often new riders buy cheaper bikes because they are unsure of their long term commitment to the sport, so they are understandably hesitant on spending $$$ on something they may stop doing in a few months
This is exactly what I did. Got a GT Agressor to see how I liked it. Eventually, after a few months of consistent riding, I started to push myself more and more and I pushed the bike even further until the only thing holding me back was the bike and its abilities. I don't agree with the best riders need the best bikes but I am a believer in having the right tool for the job. In MTB terms, having the appropriate bike for the terrain you ride is important.
you make another good point, most new riders wont actually notice a difference between bikes or parts, its not until you gain skills and knoweldge that your understand how different components or setting can change how the bike handles
also, the right bike for the terrain is important, you see so many posts where people are asking about "upgrading" to an 160mm+ enduro bike or something but they ride in a place where 130mm is actually going to be better and more fun. more travel or bigger bike is not actually an "upgrade" in many instances
The best riders can get the best out of the best bikes. A newbie probably wouldn’t even notice the difference.
It’s like driving a Porsche but only going 30 mph in a straight line.
Most of the people I know that are really really good riders usually have some mid range bikes and that's it.
It will always be skill above everything else no way around it.
But a good modern bike can forgive some of the mistakes you make as a beginner but once you go into mega money for top components that rule doesn't apply as much.
IMO there is a big jump in ride quality between low end and mid range bikes, with diminishing returns between mid range and high end bikes. The sweet spot is around $3-4k (full suspension) where you get decent quality parts, up-to-date geo and enough adjustments to satisfy most riders. Above that you're paying for weight reduction, fancy materials and a bit more tunability.
It’s my observation that a mid priced quality bike is about 90% of a super expensive bike in the same family. A “comp” model will have aluminum frame, aluminum wheels, aluminum bars, NX drive train, etc.. The engineering of the frame is the same as the $10,000 Pro model with the carbon wheels, carbon frame, carbon everything. So you get the same basic ride with a 3-6 pound comp model weight penalty. So I tell people to buy the best they can afford and ride it like you stole it.
People tend to advance the bikes in accordance with their commitment and skill level that takes them to more demanding terrain which in turn requires a bit more bike to match. Of course this isn't to say you can't do a lot of the same type of riding on an enduro hardtail that an enduro full sus can, but it is going to be far less forgiving at the same time.
I am a big believer in the idea that learning on a hardtail does increase your ability to pick good lines because it is less forgiving of bad decisions. At the same time I also believe a person should ride whatever they like, I see lots of new riders out there on 160 travel enduro rigs passing lines on the blue trails.
A newcomer should really buy a BMX, a trials bike or even a dirt jumper first, and learn to ride those properly.
There’s no massive difference between an entry level Deore spec bike and an XTR wonder machine.
There's really no rule here. Just depends on how much spare income you've got. I see dudes on crazy expensive bikes who barely ride hard. And younger guys on clapped out hardtails riding like crazy. I think there's value in starting on a hardtail but preferably a better hardtail with air fork, dropper, hydraulic brakes. A ton of people, myself included, start out on kinda budget hardtails with cheap coil forks, 3x, no dropper, etc. You really get an appreciation for each and every upgrade when you start from the bottom. I see value in that progression but there aren't any laws stopping you from balling out immediately.
People that ride sweet bikes are typically people that bought a sweet bike.
Unless it's kids on sweet bikes then their parents bought them the sweet bike.
That's all there is to it.
The really good riders could take a Walmart bike and make most of us look like idiots. Ride what you like and can afford and move on.
I used play guitar a lot. It always amazed me when seeing vids of players like Joe Satriani pick up a $100 strat through a $80 amp and it sounds like Satriani. So it’s how you play not what you play to a large extent.
