I just recently built an entire bike up from spare “budget” parts that I replaced on other stock builds and it rides almost just as well as the comparable high end built bike.
Nice vid. The presenters' personalities keep me engaged without trying too hard. There really is always SOMETHING that causes a hiccup when working on a bike. I think the best option for most people is to buy from a local bike shop where you can get support if an issue does pop up. Upgrades are worthwhile, especially tires, contact points etc. Bikes have gotten so good, I think many riders have bikes that are complete overkill for the trails they ride, but it's the best hobby and I don't feel bad about it!
Again big fun to watch. I build my S-Works Enduro fully custom. Even built the wheels myself. To me wrenching and all that stuff makes 50% of the hobby 😊 and I learnt from you guys ❤ Custom bikes definitely meet 90% of people out there. However, if you have a look at Canyon e-bikes and their current battery nightmare, then one already knows the downside of buying off the peg. Speaking of my S-Works Enduro, I didn't have to sell a kidney though, as I had time and took advantage of sale offers.
My last 2 bikes were custom , I’m not rich so it was a budget build with old parts and new parts . In the end I got a bike with parts that I like but still ended up costing me almost as much as a new bike . I think most stock bikes will be good enough for most riders and it just comes down to personal preference.
Building up a Custom bike might be a time investment, and for some people a waste of time. But for the people who care and are passionate about riding, picking parts and finding sellers for those parts, building the bike, learning new standards, it sure is fun!
80% of riders are recreational like you and I. Mtb's are our hobby and sport of choice. You, I and the other 79%.9 of riders buy aftermarket parts to upgrade our whips because its our hobby to do so!!
@@mutleyadamsracing2684 it depends on what kind of stuff u buy... alot of ppl buy new breakes because their old ones never was setup correctly int he first place... same with suspension... also if u dont ride on trails why the heck some ppl need a 36 factory fork??? its like in every other hobby... some ppl have to much money and like to brag.... nobody is saying nothing if u get a new seat or new grips LOL some parts are good to match to the rider...
If you want to build "The ultimate bike" with all the parts you want, then it's hard to beat hand-picked components (especially if you want something more boutique, like Hope brakes, I9 hubs, or CK headset), but if you're even slightly considering budget options for components then there's most definitely a better specced stock model available for the price. Stock would obviously be cheaper either way, but at least in the first example, you clearly don't care about value for money.
@kingflynxi9420 Depends on what you're after. I know I'm much to big and heavy to trust i9 hubs, but there's no denying that if you want the last word in high engagement it's hard to beat the i9 Hydra.
Got a hardtail complete recently and can confirm things that need to be changed were Bars and stem, pedals, grips and saddle and longer dropper, bike was 1.5k Euro(Voodoo Loco)
Great video. Out of the hundreds of bikes I’ve owned going all the way back to my first 10 speed, I have never, not once, over shifted my chain into the spoke. In fact I’ve seen it only a handful of times F-DD’s
16:09 100% that rear hub will fail. I bought my Levo in March of this year, and despite being a weekend warrior (ie low KM's ridden), and generally only using Trail Mode, the hub had failed by June. My local dealer handled the warranty claim, and after a week I followed up w/ Specialized directly and discussed my concern that a straight replacement will result in the same issue, they sent an upgraded Roval Traverse Alloy 350 rear wheel in its place, no extra cost, I just had to pay the shop labour to get the tire and cassette swapped over. Best $50 CAD spent ever!
@@ostankovalex1176 It's a wonder why they even bother with that hub that comes with the Comp models, it's got to be costing them a pretty penny for processing warranty claims every year for the same issue.
@@KDubber dunno about that. those hubs might be costing so low in production and Spec bikes are pretty overpriced unless you get a good deal on them but... those hubs are trash anyway, along with NX cassettes/rear mechs they put on those builds
@@ostankovalex1176 you're right they are indeed cheap hubs, but they aren't just sending out the hub in all cases, usually sending out a whole new wheel, and in my case, they sent out the upgraded wheel with the DT Swiss 350 hub. But parts aside, its the cost for staff to process the warranty claim, my call with Specialized took maybe 15-20 minutes, a very reasonable length from my perspective, but it isn't a revenue generating support call, and then they need to reimburse the shop the labour costs. Again, in my case they did not since I was getting a higher end wheel, so the deal was I paid the labour cost, but had it been a straight replacement hub, they'd have to cover the labour cost to build my existing wheel with the new hub, or if it was a straight replacement wheel, cover the labour cost to swap the tire and cassette over. The issue with these hubs are so profound, it's not a question of "if" it will fail, but "when", those costs really start to add up.
@@KDubber Ye, I get it, but it's cheap for them anyway. For sure they calculate the amount of claims for broken hubs. And if it wasn't that profitable, no one would've done that. And for the majority of wheels - they are assembled in a factory by the quantity of thousands, so it's not that expensive. I assume you were pleasantly surprised by getting a 350 hub wheel - didn't you? If that's the case, then it worked well for both sides.
In my opinion the best option is to buy a complete bike with a good spec and ideally your preference of suspension and drivetrain because those are the most expensive thing to change. Then just swap parts out based on preference. If your stock build is a mid to high spec then the stock parts will have a decent resale value to recoup some of the cost to put on parts of your preference. In my opinion a custom build makes the most sense when you’re doing a frame swap have already have 90-95% of the parts from your old bike.
