Buy cheap, buy twice?
Discussion
Over the last few years my mountain bikes have always been a bit of a triggers boom with swopping parts and frames as I break or upgrade my needs. I have nicolai geomatron that 650b non boost that means it’s not really worth just changing the frame to what I want as it will be 29er boost (alloy stumpjumper evo).
As much as I would rather buy the frame (£1600) and build up with what parts I want, I know it not the most cost effective way and would still take it a while to source everything I am after.
Cost wise it isn’t far off what I could get the base model (alloy comp) for £2400 but still not the spec I want/would build the bike to. There is a higher spec model (alloy elite) which is closer to what I am after but is going for £3750. There is also an element of by having the whole bike rather than the frame I can get 6 month of use before swopping things to suit. I already know I would want to swop bars and stem to the size and fit that works for me to make the bike fit me.
What would you do?
As much as I would rather buy the frame (£1600) and build up with what parts I want, I know it not the most cost effective way and would still take it a while to source everything I am after.
Cost wise it isn’t far off what I could get the base model (alloy comp) for £2400 but still not the spec I want/would build the bike to. There is a higher spec model (alloy elite) which is closer to what I am after but is going for £3750. There is also an element of by having the whole bike rather than the frame I can get 6 month of use before swopping things to suit. I already know I would want to swop bars and stem to the size and fit that works for me to make the bike fit me.
What would you do?
The bar and stem would just be the start though…
Comps wheel set only allow for the cheaper and very heavy steel cassette (11-50/52), elite already comes with xd drive so allows for higher spec alloy cassette. I would also eventually change rims out for carbon (stiffer and lighter).
Fork and shock would be changed out for higher spec with more adjustments for both comp and elite. I’m a light person (10.5 st) so struggle to get suspension set soft enough.
Again brakes, would change out for hopes - what I prefer and fit well my smaller hands.
Comps wheel set only allow for the cheaper and very heavy steel cassette (11-50/52), elite already comes with xd drive so allows for higher spec alloy cassette. I would also eventually change rims out for carbon (stiffer and lighter).
Fork and shock would be changed out for higher spec with more adjustments for both comp and elite. I’m a light person (10.5 st) so struggle to get suspension set soft enough.
Again brakes, would change out for hopes - what I prefer and fit well my smaller hands.
Doesn't the Elite have Ultimate level Rockshox? I've 36 Factory on one bike and Pike Ultimate's on the other and as a big Fox fan it pains we to say I don't think there's much difference and maybe the Pike is a little better. For context, the Pikes are 2020 and the 36's 2021, but I don't think there's much difference in them since then, if anything I think the Rockshox have the Charger 3 damper as opposed to 2 I have which is better.
I'd suggest the kit on the Elite will sell for more when you do swap to bits you want.
I'd suggest the kit on the Elite will sell for more when you do swap to bits you want.
Yep, elite comes with rock shox lyrics ultimate which i’m sure will be fine but I am a fox fan boy. I know it would be a bit of a waste of money to change it that that reason. I will get a spread sheet going with cost and work out final cost. What doesn’t help is I can fund it with ride to work but there are caveats
Ime, there is a fag paper between how Fox & RS stuf actually works & years of servicing both have left me unfussed over what I run, save to say there are levels, obvs. Grip 2 & charger dampers are a minimum for me, both the benchmark for mass market supple suspension & again working in very similar ways. How the're not constantly suing each other for copyright infringement is a mystery.
I think you've answered your own question really, want it now, then buy a whole bike but if you want your own tailored build & can hang on and can swing a wrench, a parts bulld is the way & you can turn cheap stuff into great gear e.g. a cheap as chips used Yari, chuck out the motion control damper for a charger & you have a Lyrik. New decals & voila, brand new top end fork. All comes down to what you feel like doing really.
I think you've answered your own question really, want it now, then buy a whole bike but if you want your own tailored build & can hang on and can swing a wrench, a parts bulld is the way & you can turn cheap stuff into great gear e.g. a cheap as chips used Yari, chuck out the motion control damper for a charger & you have a Lyrik. New decals & voila, brand new top end fork. All comes down to what you feel like doing really.
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