$450 vs. $2200 Wheels & Tires - Budget vs. Baller Episode 2

When it comes to wheels and tires there are so many options of what to buy that it can be quickly overwhelming. Do you need carbon hoops with hubs that engage in an instant or will regular old alloy do just fine? Do tires actually matter? After all, they are just rubber, right? Well, today we're going to find out as Jason pits his $2200 set up against Henry's $450 set up.

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[dinerroll]

This video was entertaining, but steps away from the stated goal of this series being similar to Donut Media's Hi-Lo series. While the wheel comparison was legitimate and helpful, no sane person knowledgeable enough to set a bike up tubeless would ever install those tires. Hi low was never about installing rock bottom upgrades, but value upgrades. Conti Trail Kings, at $30.55 at Jenson would have been a much more useful comparison.

If the budget fork you guys choose is a Suntour coil, or a Buckloos or something, that'd be a real shame. A Rockshox 35 Gold or something else not terrible vs a Fox 36 would be a legit comparison.

[spacekatfpv]

Love the idea of this series.
Kinda wish they went with slightly better tires on the budget bike though. I can’t justify $2k on wheels but I can justify $60-80 on tires and I imagine a lot of people are share the same point of view as me.

[TheCosTx]

maybe you should change back the tires to an "average" minion dhf and dhr on the low bike after proving cheap tires are a waste of money. because the further upgrades can't be compared properly with these tires and the lack of safety they provide

[conman]

You guys missed a great opportunity to try the Delium tires you posted about on the website. $35 tires from an OEM manufacturer who makes more expensive tires for other brands would have been right in line with Budget vs. Baller :(

[xyxDirtriderxyx]

I like how the floorpump actually matches the color of the frame…didn‘t even notice it

[Coolcmsc]

A cheap wheel/tyre setup definitely doesn’t mean cheapest tyre. For a few dollars more at Jenson a much better combination was available at the bottom end of this ‘dual’. Never mind, the series is great and this episode should be seen as a learning opportunity…

[tippy]

Never an excuse to put cheap tires on regardless of wether its a bike or car, It's the part that keeps you safe

[pabloechaniz]

Instead of those off-brand tires a sensible choice would definitely be something like the Bikepark version of Schwalbe Magic Marys which may be a little bit more expensive but you get a premium thread and real sideknobs

[Ahats]

I'm surprised a suspension service wasn't the first step...

[wianprins]

this is turning into one of the best series pinkbike has done, props guys

[saenzteiger]

I would love to see how Henry put those boost hubs to a non-boost bike.

[eugenebikes]

Should have used the nukeproof horizon wheels for the budget wheelset ! Those wheels are sick

[kingrat]

DT Swiss hubs on Spank rims....won't break the bank, but still offer great performance 👍
New internals for the fork...
Marzocchi coil out back...
Guide RE brakes w/ sintered pads...
SLX 11 speed drivetrain - solid and workman like...
(Tyres) Exo+ front, DD back...
Contacts!?
Chromag grips...
Bontrager saddle...
Some synthetic flat pedals...
Series is making me miss my ole '17 Reign 2!!
Such a weapon on the descents 🤘
PS - put those whips on some black lines 😁

[chrissmith]

I'm trying to understand the premise here with Henry's bike. And I'm looking forward to some of the other components but arguably you are looking for cheapest "upgrades" right? Not cheapest components period. So you are showing how to build the most horrible bike ever. It should be Henry upgrades/fixes his current components. Would hate to see him ditch the lyrik in favor of a suntour spring fork when you could just do a service on it or get a fresh damper.

[doncrescas]

I hope Henry isn't stuck with Mike Bear for the rest of the series.

[SnootchieBootchies]

I'm actually impressed that you managed to find tires that cheap! Did you have to pump them to 40 just to make sure they wouldn't rip right off the rim?

[uk]

Im sure you know this, but you Dont have to spend lots on a hub to get high engagement. Spank/Nukeproof make a very good, high engagement hub for a mid level budget.

[sleepcycle]

Loving this series! As stated by others, budget friendly good choices would be more ideal (no knock to the legend Mike Bear). Henry and Jason as a duo are awesome!

[jonarnar]

Boost wheelset with the non-boost frame? How did that fare out?

[marcogiacomelli]

Reminds me of Donut media "hi and low" series on YouTube.
We NEEDED something like this for bikes, awesome