What Mountain Bikes To Buy For $500-2500 (in 4 minutes)

Buying Guide: drive.google.c...
Bikes Spread Sheet: drive.google.c...
MTB Reddit: / mtb
Feel free to ask questions in the comments. Despite my perfect all-encompassing flawless informative video... -_-

[@ShineHeavenNow]

Great list and great options, thank you for this! I picked up the Jeffsy for my needs.

[@bobtaco99]

great video dude. quick, simple, to the point. now I got something to link someone instead of explaining with a 5 paragraph comment just for them to have more questions

[@skg901]

Man You deserve pure love

[@MrSamdabeast]

Great video! Could you further explain the downsides of not buying a bikeshop bike? Are parts harder to come by?

[@TeddyParker]

Most (basically all) bike shops will offer a free service for up to one year. And bike shops can also help facilitate warranty claims to get parts. Whereas with a direct order brand, they may ask you to ship the bike to them. And some companies have even been said to not reimburse that charge. Also the general inconsistency of customer service with direct order brands. Some brands like Polygon and YT are actually quite good. Brands like Canyon have a fairly awful reputation. Despite being a larger company. I don't think this should keep anybody from buying direct (maybe skip Canyon if you're worried), but if you are not knowledgeable of bike maintenance and identifying faulty parts a bike shop purchase is ideal. For those who love the wrenches, direct order is a GREAT option.

[@Shahzad-Khan]

What would be some good 1st mods for the Poseidon Norton? Any good budget dropper posts for it?

[@TeddyParker]

I would pick up the OneUp dropper on sale now. Sadly there isn't an ideal budget option for droppers right now. I would be setting it up tubeless and changing contact points and riding it as is. Long term you can think about a fork upgrade and wheel upgrade, but in that idea it would have been much better to just buy a Marin San Quentin 3. Though I know the prices aren't CLOSE right now. So I get it. Poseidon current price you could probably legit build that same spec for the same amount. 275 forks are cheap right now. And of course probably the brakes eventually. I'm not sure how those perform. It's a very interesting concept. It's possible with proper pads/rotors they actually perform well.

[@coflyer2949]

Great video! Is the Cascade Peak worth saving for over a siskiu T7? Thanks!

[@TeddyParker]

While the Aris do have merit especially as horst link bikes with a good reputation, they do suffer from what I would just call 'odd' low end builds (not even bad but odd as values). CUES instead of Deore on the Elite and then DVO suspension which is good but less familiar to most... It's a tough call. If you do have 2500 to spend, there are a LOT of good options right now that may be superior to that Cascade. Such as the Giant Trance, a Polygon T8, or a YT Jeffsy. I would be matching each bike up on 99spokes and then choosing SIZING and GEOMETRY. The rest of the value and parts you can kinda work out later. Can't change a frame though. At the current sale price, that Jeffsy can NOT be beat: 99spokes.com/compare?bikes=ari-cascade-peak-elite-2024%2Cpolygon-siskiu-t8-2023%2Cyt-jeffsy-core-1-29-2024%2Cgiant-trance-29-2-2022

[@coflyer2949]

@@TeddyParker thanks for your reply so very much! Yeah I could have 2500 to spend but I’d need to save for longer, the T7 is much more attainable for me so I think I’m going to go for that one.

[@TeddyParker]

@@coflyer2949 nothing wrong with the t7. and over time you can replace any shortcomings on the bike. and basically 'make a t8'. many people have done this.

[@Luk4szByloZajete]

What about Trek Marlin 6 Gen 2? isn't it better than the Talon 4?

[@TeddyParker]

Like at a sale price? (This video assumes MSRP prices for consistency.) Even at MSRPs, the issue is the Marlin is 'too close' to bikes like the Norton and Fathom in price. So for an experience that is similar to the Talon, you pay more. But you can def entertain the idea of Marlins and Rockhoppers as well. This video is more so demonstrating the specific bikes you should get at specific price points as a bare minimum value. Meaning, there are some bikes that still run QR skewers and coil forks for the SAME price as the Giant Fathom. So I would recommend avoiding them. Naturally there are some valid options between each 'price point' but I needed to simplify this video as much as possible to make a really quick one. I do have previous videos and the text resources in the description that go over MANY more options. That may be more compelling to you if you feel this video is oversimplified (it is).

[@jervyjemramos2555]

how about the GT's bik and polygon ztrada bikes?

[@TeddyParker]

For hardtails? They are okay but not as valid with their build specs. The hardtails options are a lot more black and white in terms of value. Whereas the full suspension bikes have a lot of cut corners so you can make more arguments for the GTs and Polygons there.

[@bogdanpali]

I got the rift zone 1 😊

[@TeddyParker]

Such a good bike. I was considering getting an RZ when I heard Kona 'died' but the original owners bought it back so... Nervously waiting to see what happens to the brand.

[@ahmedmohamed-ku2xr]

is the giant stance a good bike? i want to buy it since it has a 46 % off discount

[@TeddyParker]

if its DEEPLY discounted, its an okay bike. Just know that the frame is an open dropout frame with a basic QR skewer wheel. Ironically the reason I bring up the Embolden and not the Stance is it has been updated with a thru axle in the rear. The Stance actually HAS been as well but... It's not available in the US yet. So for kiddos/teenagers or lightweight adults it's def no biggie. Stance is an okay bike. For heavier kids or adults I would recommend getting a Giant Fathom with the same money right now. Having a solid axle that won't break is more important than a tiny bit of rear travel on a single pivot frame that flexes through aluminum.

[@ahmedmohamed-ku2xr]

@@TeddyParker thanks, i'm just a slightly chubby kiddo so i think i'm going with the stance, should i get the 29er or 27.5er?

[@TeddyParker]

@@ahmedmohamed-ku2xr well is it because its on sale? because if you fit it I would def get the Embolden instead because it comes with the updated thru axle. 29 is for stability and speed. 27 is for cornering and playful control. also for budget bikes 27 is easier for braking and handling because the bikes are often heavy. whereas a carbon on carbon 29er has less 'drawbacks. also 275 alloy wheels stay in true easier than cheap 29er alloy. so... i do personally recommend 275 on a budget build. depending on what the price is. id recommend looking into polygon or GT before committing to a Giant/Liv bike.

[@ahmedmohamed-ku2xr]

@@TeddyParker ok

[@ahmedmohamed-ku2xr]

@@TeddyParker ty

[@jamestribble7644]

This gudie is amazing. I;ve been trying to figure out what a reasonably price range is for a beginner bike but, I go on any bike website or reddit and people say to buy a 2000+ bike to get started which is ubsurd. I get that there is a bias but it is just so out of touch with the normal population

[@TeddyParker]

Yep and that's more or less the reason I make these resources as I am active on reddit. And I wanted to strike a balance between the people saying 'get anything' and the people saying 'only mid range and above LBS bikes are worth the money'. Aside from tone deaf it's just not helpful. The most important thing is knowing when a company is cutting corners. Whether its a frame design thing (like quick release open drop outs) or a part choice (SX drivetrain or Xfusion shock). From there it's just about maximizing value for your budget. Whether its used or new, d2c or LBS.