I don't think Seth quite has the time of day for me just yet

[@fortheloveof2wheels873]

2 part comment/ question 1st a question from my kids who watch this with me. Why don’t you wear a helmet when u get rad? They mean bmx. 2nd is mine how much was the cost with the current parts sans sponsor? Like add the cost of what it would cost to add the sponsors parts from the shop but don’t include the parts u have spent on and replaced with different parts. Like the cost to of the parts on it as is … That would be a more accurate cost for someone looking to build that kinda bike.

[@danielreynolds5012]

Should you not have been using subtotal and total the other way around?!?? Asking for a friend!

[@blakeszkoda5732]

Ok now we need the cost breakdown of how much the rockhopper has made you/how many views ads are a result of people liking this bike so much! I bet it’s not $1300 but I bet it’s not nothing either!

[@Spindatt]

lol i almost guarantee the Rock Hopper has made back what was spent on it, and more over the past 1.5 years

[@jp93309]

This is why I don’t go baller on XTR parts unless the frame deserves it. Like if I found a Klein with the dope fade or old school Yeti, I’d totally spend big $$. Otherwise parts bin, or no name chinese stuff from ebay and amazon.

[@P373RV2]

Those sram derailleurs are so expensive… damn….. compared to shimano or microshift… why??

[@GeekonaBike]

Thanks for reminding me never to do this calc on Any of my bikes.

[@darrenbedford8784]

😂😂😂 I'm not gonna think about how much I've spent on my bikes. 😂😂😂

[@jaybee9471]

Sounds about right. I spent $1296 USD retro fitting a 26” 1995 Nishiki Bravo MTB into a modernized gravel bike.

[@Spindatt]

money well spent

[@jaybee9471]

@@Spindatt I thought so too. It was a gift from my parents when I graduated high school in ‘95.

[@charleymissillier7190]

maybe second hand market is an issue for this kind of retro built; but you need a lot of time for that...

[@TheSpaceBrosShow]

Oof. I hate to think about this for my single speed track bike LOL

[@andrewpintar1620]

im chuckling that you've mixed up the meanings of 'sub-total' and 'total' 😁😁😁

[@jimbrittain402]

This video played after an ad for jewelry. Interesting juxtaposition.

[@kitkat12326]

1:38 pretty much how I feel about everything lol

[@teem6754]

Applying this analysis to my own bikes I've discovered my $700 beater rain rig actually cost me $3000 over four years. Whoops.

[@-Fubar]

Episode idea... Full suspension BMX...

[@Spindatt]

there's a company that makes them!

[@dodginglions5163]

Now I feel bad for upgrading my 2009 MTB and I’m right in the middle of it!…

[@manchesterexplorer8519]

If you're looking to make profit on flipping 1990's bikes I hope you have a ton of free parts or a very rare and desirable frame .

[@bhotsnax]

I also bought the green Hommage tires and cringe when I think about the cost...

[@Spindatt]

yeah, best to not do the math

[@molokofreak]

pure madness, worth subscribe.

[@glennpettersson9002]

I think my world view just shifted.

[@Spindatt]

for... the better? haha

[@pmoormann]

Division is your friend.

[@Manwichman]

Haha 😃👍

[@ritchakaritch]

Oof, honestly I think the starter price is a little too much

[@zackb-wheal6771]

money dont put a price on beauty

[@MotoSurgeon]

Buys a mid grade bike and upgrades it then has spare parts = $$$$ Uses the parts bin for budget bike upgrade = Free lol

[@andyamos8594]

Be fair on your cycocosting, make another video as a balance sheet showing crediting stuff you took away and used on other bikes! Maybe not.....realising how much other bikes then cost might be even more depressing!!! Lol!

[@racerx8410712]

I have about $5k into even bikes.

[@scotthughes29]

Rule of thumb….NEVER total the cost…NEVER total the cost…Ride, have fun, look how pretty it is….that’s all that matters. My two cents….

[@Spindatt]

its the cardinal rule actually

[@stevek4382]

People spend more on a monthly cable bill. Lmao

[@manchesterexplorer8519]

That's how I look at it , people will go out to a restaurant for dinner to drop $80 in an hour that literally turns into feces but then complain about spending $80 on a bike part 🤷‍♂

[@insanebmxthomas]

Lmfao that's a lot. I spent 2800 on a full sus 180mm enduro bike, with covid tax. Looks like you covid taxed yourself haha

[@DmitryKoupriyanov]

Should I unsubscribe and subscribe again LOL!!

[@brianbechtol7329]

Moral of the story- Buy a new bike

[@supervortex8363]

JUST BUY A GT

[@ronwhite8503]

Ever since the drops came off the Rockhopper it's been down graded....imo.

[@Spindatt]

Ron, you are always so truthfully mean. Love it

[@Pshpshpshpshpshpshpsh]

I’m not going to lie, every time I think about taking on another bike project, like your rockhopper, I run the same numbers in my head and go “do I want to front a grand on a bike I’d ride sometimes and for the winter.” Over a year I had my Hardrock I hit a similar figure just because I wanted to go tubeless and made it a 2x9… 😣 both were terrible decisions.

[@Spindatt]

i dunno about terrible.. its still so crazy fun to do the work