It was actually about 500km I put on the bike.. for a fairly cheap house branded chain it's not bad mileage, but yes it was noticeably worn and started causing issues
@@bikesandbeans So was your chain the stock chain it came on the bike? I think the chain ain‘t house branded, mine has a KMC Z9 and it’s ig universal. Cube bikes also use the same chain type and what I heard in the video is that the chain was worn out that fast and I was like: wait what, 6 months of use and the chain is already worn? I‘ve noticed strange sounds aswell but the bottom bracket is fine. I put more lubricant and removed the access fat from the chain and it sounded better but still a bit grindy. I have the bike for a month now and I only drive it on asphalt. Never been abused yet. And i drove around 100km with this bike. Was the grinding sound loud on your rockrider or was it also just a mild grind? Also thanks for the reply!
Yeah it did seem a little fast wearing to me... but this is a relatively inexpensive bike, and I'm used to more expensive SRAM chains that I have very good luck with in the past. That being said, I did put a good amount of KM on the chain and the Portuguese trails are very sandy in general. Not horrible for a good amount of use.
From what I know of bike components.. the parts should fit for upgrading it to 11-50.. you might have to change the cassette and chain and shifter you might have to change the rear derailleur, or if you just went to 11-46/48 you might not have to change the der.
Thank you for the bike review. Its the only good content Ive seen on this bike, everything else is just random videos with no structure. Super stoked to get this as my first very own MTB. I just want something that can take me anywhere, not really in a rush to get there. Small rides around town, some weekend trail riding. The bike seems like a good option. Ive only ridden my dad's MTBs and its always fun but Im excited to have my own so I can customize it how I want.
@@bikesandbeans thank you so much! I'll try to remember and come back here to give my first impressions as well. I'm also from Portugal so it's great to see the upgrades you've already made to the bike for our trails. Gives me a nice starting point for things to look out for.
@filmdude5058 I'm loving mine! Been using it for transportation 2x per week. Haven't taken it out on serious long trails yet but I've enjoyed the very little "offroad" paths Ive been able to take
@filmdude5058 just to chime in .. this is pretty common when moving a bike without the wheel on! It's no problem. You can use a disc brake insert or a clean flat blade screwdriver to push the brake pads apart. When you put the wheel back in you just squeeze the lever a few times and it should be good to go. 👍
I think it is pretty good for flat but I can max it out mostly the front chainring being 30 tooth is a little small. my ideal upgrade would be 11spd 11-50 rear, with a 32 tooth crankset
@@bikesandbeans thank you very much for your answer and it's nice that it can be improved. I just ordered it, I hesitated between 500 and 520 for a long time. But if the 500 can be improved according to your needs after the lack of gears, why overpay at the start for 520 in the same frame
I would say it's a good bike and can handle it but you would need a better seat for long hours. Good shorts and gloves would be key for that. The bike could be good for that
They're 180 mm "SRAM Centerline" rotors with the stock Tektro calipers. I use quotes because I got the rotors off AliExpress for about 20 euros for the pair... pretty sure theyre fake but they work great adding a noticable amount of stopping power to the Tektro calipers. :)
@@bikesandbeans I know I want to buy a crank with a 32 sprocket and an additional 34. I wonder if 34 will work well since the manufacturer provides 32 maximum
Hello! It's a size large.. tried the medium but I wanted the seat higher and it would've been at maximum extension.. reach felt better for me on the large too
@@bikesandbeans I'm 174.5 so I am right in-between the M and the L on their size chart. I went to the store and tried the M and L. The M felt better, more maneuverable and like I was in control. My father and the store clerk said I was better off with the L but I felt like I was reaching for the handlebars on the L. Seeing as you considered the M even being a little taller, I think I should be good with the M. Thank you for your help! Hopefully I'll get mune this week
I bought it in the XL frame size and the bike is very good, only the factory tires slip a little, so I would buy it maxxis forekaster 29×2.35 do you think it fits?
