Mountain bike parts aren’t cheap, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth the price. Sometimes it pays more to spend more, depending on the component. We want to know which category you think provides the most value.
Bonus for the comments: Which of the categories on the list generally has the worst payback?
29 Comments
Apr 7, 2024
Apr 8, 2024
Apr 8, 2024
If you put a tire on a bike that is not intended/optimized for it, you're gonna wind up changing many other things to match those tires. Even the frame and rider are due changing in such a scenario.
Apr 8, 2024
Apr 8, 2024
Worst: carbon wheels
Apr 8, 2024
If I were a flatlander, shifting would be less important. If I were a downhill guy, I'm guessing brakes would be a top 'o the list mod.
Apr 11, 2024
Apr 10, 2024
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Apr 10, 2024
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Apr 11, 2024
Apr 11, 2024
Wouldn’t waste money on wheels.
Apr 8, 2024
Apr 8, 2024
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Apr 11, 2024
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Apr 9, 2024
Apr 14, 2024
The original tires and brakes are still fine. The manufacturer kept the bike affordable by giving it an inexpensive seatpost and spring fork, 2X drivetrain, and cable brakes. The bike got me back on the trails and back into wrenching. Now I'm planning to upgrade to a 1X drivetrain, stronger hydraulic brakes, and larger rotors.
My current hardtail has helped me improve my riding skills a lot. If you're new to mountain biking, I suggest you get out and ride whatever bike you have, or can buy or borrow. It doesn't need to be fancy, it just needs to be in good working order. Of course, wear a decent helmet and replace it if it gets damaged (like the one I smacked into a log). Ride some trails and do some research so you can imagine what to buy next, when you can afford it.
Apr 11, 2024
Jul 13, 2024
Apr 11, 2024
Apr 8, 2024
Lots of wise people correctly stated that fitness matters more than any upgrade, but the motor and battery cuts a lot of that grind out of my life. I can focus on other sorts of things that I neglected, like actually wandering through a lot of paths less ridden. I feel that all that "skill parks" experience I built up was actually practice to get me through the random challenges encountered in the wild. That and if I ever get spooked by some wildlife, I know I won't be as gassed so easily panic pedaling away.
I'm more of a lifestyle biker who got caught up in all the fancy carbon and other expensive upgrades, since they increased the enjoyment I had on a bike. I was getting more reward for the same effort, basically. I had a quiver of various bikes, switching from a road bike, to xc race bike, to big enduro bike, etc. based on my mood, riding buddies, and w/e. My enduro emtb is as fast as I need, so all the fast bikes are redundant, and my big enduro bike seems to still rely on motors, just not ones installed on the bike (shuttle/lift). I even ride to trailheads that are over 1 hr away by bike on emtb and became far less reliant on cars for short trips.
The battery and motor on my bike cost less than the difference between alloy frame+rims and carbon ones. I can save money on all the other components too, getting more durable metal stuff, since the ebike makes weight far less of an issue. I got fit lifting the thing, to the point that I don't struggle anymore.
Apr 9, 2024
Apr 7, 2024