I just custom built a 2025 SC Nomad for about 11k ca$ with the 95% ridewrap installed, factory 38 & X2, analog XX1/X01 drivetrain, X01 carbon cranks, 210mm 1up, 1up carbon bar, stem, grips, guide/bash guard, Hayes A4's, Hope pro5's w Hope 30mm rear rim, 35mm front rim, Crankbros Mallet 11's, Michelin DH22 front, Nobby Nic 2.4 rear. I am going to get a set of the new radials when these tires are done, and eventually it will get the non T type AXS shifter/derailleur. She's a beast, and will hopefully be my forever bike :D
I tend to take a stock build and customize select components. For me, it's about the fact that I finally can afford it, thinking of the years of running close out, borrowed, or hand me down components....even missing prime months of riding due to lack of funds. I wouldn't trade those days for the world
I started with stock bikes. But after owning quite some bikes (changing nearly every year) I knew what I wanted and since then I always have and probably always will be buying everything myself and build the bikes custom. Its another part of the hobby that I really enjoy. Btw I had close to no issues in the building process of Santa Cruz bikes. Big fan.
I've slowly custom built my bike over two years and still not finished. Bought the bottom spec model, had the brakes swapped out before delivery and slowly built the bike up according to budget and necessity. Still not finished!
I started out riding with friends who had expensive bikes, I'd just buy their parts when they upgraded. Im still riding a 20 year old bike with friends parts. I just bought my first DH this past fall. It's a hobby build now. It doesn't end once you start.
The Genie shock is great but you know I had to switch it out and try other shocks! Stay tuned for a video where we test 7 million different shocks on the Stumpjumper 15.
I bought a fork in anticipation of doing a custom build.... then found an entire bike for about the price of a frame.... I have been upgrading it ever since.... we are down to stem, saddle, seatpost clamp, headset and minor bolts being the only OEM parts left.
I did a completely custom build, got some good parts and the frame with huge discounts, its imho a high end bike with a ZEB Ulti and a Rockshox Vivid on a SC Nomad CC Frame and cost me less than 5.5k, while my last bike was a mid ranged SC Hightower that costs me stock 2y ago 6.5k - while it was nice but over time I swapped out parts and I always felt like I should have been either custom build from the beginning, or just buy the lowest build the manufacturer offers and swap parts out.
After owning a few used bikes and making upgrades to them I'm now doing a frame-up build on a Banshee Phantom. With the current sales I am able to build a top spec bike that would come off the showroom around $8k I'd guess, depending on brand, for $5,000. With stock, you get pigeonholed into certain things you may not want, such as if you want the high end suspension you're forced to get electronic drivetrain, which I'm not really interested in. I also like more unique stuff, so not running the generic Fox/RS forks I installed a Manitou Mattoc Pro LE (still Fox on the rear because it came with the frame, I would have picked something else if it didn't). And parts like bars, grips, stem length, and saddle that you might need to change out are how I want in the first place, and don't have to "wastefully" remove perfectly good components and spend money on "sensible upgrades" right away to get the fit and feel I am used to.
Tor is intimate with his bikes?! 😂 A sneaky thing with upgrades is they can be an investment. I bought some used carbon OneUp bars in 2021 and I've used them on at least 20 bikes since then. I could probably turn around and sell them for $60 used too.
As an advanced beginner I got a good tip from a pro rider. Look what you want to ride in the cheapest variant because you get a slight feeling over time whats limiting you and upgrade it in the way you need it. Last year there was a short time where YT had the Capra Core 1 super cheap for 1999€ which is a banger for this price. While the stock fork (RockShox ZEB Select) and stock rear shock (RockShox Deluxe Select+) were perfectly fine, I replaced the Sram DB8 for Magura MT7 after a while because they felt not very good and the Sram SX Derailleur had to go because lets be real the SX Derailleur is pure crap. But everything else is completely fine for a beginner. I had that setup now the whole last season and it was a blast! Ive learned so much also about servicing my own stuff and setting it up to my needs. Now, for next season I ordered a coil shock and want to see how much difference it will be to the standard rear shock. And so will go everything over time and I can find my riding style and equipment.
So true! Any bike that gets you riding is the best bike for you. An affordable bike with tasteful upgrades as you discover short comings are the way to go! -Tor
For someone riding mtb for 33 years, 30 of those not in a competitive format. DH racing long ago late 90s. I find buying entry to entry mid trim stock bikes is the way to go and build them up over time if you're someone who values money and holds on to there bikes for an average of 6 to 10 years. Over that period you get up to one heck of a bike with used or sale parts. If you like changing bikes often then you get the most for what you can afford outright. Also test ride whenever possible to see what you like and suits you especially if your newer to the pastime. Me being in my 40s and someone who tested and road a few dozen bikes in my time I am at the point where I feel at home quick on any bike and look for the best deals to be had.
Custom all the way 😎 I finished my 4th custom build round about 3 weeks ago and I love it 😍 yeah, I ran into some issues, as I always do, but it made me a better mechanic. So I learned something new and it is also fun to compare and shuffle through all the parts before hitting the little buy icon 😁
My last 5 have been full builds and they have all been heavily modified, trickle down bikenomics works at my house. The wife's bikes have done especially well with the upgrades, mine too. 👍🏻 p.s. - always install the Dropper cable & housing 1st... 😊
I build my own bikes mainly because I enjoy the process and I like knowing everything that is on the bike. Is it worth it? Financially no, but we aren’t doing this because it’s a financially good idea!
