I bought a TEMU (wake alloy stem) in red... Done rocket line at Okeford, reds and blues at BPW, A470, start of enter the dragon... along with the TEMU 50mm high-rise bars made by Bucklos are more solid then that carbon plastic shit you get on a canyon CF for 1,000s of pounds. 🤟🏼
some parts are safe to buy, like stems, bolts, discbrakes, but a full bike is too sketchy for any serious riding, if you spend good money on a decent frame, and similarly priced parts ( 800 euro forks for example) it would be ok, but at the end of the day, the money you save will cost you in safety and peace of mind, not to mention durability. As we say in Spain "lo barato sale caro" and "los pobres tienen que comprar caro, para comprar solo una vez" which translate to: " cheap stuff will be expensive" and "poor people have to buy expensive stuff so that they only buy it once".
As a person in the Chinese bicycle industry，OK points out that most mountain bikes from Alibaba face precision issues, particularly in full-suspension models. In contrast, regular hardtail and gravel bikes are much better. They are cost-effective and offer great value for money, although there may be some differences in specific details, such as fewer custom parts like headsets and bottom bracket axles. Generally, these products rely on China's strong bicycle supply chain to keep costs low. The factory price for an aluminum hardtail bike is typically between 500-800 RMB, which is about 80-120 USD, including a nice paint job and packaging for shipping. Honestly, this is very common in China, where most people’s hardtail mountain bikes cost under 5000 RMB, or around 700 USD. These bikes come with a complete Shimano M6100 groupset, WTB i29 wheels, and WTB tires, all supporting a tubeless system, along with a Suntour Epicon fork. China also has the cheapest parallel-imported bicycle systems in the world. Assembly factories often buy parts in bulk at OE prices and sell them to the retail market with a 20% profit margin. It’s hard to imagine that a complete Shimano M6100 groupset, including the crankset, bottom bracket, chain, cassette, shifters, and derailleurs, costs just 900 RMB, or only 125 USD. The MT201 brake set, excluding rotors, costs only 20 USD, which is quite shocking. If after watching the video, you think 1000 USD is a reasonable price, you’re completely mistaken. This bike is sold in mainland China for just 700 USD. There’s also a steel full-suspension mountain bike frame called "Kuanglan" that’s popular in China. It features excellent suspension curves, a UDH hanger, and modern geometry, all for just 2000 RMB, or less than 300 USD. The cost to DIY a high-performance full-suspension mountain bike for a fun weekend is just 8000 RMB, or about 1100 USD. It includes a complete Shimano M6100 drivetrain, a 100 USD 4-piston brake set from China, and 180mm rotors costing just 0.8 USD each.😅
@@filipsketor I am Chinese myself, judging his words, and I figure the reason for failing to find info about the brand is the possible spelling difference between Chinese pinyin system and their actual English name--I had no idea about which brand he is talking about.
Polygon is probably the cheapest decent bike you're going to get. Although right now with all the bike companies struggling there are some pretty good sales to be had.
In hindsight i see what you mean, thanks for the feedback it was supposed to be more of a comparison to a modern enduro bike in general rather than a direct comparison but noted for next time. Thanks for the feedback again mate. Rich 👊
And their disgusting marketing budget like Trek and Specialized lol. Direct to consumer is going to be the death of the local bike shop. makes no sense to me. hahah. Buying direct to consumer means youre paying the manufacturer a 60-80% margin of profit when the local shop makes 25-40% margin and youre helping put food on someones table. just saying.
@ajwright7936 I have to agree. You also get to try out several bikes when you buy local. See what fits and feels best. They usually give a good deal too.. And offtern chuck in a few upgrades whilst you're there.
It isnt really fair to complain about average XC tires not being up to this particular task, nor is it fair to complain about damaged paint because you didnt buy any sort of chainstay protector when those are dirt cheap. Slightly more expensive tires could've been chosen, along with chainstay protector, all under 950 pounds, probably even less. This alone would solve the grip and in part comfort critiques.
14:59 Complete bike for under 860 pounds... Yeah.. imagine what it would be like configured like you're actually trying to promote this ... decent tires over CST isn't that much more money and makes a hell of a difference if you're doing to a bikepark. Tune that back suspension, get a cheap but actually reliable brand name suspension fork. That is how most folks would ride this... not in current config, so even this second video is looking like an attempt to prevent showcasing a DIY bike in a good light.
Absolutely agree. Buying XC tires, running them with tubes, and then complaining about missing grip in the wet, not buying a chainstay protection and then complaining about paint damage there, not having the proper spring rate and then complaining about poor rear end performance...
I'd also concur that not everyone is going to buy "everything" off aliexpress, maybe 80-90% of the bike, but tyres are one thing that most people wouldn't skimp on if taking it to different grade trails at a bike park as its your only contact with the ground, Front forks could maybe do with a volume spacer to get them more dialled in? and sure maintenance costs might be slightly higher if you are paying a bike shop to keep it running...but I'm pretty sure if you yourself built it cos your budgets tight then you're also going to be the one servicing it. And if we are talking a "beginner" to the world of mountain biking/a cycling sport...they aren't going to be putting it through its paces anywhere near like the "Stag" just did...no "beginner" is supermaning it over big jumps in their first year. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the series, get some good tyres on it at a minimum, maybe even have owen do an actual "setup" on it rather than just throwing it together, set static sag, spring preload, wrap the swingarm to prevent chain slap etc
CST tyres ain't bad my mate is running the DH ones and they have the 3C compound same as maxxis minions. He took off the tyre at come stock on his trek and thinks the cst is way better
the concerns mentioned at 5:25. those warranty issues can be said about santa cruz and yeti. they aren't exactly fair when it comes to replacing frames.
yeah he failed to mention that warrantied expire usually pretty ffast and also you fall into crash replacemente really fast which is in many cases equally as expensive as buying a new frame or bike.
And most companies will do whatever they can to get out of a warranty replacement. The fine print is the longest part of those agreements. If your buying factory direct and building it yourself its not bad because you can get other components and make it better. Because let's be honest these bike companies that are going nuts with their price inflation are getting their frames from the same factories in china and Taiwan.
If you don't perform the initial inspection, you lose the warranty. Additionally, annual maintenance must be done at an authorized service center to keep warranty. Those are rules of specialized in eu.
The goal was to go for the cheapest version of the most fit for purpose one. So yes there are others, same with the fork, shock etc, but we tried to do a build for the lowest cost.
@@stevenbrewer8788 Well not really, for it to be a "vs" video they'd need to be ridden side by side to actually compare them, also nothing in the title or description about comparisons, just more about demo'ing a budget bike.
I would atleast have the welds inspected by a weld specialist. Just to be sure it doesn't suddenly snap in 4 pieces. P.S. by specialist I mean have them use ultra sound of xray or some sort of devices to detect a bad weld that cannot be seen by the eye.
we can't comment on the saftey as we don't know and are unsure of any reaserch and development testing. Yea, it's crazy to think how much all bike tech has progressed and moved on so much when compared to the bikes 30 years ago!
I have a Yeti 160e and out of the 2 years I’ve had it, the frame has been replaced, shock replaced, both AXS batteries replaced and I’m on the 3rd motor. The bike is now completely outta warranty. Bargain at 12.5k 🙈 great video 👌
Exactly. Excellent point that no matter who you buy from, consumers take a risk. Your experience also highlights that you paid for the name brand and the “warranty.” The mark up is insane…
Looks to me like they've backed off the preload adjuster and rotated the spring by about 180 degrees, in the previous vid the coil was contacting the bulge, now the coils are resting above and below the bulge by the looks of it, possibly they had to use an eccentric bushing but i can't tell that from here.
I’ve added up what my bike cost me last year; getting my forks, shock & seat post professionally serviced, replacing my tires (inc new sealant) flushing my brakes, new pads, new jockey wheels, new shifter & dropper cables & headset bearings. The the suspension was serviced by a local independent suspension company and the tires and consumables were bought from my local bike shop, so not the cheapest but supporting my local community. However just keeping my bike running nearly cost me as much as the Ali Express bike 🤯
Typically these Chinese companies produce under contract for a name brand. When the “contract” expires, they still have the same molds/jigs and now can produce the same product under an off-brand label. Same product. Cheaper (a lot). Different name, warranty, product support. So which matters more to you?
