What Do You Get For Your Money? Base Spec Vs Top Spec MTB

What do you get for your money? Base-spec mountain bikes can be less than half of the cost of the upper echelons of premium offerings. So what should you expect to receive on those premium bikes for that big investment and just how different will the final product be from the cheapest model of the same bike?

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
00:00 - Intro
00:25 - The differences between a cheaper and a more expensive MTB frame
02:30 - What Components are you likely to get on an expensive bike?
3:00 - How is the suspension different between cheap and expensive bikes?
3:51 - What type of wheels will you get?
5:43 - What drivetrain will your money buy?
7:42 - Carbon or alloy cranks?
8:13 - What brakes will be stopping you?
10:14 - What about the finishing kit?

Useful Links:

Are you happy to pay the premium pricing for the top-spec models? Do you think the differences between the premium model and a more base-level one justify the jump in price?

Watch more on GMBN...

🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Takes Two to Tango - Ryan James Carr

#GMBN #GlobalMountainBikeNetwork #MTB #MountainBiking

The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.

GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond.

Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:

Adventurous and entertaining features
Mountain bike skills coaching
Technical advice and guidance
Mechanical know-how to keep you rolling
A place for the riding community with our weekly Dirt Shed Show

Thanks to our sponsors:

Watch our sister channels:

[gmbn]

Are you happy to pay the premium pricing for the top-spec models? Do you think the differences between the premium model and a more base-level one justify the jump in price?

[stujm]

Honestly I don’t see the need to ride top spec bikes or kit, I go out, I ride, enjoy myself on what I can afford, and repeat… problem solved. My point of view is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy yourself.

[jameswilson]

If you have the money, go for it. Life is short. If not get something you can afford. Just be happy you even can and have a bike to ride. Many people don't have either. Take care. Aloha. 😎🤙

[bikebudha]

Generally speaking, it's always best to buy the "mid" spec bike. Why? You get to pick exactly where you want to upgrade. For example, the "top" spec bike will come with nicer, lighter wheels. But are they the nicer, lighter wheels you really want? Or is there an aftermarket set that you'd much rather have? Picking the mid spec bike allows you to swap out for the exact higher end wheels you want. Same for cranks, bars, breaks, etc. If you plan ahead, and have a cool bike shop, sometime the bike shop will give you 'credit' for the stock parts if you do your swaps at the time of purchase. Really a great way to get a mostly custom bike for as little money as possible.

[kevb]

I really wish more brands would let you spec your own build! I personally get frustrated when the higher spec bikes start putting on fancy wireless seat posts and drive trains which in my humble opinion is a huge waste of money! If I had the option to chose I’d put the money into suspension, high end brakes and wheels and I’d put a standard cable dropper with a lower end shimano drivetrain!

[cedricbethea]

The issue with fancy expensive bikes is replacing the fancy individual hard to find parts on them. The best bet is to buy a frame that fits you best and build a custom made bike with quality easy to find parts. This is the reality for the average biker.

[Milessongs]

I've got two bikes; one with Sram GX Eagle, one Shimano SLX. Both perform very well, and I find the 'lower spec' SLX actually performs slightly better all around.🤷🏻‍♂️

[ltrtg]

I have an Orbea Laufey H30 which came with 11 speed Deore. I impressed with it. I did upgrade to 12 speed SLX. But I did go for the Deore 12 speed chain and cassette. Which I di intend upgrading to SLX when they wear out. Which I'm also impressed with. I actually still use the 11 speed Deore as I put the groupset on my hybrid. I only used a different chainset due the different chainline and want a more road focused gearing. I also have an Orbea Rallon M-LTD. With XTR groupset. I'm impressed with that groupset as well. When the gears are set up correctly. To be honest. I'm not sure if I can feel any difference. There is as slight differece in the gear levers.

[JohnWilson-cyge]

Love seeing people with $10, 000 dollar bikes and top end kits just tip towing down the hill scared to crash because there stuff is so expensive

[jrzeh]

I love my EMTB's I bought a Giant Fathom 2+ 29 (500wh) as my first... cost me £2400, Time I upgraded it with a dropper, pedals, fox 34 performance, fortis 30 pro 5 hub and a few other upgrades (most things in a sale) I'm still £3600 deep and I still need to change the rubbish brakes.. I bought a Cube 160 Action Team (750wh) with Factory suspension etc.. needed no upgrades stands me at £4600.. and it's ready to go and rides amazingly, Sometimes you just have to pay for the spec you think you'll need. especially in my case when my HT is only £1000 less then my amazing Cube bike.

[dubbleD]

My tried and trusted method is buy slightly above your current level of riding and/or need, then replace bits with nicer things as they go pop

[andrewbrown]

Everyone always just says carbon is lighter. Well does a 1/2 of a pound. Maybe 1 pound make it worth an extra couple thousand dollars. Stronger is also questionable. How often do you see videos of aluminum bikes snapping in half. You can watch on youtube all day long of carbon bikes breaking in half. For me aluminum is the best material. Last forever, it's not heavy and it is repairable even tho every single person seems to believe it's not.

[hxujsmd]

Not quite the topic of the video, but I would like to see more affordable bikes with a gearbox like the Pinion. Huge range, crisp shifting, no maintenance, survives everything, lasts forever.

[stevengoodwin]

X01, XT, (road Force, Ultegra) is where I'm at. I buy bikes based on component level anymore. My best upgrades for performance have been wheels. I buy what I can afford, but I would not lose much time on my PRs if I rode a lower spec. ✌

[MikeGlorfindel]

I got a minor brake upgrade to Deore SLX with an I spec EV clamp and replaced my deore 10 speed shifter to an I spec EV for about £25-30 so lever and shifter integration does not have to be overly expensive.

[benhilton]

If you can afford to buy and maintain a top spec bike go for it, personally for me it's great having gucci kit until your paying £500 to replace a cassette.

[greenfingers]

It would be nice if you could do a series on budget new bike sub 500 pound bike don't laugh but not every one can afford the bike s you show that are fantastic but way out the price range for a majority of people at the end of the day isn't it about just getting out having fun and keeping fit you don't need. To spend thousands to do that cover bikes that the average family can afford ?

[caseyneeley]

I just bought a slightly higher mid grade spec. Buying the better fork, drivetrain and brakes now was cheaper than upgrading to better components later, for the bike I could afford.

[deedontworry]

Vitus bikes are awesome for the price! 🤘

[bjornfongern]

A good quality frame with geo and kinematics that suit me, decent suspension and strong, dependable brakes those things I want, the rest is negotiable ;)