We Built The Ultimate Cheap DH Bike!

[@robbfaloon]

Ahh the old 'budget' bike build, with a free pair of wheels, parts already owned etc... Appreciate your trying to show how you can do it on the cheap but at least start from zero as 90 percent of us aren't going to have things like a set of used forks lying around.

[@OLI-vx1md]

90% of the riders I frequent with have a bike in parts kicking around their homes without really knowing about it.. plus spares.. time and commitment and parts get scurried away like there's no tomorrow 😅

[@nickthaskater]

He also used excessively expensive new parts like the wheels and cranks. Could have gotten cheaper/used parts there for 1/4 the cost, offsetting the real cost of the fork.

[@OLI-vx1md]

@@nickthaskater but explained that there were alternatives to buying new.. he built the bike he wanted to.. not just some bargain basement cheapest piece

[@nickthaskater]

@@OLI-vx1md yes, totally. I'm responding to the critique of the top level comment acting like this was all disingenuous.

[@bk83082]

The unfortunate reality is that building any bike from the frame up almost always costs a lot of money. If you wanted to "build" any sort of budget bike without a well stocked used parts bin at your disposal, finding a complete used bike and refurbishing/repairing/replacing/updating the components will make staying under a certain price point much easier than having to buy every single component for a build.

[@benrichards6827]

I love this value series you have been doing, mountain biking is always going to be expensive, but showing that value for money is "still a thing" is great

[@ormondjosh]

Love this build. I built up a 2011 Specialized Demo8 two seasons ago and it is so fun to rip that thing around. There's a lot of life left in these old 26" rigs. My build cost right around $900 US and that included a full re-spray paint job. Really rewarding and fun project. Would highly recommend trying it out.

[@Ferrari255GTO]

I have an 09 that i bought for 600 bucks! Specialized definitively knew what they were doing when they designed theese, they're awesome!

[@juanchoesc]

Content like this is what we need on the channel! So cool that DH rig!

[@richardrutishauser4689]

Way to go Neil, I am not a downhiller or a jumper but this kind of project is near and dear to me! I love building up bikes with old but good parts and especially on the cheap!

[@JB-1138]

There needs to be more videos like this one! So great!

[@ShadNLY]

Bro he got half of his things for free

[@Videomorgue]

Deceptive and misleading?

[@elrictdb]

I really liked this video, as it's the sort of thing I've already done for the family, though more on the XC side of the scale than the DH. A budget rugged downcountry / trail-bike build video like this, with parts from marketplace and ebay and similar would be a good watch too.

[@james-hb5tu]

I don't know where you could get a dh fork and rear shock serviced for a 100 anywhere

[@baronvonrichthofen2021]

I like these kinds of videos. But I can’t help but notice all of them claim cheap or free bikes, when in fact there is a huge reliance on what parts are in the spares box, borrowed parts, and parts from sponsors. For most of us that’s simply not realistic. Most of us need to buy parts second and our new. So maybe you could do a show where you go out and buy parts used or new, and then build a 29“ fully. I’m guessing the price would double.

[@OLI-vx1md]

Not at all.. invest some time into scurrying the second hand pages and any style of bike can be built for this sort of budget, it isn't difficult, it just takes time to source the parts as they are few and far between. As for building it with parts bin parts , spares and sponsor parts, there's nothing wrong with that as he then explained that wasn't the cheapest way of doing things and suggested alternatives. He simply built the bike he wanted to, that he will ride, with parts that were accessible and very cheap to him.. it's the concept that is to be taken away as pricing is always going to be subjective. To some even the £90 frame will be too expensive..

[@isaacbrooks5999]

The lighting makes this video look like he's snuck into an LBS after hours to build in secret🤣

[@MartinBray-ef8il]

I built an Intense 951 FRO as my first ever build in lockdown. I have used all secondhand/eBay parts and enjoy changing bits as I go. I have it as a 26" but also have put 27.5" wheels on it in its slackest setting. Great fun building and riding this sort of bike. Really enjoyed these types of video.

[@justintilao7985]

Do more budget trail/Enduro/downhill worthy bike build videos please.