Super interesting video! I have been through both of these journeys a couple of times. But once you get more into stuff, for me at least - Building a bike makes way more sense. You start getting some preference for certain parts. So buying a complete bike does not make any real sense when I am changing seat, handlebars, grips, stem, tires, brake pads, maybe even the brakes themselves. And with how prices are from the big online retailers here in europe. I can often build a complete bike for several thousands less than a complete bike is. Groupsets and suspension is often 30-50% off on big retail sites here. Pair that with some clearence on wheels, and you have yourself a superbike for $5k less than a complete one costs. Granted - The time and effort that goes in to picking parts (which is actually something I really enjoy) as well as the space and knowledge to put it all together. I do trust myself more than most local bike shops though. I currently own both types - One complete "super" xc-bike, that already had everything I wanted, and I have only changed tires. And one enduro bike built from a frame.
Normally i would say a complete bike is the way to go but you can find great deals buying a frame and build it from scratch. Or you can do it like me, contact a shop and somehow get a custom built bike better and cheaper than stock
I’ve bought only a handful of complete bikes in my 22 years of riding but IMO custom only makes sense when you already have a load of parts or want a very specific mix of sram and shimano. Otherwise a complete with perhaps a custom cockpit or tyres is a lot cheaper for the same result.
the cheaper/best option is to buy a lower spec OEM on sale then upgrade it yourself, why ? because the no1 thing they cut cost on are the fork and shock, those parts almost halve price going down one step in range 1200->600->300->150->75 so manufacturers save a ton on them I bought a 2500$(sale) 120mm full susp in 2016 it had shimano xt but entry range rock shox a few years later i upgraded fork and shock to fox factory 34SC FIT4 and float DPS both on sale before next model change (2025 equivalent would be SL it's the XC range with lockout) and minus the carbon frame it's now speced like a 12'000$ bike of 2024 but it cost me roughly 4000$ it's only 120mm but I'm still amazed how well it handles terrain I had to ride through torrential damage instead of dirt trail it was a carpet of river rocks and I didn't have to push it just rolled through, amazing
Nah,unfortunately, the bikes these days are built like crap. You get loose bolts, unbled brakes and disgusting suspension you have to send for warranty service from the factory. The last 3 Fox items I bought had 0 grease, X2 was aerated from the factory with no dials working. If you want a good bike, you have to unassemble it and get it back together properly. PS - no issues with my RM with tube in tube
Best value for money... Buy stock build, bottom of the range (It's the same frame) and then upgrade stuff as it breaks. A Levo will likely break in this order... Derailleur/drivetrain, brakes, wheels, dropper, bearings, suspension.
I do agree that stock builds are good enough for most people however, I feel like so many people could benefit from some customization since the bike industry does not offer certain options. Such as most people don't all want or need carbon bikes or top of the line drivetrains but I'm sure a lot of people would gladly run a good aluminum or carbon frame with a lower end drivetrain like some of the very good but lower tier Shimano or equivalent with good suspension and breaks. This does not exist for most bike brands and I feel like so many people would love this capability. Heck, I also bet a lot of people would love a high end part spec aluminum bike option as well with out the added cost of a carbon frame however this option is not really available either. So yes a lot of people could stick with the stock bikes but I think a lot of people could really benefit from a cheaper frame and drivetrain with much better breaks and suspension.
Buy the stock bike at 75% off… upgrade things that break to full VIp levels, start w a good base ! Then realize you need to buy an e bike …. And a purple gravel bike w matching b plug.
Great pedals! The pins are incredibly thin, which lets them dig into my shoes better than other pedals, but thin spikes are also easier to bend when smashing into rocks. And I smash into a fair amount of rocks 🥲 Tor
Hey Timothy! I've been running 160mm of travel on the ZEB. Most stock builds come with a 150mm fork, but Specialized says running a 160mm air spring is all good! -Tor
Hi guys, love the channel…looking at the Zeb for my Levo as an upgrade to the 36 rhythm. I’ve always matched suspension components fox fork, fox shock, but I do like the float X and I’ve updated it to have the low speed dial being the performance model. Will this match with the Zeb ultimate or will there be an imbalance being two different brands?
Thanks for the kind words! I think you'll be plenty happy with the ZEB Ultimate up front and the Float X in the back. I don't think you'll be in any rush to swap out the rear shock once the ZEB is on, but due to personal preferences there is always a chance that you don't like something about it. The ZEB and 38 feel super similar so I have a feeling you'll like it! We have plenty of ZEB's in stock and you can contact us directly if you have any further questions: thelostco.com/collections/rockshox-zeb -Mike
Whenever I see these types of videos, it makes me wonder who is actually building custom $10k+ bikes. Every review you see of gear is the highest end version of it, the bikes are always the top of line builds, and it really makes it feel like mtb is a luxery sport. I paid $4k for my complete Santa Cruz new, and even that made my eyes water. I love my bike, but what percentage of the population do these super high-end reviews ever cater to? Is it really that common for people to drop as much money on a custom build as a nicer used car?
Bottom line is folks opinions dont matter, especially if they did not put a dime towards your bike customization. Have fun building, riding, or just looking at your bike bling; how you spend your money is no ones business. Dream builders slap on some Trick Stuff, Push, Hope, etc - when you're tired of it, I'll upgrade and buy it at half price. Base build with average components? -cool. Dream build with boutique components? -cool.