@@kuehjo Yup, along with the lower end quality molds (the molds themselves, or the parts themselves) that don’t meet the manufacturing specs are sold like this too. Hell sometimes the part has already been stamped with the brand’s logo, and the manufacturer will slightly alter the brand’s logo/name. Then sell it for a lot less like you said. I think there’s a Chinese term coined for this exact process of reusing the stamps/molds lol. We all know the brand’s go to these factories, pick frames/parts out of a catalog with generic frames. Then give them the specs to build it too, and have them slap on their logo. Then ship it back to the states (or wherever else), and sell it at an insane markup price. Pretty genius marketing tactic if you ask me for people falling for it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the ones who push the narrative of Ali being bad quality/unreliable are these exact same brands.
This rider is obviously a pro. He can judge such a bike and compare it to a similar classed brand bike. Most riders including me are no pros, for an amateur who doesn't push the bike to the limit like the Stag this bike would likely still feel quite fine. An amateur normally can't use the full potential of a bike made for pros.
@bigshnitzeljesse Bad shifting - compared to what? If you compare it to a DI2 it's clear it isn't on the same level. However most riders use simpler and less expensive shifting, which doesn't cost more just for the groupset than this whole bike. The suspension depends on the shock and fork, if this shock isn't that good everyone is free to choose a different one. The same with the fork, a used brand fork will further boost that bike. The fork also has room for adjustments. An amateur driver driving a formula 1 car is still an amateur driver, even if the car itself is fast.
I have the Himale AM/Enduro frame with Rock Shox Yari, Fox Float Dps, 12 sp shimano group, ditto 29er wheelset and brakes and Maxxis 2.6 tires. Beast of a bike for under $1100 usd.
I have been really happy with my Chinese Santa Cruz copy, Three years riding including two trips to BPW . I did use fox suspension and Shimano gears and brakes
I've bought many bike parts from ali and they have been all good. I was sceptical at first, but after buying a cassette, derailleur and brakes and trying them out, my mind was put at ease. At the end of the day, a newbie will always buy from the big names because it gives them confidence.... but if you are a seasoned rider with a good mechanical mind, it's far better buying from ali or other internet sellers. My first series mountain bike was bought from chainreaction because they were a big name.... but look at what happened to them. My point is, even buying from big names doesn't guarantee warranty
8:47 you can buy chain stay protectors for a couple of quid. They didn't get one, just so they could complain about what happens when there's no protection. They could've bought suitable tyres. They could've bought better pedals. They could've bought better suspension, that fit the frame. There was money left over in the £1000 budget. They chose not to... 🤔
Good point. I guess the test then would've made their usual sponsors pretty unhappy. And maybe encouraged more people to actually give this type of Bike a try. Resulting in more disappointed beginners and more injuries because some of these builds will fail miserably.
I think they have a bit of a mandate not to validate the idea of ordering parts from Ali. This whole piece definitely has an over arching negative tone about it.
I can absolutely understand why they have to manage the novice viewers expectations. Shopping factory to customer at the cheap end can be treacherous. And it hurts the normal bike industry, that our sport needs to strive and progress.
@@petersilie2432 Hurts it more than these companies/brands getting our precious money through their overpriced/heavily marked up prices you mean? We all know these companies source everything from overseas (a part from custom hand built bikes like Sage for example). Give them the specs to build the parts/frames too, then slap their logos on it, ship them back, and sell it at an insane marked-up price. It’s nothing more than their sponsors forcing them to put this style of building in a bad light since it means less money for their sponsors.
I reckon some better pedals, a branded fork/shock combo and suitable tyres (from the same brand) like the CST BFT and this thing would be killing it and still well within a reasonable price range
I notice they didn't measure the claimed angles on the Canyon geometry the way they did on the Warhorse. Get your app out and show us! Don't just assume it's correct because it cost so much.
The way they measured the steering angle in the last video is generally funny. Okay, they used the app, but could they at least properly attach it with the long side of the smartphone to the fork leg? But no, they used a method that could give the most incorrect option, just because of the shaking hands.
In 2024 I was changing the frame from a hard-tail trail bike to a full-suspension one, all other parts I wanted to leave from the old bike. The availability of new frames from well-known companies and their price scared me. I thought, just about buying a frame from aliexpress, in the end I bought a used CTM Scroll Pro for a price higher than the Chinese one. During the winter service it turned out that the frame is cracked, all bearings are to be replaced. I welded the frame in a professional service, the bearings were changed to Black Bearings in MAX standard. After all these adventures I would buy a Chinese frame now. If you do not have a lot of money for an enduro bike, but want to ride, these products are a good alternative to used components. P. S. frames of every brand eventually break, the question is when and what kind of harm they will do to the rider haha. I look forward to a report after using this bike for a while.
An £863 quid bike compared to a £6.5k bike? i know you guys like to promote brands within the industry, but no-one is justifying paying an extra 5 and a half grand for a "Brand name" and a "sketchy at best" warranty, At £6500 I can basically pick up a Brand new "Brand name" Yamaha dirt bike!
No argument about brand names being over priced, but in 3-4 years that canyon will still be going strong. That cheap bike ... I'd be willing to bet my savings that it wouldnt last a fraction of that time.
@@justmtbandgaming4518 Because some of us ride motorcycles for fun as well, and the justification a biker thats looking at getting into MTB'ing will always have pop into their head is "£6500 for something I have to pedal myself?" they are also "similar sports" in certain ways, its a 2 wheeled sport that involves riding fast off-road and hitting jumps and berms, much of the parts that are on your santa-cruz full sus bike also came from the motorcycle world! front forks? motorcycle, rear shock and swing arm and linkages? motorcycle, disc brakes? motorcycle...so forgive us bikers if we have an opinion that doesnt quite agree with yours. Their mass produced Taiwanese bicycles with one twentieth of the total parts compared to a Japanese manufactured motorcycle mate...where exactly is the high cost coming from? Honda and Yamaha still manage to make R&D'd race ready machines for the same price.
@@wmercer7234 I suppose that all depends on how often your using it, dont forget that you can replace that entire cheap bike 7 times over with a full brand new one every time for the cost of that single canyon... even if you did buy 2, with a couple of extra parts you'd now have a spare bike to introduce a mate into MTB'ing. Not that you would, you'd just replace the bits with better parts as you break them like much of us would do on branded machinery anyway. Balony Forks died after 6 months? replace with a mid level set of suntour air shocks for £200...you've still saved yourself £5.5k its not like people aren't having to upgrade/replace the £6k+ bikes parts either as they wear or crash them into tree's. I'm not saying expensive bikes dont have their place, its just these seem like a serious option for a beginner wanting to dip the toe in the water with a bike that will have plenty of growth room for their skill level withough having to cut off an arm and a leg.
Looks to me like they've backed off the preload adjuster and rotated the spring by about 180 degrees, in the previous vid the coil was contacting the bulge, now the coils are resting above and below the bulge by the looks of it.
This video just showed that it's not about the bike but about the rider. Blake has shown it many times before when he rode the Megavalanche on HT, or the downhill lines in Whistler Bike Park. Moreover, putting the bike on XC tires when it's a trail/enduro bike, without specific shock settings for a particular rider and letting a pro ride it who uncompromisingly pushes the bike to the very limits of the bike's capabilities is simply not a fair and objective assessment of the bike's qualities. If you put adequate tires on the bike, let some hobby biker tune the shock and fork to your liking, and let them ride some light to medium trails, you'll get a relevant picture of whether the bike is of good quality or not. This was just a farce.
I am more inclined to give aliexpress a go now. That bike seems decent for the price, and any failure of the components can be swapped out with something more reliable.
I think a key point that got missed on this "bike for under a grand" was that somebody has to build it. I assume that most people don't have a full bike shop in their shed, so you'd have to add either tools or shop build price into the cost. Because for £820, that bike didn't show up ready to ride.
You don't need a "full bike shop" at home. For most, basic tools are enough. The tools for the special occasions, like the cassette and bottom bracket, you get for a couple of bucks. So, if you already have tools, add 50 of your currency to get the "special" tools needed, as usually no one without any tools would think of building their own bike. Still a bargain for what you get in comparison, already build. Even if you count your hours, it's still cheaper as some comparing bike, with not a lot less of quality.
You should do a series with this bike where you make some small changes to it over time to see what would be worth buying from brands & what's worth getting from AliExpress for example switch out the front suspension then another video where you switch out the front fork for a name brand set up then the next video switch out the tyres etc to see how much of an improvement these small changes make
14:32 This can happen on any frame, of course better the paint and clear coat less damaged it gets, but a protector iss key to protecting it and making it quiet. I recommend VHS 2.0 it used 3M VHB adhesive, just like GoPro adhesive pads. The knobs are air pockets, so they reduce the noise.
