What parts fit your mountain bike? (I won't tell you to just Google it)

Mountain bikes have a whole lot of parts, and sometimes it's not so straightforward finding the ones that fit. People message me all the time asking what parts fit their bike, and so I'd like to think they did a lot of Googling and struck out. What do you even Google search? Is there a better way? Today, we'll cover the basics!

Yes, this video is way oversimplified and at times, flat out dismissive of details. I know Sram and Shimano 12 speed MTB chains aren’t “perfectly” compatible. Some bikes have freewheels and don’t take cassettes. There was a time where no bike took a thru axle. You could in theory buy a 12 speed HG cassette which would be incompatible with Microspline, which I omitted. Yes, rims have widths too. Older bikes have rim brakes. Valve caps aren’t universal—especially since some riders are going back to shrader. In our original footage I went on forever about wheels and Boost, but we edited it down to a minute because it felt overwhelming and counterproductive. In the end I didn’t feel these caveats would be important to someone who doesn’t have enough experience to Google something. This will hopefully be a simple and welcoming way to get them started out. Thanks for understanding, and feel free to include more info below because the comment section itself is a valuable resource.

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[BermPeakExpress]

Yes, this video is way oversimplified and at times, flat out dismissive of details. I know Sram and Shimano 12 speed MTB chains aren’t “perfectly” compatible. Some bikes have freewheels and don’t take cassettes. There was a time where no bike took a thru axle. You could in theory buy a 12 speed HG cassette which would be incompatible with Microspline, which I omitted. Yes, rims have widths too. Older bikes have rim brakes. Valve caps aren’t universal—especially since some riders are going back to shrader. In our original footage I went on forever about wheels and Boost, but we edited it down to a minute because it felt overwhelming and counterproductive. In the end I didn’t feel these caveats would be important to someone who doesn’t have enough experience to Google something. This will hopefully be a simple and welcoming way to get them started out. Thanks for understanding, and feel free to include more info below because the comment section itself is a valuable resource.

[thedemonhamster]

Tip: If you have an older bike, most large bike companies have an "archive" of past bikes different years. Vital MTB also has good archives of specs and geomentry of different bikes. My bike is a couple years old, and by going to its manufacturer's archive, I can see all its specs and what parts fit.

[Destide]

YES! So many people don't cover this. For people starting out it can be some sort of black magic until you learn what measurements you need to record to find parts.

[spankosaur]

I will admit when I first started mountain biking a couple of years ago, I had questions that I considered asking Seth, just seems so approachable and knowledgeable. I didn't and that's because I looked at the subscriber count between the channels and figured I couldn't be the only one out there wanting to ask a question and I know as a content creator his schedule is pretty full, especially now being a Dad. I think this video is a good start and Thanks Seth for making it as well as all the other content over the years. Keep riding folks.

[bharathskumar]

I bought a new mountain bike for 150 dollars from my local store. I am from India and upgradability and adding new parts are very hard. Roads in India are very rough and that was the main reason I bought a mountain bike to go school. But after a few rides I don't know how, cycling always brings the joy during the tight schedule of life . So then I started spending some time for my bike and then the fate dawned on me, since I bought a cheap bike upgrading was no easy task for me . But most of your videos helped me in most tasks . So this video was a very helpful one for me. Also I had to mention that I started watching your videos from the time when you made a video about the Mongoose fat bike .

[fras-dizzle]

A good trick if you don’t have calipers, find a decent adjustable spanner (one that hasn’t developed a lot of play yet) and tighten it in untill the edges measure the part and then measure the gap with a ruler.

[Cyclingismywholelife]

As a certified mechanic I can tell you that a non mechanic thinks you know how to fix every mechanical issue in the world on every vehicle in the world, I show them my process on how I find my answers too. I was a bike newbie once too, and I used to ask the newbie questions too, a bike mechanic showed me their process, now im good. Thank you for this video.

[isaacmeske]

As a mechanic at an LBS, I approve! Keep up the amazing videos Seth!

[kay]

"When you have 85 standards it's not a standard anymore." Made my day! Thank you Seth!

[tayloru]

I have a 2006 Foes Racing FXR that I rebuilt last year, went from a 2x to a 1x and it was a nightmare trying to match the compatibility of everything! It's great to see vids like this with high level overviews.

[r.davies]

Not gonna lie, came back to cycling after a long lay off (we're talking years here) a few years ago. Only to find pretty much everything had changed. Could've done with this advice back then. Hopefully this will help new riders and people who are in the position I found myself in. Good work 👍

[Elevanator]

The HARDEST part for me when I was first researching bike parts was not knowing how much I didn’t know. This helps a lot to understand what to look for in parts in order to have them fit and work properly on our bikes. Thanks!

[Venturis]

Seth, this is such a great resource filled video, I really appreciate it. My first real MTB, I ended up putting it all together along with my friends, I had to search, measure and it was a roller coaster; but in the end it was worth it.

[Steveddie]

Man, I've learned so much from watching your videos. From adjusting the limiters on my derailer to changing my pedals, you've saved me time again! Thanks for everything, dude, keep doing what you do!

[fastdreams]

Seth - just want to say thanks for all the vids. Helped me get over the uncertainty to work on my bikes, and upgrade them too. Your method of communicating information is excellent, friendly and easily consumable. Thank you!!

[douglaskremer]

This was such a help. After recently getting into mountain biking I have had a lot of questions regarding my bike. This helped so much. I’m glad I have a reliable source to go to for help and simply for enjoyment. Thanks Seth, You are such a help.

[dalewilliams]

You're videos have helped me so much and got me back into riding after about 20 years. I didnt buy anything fancy just a DB hook. I felt it was good entry level choice after all these years of not riding and its easly upgradable and easy to maintain Thanks again.

[ThailibanMedia]

Although his website is not focused on mountain bikes I think every cyclist should know about the Sheldon Brown (may he rest in peace😞) wiki. He basically compiled his entire knowledge on bicycles into a wiki. It includes great overview of parts, their different standards andwhat measurements are important about them.

[patrickwelch]

I just love the way you break things down. So simple without being demeaning or offputting. Class act my friend 🤘

[stephaniedalleave]

This video was super helpful. Please keep up the educational videos. My husband and I are new to riding and learning all this is overwhelming. This is an easy way to learn. My husband just broke his derailleur and the derailleur hanger. Our local bike shop had to tell us what to order for replacement parts.