Is It Cheaper To Build Your Own Mountain Bike? | Ask GMBN Tech

Mountain bikes can be expensive, and we often get asked whether it's cheaper or better to build your own MTB, with a choice of custom components. The answer may surprise you... This week Doddy also answers your questions on tools, brake cleaners and matching tyres to rims 🛠

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Engage with us every week on the channel and across social media – we’re here to answer every question you’ve got on mountain biking tech.

[gmbntech]

Have you built your own mountain bike from scratch? Was it cheaper? 🛠

[MrSouzy]

Building my own bike at the moment. To be honest it is costing more than I expected. But on the other hand I am learning so much how a bike is screwed together and that knowledge is priceless and it's a lot of fun...

[robfreeman]

Just spend weeks searching for 2nd hand bikes until you find a hardly used /garaged MTB bike and save 50%+ of retail price.
I got my Merida/120 retailed at $2400.00 for $1100.00 not a scratch on it as new condition.
The 2nd hand bike market is full of bargains, you just have to be selective and patient for the right one with little use.

[StephenStylesGoesVanCamp]

If you store a bike leave the chain on the small rings, derailleur has springs also keeps tension off the gear cables 👍

[ZombiiNightmare]

Building a bike is real rewarding. I built a bike last week and I'm so happy but must say if you want to build it fast, make a list so that you won't forget some tools and parts as I did. I was really frustrated twice for forgetting to check the size of my dropper which I had to sand down ( really time consuming and tedious activity) as well as forgetting a bleed kit. Overall fun, good luck 😉 oh and carbon frames can be bought pretty cheap online especially slightly older models 👍🏼

[spikespikus]

From building up my bike on a fairly budget build, using components from different group sets to suit my budget, my build actually ended up a little bit more expensive than buying a second hand complete bike (about 3-400 pounds) however I ended up with almost a brand new bike. The frame I bought off my friend, it had a tiny ding on the down tube by the BB but that’s about it. Everything else I bought brand new. Chain Reaction Cycles have saved me a lot of money.

[Niidea]

Poor Campagnolo, always the special kid.

[zoranbregovic]

For clutch off/on gear shifting problem.... First, you need a really good and clean gear cable. Shimano optislick set is the best. And then adjust your gears to work smoothly with the clutch on. I've seen bikes with that problem a lot. And also chek if your hanger is straight and if your chain isn't worn. If you can, adjust your clutch to be a bit softer and that will help a lot as well.

[daleheffernan]

I built up a 1987 Nishiki road bike (frame was built by Norco) with all new modern parts, was one the funniest projects I have done. Sanded the frame down, repainted, put all the parts on, had to do a lot of bodging due to frames age (for example I kept the down tube shifters and linked them to a SRAM X7 mtb drivetrain). Was an awesome touring bike, absolutely bomb proof as I used mostly mountain bike components. Was heart broken when it got stolen.... especially given that my cousin gave me the frame after my first proper mountain bike got stolen (which was a Norco)... such is life in Vancouver, BC I guess.

[jblair]

Race face affect crank removal... you will need a crank puller by park tools ccp-44, to remove the drive side. Along with a 6mm key to remove the outer lock/cover nut 👍🏻

[najmerkamil]

Had same problem with the clutch on my XTR, finaly turn out, that was overtighten straight from the shop, and start function very badly after short time. It affect change of gears badly. Had to replaced, and tighten a bit less from the hardest setting. Now is perfect.

[andreievkalupniek]

Great info. On this video and on the channel as a whole. Thank you for all the work on these videos!

[verdonrocksphotography]

built for my wife XC bike, end of the day it was 30% cheaper and lot of satisfaction

[The_Other_Ghost]

Woah, this is the guy from "How to do a bunny hop - Step by Step Guide". A true inspiration.

[awesometuscaloosa]

Have built about teen, and yes tends to be more expensive because i (we) buy parts at retail price from websites, unlike bike shops that buy wholesale so they can afford to sell cheaper ready to ride bikes, still, like Doddy said you owe to yourself to build one, is amazing, cheers!

[garykidson]

I haven't bought an off the shelf mtb since 1999. Always look at buying a frame and building it up. Its not about money, I just like the process of the project, researching the components, hunting for the bargains on parts, colour options etc etc. I really enjoy the build process from wheels on up.

[elliotrobbins]

Hi Doddy, indeed you are correct with the use of torque wrenches. I use them daily in my job as a technician in the RAF and you should always wind them off to the lowest setting. Keeping the tension in the system only leads to inaccurate settings over time and nuts and bolts may end up not being as tight as they should. be which can lead to the annoying creaks and even worse, loose components. Not 100% sure on the Park Tools T bar torque wrench so wouldn’t like to second guess. Keep up the great vids and I may bump into you again one day at Heathrow (I was the 6ft 5 bearded one that said hello in the Starbucks queue when you went off to Eurobike).

[raymondpaculan]

Thanks GMBN Tech in answering my questions! More videos!

[robinrai]

Bought me decade old Cannondale F6 for 130 quid, bought a RS XC fork for 40 quid to replace the seized dart, and just bought a Trek Fuel 90 Full suspension frame for a 100 quid! Replaced the drivetrain with basically the same set but with a wider range as stock since i like it, and plan on replacing the Avid hydraulics when they start to leak with shimano.

[edrcozonoking]

I've gt one chain breaker from 2005 and I use it for all my bikes (7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 speed)