WOW! Another advert for your bike sponsor. FFS, come on, do this correctly. Like others have set, slightly better tires and a good setup. New cables stretch and sometimes break, the stem could of been cleaned up and still used. Aliexpress is a great resource if you spend the time to read the reviews of the sellers and the makers.
3rd video, i suggest use the magic mary? Or use name brand, tires, fork and shock? Actually the shock is good but tune it with better springs for the next video
Can’t stand people who say you can’t put a price of safety. If that were the case You should never leave your house. In fact, invest all your money in a nuclear bunker and never leave it. Of course you can put a price of safety, how much do you spend on a helmet, bike, training etc? But the most expensive bike and the cheapest or no helmet? It’s all a balance. Gcn and gcbn seem to be playing up to the manufactures(is there money passing hand?). What they should be saying is that you can do research and find superb stuff on aliexpress. I have some hydraulic brakes that are brilliant. Its buyer beware, do research and expect to do some fettling. It would have been a much more trustworthy, useful consumer caring video if they had done research and selected the best parts.
If you work on your bike, this is a far better deal than those other similar, but outrageous expensive mtb. It safe to assume that Aliexpress would be easier to deal with warranty & refund than actual bike manufacturers.
If you're comparing a carbon canyon to this bike, then take full measurements of the angles and dimensions to eliminate measurement errors. Also tell me how many times the canyon is more expensive. I'm new to riding and I'm currently building a bike like this, only with different wheels.
Not defending Aliexpress but there's quality control on lots of products, you just need to look for them propperly, and probably they will send you a new item of whatever you break with a single photo of the broken component
They bike need ro be tuned. Alieexpress forks barely come with oil. Change the wipers and the seals ro something namebrand and put fresh oil. Change the spring on the shock with something heavier. Most alieexpress suspension are basically suntour and marzzochi knockoffs either way but with a little tinkling it'd work just fine
@@rongaistudios see, i can actually reply to this as i am planning on building something like this, i went to a shop that sells those forks ( i live in south america ) every fork sold would be re tuned as they do come with little to no oil/grease. I tried one, it seemed to be okay and at around $200 for 180mm of travel new with warranty there's nothing that would come even close to those forks, they seem to be suntour or marzocchi clones and maintenance seems to be very simple. Would i expect them to be anywhere close to a fox or rockshox fork? No but they cost 1/3-1/5 of the price so there's that, at the end the same goes to every other chinese part. I would jus get the frame from ali, maybe the fork if you cant get it locally but you can re tune it and then make a build with budget but quality parts, maybe shimano cues or deore, good tires and set them up as tubeless and it should honestly be just fine, then upgrade as needed, not everyone can spend 6.5k outright
@@andr192 am actually using shimano cues from Ali, 2 bikes with 9 speed 11-46 ad the other one 11-41....both have served me well for more than 6 months so far.
@ the rebound and compression on those forks do work but once the wipers rings and seals are bad you'll overwork the dampers due to excess stiction .... you can even use suntour parts ..they fit exact
I think having a review rider named "The Stag" is a good idea! Definitely funny for some of your US supporters. As far as the bike. I think it's excellent for the price. A long term review is also a good idea. I think of it this way, most newer riders are more likely to spend that type of money rather than more. As mentioned, I think the bike would inspire confidence, especially for a newer rider. So they would also likely go through some maintenance and slight part swapping. Definitely adjustments. First mod/upgrade=Chainstay protection. Second upgrade: Maybe a new spring, the Stag is a little more skilled than a newer rider. Also, the tires aren't the worst choice for a newer rider, they would suit trails that are blue or cross country type. For the trails where the bike was tested, their are more appropriate choices.
Just for kicks I built a wheelset with Ali carbon hoops that cost $100 each on sale and beat the crap out of them since this past summer with zero issues. I even caught a stick in the spoke and I thought "This will do it in" but it broke the nipple instead of pulling through, I was very impressed. I also got the same crank as in the video on a couple of bikes and they're holding up fine.
I've built two different iCan P9s in the past (cheap Chinese carbon frame builds) built up with quality parts on them and they've both been holding up great after 4 years. I'd gaurantee this aluminum frame would hold up just fine as it was more than likely made in the same factory the big box bikes are from.. Like everyone else said, swap out some key components and this bike would be solid.
Maybe put it up against a gt zaskar fs (2023) currently at £840 ish or if you can get a polygon d5 as they were similar prices to see where its at. Possibly change the suspension and pedals for a fb marketplace named product to see if it makes a great difference, or was this piece actually about promoting a £6500 bike,and how we all really need one to be a proper mountain biker.
I think that if you are going to go through the trouble of ordering all these parts from Aliexpress, you'd most likely already be into biking as you'd have to have some knowledge of what parts will fit with the other parts you're ordering. So, that being said, you'd probably have a good idea on what parts from Ali you may want to avoid. I just built up a frame from Aliexpress. I didn't buy the cheapest one and did the research on the company. I used a frame, cranks, brakes and a stem from the express store. Bike turned out great. My opinion is that if you know what you are looking for, you can build a great bike at a reduced cost.
I have a Shimano XT drivetrain that I bought off Aliexpress and it is in fact actual Shimano. Zero issues. The price was inline with that of what you would pay as an S-tech member.
I’d be curious to know which parts hold up long term. I’m not sure I’d necessarily trust a full build, but if you are starting out, it’s great to know where can you cut corners, and where should you just buy the real deal. I think this topic is fascinating. As bikes get more and more pricey, where can new riders save a bit safely. For example, maybe a brand name frameset is smart, and cheap components. You can always swap them out as you go.
I've been running ztto p3 hubs for over a year now. The rear hub is very similar to my nukeproof horizon evo hub and also with 72 points of engagement. I've been running the hubs on my 2023 marin san quentin hardtail on jumps, rocks and roots with the occasional street ride (stairs etc.). I really can't fault them. Running strong and spare parts are readilly available. I wouldn't however run a chinese frame, cranks, bars or any other "in case it fails you have a pleasant little OTB" on that kind of stuff :)
That rear derailleur is a shimano M6100 and that's a bang for the buck cheap shimano component just under the shimano SLX the fork, rear suspension, spokes and rims are the main questions
I've been riding mine for well over 6 months. Except I built and tuned mine properly+ I run single gear so most of the problems you've had I've eliminated already. Those forks are the DJ forks. They have a freeride version. If you're gonna build my bike, do it properly so you can get accurate results! 😂😂 Love ya! 😘 Also when the center pivot point bushing on the suspension linkage gets loose, put a washer the same size as the bearing on the RIGHT side of the bike. 👍👍 You're welcome
To be honest some parts are absolutely fine from China like cranks, stems or just parts that are one big piece of metal that doesn't move. I have a 30 dollar CNC stem from AliExpress on my downhill bike and it's been absolutely fine for the past year so it all depends what you want. Good quality? Some brands. Value? Absolutely. Just gotta know where to look
@@weegaz22 As someone who works in R&D, I would never trust a copied design because rhere is a crucial lot you can miss in the details when you don't have the develpoment history along with the final design
Only issue i have with this fab video is the fact you put a pro dirt junoer on it! Fair enough, Rich did mention that for someone new to MTB, thats going to do basic trails and blue runs. £860 is not bad! Great video guys
@@gmbn for starters, change the handlebars for safety sake, but other than that, a comparison of how it performs compared to a new bike at that price! We can see the forks and shox aren't as responsive as your posh steeds in the slowmo bumpy bits of the video. Maybe a side by side comparison after fitting/jerry rigging in a low budget branded rear shox and fork, (even 2nd hand) might be a fun video. If I'd broken my frame and had very limited £££ to buy a replacement, I might consider a frame like that with the aim to transfer over my genuine (fairly budget level) parts. It might make it a half decent bike!
I think that tires play an incredible game in the overall performance of a bike, and they are also the least pricy part of a bike... so I believe that at least putting decent tires, and the right spring on the shock can make a big difference
Those CST tires are really under appreciated. In the states those Patrol tires are under 30.00 each and they are available tubeless. They also make a couple amazing tires, the Gravateer and the BFT II, these are PROPER tires for less that $50 each, highly recommend these because they really show the Maxxis quality in a budget tire.
