REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

At what price do “AMAZING” bikes start at??

5970 Views 105 Replies 46 Participants Last post by norcalbike, Jan 11, 2022

BlackPenquinn

Discussion Starter · Dec 31, 2021 (Edited)

I think most of us can agree on the bikes that offer killer value and a fantastic ride, and we can all identify the dream machine builds that have embraced all of the diminishing returns, but how much money do you have to spend to get as close to that cut off where lots of more money gets you a very slight improvement?

At what point do bikes escape extreme competency and start to become special?

1 - 20 of 106 Posts

BlackPenquinn

Discussion Starter · #2 · Dec 31, 2021

My last three bikes have all been expensive “dream builds”. For me it’s a hobby, and I dont regret the spend, but its obvious I could have saved a bunch of money and not really seen much of a change in my enjoyment.

At a certain point unless you are Racing, the extra cash is just the fun of “stuff”.

Impetus

· #3 · Dec 31, 2021

Spitballing- I’d say that once you get above the 6k-ish range you’re getting more ‘perks’ than performance.
it’s pretty easy to get a carbon frame, or at least front triangle, XT/XO1 parts, and top-tier suspension (Factory Kashima, DVO, etc) in the 6k neighborhood.

Reactions: 5

Ailuropoda

· #4 · Dec 31, 2021

I think we need to eliminate the word "amazing" from the English language. Everything is "amazing" nowadays.

Reactions: 5

BicyclesOnMain

· #5 · Dec 31, 2021

Hardtail- $4000
Roadbike $4000
FS- $6000
FS e-Bike $8000

Reactions: 5

uintah

· #6 · Dec 31, 2021 (Edited)

I'd say that any top tier frame and suspension with SLX/NX build will be indistinguishable in difference from any high end component build for most people, except for the functionality of AXS of course.
However, that low end build is still going to set you back $4000+
This is obviously based on the elimination of the word "amazing" as previously suggested.
If I was budget oriented, I'd go low end build and upgrade the wheels, even if it is with lightly abused used wheels.
My 2 cents

Edit:. Aluminum frame for that $ range

uintah

· #7 · Dec 31, 2021

If I am going to go for amazing?
Time, patience and the cost of some good bolt cutters. 😉

Reactions: 5

Monty219

· #8 · Dec 31, 2021 (Edited)

$6K for a FS: I did a “budget dream build” everything i felt i needed to be happy with performance but nothing more expensive than it needed to be. Here is the approximate breakdown

frame & shock: 2400 (Edit: banshee spitfire)
Fork: 1000
Wheels: 1000
Brakes: 500
Stem/ bars/ seat/ dropper: 450
Tires: 150
Drivetrain & bashguide: 400
Pedals: 100

Reactions: 3

BlackPenquinn

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 31, 2021 (Edited)

Would you say a bike with NX is “AMAZING” or incredibly competent?
Would it feel special? Does it matter if everything else was top tier?

Different answers for everyone, I’m guessing.

For me everything is not AMAZING, in fact most things are just really competent, and bikes are becoming exceptionally competent, so the bar starts high.

When everything is really good, what do you have to spend to get to that point where the returns are not worth the investment?

uintah said:
I'd say that any top tier frame and suspension with SLX/NX build will be indistinguishable in difference from any high end component build for most people, except for the functionality of AXS of course.
However, that low end build is still going to set you back $4000+
This is obviously based on the elimination of the word "amazing" as previously suggested.
If I was budget oriented, I'd go low end build and upgrade the wheels, even if it is with lightly abused used wheels.
My 2 cents

r-rocket

· #10 · Dec 31, 2021

Depends on the bike maker. You can get away with a good XT level Canyon and stay within the $5-6K range. More like $6-7K for some other bike makers.

Reactions: 3

Cleared2land

· #11 · Dec 31, 2021

I see the high quality bikes starting in the $6 k range.

Also very subjective

Reactions: 2

C619V

· #12 · Dec 31, 2021

Ripley AF is an amazing bike to me (not just cause PB says so lol)

But man, I bet the Ripley X01 w/S28 Carbon/i9 is extra spicy amazing.

But Im a budget miles and smiles rider so I rely on just the regular ole amazing stuff

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 2

BlackPenquinn

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 31, 2021

That’s the tough thing, ”regular” bikes have become extraordinary performers. The performance gap between the first 4K and the next 2k is much greater than the next 4K-6k.

What makes a bike more than really competent and approaching AMAZING? Is the Ripley AF the top of regular, or the beginning of Amazing?