Hi I currently have Bomber Z2 forks and am wondering if you think I should change to the Fox 34 forks, because I know that fox owns the brand and you know so much about mountain bikes. I know this has nothing to do with the video but I am desperate
i did my first custom build 2 years ago after about 15 years of riding bmx, xc and later enduro. its a different bike to me. its very personal. i did touch every screw, did spend more time on geo calculation than most people spend with their wife. for me it gave me a lot of new knowledge.if i had to built a bike again. i would change a lot. here are my lessons learned: - most important: BE HONEST to youself --> what does your usecase look like? are u really often riding steep techy enduro lines full send? - go alloy ! (especially wheels and stuff like bars, cranks) - if possible go with external braking hoses - get a UHD frame ! - spend a lot on wheels. (fr 1500s or smth with 240 ratchet will last a lifetime) - go "easy to maintain" - get high performing suspension (good chargers, dampers (you will upgrade soon if you dont)) - connection points are super important (buy what u are used to - will be comf from second 1)
I love my custom Stumpjumper Evo. Built it up slow but so worth it. ‘22 carbon frame Lyrik with 3.1 damper and DSD Runt. Linear XL aircan on Super Deluxe Ultimate. Cascade Components link with WRP yoke. SLX brakes, Oak Components levers - better modulation. HS2 rotors XX1 cassette, X01 derailleur but XTR shifter. Nukeproof mullet wheel set. Cushcore rear. Pretty good setup for me. I’ve ridden this two years and it’s more bike than I could probably need.
Why change a shock on stumpy 15? Why not genie? You can have a seperate video and talk about stumpy 15 alloy vs carbon..and maybe video stumpy evo vs stumpy 15..
Of all the people who ride mtb in the US, only a small percentage of that ride often enough to be considered for recognizing differences in components, knowing about geo, etc etc. It takes a fair amount of riding to really start to feel the nuances. There’s also a lot of trial and error to really dial in what feels good to you. Start low end and progress.
Yes. I mentioned at the end of the video that after riding them for several weeks I ended up switching the dropper post out since the stock one was too short (I just happened to have a fancy one laying around) and also installed a coil shock - again, because I had it laying around. This happens sometimes as many parts are swap-able and lots of folks end up having parts from previous bikes fit their new bike. -Mike
If know what do you want from bike, then "custom" is only solution. Because all stock bikes would has bad components (except top builds and not always)
In my opinion, if your not riding at a relatively high level, or racing, then you have no reason to change anything but consumable or broken parts on your bike
what is change nowadays? your bike cost like 1000cc motobike....prices are crazy....thats why in 2024 so many mtb company are failing for bankruptcy..and see how many teams got puldoff from racing ...gready bussines push this industry and try to make more and more money but you get to the point that is not fun anymore ....in the end of the day i love expensive componets and new technology ! but it big money take away the fun of everything ! 6k for yari ...forget about that
Wtf am i watching? Omg guys…U are the biggest noobs on the planet… waffle,waffle but u dont even know how to remove the cog xD rich kids playing around type sh*t
I just recently built an entire bike up from spare “budget” parts that I replaced on other stock builds and it rides almost just as well as the comparable high end built bike.
Nice vid. The presenters' personalities keep me engaged without trying too hard.
There really is always SOMETHING that causes a hiccup when working on a bike. I think the best option for most people is to buy from a local bike shop where you can get support if an issue does pop up. Upgrades are worthwhile, especially tires, contact points etc. Bikes have gotten so good, I think many riders have bikes that are complete overkill for the trails they ride, but it's the best hobby and I don't feel bad about it!
So true! Most bike shops are more than willing to build up your fresh custom build, especially when it's all brand new parts.
-Tor
Again big fun to watch. I build my S-Works Enduro fully custom. Even built the wheels myself. To me wrenching and all that stuff makes 50% of the hobby 😊 and I learnt from you guys ❤ Custom bikes definitely meet 90% of people out there. However, if you have a look at Canyon e-bikes and their current battery nightmare, then one already knows the downside of buying off the peg. Speaking of my S-Works Enduro, I didn't have to sell a kidney though, as I had time and took advantage of sale offers.
Stock build with tasteful upgrades. For the W
My last 2 bikes were custom , I’m not rich so it was a budget build with old parts and new parts . In the end I got a bike with parts that I like but still ended up costing me almost as much as a new bike . I think most stock bikes will be good enough for most riders and it just comes down to personal preference.
Building up a Custom bike might be a time investment, and for some people a waste of time. But for the people who care and are passionate about riding, picking parts and finding sellers for those parts, building the bike, learning new standards, it sure is fun!
Tinkering on bikes is like half the fun! Nothing more satisfying than your bike working perfect after tuning it up yourself.
-Tor
for 80% of ppl a stock build is totally enough...
80% of riders are recreational like you and I. Mtb's are our hobby and sport of choice. You, I and the other 79%.9 of riders buy aftermarket parts to upgrade our whips because its our hobby to do so!!
@@mutleyadamsracing2684 it depends on what kind of stuff u buy... alot of ppl buy new breakes because their old ones never was setup correctly int he first place... same with suspension... also if u dont ride on trails why the heck some ppl need a 36 factory fork??? its like in every other hobby... some ppl have to much money and like to brag.... nobody is saying nothing if u get a new seat or new grips LOL some parts are good to match to the rider...