[@filus221]

I like how you using torque wrench to proper torque for bolts... And I love how you definitely don't use ball end of allen key to tighten up bolts... 🙂

[@Chickenatron]

To be fair to those criticising the use of free or sponsored parts; if he went and bought stuff a lot of the gear (old fork, 26 wheels) would be pretty cheap as they aren't fashionable. You can barely give away 26 wheels a full crown fork these days

[@davewells3182]

I did this my self, kind of. For trail not down hill, but I did it as so many stated I needed new style thousands worth of bike to hit trails. 26"wheel & a 2004 frame, but does exactly what I wanted, I love it. Love watching these retro fit vids, making use of yesteryear gear. Keep it up

[@junka1975]

Now we just need to see the Don shredding on it. Nice build Neil!

[@gmbn]

👀 Keep your eyes peeled for content coming out soon! 👀

[@chrisridesbicycles]

This needs to be ridden on the „what‘s faster“ track. Curious how it holds up and how much effect the single speed has.

[@savageferria505]

Going to be a wicked park bike. I recently purchased a “budget” park bike so my nice trail bike isn’t getting smashed at the bike park.

[@ShannonSouthAfrica]

Yes for when one pops into Whistler or your local Alps....

[@glennlivermore9120]

When I got back into riding I shouted myself a new enduro bike but for the same reason as this video I'm currently rebuilding my old 2007 norco A-line park edition cant wait to huck it again

[@fatpinarellorider]

Hmm. Nice idea to go with 26" wheels and single speed setup. That bike, however, costs way more than £700-800 as is.🤨 I didn't think you could do it for $700 (£580) as stated on your little thumbnail there (and I was right). Not many riders "just have a set of old boxxers lying around". And they're not given a set of brand new 500-pound wheels either! You did good to buy the frame and shock at the price, yes. Your Saint cranks for example are way over budget for a build like that!!😂 You can get a set of Zees for more like £100. Not everyone can justify spending more than a thousand dollars on something they're only going to ride a couple of times a year. I'm having to upgrade my vintage DH bike very very slowly, one part a month type of thing. It's just not the main priority. If I had to buy an off-the-shelf downhill bike, there is simply no way I could afford that kind of expense. Unobtainable. So I actually think a better way to do it is to give yourself a year (say) to build up the bike so that it's ready for next season. That way you can get separate rims/hubs/spokes & build up your own wheelset (the outlay isn't so big each time compared to buying a set of wheels). I chose plain gauge spokes on my original wheels, saved some money there for example.😐

[@lollipopper7878]

Please do an allmountain or downhill hardtail bike video like this !!!

[@ChrisCM23]

Great vid guys Watching this and the Peaty 26/29 v10 vid makes me realise that older tech is far closer to modern than you’d think..

[@Andy-co6pn]

Definitely, top level racing is all about marginal gains

[@mclaren44]

Sick build, you guys should do more "budget" builds like this

[@yodapig]

I agree - although the problem with building bikes using second hand parts is the availability of those parts in the first place. If you're prepared to wait until the right parts come up for sale, it's a great way to build up something unique and personal.

[@TamiyaRacingMexico]

Love how the concept of cheap is very different for GMBN from the majority of the people.

[@andyturner28]

Have you seen the price of decent new bikes? That is cheap!

[@Benri05]

​@@andyturner28it became cheap since they have extra parts lying around, if you'll build this from scratch you'll end up spending more than $1k, rather get a used whole bike for that price

[@sprousaTM]

I love building bikes for no logical reason using parts from second hand websites like ebay for good value. Most can be refurbished to almost brandnew condition for little money.. I am really digging content like that for more inspiration. I do not own a DH bike right now. Could be a nice 5th bike when seeing content like that.

[@randywells742]

Sweet video. I'm excited to see you and Blake send this ride! Thank you.

[@t_to_the_homschen7270]

This video makes me thinking about building my own 27,5/26 inch mullet freeride/downhillbike out of an older frame. Always loved Nukeproof, I've never ridden one but I like the design, the name and the geometry.