CST brand tires are offered by Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. What. Ltd, the parent company of Maxxis Tires. Cheng Shin Rubber employs over 20,000 people and is the largest manufacturer of bicycle tires in the world, offering products in many other categories.
When I first got into MTB from BMX about a year and a half ago I got a 2016 Rocky mountain altitude carbon for 900 bucks in a pawn shop. I think if the safety factor is a concern you can always find a good deal on a used bike.
All the stuff you say about dubious quality is likely fair but you're missed the fundamental point; the bike brands have over driven the market year on year and made even a modestly desirable 'current' bike stupidly expensive. They also get so much manufactured in China that they are quietly teaching the Chinese everything they need to know about manufacturing techniques and quality. MTBs being sold for motorbike money is of course going to attract other sellers. Where did the bike brands think all this was going to end up?!.... but well done GMBN for doing this article.
after one juump, the "prohlins" was sitting at 20% of the travel the rest of the time. The balony was at 80% from the start. I am surprised all the back end of the bike is not loose and rattling.
So i will say this. I snapped my dj frame at the headtube 9 months ago. I have to tell you its FAR from my first broken frame. Im 6'4 245 lbs. My insanely sweet girlfriend ordered me a frame from ali express kind of as a joke. Its a silver boarse 26" dj frame she bought for $140. First of all, the dimensions are EXCELLENT for a taller guy. The rake, and surprisingly the integrated chain tensioners are really good. So i set the thing up with all my uber expensive components. Im a big dude, but i send it. Ive been dirt jumping for 25 years. I have an irresponsibly large 6 pack in my backyard. Its actually super gnarly. Well here we are, 9 months later and im still riding that frame. I really, REALLY like it like a lot. So much i ordered 3 more. One in purple, one in black, and another silver one. I know i know. You're thinking "LIES!". However, you'd be wrong. I am, in fact, speaking the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me god. I have 4 frames i actually really like for the price of 1 frame that isn't big enough. So just to give you an idea, my roll in starts on the 2nd story of my house, you drop off the roof right above our bedroom window into a 6 foot tall landing and a 5 foot deep bomb hole. The first jump is 28 feet long, the second is a 20 foot racer that dumps into a 10 foot deep, 6 foot wide bomb hole, the last lip is 4 feet above the ground, the landing is 7 feet tall and the jump is 18 feet long. These are scary big jumps. If you're wondering about the bomb holes, i didn't have them at first. One of my buddies bailed his bike over the fence and it almost landed on my neighbor watering his plants. Hopefully you can add all that up. I ride my backyard every single day. I have lights mounted on my fence so they dont blaze into Bob's home at night and sometimes ill ride until 9-10 pm. I ride bike parks, local trails that are ridiculously huge, these weird frames just work for me. Now, every single one of my components are tippity top notch. Titanium crank set, halo wheels, race face hubs, ohlins fork, ALL the goodies. So maybe that explains the longevity. However you have to take my size into account. I weigh 245 lbs. I was a US Marine so im fit and really strong. I cant break this frame. So yeah if you're strapped and you need a new frame, give the boarse a try. If you're vertically challenged, just know it will feel too long. That's my only warning.
Be interesting to see what bike you could build up with discounted / last years parts from actual brands for this much money and put it head to test and let the stag decide whats best
i recall even yt had issues, had a 2016 capra cf with factory missaligned rer-front triangle...was not noticeble albeit untill the shock came out for service and the tear on the back mount was visible
WIth huge leaps forward in Chinese manufactured motorbikes, like the Kove 450 Rally, CFMoto 450, GPX bikes etc. the MTB market can't be far behind. A bike that decent for under a grand puts it in a very tempting price bracket for those of us that will not likely be testing the limits of any capable machine.
I read that there are capable mtb frames in china that are not being exported, I'm just waiting for them to join the market in other places. Even niche hobbies like 1/10th RC crawling is being dominated by chinese brands now.
@Benri05 yeah that's the trick. Once it's the third generation bikes / cars etc. being exported (the ones developed and tested by the pros, in China and not just lower cost copies of popular established brands) there's some serious value for money to be had! It's at this point that local distributors start to provide warranty and a reliable spares service. The bubble is going to burst on the premium western MTB market. Look at what's happening to KTM in the motorcycle industry.
What do you think about AliExpress parts, counterfeit or not? Would you like to see more from the Stag?
The original Stig is over 20yrs old, its creator(s) has-beens. However fun it was, GMBN should come up with something original.
I bought a TEMU (wake alloy stem) in red...
Done rocket line at Okeford, reds and blues at BPW, A470, start of enter the dragon... along with the TEMU 50mm high-rise bars made by Bucklos are more solid then that carbon plastic shit you get on a canyon CF for 1,000s of pounds. 🤟🏼
some parts are safe to buy, like stems, bolts, discbrakes, but a full bike is too sketchy for any serious riding, if you spend good money on a decent frame, and similarly priced parts ( 800 euro forks for example) it would be ok, but at the end of the day, the money you save will cost you in safety and peace of mind, not to mention durability. As we say in Spain "lo barato sale caro" and "los pobres tienen que comprar caro, para comprar solo una vez" which translate to: " cheap stuff will be expensive" and "poor people have to buy expensive stuff so that they only buy it once".
Bernard Kerr?
Do this again but with better tires and a correctly set up shock and we can see how good it can truly be
As a person in the Chinese bicycle industry，OK points out that most mountain bikes from Alibaba face precision issues, particularly in full-suspension models. In contrast, regular hardtail and gravel bikes are much better. They are cost-effective and offer great value for money, although there may be some differences in specific details, such as fewer custom parts like headsets and bottom bracket axles. Generally, these products rely on China's strong bicycle supply chain to keep costs low. The factory price for an aluminum hardtail bike is typically between 500-800 RMB, which is about 80-120 USD, including a nice paint job and packaging for shipping. Honestly, this is very common in China, where most people’s hardtail mountain bikes cost under 5000 RMB, or around 700 USD. These bikes come with a complete Shimano M6100 groupset, WTB i29 wheels, and WTB tires, all supporting a tubeless system, along with a Suntour Epicon fork. China also has the cheapest parallel-imported bicycle systems in the world. Assembly factories often buy parts in bulk at OE prices and sell them to the retail market with a 20% profit margin. It’s hard to imagine that a complete Shimano M6100 groupset, including the crankset, bottom bracket, chain, cassette, shifters, and derailleurs, costs just 900 RMB, or only 125 USD. The MT201 brake set, excluding rotors, costs only 20 USD, which is quite shocking. If after watching the video, you think 1000 USD is a reasonable price, you’re completely mistaken. This bike is sold in mainland China for just 700 USD. There’s also a steel full-suspension mountain bike frame called "Kuanglan" that’s popular in China. It features excellent suspension curves, a UDH hanger, and modern geometry, all for just 2000 RMB, or less than 300 USD. The cost to DIY a high-performance full-suspension mountain bike for a fun weekend is just 8000 RMB, or about 1100 USD. It includes a complete Shimano M6100 drivetrain, a 100 USD 4-piston brake set from China, and 180mm rotors costing just 0.8 USD each.😅
Thanks for the inside! Hope China is working on some more precise modern aluminium full-sus frames. Would like to buy one!
can you please provide more info about Kuanglan bikes..I come from Europe and failed to find any information about that mtb brand
居然在评论区遇见大佬了，b站也看你的视频🤩
你说得对 但是渣男挨打就完事儿了😡😡😡
@@filipsketor I am Chinese myself, judging his words, and I figure the reason for failing to find info about the brand is the possible spelling difference between Chinese pinyin system and their actual English name--I had no idea about which brand he is talking about.
Let Stag do a first maintenance check-up & tune (low budget) to get rid of the major flaws and redo a similar ride test. Thnx!
No way! That may actually work!
@@utube091116 yes this please!
Please compare this bike to another stock/factory bike that costs $1000 to see the differences.
Good point and if it was your own bike surely you would change the tyres... Come on your always telling us it's the most important change....😊
£ mate
there is no full sus for that price.. are people here rly that unknowledgeable
@@DandyHippoSiskiu T6 for $1200. Maybe close enough?
Polygon is probably the cheapest decent bike you're going to get. Although right now with all the bike companies struggling there are some pretty good sales to be had.
The, obviously paid, Canyon advertisement in the middle felt a bit weird. Should have compared the bike to a 1000 pound bike of a reputable brand.