@@teabagNBG it's not necessary but tech is interesting and fun to try
🎯
If you want to build "The ultimate bike" with all the parts you want, then it's hard to beat hand-picked components (especially if you want something more boutique, like Hope brakes, I9 hubs, or CK headset), but if you're even slightly considering budget options for components then there's most definitely a better specced stock model available for the price.
Stock would obviously be cheaper either way, but at least in the first example, you clearly don't care about value for money.
It's very easy to beat i9 hubs actually. I know a lot of people who have snapped axles on theirs.
@kingflynxi9420 Depends on what you're after. I know I'm much to big and heavy to trust i9 hubs, but there's no denying that if you want the last word in high engagement it's hard to beat the i9 Hydra.
Got a hardtail complete recently and can confirm things that need to be changed were
Bars and stem, pedals, grips and saddle and longer dropper, bike was 1.5k Euro(Voodoo Loco)
Great video.
Out of the hundreds of bikes I’ve owned going all the way back to my first 10 speed, I have never, not once, over shifted my chain into the spoke. In fact I’ve seen it only a handful of times F-DD’s
I've done it. Forgot to set the limit screw
My AXS did it once and caused a spoke to rip out of my straight-pull hub rendering it un-repairable. That was nice.
@ maybe you need a dork disc then
glad i'm not the only one having trouble building up a bike lol!
16:09 100% that rear hub will fail. I bought my Levo in March of this year, and despite being a weekend warrior (ie low KM's ridden), and generally only using Trail Mode, the hub had failed by June. My local dealer handled the warranty claim, and after a week I followed up w/ Specialized directly and discussed my concern that a straight replacement will result in the same issue, they sent an upgraded Roval Traverse Alloy 350 rear wheel in its place, no extra cost, I just had to pay the shop labour to get the tire and cassette swapped over. Best $50 CAD spent ever!
specialized have been putting sht hubs for years. unless it's DT, it's gonna break on the affordable builds especially
@@ostankovalex1176 It's a wonder why they even bother with that hub that comes with the Comp models, it's got to be costing them a pretty penny for processing warranty claims every year for the same issue.
@@KDubber dunno about that. those hubs might be costing so low in production
and Spec bikes are pretty overpriced unless you get a good deal on them
but... those hubs are trash anyway, along with NX cassettes/rear mechs they put on those builds
@@ostankovalex1176 you're right they are indeed cheap hubs, but they aren't just sending out the hub in all cases, usually sending out a whole new wheel, and in my case, they sent out the upgraded wheel with the DT Swiss 350 hub. But parts aside, its the cost for staff to process the warranty claim, my call with Specialized took maybe 15-20 minutes, a very reasonable length from my perspective, but it isn't a revenue generating support call, and then they need to reimburse the shop the labour costs. Again, in my case they did not since I was getting a higher end wheel, so the deal was I paid the labour cost, but had it been a straight replacement hub, they'd have to cover the labour cost to build my existing wheel with the new hub, or if it was a straight replacement wheel, cover the labour cost to swap the tire and cassette over.
The issue with these hubs are so profound, it's not a question of "if" it will fail, but "when", those costs really start to add up.
@@KDubber Ye, I get it, but it's cheap for them anyway. For sure they calculate the amount of claims for broken hubs. And if it wasn't that profitable, no one would've done that. And for the majority of wheels - they are assembled in a factory by the quantity of thousands, so it's not that expensive.
I assume you were pleasantly surprised by getting a 350 hub wheel - didn't you?
If that's the case, then it worked well for both sides.
In my opinion the best option is to buy a complete bike with a good spec and ideally your preference of suspension and drivetrain because those are the most expensive thing to change. Then just swap parts out based on preference. If your stock build is a mid to high spec then the stock parts will have a decent resale value to recoup some of the cost to put on parts of your preference. In my opinion a custom build makes the most sense when you’re doing a frame swap have already have 90-95% of the parts from your old bike.
I just custom built a 2025 SC Nomad for about 11k ca$ with the 95% ridewrap installed, factory 38 & X2, analog XX1/X01 drivetrain, X01 carbon cranks, 210mm 1up, 1up carbon bar, stem, grips, guide/bash guard, Hayes A4's, Hope pro5's w Hope 30mm rear rim, 35mm front rim, Crankbros Mallet 11's, Michelin DH22 front, Nobby Nic 2.4 rear. I am going to get a set of the new radials when these tires are done, and eventually it will get the non T type AXS shifter/derailleur. She's a beast, and will hopefully be my forever bike :D
I tend to take a stock build and customize select components. For me, it's about the fact that I finally can afford it, thinking of the years of running close out, borrowed, or hand me down components....even missing prime months of riding due to lack of funds. I wouldn't trade those days for the world
I started with stock bikes. But after owning quite some bikes (changing nearly every year) I knew what I wanted and since then I always have and probably always will be buying everything myself and build the bikes custom.
Its another part of the hobby that I really enjoy.
Btw I had close to no issues in the building process of Santa Cruz bikes. Big fan.
I've slowly custom built my bike over two years and still not finished. Bought the bottom spec model, had the brakes swapped out before delivery and slowly built the bike up according to budget and necessity. Still not finished!
I started out riding with friends who had expensive bikes, I'd just buy their parts when they upgraded. Im still riding a 20 year old bike with friends parts. I just bought my first DH this past fall. It's a hobby build now. It doesn't end once you start.
Great video, going to send to some friends that ask me about this stuff to help them to understand the process. 👍
I use the "window blind" tool to clean the inside of fork stanchions with a towel 🤣
Tor, did you not like the Genie shock?
