I'd like to start off a tier list that tries to be a comprehensive buyer's guide to components, that focuses on bang for the buck, using current street prices (if not in the US, please note your region). Generally, the best bang-for-the-buck items tend to be something that ranges from the Deore to the XT quality/price range, though there are exceptions.
To make this a community effort, please list at least one component that you've found to be a relative bargain for how much performance and quality is packed into the part (*value*), and a link where to find it (should have sufficient stock at the price). Please note compatibility and any other info that may be useful to know.
I'll start with this:
Tier grade based on *subjective* bang-for-buck and likelihood of value paying off--SS is highest, followed by S, A, B, C, D... In general, it rates/ranks the worthiness of the choice over other options, whether it be whatever came stock on a bike or an entry level or higher end aftermarket price point item. Grades are highly subject to change and up for debate, preferably with an example of a better value item.
To make this a community effort, please list at least one component that you've found to be a relative bargain for how much performance and quality is packed into the part (*value*), and a link where to find it (should have sufficient stock at the price). Please note compatibility and any other info that may be useful to know.
I'll start with this:
| Category /Tier grade | Price | Item Name | Notes |
| Bike | |||
| B | $2500 | Niner WFO 9 Jenson SLX | M, 29er, 150 FS, 142x12, BSA, 1x11, 31.6 dropper, Blk w/Blue |
| B | $2500 | YT Jeffsy AL2 29 | Backordered, 29er, 140 FS, Boost 148, BB92, 2x11, 31.6 dropper, Blk w/White |
| Frame | |||
| A- | $1078 | Niner Jet 9 Carbon | XS/M, 29er, 100mm FS, 142x12, PF30, 31.6, Red-Orange w/Yellow |
| Fork | |||
| A | $473 | Rockshox Yari RC Solo Air | 27.5, 130mm, 15x100, up to 170mm w/$30 air shaft, candidate for Avalanche damper upgrade |
| Shock | |||
| A | $200 | Cane Creek DBa Inline | 6.5"x1.5"/65x38 and 7.25"x1.75"/184x44, costs about the same as full factory service for some shocks |
| Wheels | |||
| D | $395 | DT Swiss XMC 1200 | Front, 27.5, 15x100, 24ID, Centerlock, 627g |
| Tires | |||
| B | $17 | Schwalbe Nobby Nic | 29x2.25 PSC/Liteskin, all-round conditions, light duty, fast rolling |
| Brakes | |||
| SS | $110 | Shimano Deore M615 | Everything, F+R inc 6-bolt rotors; bang for buck. Forget BB7s, get this instead if you want brakes on a budget |
| Pedals | |||
| A | $47 | RaceFace Chester | |
| B | $75 | Spank Spike | Warning: fit issues with crank tip boots |
| Dropper | |||
| B | $135 | KS eTen Integra | 27.2/30.9/31.6, 100x385/420, internally routed, 20mm offset, ~750g |
| C | $150 | Brand X Ascend | 30.9/31.6, 120x410, internally routed |
| Saddle | |||
| S | $27 | Charge Spoon | |
| Grips | |||
| C | $25 | ODI Pro Elite | Lock-on, cushion of a 33mm grip in a slimmer form factor |
| Handlebar | |||
| C | $80 | Spank Oozy Vibrocore | 760mm, alloy (damped) 4d up x 6d back, 15mm rise, 235g, Red |
| Stem* | *no real performance to be gained here, besides weight savings | ||
| SS | $25 | Kalloy UNO | 85g@60mm, 1 1/8", 31.8mm, 3D forged |
| C | $40 | Kore Cubix | 135g@50mm, 1 1/8", 31.8mm, 3D forged, color options |
| Shift housing | |||
| S | $17 | Shimano SP41 | 33'/10m uncut length, pre-greased; bang for buck for high performance |
| Shift cable | |||
| S | $2.50 | Alligator Stainless Slick | |
| Chain | |||
| SS | $17 | Shimano CN-HG95 | 10spd, SIL-TEC |
| Chain Lube | |||
| A | $16 | Rock n Roll Gold | 16 oz kit; super low friction, PTFE based, super-clean, durable, long lasting |
| Cassette | |||
| A | $37 | Shimano CS-HG81 SLX | 10 speed, 11-36 |
| Chainring | |||
| SS | $13 | SRAM X-Sync DM | 1x NW, Steel, 28t, fits GXP cranks with direct mount |
| S | $21 | Shimano CRM70 SLX | 1x NW, Steel teeth; fits $70 SLX M7000 crank |
| B | $100 | Wolftooth Stainless Ring | 1x NW, heat treated 416 stainless steel (lasts over 5-10x longer than 7075-T6), 104 BCD or SRAM Direct Mount |
| Crankset* | *no real performance to be gained here, besides through ring options | ||
| B | $80 | SRAM S1400 | 175mm, GXP, 26/39t, 80/120 BCD, Direct Mount, hollow-forged, 890g w/2x rings |
| C | $70 | Shimano M7000 SLX | 175mm, hollow-forged, 715g w/32t ring, warning: non-standard BCD |
| Helmet | |||
| A | $30 | Urge Endur-O-Matic 2 | 349g, extended coverage half-shell, low profile/thickness, warning: fixed visor |
| Jersey | |||
| A | $15 | Sugoi RSX | short sleeve, semi-fitted, 9" zip |
| Bell | |||
| B | $22 | Timber Mtn Bike Bell | good candidate for Jenson 15% code |
| E | $49 | Spurcycle Bell | low profile, loud for its size, sits secure next to grip |
| Bottle | |||
| A | $7 | Camelbak Podium | 21 oz, good spout lock design |
Tier grade based on *subjective* bang-for-buck and likelihood of value paying off--SS is highest, followed by S, A, B, C, D... In general, it rates/ranks the worthiness of the choice over other options, whether it be whatever came stock on a bike or an entry level or higher end aftermarket price point item. Grades are highly subject to change and up for debate, preferably with an example of a better value item.
