Top 5 | Cheap Mountain Bike Upgrades That Will Make Your Bike Better

[@bikeradar]

What would your best cheap upgrade be? Let us know in the comments.

[@donniebuchanan4154]

Get a bike

[@BMfins]

BikeRadar Peddles.

[@flxgreen6346]

A light a aluminium frame and wheelset

[@mishras1595]

Sir please help me sir

[@DangerDavez]

Tires and it's not even close. Disagree with the price thing though.

[@EduardoPerez-ox9hf]

Man I think I'm going to start running chubeless

[@incognitoreuploads4991]

🤣🤣🤣

[@isac.2h]

same because they help seal punchures.

[@bikeguyhk]

@@isac.2h will definitely try in the near fuchure.

[@kimo5379]

1. Convert to tubeless 2. Contact points 3. Tires 4. Get fit 5. New cables & fluids

[@zyghom]

Today, at 3am I made the best upgrade I could have done to my bike: I spent 1h on ... truing my wheels. That was 0$ job yet so much improvement ;-)

[@maxs4545]

Except for the $150 plus truing stand

[@zyghom]

@@maxs4545 none

[@maxs4545]

@@zyghom how did you do it then? True it on the bike?

[@swaggyt609]

@@maxs4545 you can use zip ties

[@mattmitchell5320]

Touch points are huge (grips, saddle and the right pedals). Plus, cockpit too. Have the right bar width, stem length, and shim stack etc can transform how a bike feels. First thing I upgrade on a new bike (touchpoints and the cockpit)!!

[@jameswilson2815]

Couldn't agree with you more Matt. I changed the grips, pedals, and stem and bar that made a huge difference on a 20 year old Cannondale. Magic! Thanks for your time. ALOHA

[@JB-1138]

Since when has a bike had a cockpit? Is this a hidden reference? Innuendo?

[@basstedson]

@@JB-1138 What did you think that little dip in the saddle was called

[@tolgaakyay]

Get a dropper post! Not the cheapest upgrade though...

[@DTMFM13]

There are some pretty decent dropper posts out there now that are very reasonable. I have some brand x ascend dropper posts that were cheap and do a great job. I actually got rid of a KS Lev SI and switched to the Ascend. It just worked better on my bike. And yes I agree that is a huge upgrade and I always tell people to do it as one of the first things to upgrade on their bikes.

[@steilkurbler4973]

@@DTMFM13 true that. Got a Brand X. It got a little play in it and the lever is not the best one, but got it for 100€. One of the best upgrade I ever did. You can so quickly change form climbing to downhill and vice versa without always getting off the and fumbling around on your saddle.

[@elijahpestana3123]

Neither is converting to tubeless. Soo..

[@genetelfer1]

I didn't even know what it was when I bought the bike, now I couldn't live without it,

[@DTMFM13]

@George nope really easy to install. Just watch a youtube tutorial. The stealth (internal frame routing) posts are a little harder but neither are difficult. I can't ride without one anymore.

[@smokedsalmon3907]

Going tubeless is so easy these days. In 2017 neither my rims or tires were tubeless ready. Had to use every trick in the book to get it to work. Yesterday did it on my new bike. Didn't even know they were already taped which was a nice surprise. Then both tires seated easily with my floor pump, like it didn't even take aggressive pumping. It's just so simple now, no excuse not to go tubeless.

[@aamgdp]

ESI grips are so good, especially for the price

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

I'd say they extremely low value, it's foamed silicone ffs. It can rip on first crash, they should cost 5pounds I run 36mm competitor that costed about 25 pounds, it was worth it for the comfort but not at all for the value. Those grips due to price should practically not sell at all.

[@_Bryant.R]

@@polishguywithhardtospellna8227 I like buying American made stuff. Can get them for $15 at my local shop. Plus nothing more comfortable for me than ESI chunky grips 🤷‍♂️

[@dynspks]

Damn I needed this! Cheers guys!

[@bikeradar]

No worries! You also got first comment so have a heart and one trillion gold stars from your friends at BikeRadar. x x x x x x x x

#6 - good bike fit

[@meteturhan3505]

György Mohl I love ur channel!

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

I agree with your list, except, cables and fluids are maintenance, not an upgrade.

[@fluffy1973]

Dropper post, 1x with oval chainring, and good gloves..

[@stevem9529]

'Cheap' upgrades lol. Gloves fair enough

[@mvanalst2003]

Agreed. A dropper would be awesome. But even the crappy ones are $100+.

[@klm_]

@@mvanalst2003 What about dropper post on Aliexp ? you can find some for around 60€

[@JuanPaoloBernardo]

love your channel guys! always simple and practical tips

[@bikeradar]

Great to hear and thanks for watching from your friends at BikeRadar!