hello, I'm in the process of modernization to be exact. Rockshox recon silver solo air shock absorber, 180 mm discs. Maxxis Minion dhf 2.5 front tire. Maxxis Minion dhr2 2.4 rear tire. Aluminum platform pedals, aluminum seat post. Plus replacement of the drive and crank for a set of Shimano deore m5100 1x 11 s in the setting 11 - 51, and a crank 170 mm 32 t. I will send information on how to ride after the changes
@@bikesandbeansHello, I wanted to let you know how the bike rides after the changes, here's what has changed: after replacing the shock absorber with a rockshox recon Rl solo air, a completely different bike and handling. After changing the drive to Shimano deore m5100 11 S 11-51, the ride became smoother and more pleasant .And everything is improved by a 32T crank. The bike rides very nice. Regards
It's a great tiny pump... Works well! It's a Lezyne Sport Drive www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/lezyne-sport-drive-hv-s-90-psi-presta---shrader-166-mm-long-mini-pump/135931791/p
No problem, and no it actually comes with a small mount that you put under the bottle cage and the mount has a velcro strap with it. Simple and easy, and small enough to go into a water bottle tool kit if you don't want to use the mount.
today i did this 500 mtb route 32 km it is a great bike for the money
Honestly for the money.. I find it hard to see anything that compares.
Was the chain actually that worn out after mild use, should I be worried about the chain?
It was actually about 500km I put on the bike.. for a fairly cheap house branded chain it's not bad mileage, but yes it was noticeably worn and started causing issues
@@bikesandbeans So was your chain the stock chain it came on the bike? I think the chain ain‘t house branded, mine has a KMC Z9 and it’s ig universal. Cube bikes also use the same chain type and what I heard in the video is that the chain was worn out that fast and I was like: wait what, 6 months of use and the chain is already worn? I‘ve noticed strange sounds aswell but the bottom bracket is fine. I put more lubricant and removed the access fat from the chain and it sounded better but still a bit grindy. I have the bike for a month now and I only drive it on asphalt. Never been abused yet. And i drove around 100km with this bike. Was the grinding sound loud on your rockrider or was it also just a mild grind? Also thanks for the reply!
Yeah it did seem a little fast wearing to me... but this is a relatively inexpensive bike, and I'm used to more expensive SRAM chains that I have very good luck with in the past. That being said, I did put a good amount of KM on the chain and the Portuguese trails are very sandy in general. Not horrible for a good amount of use.
do the brake discs 180 km come in normally or do you need to modify something
These bolt right on.. but you need to add adapters to the brake caliper so they fit.
@@bikesandbeans thanks for the reply i also ordered the 20mm adapters
Awesome 👍 bigger rotors definitely help these brakes with the big wheels!
do you still recommend this model or would you prefer the 520. And do you know if the 10 speed 11-50. microshift adventx drive will fit here
From what I know of bike components.. the parts should fit for upgrading it to 11-50.. you might have to change the cassette and chain and shifter you might have to change the rear derailleur, or if you just went to 11-46/48 you might not have to change the der.
I still think this is great.. and a really good price if you want to have fun and do some future updates to get it lighter or different it's fun!
Thank you for the bike review. Its the only good content Ive seen on this bike, everything else is just random videos with no structure.
Super stoked to get this as my first very own MTB. I just want something that can take me anywhere, not really in a rush to get there. Small rides around town, some weekend trail riding. The bike seems like a good option.
Ive only ridden my dad's MTBs and its always fun but Im excited to have my own so I can customize it how I want.
Thanks for that! I think you made a good decision for the size and I hope you have a ton of fun on it!
@@bikesandbeans thank you so much! I'll try to remember and come back here to give my first impressions as well.
I'm also from Portugal so it's great to see the upgrades you've already made to the bike for our trails. Gives me a nice starting point for things to look out for.
@filmdude5058 I'm loving mine! Been using it for transportation 2x per week. Haven't taken it out on serious long trails yet but I've enjoyed the very little "offroad" paths Ive been able to take
@filmdude5058 let's us know how it goes!
I haven't had many issues with butt soreness actually. My rides have been 30-40mins on average.
@filmdude5058 just to chime in .. this is pretty common when moving a bike without the wheel on! It's no problem. You can use a disc brake insert or a clean flat blade screwdriver to push the brake pads apart. When you put the wheel back in you just squeeze the lever a few times and it should be good to go. 👍
Is the rear a vertical dropouts?
Yes it's normal QR rear drpouts
@@bikesandbeans thanks,by is not a boosted right?so I guess the Shimano alfine 8s should fit
Right.. it's 9 x 135 mm rear
hello, I saw that you put on tires 2.4. is there still room because I would like to put on maxxis Minion 2.5 do you think it will fit?
Not sure on the size of minions compared to Michelin but there's a good bit of space in there with my 2.4" tires.
I'm more worried about the back if it will come in. There's a lot of space left at the back at 2.4
I think the 2.5 Maxxis will be ok... My guess. Make sure it is not the WT version which is wide track as these rims are not very wide.
