Mountain biking is making a comeback, but they do not come cheap. The truth is that this geared piece of machinery can cost a chunk of money. Yes, paying 10 thousand dollars for a hardtail sounds crazy, but why are mountain bikes so expensive, costing more than a motorbike?
Yes, very mind-boggling as it costs the same as an excellent 2nd hand care. Still, you found the meanest set of two wheels, but whoop comes a bigger yet better and more expensive one. Crazy, right? Why did mountain bikes get so costly?
The short answer is that mountain bikes are made with quality components and technology. But, likewise, if you want to keep your ride safe, you need good bike parts that are durable, and yes, it must take a beating on the trails.
Hence, investing in a cheap mountain bike can become a danger as the mountain bike frames, handlebars, and wheels can break. But it also helps to look at the whole picture a bit closer.
What makes up the Cost of a Mountain Bike?
It all comes down to the price of the components and if you want a good mountain bike. Still, you can find mountain bike prices ranging from $800 to $10,000. Yet, compared to a high–end mountain bike, the cheaper models are not reliably made with lower quality components.
While you can spend money on a decent bike with cheaply made parts, you may replace it faster than your expensive mountain bikes. So, it all depends on how serious you are about mountain biking.
You can get away with a lower-quality MTB if you do a casual ride. But if you are serious about the sport, spend that extra bucks on a carbon fiber frame instead. Thus, the more advanced the components, the more you can pay.
High-End Mountain Bikes Carbon Fiber Frames
Yes, this is the most expensive part of the bike frame as it is made of carbon fiber with a price range of $3,000. The aerospace material is ideal for small-scale use in metal tubes. Nevertheless, it is still less environmentally friendly.
Still, it is not your only option when you look at the frame. Another option is aluminum, and way cheaper. Still, aluminum and titanium are not as lightweight as carbon to climb steep terrains fast.
Decent Mountain Bike Wheels
Another highly complex part of mountain biking is the bike wheel. With a good wheelset, you get the balance between performance with tolerance. You can elevate your game when you have entry-level bikes and upgrade your wheelset.
But an experienced rider notices it more than a casual rider. Many MBT riders say it is best to splurge on the wheels instead of buying an expensive mountain bike. Still, a set of carbon wheels costs a fortune, but they are stiff and lightweight.
So with a set of these on your beginner-level hardtail bike, you can make it a bit faster. Still, if you do not have the money to spend, you need a set of wheels with a good grip for fast-tracking. We recommend a high thread as it gives you less weight and absorbs road stress better.
Expensive Mountain Bikes Tires
Yes, even the best bike has expensive tires as you get a huge difference between regular and tubless tires. With tubless you can reduce changing flat tires but they are expensive. Yet, if you have a tubless and rip the sidewall it will fail you.
Expensive Bikes Handlebars Compared to Entry Level Mountain Bikes
Even the handlebar you find is made in different materials with vast engineering costs. Choosing a carbon handlebar is ideal if you care about wear and tear on the moving parts. Still, titanium is even priced higher but is heavier.
Yet, it can handle vibrations and impact well, providing a comfortable cycle. On the other hand, carbon can give you a kinder feel, while aluminum is the hardest to use. In addition, carbon has a longer lifespan compared to aluminum or titanium.
So, as you can see, when you invest in an expensive bike with a carbon handlebar, you can now understand why it is costly.
Seatposts on High-End Bikes
On a high-end bicycle, you will find carbon seat posts to shave off some weight on your bike. It is incredibly light and makes your ride comfortable as it absorbs vibration well. Still, you can get an aluminum seat post with a stronger build that is cheaper found on most mountain bike brands.
Mountain Bikers Rely on Brakes
When you cycle in rugged terrain, you rely heavily on your brakes to keep you safe. Hence, whether you have an entry-level bike or an expensive mountain bike, you can find three types of brakes.
You get rim brakes like a cantilever, caliper, or v-brakes not favored much anymore. The reason is that they do not provide enough power during wet conditions to stop. Now, you can get coaster brakes with outstanding stopping power.
Then you have the disc brake that’s been around for a while, and next is the hydraulic disc brake preferred by most cyclists. So, the hydraulic brake is mainly used in today’s expensive mountain bikes.
While you find a dirt bike with disc brakes or even some other bikes with cable brakes. Hence, it depends on what braking systems are used when determining the costs.
The Drivetrain
When you look at premium quality MBT the drivetrain also plays a vital role in traveling at different speeds. These include the rear derailleur, pedals, chainrings, and cassette, to crank. As a mountain biker, you want to transition seamlessly from one gear to another. So when mountain bike manufacturers spend time installing reliable components, it becomes expensive.
The Suspension Fork
Lastly, the suspension forks also play a role in determining the mountain bikes’ cost. You find many brands available and also need to know the compatibility of your MTB frame. When you have a premium MTB, you get the entire suspension to adjustable fork settings to help improve your ride. So, you can quickly shell out loads of money on high-tech suspension quality.
Wrapping Things Up
As you can see, when you have high-quality components, advanced technology, and electronic shifting with expensive materials, generally speaking, you can expect to pay more for your modern mountain bikes.