[@machinist_matt]

Brake pads are a good cheap upgrade! I really like ceramic pads.

[@abhishekjmadan]

Basic servicing your fork is also great, just an oil change and well lubricated foam rings go a long way in making it smooth through its travel again. If you could save a bit, a new rear hub is amazing. Bitex hubs are $70-$80 and give you 50+ PoE. My stock hub had 15 or so and the engagement feels really nice. It does help in slow techie sections, but more than that it makes the bike feel really premium.

[@heldermonteiro7095]

Should cycling clothes matter to? a nice pair of shorts makes all the diference...

[@abcd969696]

I wonder why I still click on these videos

[@th_js]

Same, seen practically the same video about 10 times.

[@revvin_7779]

Too much Lycra.🧘

[@willeaton2592]

knee pads- they make you way more confident

[@coreymclernon]

Wet and woody, compound and carcass. 👌🏽

[@mann_idonotreadreplies]

2:25 I installed an ERGON SM PRO with Kinect seat post suspension.

[@blanchiplanchi]

Fitness is king, I just had a ride after 3 years break on and well know trail I used to ride, and my ghost, that was hard and not as fun as it was three years ago!!!!! Being able to ride fast makes the flattest trails a joy to ride taking every opportunity (roots, little hops, stones,...) To improve your skills!!!

[@reniam]

Pedals make a significant difference. If you're into speed, buy a pair of XTR pedals. If you bang your feet on rocks, then pedals with more mass to take the hit and keep your feet in the pedal are nice. Quality chains make shifting much smoother. Changing the front chainring changes all your gearing ratios that could suit your riding style, location and strength.

[@ghostxfairy]

Not cheap but I would say that better brakes and a dropper post will make the most difference along with better tires if you have a low end bike.

[@boborrob]

#4 is literally all I'm worthy of :)

[@vgjgghbgyjn1985]

You guys are better than gcn in terms of enjoyment

[@ieatslag5947]

#1 - getting in shape

[@th_js]

That won't make your bike better..

[@ieatslag5947]

when I made this comment I didn’t watch the full thing, it’s actually #4 on this list. It definitely will help with proper form and technique. Everything else on this list is negligible, without proper form, skill, and technique none of these will do anything. I remember seeing a dude at my local gravity park with a $200 Walmart bike, he was hitting quite big jumps/gaps better then 90% of the people there including myself. from that day on it really taught me form/technique/fitness will get you a lot further then “upgrading” your bike.

[@David-rb3tk]

@@ieatslag5947 Couldn't have said it better myself.

[@slowybowy2127]

If your not exclusively riding downhill and singeltrails, but also forst paths and tarmac, think about inner barends, which gives you an additional more aerodynamic position on the bike

[@boborrob]

I really want to try solid tires for my mountain bike that I use mostly for the road. They're expensive but seem worth it if flats are no longer an issue.

[@nudgeA7]

yea, i went through the original reartyre, so had to replace...., with some cheap narrow grippers for Impact, because i was low on cash then, but they are fine for the road and wearout way less than the Michelins it got delivered with..., next upgrade will be tubelessconversion and shorter stim....

[@thicccboi4246]

Dropper posts make a night and day difference in riding skill

[@eamonlee159]

I recommend a getting some g form Guards as it will boost your confidence

[@porterdallenbach1639]

I'd say running was the best upgrade for me. Running hills still works the thighs but the cardio can be more intense than biking

[@froznfire9531]

I´ve just upgraded my bike to tubeless wheels... Now, how often do I have to change the milk in there? I ride at best once a week for maybe 3-4 hours and sometimes weekends for 2 days... Some rough numbers woudl really help me :) Great Video btw

[@guitaroidman524]

At the most change it every 6 months as even if its not used it does dry over time (don't ask me how). Most recommend changing every 2-3 months. You can get Doc Blue 500ml from CRC for £14 at the moment which will be enough for 8 changes roughly at 60ml a tyre.

[@froznfire9531]

@@guitaroidman524 ok thanks very much

[@sc5691]

Learn maintaining your bike, like refreshing of grease, fluids, fork service, drivetrain deep clean...a bike isn't too complicated to work with. And learning to fix your own bike can save you a lot of money

[@nudgeA7]

and the fun is free too:)

[@simonpowell2559]

I love tinkering almost as much as riding.

[@sc5691]

and without the worry of spending more to fix your bike, you can explore and ride your bike in its limits ha ha!