@@bikesandbeans the choice fell on maxxis Minion 2.4 or schwalbe Hans dampf 2.35 .
whether the 11-42 drivetrain is sufficient on flat or lacks gear ratios
I think it is pretty good for flat but I can max it out mostly the front chainring being 30 tooth is a little small. my ideal upgrade would be 11spd 11-50 rear, with a 32 tooth crankset
@@bikesandbeans thank you very much for your answer and it's nice that it can be improved. I just ordered it, I hesitated between 500 and 520 for a long time. But if the 500 can be improved according to your needs after the lack of gears, why overpay at the start for 520 in the same frame
Hey would you recomment that bike for a 4-5 day 400km ride?
I would say it's a good bike and can handle it but you would need a better seat for long hours. Good shorts and gloves would be key for that. The bike could be good for that
@@bikesandbeans perfect thank u very much
what break disks are those on the bike ??
They're 180 mm "SRAM Centerline" rotors with the stock Tektro calipers. I use quotes because I got the rotors off AliExpress for about 20 euros for the pair... pretty sure theyre fake but they work great adding a noticable amount of stopping power to the Tektro calipers. :)
@@bikesandbeans what adapter do you use for the 180mm front rotor?
hello, you don't know if you can put a 34 or 36 crank. Because according to Decathlon, only 32
I'm pretty sure mine came with 30 tooth.. if you want to change it you have to replace the cranks, the one on this bike has non-removable chain ring.
@@bikesandbeans I know I want to buy a crank with a 32 sprocket and an additional 34. I wonder if 34 will work well since the manufacturer provides 32 maximum
Actually I just looked and there is not a ton of clearance so the 32 yes but 34 I don't know I doubt it will fit
EXPL 500 or ST540 V2?
Let me look into it.. I'll get back to you , 😉
hello, what size is the bike in the video? L or XL?
Hello! It's a size large.. tried the medium but I wanted the seat higher and it would've been at maximum extension.. reach felt better for me on the large too
@@bikesandbeans how tall are you if you dont mind me asking?
No problem with the questions... I'm 5' 10" or 177cm
@@bikesandbeans I'm 174.5 so I am right in-between the M and the L on their size chart.
I went to the store and tried the M and L. The M felt better, more maneuverable and like I was in control. My father and the store clerk said I was better off with the L but I felt like I was reaching for the handlebars on the L.
Seeing as you considered the M even being a little taller, I think I should be good with the M.
Thank you for your help! Hopefully I'll get mune this week
I bought it in the XL frame size and the bike is very good, only the factory tires slip a little, so I would buy it maxxis forekaster 29×2.35 do you think it fits?
hello, I'm in the process of modernization to be exact. Rockshox recon silver solo air shock absorber, 180 mm discs. Maxxis Minion dhf 2.5 front tire. Maxxis Minion dhr2 2.4 rear tire. Aluminum platform pedals, aluminum seat post. Plus replacement of the drive and crank for a set of Shimano deore m5100 1x 11 s in the setting 11 - 51, and a crank 170 mm 32 t. I will send information on how to ride after the changes
Wow lots of changes! Let me know how it goes!
@@bikesandbeansHello, I wanted to let you know how the bike rides after the changes, here's what has changed: after replacing the shock absorber with a rockshox recon Rl solo air, a completely different bike and handling. After changing the drive to Shimano deore m5100 11 S 11-51, the ride became smoother and more pleasant .And everything is improved by a 32T crank. The bike rides very nice. Regards
That's awesome! 👍👍 How do you like the Maxxis tires? Not too heavy?
@@bikesandbeans great tires without tubes, they are perfect for off-road use, they work great
@@michutoronto1244hi :-) did you have to make some adds or modification to mount the Rockshox on the explore 500?
How much does it cost?
I bought it in Portugal for 379 or 399€ can't remember exactly... This year's version here in Canada retails for $690+tax
What that pump setup called?
It's a great tiny pump... Works well! It's a Lezyne Sport Drive
www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/lezyne-sport-drive-hv-s-90-psi-presta---shrader-166-mm-long-mini-pump/135931791/p
Thanks @@bikesandbeans , do you have it on just with like, velcro straps?
No problem, and no it actually comes with a small mount that you put under the bottle cage and the mount has a velcro strap with it. Simple and easy, and small enough to go into a water bottle tool kit if you don't want to use the mount.