Are High-End Expensive MTB's Worth It?

The more costly the mountain bike, the better... right? This video is my take on this question. It's my opinion at the current time and it may change later or it may not. Nonetheless, I think you'll find it useful or at the very least entertaining. Would love to hear your feedback on this matter of high end mountain bikes and if they're better or not.

@SOCIAL MEDIA:
🚲2023 Norco Fluid FS A2

[MILTONATOR]

If you know WHY you’re getting WHAT you’re getting, then it’s worth it. #myopinion

[Farthendur]

Thats cool, I have an expensive Santa Cruz carbón bike and it is a joy, for me it’s just a toy and I ride it hard (at least for me) without even thinking about the resale value or the possibility of scratching the frame, it is what it is, and it is meant to be ridden hard. I just love how good it feels every time I put a leg over it.

[izzybroome]

I got a bronson 4 weeks ago and I find the bronson absolutely amazing on the climbs and fantastic on the downs

[tttass]

Good video, think you make a lot of good points. I recently went from a $3k aluminum bike to a $7k carbon bike. Strava times tell me that I'm within 2-3 seconds on most runs, so from that perspective, the gains truly are margin at best. Unless you're racing (and at a high level), you're not gunna notice a difference. That said, there are a few little things (that you could argue don't matter) that I do enjoy. It climbs a lot better, has better hub engagement, and nice crisp shirting. Probably not worth it for an additional $4k and again won't make you faster, but nice to have.

One area where I personally disagree is on the durability aspect. I don't thrash my equipment, but I also don't shy away from a good ding. Scars tell a story, and if my bike still looks brand new in 2 years, then I definitely haven't been getting my money's worth. Cheers!

[mccown]

I think so many novice riders and people in general are dead set on buying carbon bikes because they see all the pro's riding them. They don't realize how much fun AL bikes can be at half the price of the carbon bikes.

[hambo]

We bought our son the Fluid FS A3 and he absolutely loves it! Coming from a Norco Storm hardtail, he said it's so much easier to go fast (well doh!) and hit steeper features.

[Dempsey]

That Norco looks like a fun bike to ride. Those trails look rough. I like flow trails more now after one to many bad crash.

[ranalahiri]

Appreciate sharing your journey and the pros/cons of the different bikes you ride - it’s very is to relate to as I wonder about some of the same things!

[wd]

I did a similar thing, recently sold my 2023 Optic C1 XTR and kept my 6yr old Honzo CR DL. I just love that bike, fun factor is 💯

[scotchbrite]

I rented bikes for the past 6 yrs not knowing which bike to get so I always tried something different. Well my 1st bike happens to be a 22 Bronson since I wasn’t sure if I wanted a 29er or 27.5. It was 1 of the first mixed wheeled bikes engineered by the factory at least from recent times and it checked all the boxes. I’m not worried riding too hard because Santa Cruz warranties their frames. Components wear out so I will upgrade as needed. I wrapped the frame so it doesn’t scratch as easy. I took my time to figure out which bike suits me best for my skill set and trails. Something I can grow with and not overbiked. So far I’m extremely happy with it and feel like I made the right decision for many years to come. e-bikes are appealing to me but I feel I can’t have my 1st mtb bike be an e-bike. You made the right decision because comfort is the most important factor. Demos are great but sometimes it’s not enough seat time.

[erents]

Bought my first ebike last October, had it for 7 months and I am finally getting use to it “wanting to go” when I want to slow down while climbing in extremely rocky single track. I started mountain biking in 1986, I toured, I raced, I rode nearly every day for the last 37 years, I was a purist but no more, at 65 years old I still ride hard and fast and I now really enjoy climbing fast. My Bulls 27.5 has pretty much taken the place of what I thought would be my last mountain bike, a 2007 KHS Team 24.5 lb full suspension bike, with early hydraulic disc brakes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a purist at heart so I turned that bike into my gravel bike and I love it! Best of both worlds! Remember leave no trace, ride every day!

[josephfogus]

I perfectly content on my $1, 000 bike. I could afford more but appreciate what you have to say with cheaper bikes, your less worried about scratches and nicks.

[nhguapo]

This post hits home - nice topic. I bought a Ripmo AF a year ago for the All Mountain / go anywhere ability. I ride in AZ, where there's lots of rocks and cactus and plenty of things to scratch and break a frame. I never worry about anything and just have fun on the RAF. Then I bought a decked out Santa Cruz Blur a few weeks ago. It's easier to ride faster on the Blur, but I've already crashed three times and scratched the frame a bit. I find myself always cautious about the line I take and I have to watch out for tire grabbing rocks. Don't get me wrong - the Blur is rad, but there's just something about cruising along on the RAF that is so appealing and fun.

[benjy]

I agree, I think in order to take full advantage of a high end bike you need to be a top level pro rider, most people just don't have the skills to push the typical mid level MTB to its limits, for what its worth I went from a 2017 trek slash 9.8 full carbon enduro bike to a 2019 trek fluid fs1, and I have much more fun on the norco, its fun, poppy, agile and responsive, almost like riding a cross country bike, but its also stable and can handle everything I throw at it, including steep double blacks, plus I still ride the same tracks just as fast on the norco, it may not be quite as plush, but that's a small price to pay, and you eventually get used to it anyway.

[mytoyota]

I hear you loud and clear. It comes down to “want versus need” .

[dadventuretv]

Glad you’re lovin’ your new rig. First thing I think everyone has to come to terms with when buying a mtb is that it is a mtb, buy it to use it and use it to have fun. Don’t think about resale value or worry about getting it dinged or scratched. They’re badges of honor and each one tells a story. No matter how much it costs: 3K, 5K, 8K +, it’s all a lot of money for a bike. But you gotta put that aside and go ride. And if you can’t, then maybe shouldn’t stretch for that more expensive bike. Cause the one thing we can’t be in this activity is tentative; whether because of being worried about a bike, or injuries or whatever, that subconscious tentativeness is what gets us in trouble. I know when I have a day and I’m feeling like that- I bail on anything sendy. So yeah, get what you like within a budget you can go play on and not worry. Bikes have gotten so good these days, and there are many good brands out there, there is a bike for everyone. 🤙

[shawnbowen]

Lots of sales right now still. I got my bike at a pretty big discount 5 months ago cause it was new, old stock (2021 model). $2k off. Norco Sight A1. Freaking love it.

[miket.]

Ask anybody riding a hard tail how much they needed to spend to have fun

[lufbraroots]

Spot on! you make the perfect case for take your current bike and just ride it! I've recently made the step up from a 150mm hardtail to a 160/170mm full suspension bike(I got a very good deal so my thoughts aren't financially skewed). I was convinced that a full suspension bike would make me a better rider... Wrong! I actually feel as-though I'm actually a worse rider now hahahah. its a massive change and I do think it is the right decision for me as I'm finding rides in general a lot less fatiguing, chunky stuff that I used to find a challenge is a lot easier to smash through and im actually finding the climbing to be surprisingly efficient. I feel like I would push the hardtail to or close to its limits often and now I feel my riding ability is the limiting factor. there are some cases in which I advocate against cheaping out on bike components but I think good quality affordable bikes are what the masses should be riding

[Tedroy]

I'm still happy on my 2014 Turner Flux.