In hindsight i see what you mean, thanks for the feedback it was supposed to be more of a comparison to a modern enduro bike in general rather than a direct comparison but noted for next time. Thanks for the feedback again mate. Rich 👊
It is not weird... Sam Pilgrim is sponsired by canyon. And as i heard the voice it IS Sam Pilgrim...
No way it's Sam Pilgrim @@dmids
You forgot one difference with the Canyon, the price…
@@czechD
I know his Canyon only costs a mere £5,600 ! , It's a bit embarrassing that he even compared them.
@@danielgarrad 🤣🤣🤣
Not really a comparison.. It was just paid for add chucked in the middle of the vid.
And their disgusting marketing budget like Trek and Specialized lol. Direct to consumer is going to be the death of the local bike shop. makes no sense to me. hahah. Buying direct to consumer means youre paying the manufacturer a 60-80% margin of profit when the local shop makes 25-40% margin and youre helping put food on someones table. just saying.
@ajwright7936 I have to agree. You also get to try out several bikes when you buy local. See what fits and feels best. They usually give a good deal too.. And offtern chuck in a few upgrades whilst you're there.
It isnt really fair to complain about average XC tires not being up to this particular task, nor is it fair to complain about damaged paint because you didnt buy any sort of chainstay protector when those are dirt cheap.
Slightly more expensive tires could've been chosen, along with chainstay protector, all under 950 pounds, probably even less. This alone would solve the grip and in part comfort critiques.
14:59 Complete bike for under 860 pounds...
Yeah.. imagine what it would be like configured like you're actually trying to promote this ... decent tires over CST isn't that much more money and makes a hell of a difference if you're doing to a bikepark. Tune that back suspension, get a cheap but actually reliable brand name suspension fork.
That is how most folks would ride this... not in current config, so even this second video is looking like an attempt to prevent showcasing a DIY bike in a good light.
Absolutely agree. Buying XC tires, running them with tubes, and then complaining about missing grip in the wet, not buying a chainstay protection and then complaining about paint damage there, not having the proper spring rate and then complaining about poor rear end performance...
Agreed, some decent tires and maybe a mid range Suntour suspension and this would be a pretty legit setup. Add some Lewis brakes and you're cooking...
yeah im SUPER tempted to replace my hardtail frame and try one from china. Looks like a fun mechanical challenge as well
I'd also concur that not everyone is going to buy "everything" off aliexpress, maybe 80-90% of the bike, but tyres are one thing that most people wouldn't skimp on if taking it to different grade trails at a bike park as its your only contact with the ground, Front forks could maybe do with a volume spacer to get them more dialled in? and sure maintenance costs might be slightly higher if you are paying a bike shop to keep it running...but I'm pretty sure if you yourself built it cos your budgets tight then you're also going to be the one servicing it.
And if we are talking a "beginner" to the world of mountain biking/a cycling sport...they aren't going to be putting it through its paces anywhere near like the "Stag" just did...no "beginner" is supermaning it over big jumps in their first year.
Looking forward to seeing the rest of the series, get some good tyres on it at a minimum, maybe even have owen do an actual "setup" on it rather than just throwing it together, set static sag, spring preload, wrap the swingarm to prevent chain slap etc
CST tyres ain't bad my mate is running the DH ones and they have the 3C compound same as maxxis minions. He took off the tyre at come stock on his trek and thinks the cst is way better
the concerns mentioned at 5:25. those warranty issues can be said about santa cruz and yeti. they aren't exactly fair when it comes to replacing frames.
yeah he failed to mention that warrantied expire usually pretty ffast and also you fall into crash replacemente really fast which is in many cases equally as expensive as buying a new frame or bike.
And most companies will do whatever they can to get out of a warranty replacement. The fine print is the longest part of those agreements. If your buying factory direct and building it yourself its not bad because you can get other components and make it better. Because let's be honest these bike companies that are going nuts with their price inflation are getting their frames from the same factories in china and Taiwan.
If you don't perform the initial inspection, you lose the warranty. Additionally, annual maintenance must be done at an authorized service center to keep warranty. Those are rules of specialized in eu.
@sultanabran1 got to say Yeti and silverfish have been superb dealing with my warranty issues. Frame and infinity links
I got my Santa Cruz frame replaced just because of a minor paint issues after 2 years of use. Great warranty experience.
1:39 we got the STAG before GTA 6
The tires are definitely the weakest link here. Those are literally the type of tires you'd find on "mountain bike-shaped objects" at supermarkets.
@@cra_55 😂😂😂
Even from that same brand, they could've chosen more suitable tyres. Plenty of other better options on the site. Interesting choice they made 🤔
The goal was to go for the cheapest version of the most fit for purpose one. So yes there are others, same with the fork, shock etc, but we tried to do a build for the lowest cost.
The Stag’s ride was the sickest thing I’ve seen this week! 😁
@@crusty_the_alpaca lol right 😂🤙
Facts!
Definitely not me haha, can you guess who it is?
A shoot out between this, with slightly better tires, and the Polygon T6 (with a long term review of how they hold up) would be a nice comparison
Comparing to a Walmart bike to another Walmart bike will still show it’s trash.
Only a £4000 price difference between the Ali express bike and the Canyon, perfectly fair comparison!!
you getting a discount somwhere? its RRP was £6500 but you can find it in shops online for about £5600.
Wasn’t that the entire point of this video? Cheap bike vs expensive…
@@stevenbrewer8788nope, he introduced the video asking if a bike built out of Ali express parts could survive a day out at the bike park.
@@stevenbrewer8788 Well not really, for it to be a "vs" video they'd need to be ridden side by side to actually compare them, also nothing in the title or description about comparisons, just more about demo'ing a budget bike.
$260 frame compared to a $4000 frame. Yeah for 260 or whatever you paid for that war horse put some better components on it it’ll fly.
I would atleast have the welds inspected by a weld specialist. Just to be sure it doesn't suddenly snap in 4 pieces.
P.S. by specialist I mean have them use ultra sound of xray or some sort of devices to detect a bad weld that cannot be seen by the eye.
@ it would be interesting to know if that frame was heat treated after welding
@@Mtb9r I completely agree
awesome bike.... safety wise I bet is way safer than any bike we ride 20-30 years ago even on competitional level
we can't comment on the saftey as we don't know and are unsure of any reaserch and development testing. Yea, it's crazy to think how much all bike tech has progressed and moved on so much when compared to the bikes 30 years ago!
I wish they put some proper tires on these and see how it rolls when you have grip.
would like to see more, and also a "best parts on an Aliexpress frame' build and test - like, the best parts money can buy
I wonder what the Stag's sickest thing of the week is...
👀
Not me James! It may or may not be Alfie Stephens 🤫
@@ToffeeDan that's what you'd definitely say if it was you....
@@ToffeeDan the hoodies a give away. lol A S it is
I have a Yeti 160e and out of the 2 years I’ve had it, the frame has been replaced, shock replaced, both AXS batteries replaced and I’m on the 3rd motor. The bike is now completely outta warranty. Bargain at 12.5k 🙈 great video 👌
Yours is the best and most honest e-bike review on Ytube
Exactly. Excellent point that no matter who you buy from, consumers take a risk. Your experience also highlights that you paid for the name brand and the “warranty.” The mark up is insane…
How did you get the shock to fit in the end?
Looks to me like they've backed off the preload adjuster and rotated the spring by about 180 degrees, in the previous vid the coil was contacting the bulge, now the coils are resting above and below the bulge by the looks of it, possibly they had to use an eccentric bushing but i can't tell that from here.
Wanted to ask the same!
Really balanced a thought provoking. Nice collaboration with Rich, Owen, and the Stag. Tip top content.
Thanks dude glad you liked it, there will be a long term look at it too. Rich
I’ve added up what my bike cost me last year; getting my forks, shock & seat post professionally serviced, replacing my tires (inc new sealant) flushing my brakes, new pads, new jockey wheels, new shifter & dropper cables & headset bearings. The the suspension was serviced by a local independent suspension company and the tires and consumables were bought from my local bike shop, so not the cheapest but supporting my local community. However just keeping my bike running nearly cost me as much as the Ali Express bike 🤯
The thing is, those Chinese brands were often producing OEM parts for big brands years before they started to sell under their own name...
Typically these Chinese companies produce under contract for a name brand. When the “contract” expires, they still have the same molds/jigs and now can produce the same product under an off-brand label. Same product. Cheaper (a lot). Different name, warranty, product support. So which matters more to you?