At what point does the law of diminishing returns kick in?

C619V said:
Ripley AF is an amazing bike to me (not just cause PB says so lol)

But man, I bet the Ripley X01 w/S28 Carbon/i9 is extra spicy amazing.

But Im a budget miles and smiles rider so I rely on just the regular ole amazing stuff

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

PTCbiker

· #14 · Dec 31, 2021

I recently watched PinkBike's budget trail bike review video and they seem to think the bikes they looked at under $3000 can do 95% of what any bike is capable of. I don't know enough to comment on that, my bikes were $2000 and $1800 respectively.

I could spend $5,000+ on a bike but I'd have to fall in love with it at a bike fest demo after riding several. Not sure my Giant Trance X is really holding me back at this point.

Reactions: 1

uintah

· #15 · Dec 31, 2021

BlackPenquinn said:
That’s the tough thing, ”regular” bikes have become extraordinary performers. The performance gap between the first 4K and the next 2k is much greater than the next 4K-6k.

At what point does the law of diminishing returns kick in?

Great question. It's all in the eye of the bikeholder I guess. One of my bikes is a Pivot Mach 6 Pro XT/XTR Air. 7k retail that I got a screaming deal on as a lightly used demo. A regular riding buddy has the Mach 6 Pro XO1 live valve that he paid 11k for. We've ridden each other's bikes s few times. I can't tell the difference. He says mine sucks.

Reactions: 4

C619V

· #16 · Dec 31, 2021

BlackPenquinn said:
That’s the tough thing, ”regular” bikes have become extraordinary performers. The performance gap between the first 4K and the next 2k is much greater than the next 4K-6k.

What makes a bike more than really competent and approaching AMAZING? Is the Ripley AF the top of regular, or the beginning of Amazing?

At what point does the law of diminishing returns kick in?

I came from a 2008 Trek 6000 I’ve owned since 2009.

I bought the Ripley AF this past September after a lengthy delay from Commencal.

Picked up the RAF locally at CalCoast and it’s been miles of smiles.

So it’s truly amazing in my small sample size.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 3

Sparticus

· #17 · Dec 31, 2021

Huh. I wrote the following a couple hours ago, before anyone mentioned the Ripley AF. I walked away from my computer before I hit "Post reply," then came back to find updated comments.
Anyway, here's what I wrote...
----
Maybe I read it wrong or interpreted it wrong but I voted for a lower than average amount -- $4000.
Compared to bikes of just 3-5 years ago I'd call even the Deore-level Ripley AF amazing, and it's only $3200.
I just grabbed the Rip AF as an example because it popped into my head as a rather iconic highly performing bike who's popularity is soaring because it provides so much performance at a reasonable price.
But there are others. Many others. It's a good time to be a mountain biker.
Anyway I checked the "$4000" box because 2 definite upgrades I'd make to the $3200 Rip AF are 1) 4-pot brakes and 2) 200-203mm rotors -- these upgrades could easily be done given another $800.
But beyond improving the brakes, the geo, drivetrain & suspension are good enough to give anyone similar off-road thrills to those provided by some of the best trail bikes out there. There are always components a rider can upgrade to, but the Rip AF at least remains in the ballpark even with its modest stock drivetrain & suspension components.
If I was just getting into the sport of mountain biking, or even if I'd been in it for years, I'd consider buying one. I believe 'amazing' describes the Rip AF -- and bikes of its ilk -- accurately.
=sParty

See less See more

Reactions: 4

gat3keeper

· #18 · Jan 1, 2022

Any bike with SLX components,Fox rythmn fork, and 4 piston breaks is a good bike to start with. Usually the price is 2.5k for alu and 4k for carbon.

Any higher spec bike from above is "amazing" to me.

Sent from my 2107113SG using Tapatalk

Reactions: 3

jrhone

· #19 · Jan 1, 2022

$1600 XC hardtail. $1k in mods. Fork, dropper brake pads, going tubeless. Amazing for me.

Reactions: 1

EatsDirt

· #20 · Jan 1, 2022

I think there are probably different price points for different levels of participation/purpose.

An amazing bike for those that aren’t brand conscious, not smashng laps down chunky DH, and not pedaling 500k ft elevation year would probably be happy with a good value FS bike at $3k (Ibis def comes to mind).

For me, aspiring to climb 500k while enjoying as much tech as possible… $6k custom build is probably a safe number for full retail parts kit. Any less and reliability/service life or performance will likely suffer.

Reactions: 2

1 - 20 of 106 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.