Buying a new mountain bike can be overwhelming. With endless options, spec sheets, and opinions online, it’s easy to focus on the wrong things and overspend.
In this video, I break down 10 brutal truths you need to hear before buying a mountain bike. After comparing bikes from budget builds all the way to top-tier models, including the Polygon Siskiu T6 through the T0, these are the real lessons most riders learn the hard way.
This video covers what actually matters when buying a mountain bike, including components vs frame, diminishing returns, suspension, tires, setup, and how to choose the right bike for your local trails.
If you’re shopping for your first mountain bike or upgrading to a new one, this video will help you make a smarter decision and avoid wasting money.
Leave a comment and let me know which brutal truth hit home the most.
LINKS and DISCOUNTS:
Polygon T6 On Sale Now (link below)
Polygon Siskiu T6 – Mountain Bike (UDH)
Revel Rascal Affiliate Link:
https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/revel-rascal-sl-sram-eagle-90-treeline-kit-prickly-pear?aff=578
Trail One Components
15% Discount Code – HoffSupportsTheTrails
https://trailone.bike/?ref=yHQiW-iMc3Gyfr
KALI Helmets
https://www.kaliprotectives.com
Code: KALIJH25
KETL Mountain Bike Clothing (Everyday Clothing, No Giant Fox Logo)
https://ketlmtn.com/?ref=um6fa30n
Worldwide Cyclery (Love These Guys, Support Them!)
https://www.worldwidecyclery.com?aff=578
Privateer Bikes (Trail & Enduro)
Discount Code: HOFF10
Privateer 141
CrankBrothers, Discount Code: JARED15
Shopify Link (code auto-applied at checkout): https://www.crankbrothers.com/discount/JARED15
SMITH Goggles (Get Chroma-Pop Lens)
Rhythm MTB
HoverAIR Pro Max
https://amzn.to/4kLQsq8
Join the channel!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xzsy5fZXvtzuCONBNQdJQ/join
Chapters:
00:00 – This Video Might Save You Thousands
00:33 – Brutal Truth #1: Components Matter Less Than You Think
01:32 – Brutal Truth #2: Bike Frame Determines Your Future
02:39 – Brutal Truth #3: Diminishing Returns Are Real!
03:49 – Brutal Truth #4: Weight Doesn’t Matter
05:19 – Brutal Truth #5: Most Riders Upgrade in the Wrong Ordet
07:05 – Brutal Truth #6: Tires Matter More than Fancy Wheels
08:06 – Brutal Truth #7: Bike Setup Beats Expensive Upgrades
09:33 – Brutal Truth #8: You Can’t Buy Skill
10:29 – Brutal Truth #9: You Bought the Wrong Bike!
11:12 – Brutal Truth #10: The “Perfect Bike” is the One You Ride Most
12:06 – What Actually Matters When You Buy a Bike
21 Comments
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I bought a gravel bike and I’ve been wandering ever since what life could’ve been
BIKE WEIGHT MATTERS! Especially lighter riders. A 200lb rider w/32lb bike is equivalent to a 150lb person w/24lb bike.. Less to do with riding style, more about body weight. Always a big guy telling u weight doesn't matter. People over 200lb should not be wanting a cabon mtb just sayin'.
I pretty much live by these rules except at one point I thought light weights wheel would make me faster and they did but I’m too heavy for those rims so ended up replacing the rear rim four times.
80-20 rule
2022 I bought a trek roscoe in size XLarge it feels too big for me iam 6 foot 3 but wish I downsized to the Large. The dropper seat goes up too high and when it's down my gentleman's area just about touches the seat when I'm straddling it also it feels like I'm reaching for the handlebars too much so I get arm ache and back ache on long rides. I hate riding it. I don't want to sell it due to the big loss I will take because the prices were high back then 😢now it's probably only worth about 800 at best but I guess that's better than nothing right.
He just have what any rider would utterly love to know in buying rigs . This lad knows the whole enchilada. My Norco Storm is quite heavy but 27.5 , and still cool! Who really gives a dung , it ROCKS!
Upgrade order depends on what parts brake first or what parts do you feel are holding you back
1. BUY USED. I paid $1100 dollars for a used Santa Cruz Tallboy that was $7999 new. This is the #1 best thing to do in 2026. There are tons of crazy bike geeks that have to have the newest most expensive gear and I am super willing to take their hand me downs. But I've been riding mountain bikes since the early 80's so I know pretty well what works for me.
Outstanding video !!!! One of the best I’ve seen out there kudos to you sir
But the fox factory 36SL upgrade has made a huge difference for me 😂
Cheers !!!!
Thank you for your tips. Now I’m gonna buy my XDS in taobao Chinese app. 🎉
Good upgrade advice! Start from contact points. 1st where you contact the bike; peddles, saddle, grips. Then where the bike contacts the ground, tires. You can't change your bikes frame geometry, but you can alter your geometry on your bike some with handle bar width/height, saddle height, stem length.
I started on a used 2017 Marin pine mountain 1 hardtail. Rode it to the brink of what it was capable of but it made me a better rider. Just upgraded last week to my first full suspension bike. Was trying to decide between an ARI Enduro (La Sal) that was $150 dollars cheaper than the ARI trail bike (Delano Peak). My ego wanted the La Sal especially considering it was a little cheaper but realistically my skill level probably wouldn't use it to its max potential so I went with the trail bike since I do a mix of uphill and downhill riding. Bike gets here next week. 🫡🫡
all these biking videos assume I'm doing hardcore riding with jumps & all . . . I just want something cheap and not get flats . . .
common sense
So a 1k mtb in 2000 vs what today? Geometry, wheel width and what else? I agree skill ya can't buy, but lets say your 15, you have moved past the WM huffy phase, what used bikes that affordable can you get into to be able to get your skill to the next level IF your capable? Thats where my kid is at. I ain't droppin G's if they ain't and can't do it. Might as well get them a reliable , easy maintenance bike they can enjoy what they love and not be constrained by high prices.
Upgrading the tyres and converting to tubeless is an early upgrade worth doing I think
The wieght of the human more important than the wieght of the bike.
This is all fantastic advise. Too many people are overbiking and over paying.
Just to prove a point and I think I have mentioned this before, I ride a Rocky mountain Slayer A30. The base model but mine, over the last 4 years Has been up graded here and there. One upgrade I did early on was swap in my Marzocchi Bomber Z1 I had on my old bike. I'm still riding it. 5 rebuilds, 1 new stanchion and plenty of scuffs and scratches that 2021 fork is still riding strong along side my friends with ZEB ultimates, Lyrik ultimate and 38 kashimas. I keep up just fine. I used to have the CR bomber coil but unfortunately I ended up killing it, but 3 seasons into life span and I rode it hard. I bought another one (buddies pro deals) and I will continue to use it. I always have been a fan on mid level components.
Easy to find, less time in a shop and of course…..alot less cash.
I like riding….not buying lol.
Wrong-o. no one is going to go out and buy expensive components for a bike that hasnt been dialed in yet. Even a $2500 bike has a proud and excited owner who is going to get it dialed in to their body type and riding style. None of these truths sound that brutal to me. Is that your clickbait word? Brutal?
I've mountain biked for more than 30yrs, the best upgrade you can buy are a really good set wheels and hubs.