@@kuehjo Yup, along with the lower end quality molds (the molds themselves, or the parts themselves) that don’t meet the manufacturing specs are sold like this too. Hell sometimes the part has already been stamped with the brand’s logo, and the manufacturer will slightly alter the brand’s logo/name. Then sell it for a lot less like you said.
I think there’s a Chinese term coined for this exact process of reusing the stamps/molds lol.
We all know the brand’s go to these factories, pick frames/parts out of a catalog with generic frames. Then give them the specs to build it too, and have them slap on their logo. Then ship it back to the states (or wherever else), and sell it at an insane markup price.
Pretty genius marketing tactic if you ask me for people falling for it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the ones who push the narrative of Ali being bad quality/unreliable are these exact same brands.
This rider is obviously a pro. He can judge such a bike and compare it to a similar classed brand bike.
Most riders including me are no pros, for an amateur who doesn't push the bike to the limit like the Stag this bike would likely still feel quite fine. An amateur normally can't use the full potential of a bike made for pros.
Not really true. Bad shifting and no small bump compliance are very noticeable. Even ergonomics that far off will make progressing slower
@bigshnitzeljesse Bad shifting - compared to what? If you compare it to a DI2 it's clear it isn't on the same level. However most riders use simpler and less expensive shifting, which doesn't cost more just for the groupset than this whole bike.
The suspension depends on the shock and fork, if this shock isn't that good everyone is free to choose a different one. The same with the fork, a used brand fork will further boost that bike. The fork also has room for adjustments.
An amateur driver driving a formula 1 car is still an amateur driver, even if the car itself is fast.
I bought same frame, brakes and ZTTO wheels, but 27.5" But i will use Fox fork and shock, Shimano groupset and Maxxis tires.
Sensible priorities there - it's worth spending a little extra money on those parts which make difference.
I have the Himale AM/Enduro frame with Rock Shox Yari, Fox Float Dps, 12 sp shimano group, ditto 29er wheelset and brakes and Maxxis 2.6 tires. Beast of a bike for under $1100 usd.
I have been really happy with my Chinese Santa Cruz copy, Three years riding including two trips to BPW . I did use fox suspension and Shimano gears and brakes
link ?
I've bought many bike parts from ali and they have been all good. I was sceptical at first, but after buying a cassette, derailleur and brakes and trying them out, my mind was put at ease.
At the end of the day, a newbie will always buy from the big names because it gives them confidence.... but if you are a seasoned rider with a good mechanical mind, it's far better buying from ali or other internet sellers.
My first series mountain bike was bought from chainreaction because they were a big name.... but look at what happened to them. My point is, even buying from big names doesn't guarantee warranty
8:47 you can buy chain stay protectors for a couple of quid. They didn't get one, just so they could complain about what happens when there's no protection.
They could've bought suitable tyres. They could've bought better pedals. They could've bought better suspension, that fit the frame.
There was money left over in the £1000 budget. They chose not to... 🤔
Who do you think they did? 🤔
Good point. I guess the test then would've made their usual sponsors pretty unhappy. And maybe encouraged more people to actually give this type of Bike a try. Resulting in more disappointed beginners and more injuries because some of these builds will fail miserably.
I think they have a bit of a mandate not to validate the idea of ordering parts from Ali. This whole piece definitely has an over arching negative tone about it.
I can absolutely understand why they have to manage the novice viewers expectations. Shopping factory to customer at the cheap end can be treacherous.
And it hurts the normal bike industry, that our sport needs to strive and progress.
@@petersilie2432 Hurts it more than these companies/brands getting our precious money through their overpriced/heavily marked up prices you mean? We all know these companies source everything from overseas (a part from custom hand built bikes like Sage for example). Give them the specs to build the parts/frames too, then slap their logos on it, ship them back, and sell it at an insane marked-up price.
It’s nothing more than their sponsors forcing them to put this style of building in a bad light since it means less money for their sponsors.
I am the stag 😂🤙🏻
🦌
The slag 😂😂
No, I AM The Stag‼️😂👍🏻
mate what helmet do u have?
@mersecsuthi7592 who me or @beardedvikingmtber?
I reckon some better pedals, a branded fork/shock combo and suitable tyres (from the same brand) like the CST BFT and this thing would be killing it and still well within a reasonable price range
@@isitafox and better handlebar too, wake handlebars are fragile but their stem is good. i would not suggest that handlebar.
Great shout, watch this space definately an upgrade video coming 😉 Cheers Rich
I notice they didn't measure the claimed angles on the Canyon geometry the way they did on the Warhorse. Get your app out and show us! Don't just assume it's correct because it cost so much.
The way they measured the steering angle in the last video is generally funny. Okay, they used the app, but could they at least properly attach it with the long side of the smartphone to the fork leg? But no, they used a method that could give the most incorrect option, just because of the shaking hands.
@@Chel_From_Earth Balancing the phone on the rounded raised bump of the head tube was just 👌lol.
I was going to post the same thing.
In 2024 I was changing the frame from a hard-tail trail bike to a full-suspension one, all other parts I wanted to leave from the old bike. The availability of new frames from well-known companies and their price scared me. I thought, just about buying a frame from aliexpress, in the end I bought a used CTM Scroll Pro for a price higher than the Chinese one. During the winter service it turned out that the frame is cracked, all bearings are to be replaced. I welded the frame in a professional service, the bearings were changed to Black Bearings in MAX standard.
After all these adventures I would buy a Chinese frame now. If you do not have a lot of money for an enduro bike, but want to ride, these products are a good alternative to used components.
P. S. frames of every brand eventually break, the question is when and what kind of harm they will do to the rider haha.
I look forward to a report after using this bike for a while.
An £863 quid bike compared to a £6.5k bike? i know you guys like to promote brands within the industry, but no-one is justifying paying an extra 5 and a half grand for a "Brand name" and a "sketchy at best" warranty, At £6500 I can basically pick up a Brand new "Brand name" Yamaha dirt bike!
@@weegaz22 Good point but don't compare it with dirt bikes i don't understand why people do that just say 6500£ is a LOT.
No argument about brand names being over priced, but in 3-4 years that canyon will still be going strong. That cheap bike ... I'd be willing to bet my savings that it wouldnt last a fraction of that time.
@@justmtbandgaming4518 Because some of us ride motorcycles for fun as well, and the justification a biker thats looking at getting into MTB'ing will always have pop into their head is "£6500 for something I have to pedal myself?" they are also "similar sports" in certain ways, its a 2 wheeled sport that involves riding fast off-road and hitting jumps and berms, much of the parts that are on your santa-cruz full sus bike also came from the motorcycle world! front forks? motorcycle, rear shock and swing arm and linkages? motorcycle, disc brakes? motorcycle...so forgive us bikers if we have an opinion that doesnt quite agree with yours.
Their mass produced Taiwanese bicycles with one twentieth of the total parts compared to a Japanese manufactured motorcycle mate...where exactly is the high cost coming from?
Honda and Yamaha still manage to make R&D'd race ready machines for the same price.
@@wmercer7234 I suppose that all depends on how often your using it, dont forget that you can replace that entire cheap bike 7 times over with a full brand new one every time for the cost of that single canyon... even if you did buy 2, with a couple of extra parts you'd now have a spare bike to introduce a mate into MTB'ing.
Not that you would, you'd just replace the bits with better parts as you break them like much of us would do on branded machinery anyway.
Balony Forks died after 6 months? replace with a mid level set of suntour air shocks for £200...you've still saved yourself £5.5k its not like people aren't having to upgrade/replace the £6k+ bikes parts either as they wear or crash them into tree's.
I'm not saying expensive bikes dont have their place, its just these seem like a serious option for a beginner wanting to dip the toe in the water with a bike that will have plenty of growth room for their skill level withough having to cut off an arm and a leg.
@@weegaz22excellent points 👍
Still wondering what had to be done from last GMBNTech vid when it wasn't yet rideable
Looks to me like they've backed off the preload adjuster and rotated the spring by about 180 degrees, in the previous vid the coil was contacting the bulge, now the coils are resting above and below the bulge by the looks of it.
the brakes are really good. not insane power but good feel and modulation. Also sickest looking brakes in purple!
diy chainslap guard are a few zip ties around it for protection
This video just showed that it's not about the bike but about the rider. Blake has shown it many times before when he rode the Megavalanche on HT, or the downhill lines in Whistler Bike Park. Moreover, putting the bike on XC tires when it's a trail/enduro bike, without specific shock settings for a particular rider and letting a pro ride it who uncompromisingly pushes the bike to the very limits of the bike's capabilities is simply not a fair and objective assessment of the bike's qualities.
