Who Should Ride A Trail MTB?

Winner will be chosen on 5th December 10am GMT!

Products I featured:

Thanks to my sponsors Scott Sports, Shimano, Whistler Performance Lubricants, and OneUp Components.

🚲Check Out Bike Details Below:

#sponsored

[DrIsiah]

I'd buy a truing stand so I can learn the dark arts of wheel building and more tools for my bike cave lol

[vivek_v]

To whom it may concern,
What I would buy with the 500 dollars:
1: Not using a torque wrench is not fun, and my mom doesn't want to get one because of the cost. Having a torque wrench would be super nice, although I have become quite good at determining torque values by feel.
2: I would also buy shin pads because my pedals have ripped huge chunks of skin out when my feet slip off of them.
3: I would get a new saddle because my current saddle is bent to the point when I sometimes slide off
4: I want to go Shimano for my bike, but my parents would never let me spend that money on a bike drivetrain. The sram sx that I have is definitely showing its age, although it has worked well for 2000 miles in the past 6 months. I would buy an SLX drivetrain, and then I would FINALLY be able to have my shifter and brakes set up correctly because my bike has Shimano brakes, so I would be able to mount them to an SLX shifter.
5: I would buy some proper clothes because I sweat like a pig in Texas weather lol
6: I would buy proper tires because falling down in corners with lightly treaded tires is not fun...
7: Having a shorter stem would be helpful as an 80mm stem isn't the most confidence inspiring
8: A heart rate monitor would be greatly appreciated so that I can train properly for upcoming races
But honestly, you should consider give the 500 dollars to somebody who probably deserves it more :)

[HeretiCflow]

Amazing cinematography and editing Paul!

[S.Minkii]

If I was the most lucky person in your big audience, first of all, I would be amazed to be the winner, and I'd need a few hours to scream around the neighborhood before I could calm down. Then, I'd definitely spend my money on the new Oneup dropper post and get rid of my pesky, unreliable reverb, get some new MTB specific shoes so i stick to the pedals like glue, a new 11 speed XT derailleur because mine is still running strong but is beat up and could use a refresh, a new chain and cassette would be awesome too! And if i have some money left over I'd probably get some warmer gloves so my fingies don't get cold riding in the winter! Maybe I'd get some michelin enduro tires and new pads for my shimano brakes instead of something since my old tires are way past the replacement point :)

[HeretiCflow]

I recently upgraded from a bread and butter trailbike to a super long, aggressive and progressive Enduro 29er and I don't regret it for a second. With geometry evolving, these bikes are still super versatile and capable of all day epics, while simultaneously being super capable. The "category" is arbitrary, geometry and suspension is what's relevant. That and skill - obviously. 😉

[ahhlongg]

One up platform pedals fox defend pants and a park tool bike stand.

[jedidiahwest]

Only 45 seconds into the vid and I had to stop a say wow. It looks like you’re riding in a painting. 💯👏

[swaggerdude]

I just got into mountain biking over quarantine and fell in love. If it’s riding street, trails or jumps I’m smiling ear to ear the whole time. MTB has been an amazing outlet for me and it’s really helped me through life the last 8 months. If I were to win I would get a full face helmet, gloves, jerseys, shorts, five tens and knee pads. My birthdays in a few days and it would just be so amazing to get this opportunity. I love your content and hope you keep making more!

[robertchapman]

Took my Transition Sentinel enduro and bike park riding in the Alps this summer and it smashed it! Never once felt under biked!

[Hairy_eyeball]

I was on the fence between an Ibis Ripley and Rimpo early last year. I was stoked on the Ripley but got swayed into buying the Ripmo because I didn't want to be underbiked. Turned out that I really did not like that bike. Was not nearly as playful as the Ripley and climbed much slower. I ended up selling it a month after I got it and bought a Ripley. Best choice ever. The bike can handle anything my skill level is up to tackling. The Ripmo is definitely faster on the chunky fast stuff, but I am 100% willing to sacrifice a bit of speed for an overall more enjoyable riding experience.

[VicharB]

That drop at 7:40, can do on XC hardtail (~13kg) with 100mm fork, but with a dropper engaged. :)

[adamxx]

Paul: yeah my trail bike has 150 mm travel
Me *crying in hardtail*

[magnuswickland]

I'd put the money towards a winter clothing riding set! And use it to pay my Bikepark fees so I could go more often and progress faster.

[finlaymceachan]

Hi paul! I'm from Scotland so I would spend the money on winter clothing like fox defend trousers as I still wear shorts. I would also get cushcore because I ride a hardtail and I think I would benefit from the rim protection. Cheers!