Curious of this as well!
The Genie shock is great but you know I had to switch it out and try other shocks! Stay tuned for a video where we test 7 million different shocks on the Stumpjumper 15.
I bought a fork in anticipation of doing a custom build.... then found an entire bike for about the price of a frame....
I have been upgrading it ever since.... we are down to stem, saddle, seatpost clamp, headset and minor bolts being the only OEM parts left.
I did a completely custom build, got some good parts and the frame with huge discounts, its imho a high end bike with a ZEB Ulti and a Rockshox Vivid on a SC Nomad CC Frame and cost me less than 5.5k, while my last bike was a mid ranged SC Hightower that costs me stock 2y ago 6.5k - while it was nice but over time I swapped out parts and I always felt like I should have been either custom build from the beginning, or just buy the lowest build the manufacturer offers and swap parts out.
I built mine, exact spec i wanted , looks cool AF!
After owning a few used bikes and making upgrades to them I'm now doing a frame-up build on a Banshee Phantom. With the current sales I am able to build a top spec bike that would come off the showroom around $8k I'd guess, depending on brand, for $5,000. With stock, you get pigeonholed into certain things you may not want, such as if you want the high end suspension you're forced to get electronic drivetrain, which I'm not really interested in. I also like more unique stuff, so not running the generic Fox/RS forks I installed a Manitou Mattoc Pro LE (still Fox on the rear because it came with the frame, I would have picked something else if it didn't). And parts like bars, grips, stem length, and saddle that you might need to change out are how I want in the first place, and don't have to "wastefully" remove perfectly good components and spend money on "sensible upgrades" right away to get the fit and feel I am used to.
What happened to Tor's Lowdown? Can't have that awesome rig retired yet!
Just sold it a few weeks ago! Hell of a bike and it's still going strong with its new owner out in Utah.
Tor is intimate with his bikes?! 😂 A sneaky thing with upgrades is they can be an investment. I bought some used carbon OneUp bars in 2021 and I've used them on at least 20 bikes since then. I could probably turn around and sell them for $60 used too.
I work in a bike shop, and struggle a lot with cable routing
I finally invested in an internal cable routing kit for like $15. Works pretty good in like 50% of situations
As an advanced beginner I got a good tip from a pro rider. Look what you want to ride in the cheapest variant because you get a slight feeling over time whats limiting you and upgrade it in the way you need it. Last year there was a short time where YT had the Capra Core 1 super cheap for 1999€ which is a banger for this price.
While the stock fork (RockShox ZEB Select) and stock rear shock (RockShox Deluxe Select+) were perfectly fine, I replaced the Sram DB8 for Magura MT7 after a while because they felt not very good and the Sram SX Derailleur had to go because lets be real the SX Derailleur is pure crap. But everything else is completely fine for a beginner.
I had that setup now the whole last season and it was a blast! Ive learned so much also about servicing my own stuff and setting it up to my needs. Now, for next season I ordered a coil shock and want to see how much difference it will be to the standard rear shock. And so will go everything over time and I can find my riding style and equipment.
So true! Any bike that gets you riding is the best bike for you. An affordable bike with tasteful upgrades as you discover short comings are the way to go!
-Tor
For someone riding mtb for 33 years, 30 of those not in a competitive format. DH racing long ago late 90s.
I find buying entry to entry mid trim stock bikes is the way to go and build them up over time if you're someone who values money and holds on to there bikes for an average of 6 to 10 years. Over that period you get up to one heck of a bike with used or sale parts.
If you like changing bikes often then you get the most for what you can afford outright.
Also test ride whenever possible to see what you like and suits you especially if your newer to the pastime. Me being in my 40s and someone who tested and road a few dozen bikes in my time I am at the point where I feel at home quick on any bike and look for the best deals to be had.
Custom all the way 😎 I finished my 4th custom build round about 3 weeks ago and I love it 😍 yeah, I ran into some issues, as I always do, but it made me a better mechanic. So I learned something new and it is also fun to compare and shuffle through all the parts before hitting the little buy icon 😁
From the financial point of view, it is more cost effective to buy a stock bike with the frame and suspension you want and then upgrade it
My last 5 have been full builds and they have all been heavily modified, trickle down bikenomics works at my house. The wife's bikes have done especially well with the upgrades, mine too. 👍🏻
p.s. - always install the Dropper cable & housing 1st... 😊
Words of wisdom right there, somehow I always forget my order of operations. It's like I'm back in middle school
-Tor
@TheLostCo Yup, everything's better with butter.
Excuse me...
Someone is making smoky garlic Shrimps 🍤
🤠
I build my own bikes mainly because I enjoy the process and I like knowing everything that is on the bike. Is it worth it? Financially no, but we aren’t doing this because it’s a financially good idea!
I noticed that genie was swapped out. I would be interested to see a RS with HBO support on the SJ15
Super interesting video! I have been through both of these journeys a couple of times. But once you get more into stuff, for me at least - Building a bike makes way more sense.
You start getting some preference for certain parts. So buying a complete bike does not make any real sense when I am changing seat, handlebars, grips, stem, tires, brake pads, maybe even the brakes themselves.
And with how prices are from the big online retailers here in europe. I can often build a complete bike for several thousands less than a complete bike is. Groupsets and suspension is often 30-50% off on big retail sites here. Pair that with some clearence on wheels, and you have yourself a superbike for $5k less than a complete one costs.
