Buying A Bike | The Complete Guide To Buying An MTB

What bike should you buy? Doddy explains the key differences between Cross Country (XC), Trail, All-Mountain / Enduro and Downhill (DH) and tells you what to look out for.
Buying a bike is a big decision. Get it right with our buyer's guide. In this video, we take you through the key differences between bikes and explain the things that you should be looking out for when you make this important purchase. Details such as wheel size (27.5" or 29")? Full suspension or hardtail? Frame size? Demo Days? Online or the local bike shop?

What's the best mountain bike for you❓💭 Let us know 👇

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook! @gmbntech

Watch more on GMBN Tech...

🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound
English Breakfast - Jobii
Gogaga - Giants' Nest
Mouth Pop Finger - SFX Producer
Nashville Tools 3 - Stefan Netsman
Nothing Too Serious - Matt Large
ORANGE - SINY
Sheep Rotation - Jobii
Still Fly (Instrumental Version) - Revel Day
Tipsy Hunter - Daniel Gunnarsson

#GMBNTech #GMBN #MountainBiking #MountainBike #MTB #BikeLife #Cycling

Brought to you by the Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN), GMBN Tech delves deeper into the bikes, kit and technology that powers your rides!

Our mission is to help you discover, dial-in, and get the best from the latest cutting edge bikes and technology available.

If it’s off-road tech you’re after, look no further! The weekly GMBN Tech Show showcases the latest and biggest tech stories, with more besides.

Fancy some factory tours and first looks to keep you informed of how the latest tech has arrived, as well as what they do on the trail? You’ve got it. Want some in-depth maintenance videos give you the knowledge to set up, look after and upgrade what you’ve got? Yep, we’ve got them, too. Lots of ‘em. In fact, our presenting team consists of bike industry professionals with decades of experience of wrenching, writing, and working at the cutting edge of mountain biking so we can keep you informed, entertained and engaged with all the tech that drives mountain bikes forwards!

Thanks to our sponsors:

[Weedwhackers]

Step 1. Empty your bank account. Step 2. Buy a bike. Step 3. Save for upgrades. Step 4. Dream about “better” bikes the next 10 years till you can afford a new one. Step 5 . repeat steps 1-4

[tommasomorini]

It’s hard to tell, but nobody will never make a “how to buy a mtb” video better than IFHT films.

[diegovillacrez]

Step one: wait 6 months for bikes to actually be in stock again.

[robertmc]

1:20 XC Bikes a.k.a. Cross Country Bikes
1:55 Trail Bikes
2:31 All-Mountain Bikes
3:35 Downhill Bikes
4:18 Breaking the Mold
4:46 Wheel Sizes
6:15 Hardtail or Full Suspension
7:19 What Size?
9:20 Demo Days
12:23 Budget
14:26 Asking Other Riders
15:40 Online or Bike Shop?
17:51 Bike Shop
20:44 Cycle to Work

[White.Elemant]

An essential gear to acquire when you get into mountainbikes is a moneygun.

[adamlukas]

Will add some tips here

Don't fixate on a specific brand just because your buddy told you how good his new specialized is. It doesn't mean you should buy only a Specialized. Also those big brands have a lot worse bang for your buck bikes than for example Decathlon bikes.

Don't spend all of your money only on bike, Buy yourself a spare Inner tube, derailleur hanger and multitool. Nothing worse then something rattle losse on middle of nowhere. Also count for something unexpected to happen (smashing your rear wheel) and have a financial back up for a new part.

And please, don't get a internet medias so seriously. Xt derailleur won't be night and day diffierence over slx one. Also if you just started you really don't need a full suspension carbon enduro.

[simon__]

Buying a new bike in these times is a nightmare ☹️

[jesuisFORTIO]

wait a few months for all that people who bought new bikes cuz the gym was closed and will sell them in a few months with not much use

[sj]

I recently got a hard tail and learned few lessons. 1. Check front suspension and opt for air suspensions with tapered steer tube 2.Make sure you have front and back thru axel instead of quick release 3. Get a bike with Dropper post or one which you can upgrade to dropper post 4. You will upgrade handle bar, suspension, pedals, grips 5. Leave some money for accessories like helmet, lock, lights etc

[Deznspel]

Going to have watch ifht’s video again and compare the differences

[psp]

I find most people on my local trails have way more bike than they need.... For some single track cross country

[gordonbombay]

27.5 XC for me. I've made several upgrades to make it more capable on the trails but I also do a fair bit of street riding. I also thrash it over jumps and so far it's taken everything I can throw at at it.

[JaconSamsta]

More people need to heed your first point.

I see so many people who are completely over biked for the terrain they are riding, making the whole ordeal tougher than it needs to be (especially on climbs).
Same goes for the full-suspension/hardtail.

The money that some of the regulars in my area (which is mostly XC with a dash of trail) are dropping on all-mountain/downhill bikes could buy you an absolute monster hardtail that could totally withstand the occasional bike-park visit.

Being honest with yourself will give you a much better experience in the long run.

[LuLeBe]

Also make sure to factor in additional costs. From lubricants to tools, pedals (mostly not included!), shoes, helmet, maybe some knee pads, elbow pads or a spine protector. All that stuff can quickly add up to anything from $150 to $1000.

[stephenbenderplus]

I did just build a bike from the frame up during COVID. Great therapy, best fit ever, and so satisfying. Thanks!

[cristianmitran]

Maybe the most complete guide on how to buy a MTB. Thanks a lot and good job!

[cabeasley]

Important note re: shoes. They need to be hard-toe. I hit a stump last weekend, fortunately I had mtb shoes on.

[deltanovember]

I’m glad you mentioned the helmet. I have no doubt that mine saved me from serious problems this weekend when I took a head first slam into a boulder. I got away with bruising and scuffs, and a smashed lid only. The next person down the trail was a spot on bloke on a really nice scott but no helmet. I didn’t say anything, it’s his choice and he clearly knew what the deal was, but anyone new to this shouldn’t be under any illusions .

[evrnire]

I had an entry level hardtail,
I saved up and bought a sweet full sus

[MG-euhs]

Thank you Doddy! You I find it so strange how much value I put to your input! You should really have your own bike shop. You are great at your job...don't feel right to say "job" because this is clearly a passion. Awesome man!!!