So how much does the bike matter?

[Hairy]

I recon that a more expensive MTB will give the average rider more reward/gains on the trails than a more expensive roadie bike will for an average rider on the roads.

[BigDL]

I suppose that someone carrying an extra 10kg will still benefit from a lighter bike in that there is less weight to move about. Yes, it may be cheaper or easier to lose the weight themselves, but they should theoretically still be better off on a lighter bike than a heavy one. Or am I completely missing something? 

[Wayne pudding Mol]

A lighter better bike has to be faster - what you pay per gram may not be worth it and there are certainly ways to improve speed like more training, skills work, bike set up, better nutrition, etc etc

But take anyone on 2 similar bikes - one is lighter with higher specced components and I’m fairly certain it’s faster on the better probably more expensive bike

Again I’m not saying that’s how you should improve your speed (although I've definitely tried this costly route)

Edited February 10, 2020 by Waynemol

[ChrisF]

Well, let's stir the pot just a little bit ....

 

 

Going from another brand to the Scott Spark my PB's improved.  It rides a lot more comfortably.  The twin-lock-out simply works !  The dropper seat post took a bit of getting used to ... but I now enjoy and use it.

 

 

Did I "need" any of these ?

 

Will it take me into the mid-pack at fun-rides ?

 

Will it magically make my knees stronger ?

 

 

The hard reality is that a friend on a second-hand hardtail rides circles around me !!!   I can say it is because he is younger, and fitter, yada yada ..... fact is he is just a MUCH better cyclist than I am.  Short of getting a strong ebike with a couple of extra battery packs I am not keeping up with him !! 

 

 

 

So yes, a newer bike may improve the feel out on the trails.  But no ways it will magically take you to the front of the field.

 

 

 

Then again, just because I am mid-pack (in my dreams) .... does this mean I have to ride a crappy old bike ......

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Well, let's stir the pot just a little bit ....

 

 

Going from another brand to the Scott Spark my PB's improved.  It rides a lot more comfortably.  The twin-lock-out simply works !  The dropper seat post took a bit of getting used to ... but I now enjoy and use it.

 

 

Did I "need" any of these ?

 

Will it take me into the mid-pack at fun-rides ?

 

Will it magically make my knees stronger ?

 

 

The hard reality is that a friend on a second-hand hardtail rides circles around me !!!   I can say it is because he is younger, and fitter, yada yada ..... fact is he is just a MUCH better cyclist than I am.  Short of getting a strong ebike with a couple of extra battery packs I am not keeping up with him !! 

 

 

 

So yes, a newer bike may improve the feel out on the trails.  But no ways it will magically take you to the front of the field.

 

 

 

Then again, just because I am mid-pack (in my dreams) .... does this mean I have to ride a crappy old bike ......

Ride what you want and what makes you happy

 

There are people who like fancy bikes and I doubt this is reserved for Saffas; but there are certainly as many who seem to look down their nose at people who enjoy having a nice piece of kit (for which they probably worked damn hard)

 

Just because you can drill me on your SS doesn't mean I don't deserve my bike

[BigDL]

Well, let's stir the pot just a little bit ....

 

 

Going from another brand to the Scott Spark my PB's improved.  It rides a lot more comfortably.  The twin-lock-out simply works !  The dropper seat post took a bit of getting used to ... but I now enjoy and use it.

 

 

Did I "need" any of these ?

 

Will it take me into the mid-pack at fun-rides ?

 

Will it magically make my knees stronger ?

 

 

The hard reality is that a friend on a second-hand hardtail rides circles around me !!!   I can say it is because he is younger, and fitter, yada yada ..... fact is he is just a MUCH better cyclist than I am.  Short of getting a strong ebike with a couple of extra battery packs I am not keeping up with him !! 

 

 

 

So yes, a newer bike may improve the feel out on the trails.  But no ways it will magically take you to the front of the field.

 

 

 

Then again, just because I am mid-pack (in my dreams) .... does this mean I have to ride a crappy old bike ......

 

I think you're missing the point. The same person on a much lighter, better bike should theoretically be quicker. 

[J∆kk∆ls]

Here are my 2c worth.

 

The bike matters as much as the rider. Some key factors that make a bike successful! 

• Does the bike fit right for the user?
• Do the wheels roll with ease?
• Do the gears shift effortlessly and accurately? 

If the answers is Yes! to all then LETS GO!!! 

[Markellis]

Yawn

[Kranswurm]

The day I switched to a dialed DS Superlight from my Cannondale hardtail and found my back wheel glued to the long rocky uphill on my favourite track was a revelation.No brainer

[gerriemtb]

How much does the bike matter?

More than you would think:
In my experience a better bike made me a better rider. I started of on an old 26er and rode it until the cost to replace parts became too high for the value of the bike. Got a hardtail 29er (still entry level by a lot of peoples' standard) and it made a big difference in my confidence and enjoyment of riding. 

Less than you would wish:
A more expensive bike will not make up for lack of training and fitness. We tell ourselves that we need the newest and most expensive, but most of the time the want is bigger than the need. 
 

[sirmoun10goat]

Bikes make a huge difference, often the difference between being able to ride something technical (I know technical is all relative) and not.

 

And before everyone comes back with this 95/5% rider/bike rule, or whatever ratio they believe, I think the hub forums will support me.

 

There are probably a few hundred threads, talking about why an Epic Evo is better for the average cyclist than an Epic (difference attributable to a 120mm fork upfront as opposed to a 100mm), or why a Spark 910/920 is better than a 900RC (again, mostly more travel), or how a Pyga Stage Max is so much more capable than an already very capable Stage, etc

 

Geometry and suspension travel make a huge difference, and these are always evolving.

 

So within the latest generation of bikes with the same intended use, by Specialized, Scott, Giant, Trek, etc - the bike does not make a huge difference for the average rider.

 

When you step back and look at the changes within generations of the bikes, as well as indented use of the bikes, this makes a huge difference.

 

A few years back is was unimaginable to use a trail bike on an XCM course - it was considered too heavy, too inefficient with pedaling. Fast forward, and it seems quite acceptable to have a trail bike on an XCM course. It actually appears possible to use a trail bike on a less extreme Enduro course.

[Kranswurm]

I recon that a more expensive MTB will give the average rider more reward/gains on the trails than a more expensive roadie bike will for an average rider on the roads.

Jeez mate.Get on a really responsive point and shoot bike over a piece of plumbing and feel the difference.

[arendoog]

Technology upgrades make a difference for sure and they make you faster .Wheels and tires did for cycling what better golf balls did for golf .The average person will ride better on better equipment ,but a 100k frame will be average on poor wheels and an average 10k frame will be much better on 30k wheels .Playing golf with the latest clubs but using an old ball does not make sense ,same in cycling 

[Hello Ruan]

Bike makes a difference, physical and mental.

Comparing the rider's ability to or with the bike's is irrelevant, that is a different topic on it's own.

Edited February 10, 2020 by Hello Ruan

[Skubarra]

i finished 15 minutes behind the winner of the the short route 99er this past weekend.....

 

 

I have to say this because I will probably never again get the chance to say something like that again - but that was me 

 

Back to the topic, I kinda agree with Hairy, I have ridden a cheap road bike with a decent wheel set for many years - never felt I had any serious disadvantage other than the limits of my fitness & talent. My mtb upgrades made a huge difference to my riding experience though. 

[sirmoun10goat]

Things that have less of an impact on the average riders performances will be the speccing a bike with XTR/XT/SLX or XX1/XO1/GX1.

 

These items can change the price of the bike significantly, with very little perceived performance gains.

 

Wheels, geometry, suspension and travel, dropper posts do make a difference