Granted - The time and effort that goes in to picking parts (which is actually something I really enjoy) as well as the space and knowledge to put it all together. I do trust myself more than most local bike shops though.
I currently own both types - One complete "super" xc-bike, that already had everything I wanted, and I have only changed tires. And one enduro bike built from a frame.
Best part of a custom build is the satisfaction of everything working. Especially the brakes, you'll know fast if you set them up wrong!
Yea we had to rebleed them after the first ride haha!
-Tor
Normally i would say a complete bike is the way to go but you can find great deals buying a frame and build it from scratch.
Or you can do it like me, contact a shop and somehow get a custom built bike better and cheaper than stock
I’ve bought only a handful of complete bikes in my 22 years of riding but IMO custom only makes sense when you already have a load of parts or want a very specific mix of sram and shimano. Otherwise a complete with perhaps a custom cockpit or tyres is a lot cheaper for the same result.
I note that Tor switched out the Genie shock. can you explain more about what he changed it to (FloatX2) and the ride difference?
I like custom build I agree it fun to fix it the way you want and it rides better to for me
Never ever greas any threads. Use proper anti-seize for threads.
the cheaper/best option is to buy a lower spec OEM on sale then upgrade it yourself, why ? because the no1 thing they cut cost on are the fork and shock, those parts almost halve price going down one step in range 1200->600->300->150->75 so manufacturers save a ton on them I bought a 2500$(sale) 120mm full susp in 2016 it had shimano xt but entry range rock shox a few years later i upgraded fork and shock to fox factory 34SC FIT4 and float DPS both on sale before next model change (2025 equivalent would be SL it's the XC range with lockout) and minus the carbon frame it's now speced like a 12'000$ bike of 2024 but it cost me roughly 4000$ it's only 120mm but I'm still amazed how well it handles terrain I had to ride through torrential damage instead of dirt trail it was a carpet of river rocks and I didn't have to push it just rolled through, amazing
Nah,unfortunately, the bikes these days are built like crap. You get loose bolts, unbled brakes and disgusting suspension you have to send for warranty service from the factory. The last 3 Fox items I bought had 0 grease, X2 was aerated from the factory with no dials working.
If you want a good bike, you have to unassemble it and get it back together properly.
PS - no issues with my RM with tube in tube
Is Tor related to Conor Bedard? Good video.
Best value for money...
Buy stock build, bottom of the range (It's the same frame) and then upgrade stuff as it breaks.
A Levo will likely break in this order... Derailleur/drivetrain, brakes, wheels, dropper, bearings, suspension.
I’d live in the Seattle area and would love to ride with you at some point.
I do agree that stock builds are good enough for most people however, I feel like so many people could benefit from some customization since the bike industry does not offer certain options. Such as most people don't all want or need carbon bikes or top of the line drivetrains but I'm sure a lot of people would gladly run a good aluminum or carbon frame with a lower end drivetrain like some of the very good but lower tier Shimano or equivalent with good suspension and breaks. This does not exist for most bike brands and I feel like so many people would love this capability. Heck, I also bet a lot of people would love a high end part spec aluminum bike option as well with out the added cost of a carbon frame however this option is not really available either. So yes a lot of people could stick with the stock bikes but I think a lot of people could really benefit from a cheaper frame and drivetrain with much better breaks and suspension.
You're completely right! As long as you have high quality suspension, brakes, and tires, you're pretty much ready to rip.
-Tor
Buy the stock bike at 75% off… upgrade things that break to full VIp levels, start w a good base ! Then realize you need to buy an e bike …. And a purple gravel bike w matching b plug.
How’s Tor liking them Tenet pedals?
Great pedals! The pins are incredibly thin, which lets them dig into my shoes better than other pedals, but thin spikes are also easier to bend when smashing into rocks. And I smash into a fair amount of rocks 🥲
Tor
I can’t find if they said it in the video, but what fork travel where your running on the stumpy 15?
Thanks
Hey Timothy! I've been running 160mm of travel on the ZEB. Most stock builds come with a 150mm fork, but Specialized says running a 160mm air spring is all good!
-Tor
it's like leaving a Z stock vs putting a LS in
Exactly. LS swap the world! (you must follow my on instagram, haha)
-Mike
how much time spent thinking about a custom build, a few hours? Dude that decision making process takes me a year to figure out lol
What made Tor change out the genie shock that came with the frame.
I'm testing different shocks on the Stumpjumper 15! Stay tuned for a longer video sometime next year.
-Tor
@TheLostCo i have an EVO, is it even worth getting a S15 frame?
Hi guys, love the channel…looking at the Zeb for my Levo as an upgrade to the 36 rhythm.
I’ve always matched suspension components fox fork, fox shock, but I do like the float X and I’ve updated it to have the low speed dial being the performance model. Will this match with the Zeb ultimate or will there be an imbalance being two different brands?
Thanks for the kind words! I think you'll be plenty happy with the ZEB Ultimate up front and the Float X in the back. I don't think you'll be in any rush to swap out the rear shock once the ZEB is on, but due to personal preferences there is always a chance that you don't like something about it. The ZEB and 38 feel super similar so I have a feeling you'll like it!