[suesmith-Longsally]

i just love my trail bike. the importance for me was to help me with my lower back pain. 140mm in the rear 150 in the front does everything what i need it to do.

[Justin]

I'm recently getting in Gravel Riding, so I would probably get a GRX setup.

[letsgo_inc]

I went with a 130mm 29er trail hardtail as my first mtb so I could learn the sport figuring it was more than enough bike for me starting out. My first season, I raced xc, I ran tech and flow trails all over my state and even took it downhilling at a proper bike park. I was able to ride with all sorts of people; xc racers, sponsored bmx riders and lots of recreational riders of various skill levels. I was able to ride in CO and experience really rocky trails as well. My $1600 dollar hardtail did it all and I have learned so much about riding and about what bikes we truly need.

My trail hardtail was and still is more than enough bike for me. On flow trails and climbs, it excels as was expected. Even when it gets rougher, I have learned how to stay on my pedals, choose lines and use my legs. And it is a 29er so I can still bang through and over stuff if I need to. I'm by no means the fastest guy I know, but I am not the slowest...and it is 100% my fault, not the bikes. As I keep improving, I am finding that my hardtail can handle more than I think. And because it is a hardtail, I am able to push myself all the time since I am not overbiked.

That said, I have definitely been in situations where I was severely underbiked. The bike park taught me the true pain of braking bumps and really high speed rock gardens. The hardtail survived but my body definitely paid a price. My riding in CO was a similar experience. Climbing was great, but the prolonged rockier descents takes a lot. Lastly, I did a 6 hour ride that included huge climbs and proper long downhill. The hardtail did it and I could be on pace with some bigger rigs, but it takes a lot and by the time it was over, I was in pretty rough shape.

My key takeaways then are as follows:

My hardtail will always have a place in my stable. People are getting "down country" bikes which makes no sense to me when really good trail hardtails exist. It climbs really well and is super versatile. It can kill my local trails, the pump track, gravel rides, the odd xc race and keep me sharp.

My "big" bike will be a trail bike with at least 140mm of travel front and back. The added suspension will make long efforts in rough terrain more bearable. It would also allow me to show up at any trail just about anywhere in the country and be confident I have enough bike to see me through to the end. It will also get me through the odd bike park day just fine. Lastly, as fast as a hardtail can be, a full sus is just faster so when speed is king, I can always reach for it.

Between a good trail bike and a trail hardtail, I have everything covered no matter where I choose to ride.

[bike_somm]

Beautifully done with this video~ love the genuine honesty here & professional opinions backing up the simple facts!

Random thought.. I could almost see this same argument for a Golf club.. one club to rule them all.. I’m a Golf Professional that teaches regularly when I’m not mtb YouTubing.. but a little bird told me you were starting a Golf channel..? If this is true I wanted to share my dream with ya.. perhaps one day being able to do the worlds longest golf hole.. call it “Enduro Golf” ⛳️⛰🚲🏌🏻‍♂️💨 one club.. one mtb.. one Golf Hole 🕳

Okay random daydreams aside, love these finer detailed product equipment evaluations! Big thumbs up 👍🏼

[No]

Here is my list(I have just recently gotten into mountain biking and love it I am using a very cheap used $200 bike)

1. Pedals, right now stock pedals are what I am using(pretty self explainitory)I would get composite ones most likely Chester's. $50

2. Tires. The traction right now is very bad. I slide around all the time it is also my brakes a little bit but a lot is my tires. $150 ish

3. A new helmet, right now the helmet I am using is a helmet from my grandfather. It is good but a tad bit loose. It also doesn't have a visor which I would like for extra protection. $70-$150

4. Googles, it is winter now. It gets muddy and when you ride for long periods of time your eyes sting and get really dry I dont have googles yet but it would be great to get some. $30-$50

5. Grips, right now I am using stock grips. They slide around and leave this weird stuff on my hands. $20-$30

6. Some winter appearal. I dont really have anything to keep me warm while I ride right now and it would be really good to get some. $50 ish

7. Stem, right now I have a 70 mm stem. I would personally like a shorter one. Most likely 35 mm to 45 mm. $50 ish

8. I would contribute the last little bit to protection. Knee pads and stuff like that. I'm not sure how much it would cost.

That is all I would buy, I love mountain biking and whoever you chose deserves it. Good luck to everyone.

[BengLang]

Great content again Paul 😊 For some reason lately I have been considering on changing my stumpjumper to an Ibis ripmo af because most of the people are going into the enduro discipline kind of a bike. But then because of this vid of yours it somehow make me reconsider things. By the way the cinematography of this video is superb! 😀👍 Thanks again Paul and ride safe always! 😀