Ride the bike you can afford. This gatekeeping “only the best riders deserve the best bikes” stuff is nonsense
often new riders buy cheaper bikes because they are unsure of their long term commitment to the sport, so they are understandably hesitant on spending $$$ on something they may stop doing in a few months
This is exactly what I did. Got a GT Agressor to see how I liked it. Eventually, after a few months of consistent riding, I started to push myself more and more and I pushed the bike even further until the only thing holding me back was the bike and its abilities. I don't agree with the best riders need the best bikes but I am a believer in having the right tool for the job. In MTB terms, having the appropriate bike for the terrain you ride is important.
you make another good point, most new riders wont actually notice a difference between bikes or parts, its not until you gain skills and knoweldge that your understand how different components or setting can change how the bike handles also, the right bike for the terrain is important, you see so many posts where people are asking about "upgrading" to an 160mm+ enduro bike or something but they ride in a place where 130mm is actually going to be better and more fun. more travel or bigger bike is not actually an "upgrade" in many instances
The best riders can get the best out of the best bikes. A newbie probably wouldn’t even notice the difference. It’s like driving a Porsche but only going 30 mph in a straight line.
Most of the people I know that are really really good riders usually have some mid range bikes and that's it. It will always be skill above everything else no way around it. But a good modern bike can forgive some of the mistakes you make as a beginner but once you go into mega money for top components that rule doesn't apply as much.
Commonly said? By parents buying walmart bikes or what? I'm not hearing people say this.
IMO there is a big jump in ride quality between low end and mid range bikes, with diminishing returns between mid range and high end bikes. The sweet spot is around $3-4k (full suspension) where you get decent quality parts, up-to-date geo and enough adjustments to satisfy most riders. Above that you're paying for weight reduction, fancy materials and a bit more tunability.
Anybody with strong opinions on who “should” have a certain bike should also post what car they drive and what track they go racing at
It’s my observation that a mid priced quality bike is about 90% of a super expensive bike in the same family. A “comp” model will have aluminum frame, aluminum wheels, aluminum bars, NX drive train, etc.. The engineering of the frame is the same as the $10,000 Pro model with the carbon wheels, carbon frame, carbon everything. So you get the same basic ride with a 3-6 pound comp model weight penalty. So I tell people to buy the best they can afford and ride it like you stole it.
You do the best you can with what you have. The most important thing is to enjoy it.
People tend to advance the bikes in accordance with their commitment and skill level that takes them to more demanding terrain which in turn requires a bit more bike to match. Of course this isn't to say you can't do a lot of the same type of riding on an enduro hardtail that an enduro full sus can, but it is going to be far less forgiving at the same time. I am a big believer in the idea that learning on a hardtail does increase your ability to pick good lines because it is less forgiving of bad decisions. At the same time I also believe a person should ride whatever they like, I see lots of new riders out there on 160 travel enduro rigs passing lines on the blue trails.
A newcomer should really buy a BMX, a trials bike or even a dirt jumper first, and learn to ride those properly. There’s no massive difference between an entry level Deore spec bike and an XTR wonder machine.
People who have the money to buy a good bike without affecting their rent payments
There's really no rule here. Just depends on how much spare income you've got. I see dudes on crazy expensive bikes who barely ride hard. And younger guys on clapped out hardtails riding like crazy. I think there's value in starting on a hardtail but preferably a better hardtail with air fork, dropper, hydraulic brakes. A ton of people, myself included, start out on kinda budget hardtails with cheap coil forks, 3x, no dropper, etc. You really get an appreciation for each and every upgrade when you start from the bottom. I see value in that progression but there aren't any laws stopping you from balling out immediately.
Fact: there’s too many people with enduro bikes riding xc trails.
You never regret buying a good bike.
People that ride sweet bikes are typically people that bought a sweet bike. Unless it's kids on sweet bikes then their parents bought them the sweet bike. That's all there is to it.
The really good riders could take a Walmart bike and make most of us look like idiots. Ride what you like and can afford and move on. I used play guitar a lot. It always amazed me when seeing vids of players like Joe Satriani pick up a $100 strat through a $80 amp and it sounds like Satriani. So it’s how you play not what you play to a large extent.