We have plenty of ZEB's in stock and you can contact us directly if you have any further questions: thelostco.com/collections/rockshox-zeb
-Mike
Whenever I see these types of videos, it makes me wonder who is actually building custom $10k+ bikes. Every review you see of gear is the highest end version of it, the bikes are always the top of line builds, and it really makes it feel like mtb is a luxery sport. I paid $4k for my complete Santa Cruz new, and even that made my eyes water. I love my bike, but what percentage of the population do these super high-end reviews ever cater to? Is it really that common for people to drop as much money on a custom build as a nicer used car?
LOL my wheel hubs lasted bit longer a year on my EMTB
Zeb 160mm?
Should i get a mountain bike
We vote for yes 🙋♂️
This was a great video for its style and content. Stanley Kubrick, Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Spielberg move over!
What handlebars are on Tor"s bike?
Tenet Bodem AL 40mm rise! That silver color is so so nice.
-Tor
@@TheLostCo Thank you!
Bottom line is folks opinions dont matter, especially if they did not put a dime towards your bike customization. Have fun building, riding, or just looking at your bike bling; how you spend your money is no ones business. Dream builders slap on some Trick Stuff, Push, Hope, etc - when you're tired of it, I'll upgrade and buy it at half price. Base build with average components? -cool. Dream build with boutique components? -cool.
Tor’s bike look like it was turning in fast motion compared to Mikes.
All my clips were 125% speed.
-Tor
Hi I currently have Bomber Z2 forks and am wondering if you think I should change to the Fox 34 forks, because I know that fox owns the brand and you know so much about mountain bikes. I know this has nothing to do with the video but I am desperate
Hey there!
Give us a call and we can get to the bottom of it! (360) 306-8827
-Tor
i did my first custom build 2 years ago after about 15 years of riding bmx, xc and later enduro.
its a different bike to me. its very personal. i did touch every screw, did spend more time on geo calculation than most people spend with their wife.
for me it gave me a lot of new knowledge.if i had to built a bike again. i would change a lot. here are my lessons learned:
- most important: BE HONEST to youself --> what does your usecase look like? are u really often riding steep techy enduro lines full send?
- go alloy ! (especially wheels and stuff like bars, cranks)
- if possible go with external braking hoses
- get a UHD frame !
- spend a lot on wheels. (fr 1500s or smth with 240 ratchet will last a lifetime)
- go "easy to maintain"
- get high performing suspension (good chargers, dampers (you will upgrade soon if you dont))
- connection points are super important (buy what u are used to - will be comf from second 1)
Is it worth it: it's up to you
I love my custom Stumpjumper Evo. Built it up slow but so worth it.
‘22 carbon frame
Lyrik with 3.1 damper and DSD Runt.
Linear XL aircan on Super Deluxe Ultimate.
Cascade Components link with WRP yoke.
SLX brakes, Oak Components levers - better modulation.
HS2 rotors
XX1 cassette, X01 derailleur but XTR shifter.
Nukeproof mullet wheel set.
Cushcore rear.
Pretty good setup for me. I’ve ridden this two years and it’s more bike than I could probably need.
so the stock bike became custom at the end??? 🤣🤣🤣
Just like most stock bikes at some point in their life! But yea things change quick around here haha.
-Tor
Never considered a wireless dropper??
They're pricy but dang are they nice! Compared to wireless drivetrains I think they make way more sense, but I'm still team cables for now.
-Tor
Why change a shock on stumpy 15? Why not genie? You can have a seperate video and talk about stumpy 15 alloy vs carbon..and maybe video stumpy evo vs stumpy 15..
We're going to do a video about trying different shocks on the Stumpjumper 15! You can read the blog on our website to get a sneak peek!
-Tor
Of all the people who ride mtb in the US, only a small percentage of that ride often enough to be considered for recognizing differences in components, knowing about geo, etc etc. It takes a fair amount of riding to really start to feel the nuances. There’s also a lot of trial and error to really dial in what feels good to you. Start low end and progress.
did bro say stock then put a coil and dropper onto it?
Yes. I mentioned at the end of the video that after riding them for several weeks I ended up switching the dropper post out since the stock one was too short (I just happened to have a fancy one laying around) and also installed a coil shock - again, because I had it laying around. This happens sometimes as many parts are swap-able and lots of folks end up having parts from previous bikes fit their new bike.
-Mike
@@TheLostCo definitely a good idea to upgrade your bike to a coil, makes the downhill that much more planted, like your thinking.
If know what do you want from bike, then "custom" is only solution. Because all stock bikes would has bad components (except top builds and not always)
The question for 1 million dollers is... why changing Ginnie shock with a Float X?
In my opinion, if your not riding at a relatively high level, or racing, then you have no reason to change anything but consumable or broken parts on your bike
Pulls motorcycle out of a box... Ok F this, I'm out....
Mtb frames are too fucking expensive to validate their completes...
Does that guy build bikes for customers? Not a great look haha
I do seths or pilgrim style of removing aka breaking dork disc off.
what is change nowadays? your bike cost like 1000cc motobike....prices are crazy....thats why in 2024 so many mtb company are failing for bankruptcy..and see how many teams got puldoff from racing ...gready bussines push this industry and try to make more and more money but you get to the point that is not fun anymore ....in the end of the day i love expensive componets and new technology ! but it big money take away the fun of everything ! 6k for yari ...forget about that
10% more for a custom build, lol
Wtf am i watching? Omg guys…U are the biggest noobs on the planet… waffle,waffle but u dont even know how to remove the cog xD rich kids playing around type sh*t
You're watching the owner/operator of one of the biggest bike shops in the United States. Better sit up straight when you're talking to him boy