[@stujm8376]

I actually researched this and came to the conclusion it wasn’t worth it, but if you do it let us know. I’d be interested to see the results

[@OLI-vx1md]

@@stujm8376 what makes you say it wouldn't be worth it? My most recent build was around an older Rose Granite Chief.. 26/27.5 mullet.. short shocked it to make it slacker and lower.. 120mm front and rear travel.. absolutely rips on flow and jump trails, slalom courses and big jumps sets.. it's prime.. and again, like this Nukeproof in the video, the frame cost me £90.. admittedly it was battered and I got the front triangle vapor blasted and I repainted the rear. I rebuilt the shock and replaced the bearings and it feels brand new.. Why do you say this venture wasn't worth it?

[@antrace92]

Same here. For many reasons The pivots the bike uses aren't manufactured anymore For some shocks there aren't services kits and if it's got some complicated problems well, good luck fixing them. Also Replacing it with another shock is OK but from my experience with a different tuning the bike doesn't ride at its best. Then again, 26 is dead for the industry, double crown forks aren't manufactured anymore Rims and tires is the only thing alive as long as dirt jumps bikes exist but the choice is limited

[@Ferrari255GTO]

@@antrace92 wait, 26 2.4s do still exist? I've been struggling to find anything at all!

[@elnyoutube123]

I wish 26 inch downhill bikes would make a comeback. I had a 26 inch Jamis Dakar DH bike and I loved that thing. The bigger wheels these days are easier for climbing but there's something so much fun about bombing hills on a 26.

[@locualoein8543]

I wold go mullet: 26 rear, 27.5 front. Cheap frame a 26 or a Meta HT 27.5". Fork Yari 27.5 and a bunch of components. A 26 mullet is quite funn. And 26-27.5 are the save of 26 frames.

[@francisdee9955]

oh no! he touched the rotor with his fingers. doddy will be mad😂

[@murkysubstance3929]

Great build- really enjoyed it. Would love to see a similar 'dirt cheap but still super capable' xc, jump, trials or street mtb version of this video.

[@richardsmith3350]

Excellent, that looks like a load of fun. I did something similar during lock down and stuff like Saint, Zee, Code R and Hope components are surprisingly cheap SH. I got a set of NOS marazzochi 380 Ti forks on ebay and they are great and I learnt how to build wheels with some hope hubs and Halo rims. Really enjoyable project.

[@SwordFighterPKN]

Long live the 26er!!!!

[@petegibson7676]

So with out the sponsors and expensive spare parts what’s the true total????

[@papawindy]

Total cost £1790, I would love to see a video where it's actually cheap. You guys should actually build that bike for £400/500 that would be interesting.

[@KarstRats]

You say 1700 isnt cheap as if going to a box store and spending 9 grand is better or something.

[@Benri05]

​​@@KarstRatsfor 1700 pounds, you can get a recent used DH bike with a.much more modern geometry and specs, not saying that the bike in the video isn't capable but for that amount of money you can get something better.

[@Twigster1]

Hmmm, it's all well and good saying its a "cheap" bike but when you have things just lying around and have sponsors that give you parts it kind of detracts from a cheap build i.e. not something that Joe Bloggs can buy for the same amount

[@flurgerbla7609]

My first downhill bike i built for super cheap from an old frame on clearance and parts bin parts. Still the way to go!

[@shawngifford]

The audience deserves a follow up ride video. 🫡

[@paulwolfram7774]

Love this. That's what we need more of!

[@zakkane2814]

There's a fine line, especially for dh bikes, between price and performance. They need to take an absolute beating so they need some solid r&d, but that costs a lot of money, which makes it difficult to get into the sport for most consumers. Really cool to see the gap bridged, hoping for more videos like this

[@Windrunner11]

I have an alloy Santa Cruz V10 from 2012 that i bought used for about 120 pounds (definitely paid a bit too much considering the rear hub was busted among other things) and it's basically the same as this bike minus some of the cooler parts, like those sick saint cranks. Rips like hell in the bike park, i absolutely love it

[@nikolainikolov7398]

I have Scott FR 30 2014, still great to ride.. I even put 27.5 wheels and it is fantastic.