If you put adequate tires on the bike, let some hobby biker tune the shock and fork to your liking, and let them ride some light to medium trails, you'll get a relevant picture of whether the bike is of good quality or not. This was just a farce.
Funny enough I watched the prequel video to this, early this morning wondering if they'd release it being ridden - and here it is
I am more inclined to give aliexpress a go now. That bike seems decent for the price, and any failure of the components can be swapped out with something more reliable.
I think a key point that got missed on this "bike for under a grand" was that somebody has to build it. I assume that most people don't have a full bike shop in their shed, so you'd have to add either tools or shop build price into the cost. Because for £820, that bike didn't show up ready to ride.
You don't need a "full bike shop" at home. For most, basic tools are enough. The tools for the special occasions, like the cassette and bottom bracket, you get for a couple of bucks. So, if you already have tools, add 50 of your currency to get the "special" tools needed, as usually no one without any tools would think of building their own bike. Still a bargain for what you get in comparison, already build.
Even if you count your hours, it's still cheaper as some comparing bike, with not a lot less of quality.
Stag!😂😂😂 This is the best Brit joke since Top Gear ended. THANK YOU SO MUCH ❤
Like 'The Stag'. Very good play of words. Keep them coming 😀
My sickest thing this week 😊
You can't have any british vehicle show without honouring the og top gear. Love it
The stag! Yes haha. This is what GMBN needed
You should do a series with this bike where you make some small changes to it over time to see what would be worth buying from brands & what's worth getting from AliExpress for example switch out the front suspension then another video where you switch out the front fork for a name brand set up then the next video switch out the tyres etc to see how much of an improvement these small changes make
Well he's super dedicated to a sponsorship and I don't blame him😂😂😂😂
7:15 th guy on the orange bike slips 😂😂
14:32 This can happen on any frame, of course better the paint and clear coat less damaged it gets, but a protector iss key to protecting it and making it quiet.
I recommend VHS 2.0 it used 3M VHB adhesive, just like GoPro adhesive pads. The knobs are air pockets, so they reduce the noise.
Wow am pleased to see the level of general scepticism, regarding the framing of this episode.
Our scepticism is based off of the build video, which was a pretty tough time!
WOW! Another advert for your bike sponsor. FFS, come on, do this correctly.
Like others have set, slightly better tires and a good setup.
New cables stretch and sometimes break, the stem could of been cleaned up and still used.
Aliexpress is a great resource if you spend the time to read the reviews of the sellers and the makers.
Agreed!
3rd video, i suggest use the magic mary? Or use name brand, tires, fork and shock? Actually the shock is good but tune it with better springs for the next video
I'd completely forgotten about the Stig from Top Gear until the stag showed up. What a blast from the past.
Can’t stand people who say you can’t put a price of safety. If that were the case
You should never leave your house. In fact, invest all your money in a nuclear bunker and never leave it.
Of course you can put a price of safety, how much do you spend on a helmet, bike, training etc? But the most expensive bike and the cheapest or no helmet? It’s all a balance.
Gcn and gcbn seem to be playing up to the manufactures(is there money passing hand?). What they should be saying is that you can do research and find superb stuff on aliexpress. I have some hydraulic brakes that are brilliant. Its buyer beware, do research and expect to do some fettling.
It would have been a much more trustworthy, useful consumer caring video if they had done research and selected the best parts.
If you work on your bike, this is a far better deal than those other similar, but outrageous expensive mtb. It safe to assume that Aliexpress would be easier to deal with warranty & refund than actual bike manufacturers.
If you're comparing a carbon canyon to this bike, then take full measurements of the angles and dimensions to eliminate measurement errors. Also tell me how many times the canyon is more expensive. I'm new to riding and I'm currently building a bike like this, only with different wheels.
The Stag did great. A more aggressive tire should have been procured from AliExpress.
Not defending Aliexpress but there's quality control on lots of products, you just need to look for them propperly, and probably they will send you a new item of whatever you break with a single photo of the broken component
The stag was a great addition to the show, loved it. More stag!!!
Watch this space, i've had a word with The Stag and they're keen - Rich
They bike need ro be tuned. Alieexpress forks barely come with oil. Change the wipers and the seals ro something namebrand and put fresh oil. Change the spring on the shock with something heavier. Most alieexpress suspension are basically suntour and marzzochi knockoffs either way but with a little tinkling it'd work just fine
that would help in the fork being smoother on small bumbs...or does it depend on rebound and comression?
@@rongaistudios see, i can actually reply to this as i am planning on building something like this, i went to a shop that sells those forks ( i live in south america ) every fork sold would be re tuned as they do come with little to no oil/grease.
I tried one, it seemed to be okay and at around $200 for 180mm of travel new with warranty there's nothing that would come even close to those forks, they seem to be suntour or marzocchi clones and maintenance seems to be very simple.
Would i expect them to be anywhere close to a fox or rockshox fork? No but they cost 1/3-1/5 of the price so there's that, at the end the same goes to every other chinese part.
I would jus get the frame from ali, maybe the fork if you cant get it locally but you can re tune it and then make a build with budget but quality parts, maybe shimano cues or deore, good tires and set them up as tubeless and it should honestly be just fine, then upgrade as needed, not everyone can spend 6.5k outright
@@andr192 am actually using shimano cues from Ali, 2 bikes with 9 speed 11-46 ad the other one 11-41....both have served me well for more than 6 months so far.
@ the rebound and compression on those forks do work but once the wipers rings and seals are bad you'll overwork the dampers due to excess stiction .... you can even use suntour parts ..they fit exact
FINALY the vid is here
I think having a review rider named "The Stag" is a good idea! Definitely funny for some of your US supporters.
As far as the bike. I think it's excellent for the price.
A long term review is also a good idea.
I think of it this way, most newer riders are more likely to spend that type of money rather than more.
As mentioned, I think the bike would inspire confidence, especially for a newer rider.
So they would also likely go through some maintenance and slight part swapping. Definitely adjustments.
First mod/upgrade=Chainstay protection.
Second upgrade: Maybe a new spring, the Stag is a little more skilled than a newer rider.
Also, the tires aren't the worst choice for a newer rider, they would suit trails that are blue or cross country type.
For the trails where the bike was tested, their are more appropriate choices.
Just for kicks I built a wheelset with Ali carbon hoops that cost $100 each on sale and beat the crap out of them since this past summer with zero issues. I even caught a stick in the spoke and I thought "This will do it in" but it broke the nipple instead of pulling through, I was very impressed. I also got the same crank as in the video on a couple of bikes and they're holding up fine.
Hey, thanks for the comment and great to hear about your own experience with some parts from AliExpress!
More of the Stag please!
I've built two different iCan P9s in the past (cheap Chinese carbon frame builds) built up with quality parts on them and they've both been holding up great after 4 years. I'd gaurantee this aluminum frame would hold up just fine as it was more than likely made in the same factory the big box bikes are from.. Like everyone else said, swap out some key components and this bike would be solid.
Maybe put it up against a gt zaskar fs (2023) currently at £840 ish or if you can get a polygon d5 as they were similar prices to see where its at. Possibly change the suspension and pedals for a fb marketplace named product to see if it makes a great difference, or was this piece actually about promoting a £6500 bike,and how we all really need one to be a proper mountain biker.
I think that if you are going to go through the trouble of ordering all these parts from Aliexpress, you'd most likely already be into biking as you'd have to have some knowledge of what parts will fit with the other parts you're ordering. So, that being said, you'd probably have a good idea on what parts from Ali you may want to avoid. I just built up a frame from Aliexpress. I didn't buy the cheapest one and did the research on the company. I used a frame, cranks, brakes and a stem from the express store. Bike turned out great. My opinion is that if you know what you are looking for, you can build a great bike at a reduced cost.
Im always waiting for gcn to make builds like this. but i guess they are just snobs in regarding such products. hats down to you guys
I have a Shimano XT drivetrain that I bought off Aliexpress and it is in fact actual Shimano. Zero issues. The price was inline with that of what you would pay as an S-tech member.
I’d be curious to know which parts hold up long term. I’m not sure I’d necessarily trust a full build, but if you are starting out, it’s great to know where can you cut corners, and where should you just buy the real deal. I think this topic is fascinating. As bikes get more and more pricey, where can new riders save a bit safely. For example, maybe a brand name frameset is smart, and cheap components. You can always swap them out as you go.