[@kittykat7618]

Nice vid

[@aaron7380]

I’m about to buy a marzocchi bomber z2 for my 2018 trek Roscoe 7 😁

[@Swedishchef11]

Getting more fit, should be no 1. Costs you time, but gains you do much fun

[@JB-1138]

With tubeless tires, is the latex sealent anything like Fix-A-Flat? Fix-A-Flat can make tires unbalanced if it settles while the tires isn't moving.

[@jasonlewis6914]

I have magic marry tires. There are ups and downs to them. They are not good just riding around or on the road. I find that they are great for going through almost anything downhill over tree roots and rock.

[@smokedsalmon3907]

It's a seriously aggressive tire. Got one on the front of my new bike and it's got so much grip, it's amazing.

[@jasonlewis6914]

@@smokedsalmon3907 so true man. They are so horrible on the pavement. And flat trails lol. But I love them so much grip. I have hans dampf on my hardtail those are my favorite mountain bike tires

[@smokedsalmon3907]

@@jasonlewis6914 yeah you definitely need to be riding some more challengimg trails to truly appreciate them. Lol I've got the magic mary up front and hans dampf on the rear of my new bike. Really enjoying them. Before this I was a huge maxxis fan, these may be my new favorites.

[@jasonlewis6914]

@@smokedsalmon3907 they are my favorite brand of tires. Hans are probably the best tires I ever had on a mountain bike. They are great on every sort of mountain biking.

[@nudgeA7]

i got some cheap impact tyres, good on road and good composite, wouldnt have bought them, but my wallet decided at that time;) front u could do with the mary, its good to have the control there when u might go offroad;)

[@nicholaslopez4170]

Hi, I'm really newish at mtbing and upgrading. so I'm sorry if I'm not using the proper ediquette (or however that's spelled). but my question is. I have a iron horse quantum 2, it has a 3 gear cassette at the crank, am I able to take that off and put just one like and oval one, and just remove that gear set up entirely, would I just have to adjust the chain accordingly? I've been trying to research it but I cant find anything and I just want to know if I can before I do. Or is that just dumb jahah

[@marcralfschricker]

Dont buy upgrades, ride up grades.

[@bikeradar]

Buy upgrades, then ride up grades faster?

[@guitaroidman524]

Or do what Merckx did and take drugs. (Thanks for deleting my first comment, One does wonder why)

[@marcralfschricker]

@@guitaroidman524 Yes, the guy doped like no tomorrow. No, that was not fair towards his competition. Nor sportmanship like(quite an assh... move). Yes he produced this sentence ... which is nevertheless true :)

[@Methodical2]

Do both.

[@Methodical2]

I need to check to see if my wheels are tubeless ready. I bought my MTB back in 2012...was tubeless around then?

[@sail5820]

Yes

[@Methodical2]

@@sail5820 Thanks

[@amermeleitor]

It's worth the hassle to convert to tubeless if I only use the bike to commute 5 days a week? (40-50 minutes each day in total)

[@TonyStark-mp6zv]

How about carbon spacers ?

[@daryngoldsbrough]

Berg and Bush footage!! Great event, what did you think?

[@Bartimeus761]

My rims are not tubeless, nor tubeless ready. Is it dangerous to ride a converted rim in a trail? Thanks

[@javadchohan]

I have a Cannondale trail 7 MTB. Are the tyres and rims tubeless ready?

[@richarde1355]

It should indicate on the rim and possibly the tires.

[@steilkurbler4973]

More puncture resistance on a tubeless? Just slap a tube in it *stonks* For real, get a good tire with protection. Never had a tube problem, except when running bad tires that were thin as thin as paper because wEigHt SavInGs

[@pregardt]

I had good schwalbe tyres with tubes but got pinch flats when I did bigger drops on rocky trail. I went tubeless and no flates since.

[@zachnages9015]

How much the weights ?

[@habegunt4802]

"Hello one and all" *Seenthroughglass intensifies*

[@noahhowson1810]

Nice

[@RiderBlitz1.0]

Such a shame,my area doesn't know or sell tubeless tyre,let alone they know anything,so no accessories to gain,but some upgrades i can do right now

[@trenche7]

pedals??

[@JogBird]

upgrade tour nx or gx to xt

[@seizod]

I just spent 80 bucks to upgrade my brakes. Hated to do it but it is entirely necessary.

[@Alkhawarizmi8585]

1. Get a good sport nutriton food, better long lasting energy, fast recover, good muscle build up and easy stamina increase. 2. Get a heart rate monitor and learn how to train aerobic, lactate threshold power and anaerobic(pro only). Spend more time for trainning. 3. Get a coach if can or go joint a pro cycling grup. Learn from them. 4. Be a good cyclist, do not selfish.

[@firebrand07]

Echo: ESI grips!!!