[@focofox37]

I bought an 07 Transition GranMal last year, mated it up with a second hand Durolux, mullet setup 27.5 front and 26 rear and that girl just flies... Seriously y'all hit up pinkbike and refresh the old legends, they're so damn good

[@ashleytombs]

What an amazing build just shows you you don’t have to buy a brand new DH bike The old ones More or less have the same geometry as today’s bikes and they won’t break the bank but a decent set of 26 inch wheels will and thanks Neil for building my Christmas present I’ll pick it up later lol

[@Ferrari255GTO]

Well, you'd be surprised how much geometry can change, KTM kinda went wild in 2015 with the tribute, wich is basically a naked motorbike frame with bicicle parts. Really awesome looking bike in person, especially the dark grey metallic and red one, it looks like it's gonna tear apart whatever it finds and i love it, runs really good for how heavy it is too!

[@sultanabran1]

sick video again, neil. can't wait to see you ride it.

[@kingdomculture5743]

Looks great! Do you still have this bike?

[@thefluffchucker1424]

Loved the video please do more like this!!

[@silviapabon1282]

awesome, what a great plan for aggressive riding and I learned quickly.

[@benconnelly5246]

NEIL!!! fingers on the breaking surface tut tut tut haha great vid

[@gaberomero1740]

I’ve got an older trek session that I put 27.5 zeb so i could mullet it. It was already single speed. It’s great and somehow only weighs about 32 lbs , lighter than my enduro 😂

[@jonathanlindup3269]

I just bought one of these last week for £500, as i didn't want to smash up my ebike at the bike parks,same boxer forks , just fitted a wide range cassette and a dropper to make it easier to pedal around, next job is replace all the bearings, nice bike👍highly rated back in the day

[@claytonthorpe]

Hey fellas! I know I’m a bit late to the party but I’m an avid 26” wheel downhiller!😂 I’ve got a 2015 Specialized Status 2 that I love to rip on lift access trails. It’s a relatively cheap build and you can’t beat how much fun it is!

[@hansmaker1236]

i give that bike a supernice!

[@yodapig]

Really nice build - and I appreciate the colour coordination too - makes it look a lot less 'bitsa'... One thing I would consider to make the bike a little more versatile though is to install a Shimano Deore 10-speed cassette, clutch mech and shifter (around £130) rather than the single speed conversion - especially as you need that 'mini-mech' chain tensioner anyway?

[@rswolly]

I've still got my 2014 scalp 🤘🤘 still takes all the abuse too, love it for the bike parks even if my 2018 mega is just as capable lol

[@ChristmasChris77]

Great song ! Thanks 😊👍

[@IanThompsonmohaanozz]

love the video,well done guys

[@TE_53349]

As a person who owns a nukeproof scalp from 2012. Ive bought the bike for £200, new forks £500, new shock £300, general service £130. £1130 in total

[@stu7588]

Am in the middle off building a kona honzo cant wait till its done!

[@dewindoethdwl2798]

26” wheel downhill bikes go quite cheap and some are still bloody brilliant on the smoother parks.

[@markcosens1]

A dual crown fork without a direct mount stem makes the baby jesus sad. EDIT Ah I see you have changed it out at the end. Good work!

[@Vaampe]

Thats one hell of bike for like 800. Thank you, very inspiring !

[@miriammorrow4]

Great job. The bike looks beautiful. I am a road cyclist but have a Norco six six which I purchased last year 26 inch wheels which I use when I want to go on some trails. Technically the bike is DH bike but I use it everywhere. Would like to try it on a DH course but at 60 years of age I am a bit apprehensive of my skill level.

[@markcosens1]

What happened to the devinci? Surely the geometry between the devicni & the nukeproof werent that far apart being from roughly the same era?

[@davidbestea4221]

The scalp had major issues with cracks in the headtube area. Broke one myself in my first year of riding bikes

[@chaosflower4892]

Getting rid of 26in was a travesty.

[@OLI-vx1md]

They didn't go anywhere lol.. just most people got blindsided by marketing and social media jive..

[@SticklesMickles]

I sold a set of 26" DH wheels cheap on FB marketplace because i assumed they were worth nothing, the guy travelled from Scotland for them.