I've been running ztto p3 hubs for over a year now. The rear hub is very similar to my nukeproof horizon evo hub and also with 72 points of engagement. I've been running the hubs on my 2023 marin san quentin hardtail on jumps, rocks and roots with the occasional street ride (stairs etc.). I really can't fault them. Running strong and spare parts are readilly available. I wouldn't however run a chinese frame, cranks, bars or any other "in case it fails you have a pleasant little OTB" on that kind of stuff :)
LOL! The Stag = Best nickname ever.
🤣
That rear derailleur is a shimano M6100 and that's a bang for the buck cheap shimano component just under the shimano SLX the fork, rear suspension, spokes and rims are the main questions
I've been riding mine for well over 6 months. Except I built and tuned mine properly+ I run single gear so most of the problems you've had I've eliminated already. Those forks are the DJ forks. They have a freeride version. If you're gonna build my bike, do it properly so you can get accurate results! 😂😂 Love ya! 😘
Also when the center pivot point bushing on the suspension linkage gets loose, put a washer the same size as the bearing on the RIGHT side of the bike. 👍👍 You're welcome
Can highly reccomend the Prince Albert Stroud (on the stags hoodie)
Best pub on top of a relatively moderate hill
I love Aliexpress series 😂
Anyone who rode those gnarly Raleigh MTB's a few decades ago would feel completely safe with Aliexpress parts!
To be honest some parts are absolutely fine from China like cranks, stems or just parts that are one big piece of metal that doesn't move. I have a 30 dollar CNC stem from AliExpress on my downhill bike and it's been absolutely fine for the past year so it all depends what you want. Good quality? Some brands. Value? Absolutely. Just gotta know where to look
what brand and model stem?
💯
Funky colored valve caps? Absolutely. Complex mechanisms requiring R&D and validation? Maybe not.
@@N1CKSO You'll probably find the R&D has been done, just by another company and its been copied/reverse engineered.
@@weegaz22 As someone who works in R&D, I would never trust a copied design because rhere is a crucial lot you can miss in the details when you don't have the develpoment history along with the final design
I order all my RideNow TPU tubes from Ali. Never had any issues. Can't really beat the price as long as you're patient with the shipping.
Only issue i have with this fab video is the fact you put a pro dirt junoer on it!
Fair enough, Rich did mention that for someone new to MTB, thats going to do basic trails and blue runs. £860 is not bad!
Great video guys
We plan on making more videos with this bike, what would you like to see from it?
@@gmbn for starters, change the handlebars for safety sake, but other than that, a comparison of how it performs compared to a new bike at that price!
We can see the forks and shox aren't as responsive as your posh steeds in the slowmo bumpy bits of the video. Maybe a side by side comparison after fitting/jerry rigging in a low budget branded rear shox and fork, (even 2nd hand) might be a fun video.
If I'd broken my frame and had very limited £££ to buy a replacement, I might consider a frame like that with the aim to transfer over my genuine (fairly budget level) parts. It might make it a half decent bike!
You gotta say it like James May did in their final episode.
The Staaaag.
Looking forward to the next part
You're riding Bolony at a bike park.... I salute you.
I wouldn't risk my life like that.
BOLANY. Put some respect on that name 😤
@@DandyHippo Lol yes sir, sorry sir I was thinking of those spaghetti noodles again sir, won't happen again sir.
@@DandyHippo Baloney
I think that tires play an incredible game in the overall performance of a bike, and they are also the least pricy part of a bike... so I believe that at least putting decent tires, and the right spring on the shock can make a big difference
Those CST tires are really under appreciated. In the states those Patrol tires are under 30.00 each and they are available tubeless. They also make a couple amazing tires, the Gravateer and the BFT II, these are PROPER tires for less that $50 each, highly recommend these because they really show the Maxxis quality in a budget tire.
CST brand tires are offered by Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. What. Ltd, the parent company of Maxxis Tires. Cheng Shin Rubber employs over 20,000 people and is the largest manufacturer of bicycle tires in the world, offering products in many other categories.
When I first got into MTB from BMX about a year and a half ago I got a 2016 Rocky mountain altitude carbon for 900 bucks in a pawn shop. I think if the safety factor is a concern you can always find a good deal on a used bike.
at the start ,it is the Rider!! on a good bike!! too many thinking of a dream bike!!
I’ve found Ali Express sellers to be really helpful and no issues with warranty claims, other than the time scales.
big fan from Nepal 😃🇳🇵🇳🇵❤
All the stuff you say about dubious quality is likely fair but you're missed the fundamental point; the bike brands have over driven the market year on year and made even a modestly desirable 'current' bike stupidly expensive. They also get so much manufactured in China that they are quietly teaching the Chinese everything they need to know about manufacturing techniques and quality. MTBs being sold for motorbike money is of course going to attract other sellers. Where did the bike brands think all this was going to end up?!.... but well done GMBN for doing this article.
The Stag sounds like Sam Reynolds
after one juump, the "prohlins" was sitting at 20% of the travel the rest of the time. The balony was at 80% from the start. I am surprised all the back end of the bike is not loose and rattling.
Thank you 👍
The Stag! Please please make this an ongoing bit.
So i will say this. I snapped my dj frame at the headtube 9 months ago. I have to tell you its FAR from my first broken frame. Im 6'4 245 lbs. My insanely sweet girlfriend ordered me a frame from ali express kind of as a joke. Its a silver boarse 26" dj frame she bought for $140. First of all, the dimensions are EXCELLENT for a taller guy. The rake, and surprisingly the integrated chain tensioners are really good. So i set the thing up with all my uber expensive components. Im a big dude, but i send it. Ive been dirt jumping for 25 years. I have an irresponsibly large 6 pack in my backyard. Its actually super gnarly. Well here we are, 9 months later and im still riding that frame. I really, REALLY like it like a lot. So much i ordered 3 more. One in purple, one in black, and another silver one. I know i know. You're thinking "LIES!". However, you'd be wrong. I am, in fact, speaking the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me god. I have 4 frames i actually really like for the price of 1 frame that isn't big enough. So just to give you an idea, my roll in starts on the 2nd story of my house, you drop off the roof right above our bedroom window into a 6 foot tall landing and a 5 foot deep bomb hole. The first jump is 28 feet long, the second is a 20 foot racer that dumps into a 10 foot deep, 6 foot wide bomb hole, the last lip is 4 feet above the ground, the landing is 7 feet tall and the jump is 18 feet long. These are scary big jumps. If you're wondering about the bomb holes, i didn't have them at first. One of my buddies bailed his bike over the fence and it almost landed on my neighbor watering his plants. Hopefully you can add all that up. I ride my backyard every single day. I have lights mounted on my fence so they dont blaze into Bob's home at night and sometimes ill ride until 9-10 pm. I ride bike parks, local trails that are ridiculously huge, these weird frames just work for me. Now, every single one of my components are tippity top notch. Titanium crank set, halo wheels, race face hubs, ohlins fork, ALL the goodies. So maybe that explains the longevity. However you have to take my size into account. I weigh 245 lbs. I was a US Marine so im fit and really strong. I cant break this frame. So yeah if you're strapped and you need a new frame, give the boarse a try. If you're vertically challenged, just know it will feel too long. That's my only warning.
Be interesting to see what bike you could build up with discounted / last years parts from actual brands for this much money and put it head to test and let the stag decide whats best
The Stag would be wayyy tuffer if it didn't talk
Yeah what a great review that would be! 🤣🤦
i recall even yt had issues, had a 2016 capra cf with factory missaligned rer-front triangle...was not noticeble albeit untill the shock came out for service and the tear on the back mount was visible
WIth huge leaps forward in Chinese manufactured motorbikes, like the Kove 450 Rally, CFMoto 450, GPX bikes etc. the MTB market can't be far behind. A bike that decent for under a grand puts it in a very tempting price bracket for those of us that will not likely be testing the limits of any capable machine.
I read that there are capable mtb frames in china that are not being exported, I'm just waiting for them to join the market in other places. Even niche hobbies like 1/10th RC crawling is being dominated by chinese brands now.
@Benri05 yeah that's the trick. Once it's the third generation bikes / cars etc. being exported (the ones developed and tested by the pros, in China and not just lower cost copies of popular established brands) there's some serious value for money to be had! It's at this point that local distributors start to provide warranty and a reliable spares service. The bubble is going to burst on the premium western MTB market. Look at what's happening to KTM in the motorcycle industry.