[@Bryan-tn1bz]

0:58 why is that guy riding a bike with only 1 pice of the fork

[@TikeMyson69]

Some folks can only afford a half.

[@greysonwarner6167]

Sorry I’m late, but it’s called a “Lefty” it’s a Cannondale thing.

[@papasears1982]

tires are about 65-100 bucks a pop

[@kristianjensen8835]

WOW! Tubeless. what's next? full suspension?

[@igormarinkovic1531]

oh

[@ForkInTheButt]

Or you could do what I did and put the silicone inside the tube. Same shit without the pain in the ass of preparing a tubeless setup from scratch. Tubeles is a dumb fad

[@miky1093]

you guys forgot about pedals. Stock pedals usually sucks hard and at least 30-40€ pedals will be enough

[@EthanAdey]

#1 convince your town to make a mtb trail, that not a bucking trail

[@darrylerciaa713]

I'm jobless now cuz of this Virus pandemic but still wants to buy a bike from my first paycheck from my future ( soon ) new work

[@justinoroldan11]

An expensive one but would give you a better experience are the new fox 36/38/40 (2020/2021)

[@raupenimmersatt6906]

No. Get your cheap fork custom tuned A tuned Yari is as.good as a.Grip2 Fox but cost only 200-250€ Fox is overpriced

[@liquidwombat]

justino roldan bah. Only about 5 to 10% of riders are skilled enough and riding trails aggressive enough to benefit from those things

[@UltimateMTB]

Those are a complete waste of money right now, have fun paying early adopter tax

[@DougieL]

Depending on bike, (because many now come with...): dropper post

[@jameswilson2815]

ALOHA to you guys! Hope everyone is well. Thanks for all your advice and help. Hey if you guys have any job opportunities let me know. You lucky s...........

[@bikeradar]

Hi James, thanks for watching! Keep an eye out for opportunities on Immediate Media, you never know what's around the corner. From everyone at BikeRadar.

[@jameswilson2815]

Thanks again my bike-bros. Keep rolling! ALOHA

[@Benri05]

Me thinking it'll be 10$ under upgrades, i cri evritiem

[@bozidarmavrin2334]

Clean you bike 🤣

[@BattleCheese2]

Not even a joke. A proper cleaning, freshly rinsed and re-lubed drivetrain can get rid of so many weird noises which degrade the entire experience.

[@Greystone1111]

A good carbon handlebar!!!

[@mmb4063]

Innner and outer cables for shifter are cheap indeed. But outer cables are a b#tch to replace with inner routing through your frame. Think twice.

[@jaycebu6852]

Pls. Make an vedio how to improve our mtb skills during quarantine

[@repairedpillow3106]

tyre or tire

[@13LAIR-R]

Had the liquid inside our tube and eventually the rubber came loose round the valve and made it flat lol so no

[@niallkeane3794]

I need to install some hydraulic breaks can you do a video installing them

[@spackboys0197]

fake seths bike hacks change your name and if your were a seth fan u would’ve seen his vid on how to 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@greenpeach100]

Metal pedals

[@marthamryglod291]

I suppose we Americans have our own vernacular pronunciation drift, but it's chuff thinking of an example.

[@opampopamp]

I believe you don't know what to talk about anymore... Tubeless as upgrade is something I heard in videos since years..

[@TomMarvin1]

And yet still the majority of bikes are shipped with tubes and a lot of people don't change them when they buy their first 'proper' MTB.

[@nudgeA7]

...and it cant be said enough^^

[@redred1161]

Your ‘type’ of cheap is my ‘type’ of expensive.

[@LukeBlazevic]

Pedals

[@antoanangelov5672]

maximum feel XDDDDDDDDDD its called hand pain

[@oligatenby447]

This is cheap upgrades for your bike not a 5 ways to make u a better biker.

[@PghGameFix]

While it's a good video... the title is... "Cheap MTB upgrades". But when you talk about tires... you point blank say to buy the most expensive tire !!!!!!!!!! Not only is that the total opposite of what this video is... it's also a lie ! Just because it's expensive, doesn't make it good. I totally understand that there is no such thing as "The Best" in things like a tire, since they will get used by different people and in different conditions... but the advice is nothing more than fluff, and is really the same thing we hear from anyone. Sorry to be blunt... but it's the truth.

[@jameslopez5371]

Mudguard/s

[@sharger4517]

100 comment

[@vuthu1261]

Yang pilih allah like.

[@peterdavidson5191]

Utter Bul

[@jaycebu6852]

Pls. Make an vedio how to improve our mtb skills during quarantine

[@LightCarver]

Check out "Skills with Phil" channel if you haven't already.