[@artoutlawphoto]

I recently build a 26xc bike with top parts, some new, some i had, some second hand.. some i found at the dumpster. It cost me 700€. Its amazing how much cheap second hand parts are. I bought a pair of sram level ultimate, not the new version, the old one (witch are even lighter than the new one) and they where brand new.. just 130€ including shipping.. and if you buy new ones will be around 350-380€.

[@nroose]

Would be great to know how the single speed goes. How steep can you go uphill? What's the speed if you are pedaling ~100rpm?

[@peterlotharides8104]

absolutely love this video :-)

[@gmbn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@manoz6194]

Why don't they make more upside down forks? Surely less water and grime would get in?

[@66KTMracing]

Sick! I had the same bike also with this red boxxer in front... loved it but that 2012 Scalp cracked between toptube and downtube right next to the welding in 2018, keep an eye on that ;) also bikes were getting bigger and bigger for a good reason since than, had a size L bike than but I think I would want an XXL from '12 now (I'm 1,90 m tall)

[@darius4905]

Amazing build, that bike looks rad and ready to shred!❤

[@stonnoa]

Nice Video. I like the aesthetics.

[@zoidster]

Fantastic, just having trouble finding the Nukeproof scout frame for £90 and free wheels?

[@Cheapsh0t247]

a pair of RockShox full of British water sir, you surprise me.... - Joking aside, loving this style of content, there are some amazing high end 2nd hand 26" wheel bikes out there which will more than deliver and at a mere fraction of the cost of the current ones with the large marketing budgets

[@frankthetankricard]

Building up a bike from parts is still not worth it even if you are going used. I know because I do it all the time. Complete bikes are better deals but I know what I like and want to stick with it. Your nukeproof frameset was an insane find btw, don't know how different the UK market is but in my neck of the woods that thing would immediately sell for 4-500... Neat bike altogether, only I would have gone for an integrated stem.

[@GarageGuru_S]

What’s are all the parts used in this video

[@CainnechK]

So i love the idea of this bike and it being single speed because i was thinking the same thing. my only question is does a build have to start with a bike specifically made for downhill? for example Specialized is selling the Status 160 frame for $750 right now, would that work?

[@Manimal666]

Did you pay mates rates for fork service as i checked their prices and fork service starts at £120 ;)

[@garyanger3141]

Great video and that bike looks amazing😎. Well done. Would it be possible to do a similar build for those looking to get into enduro cheap(ish)???

[@implodingbaby]

This is the content I need

[@MyGuitartime]

Love it cool rig! Makes me want to do a build!

[@BulletGaming012]

Would love to see a similar one for XC bikes that you could race on.

[@Chaosity86]

i might see if i can get a rear suspension frame of fb marketplace just to see if i can full sus my hard-tail on the cheap.

[@weastan]

It looks amazing 😍

[@robertkoleczko3987]

Well said! I'm a hobby DH Bike park rider, and a bike mechanic. Means, usually, my beloved Scott Gambler with my also beloved FOX 40 Kashima, is ridden 10 to 15 days, a Year. 😔🤣😂😂👍

[@frederickcook6541]

Siiick video!

[@davegillette953]

Very cool bike nice job!

[@tonyvanhout2394]

26 aren't dead yet, nice build

[@thusmarshal8815]

I see today alot of Dh racers go back to 26 and o l love it I think 26 is the best for fast twitchy terrain and nimble as ever I use a cross country that changed it to be a downcountry bike from 2011 and it's faster than many 27.5 and 29

[@bignikoli]

Totally coping I have an old giant reign x2 from 2010

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I think you guys finally figured out what the word “cheap” means.

[@jonathanduff9118]

are you running a oval chain ring on the bike?

[@jacksoutdoors4191]

Can you do a how to backhop for beginners with martyn?

[@damsonpirate]

This is such a good idea

[@CanonFirefly]

Isn't the 2014 Nukeproof DH bike called a Pulse, not Scout?

[@Justkeepshredding]

If you crash on a dh bike, would the forks smack into the frame?

[@janskyrigs5170]

If it was here in the philippines. The price would be around in 70k or up. For a 35k bike DH build many would swarm that here. That is the cheapest nicest dh bike ive seen