Mountain bikes are expensive and this is true. But why? What are the reasons behind that? Why do retailers charge too much for a mountain bike?
Nowadays, it is generally accepted that Mountain Bikes are quite expensive and unaffordable in some cases. The main reason that Mountain Bikes are expensive is their frames. They need to be custom designed, manufactured, and carefully tested to offer the best quality to the end customers.
Some reasons apart from the prices of the parts are the cost and the time needed to manufacture, the marketing expenses to advertise it, taxes and the staff payments. All of these are calculated together when it comes to pricing. This is not only happening with mountain bikes but all products in general need to pass this circle of creation and promotion.
So, in this blog post, you will find out the answers to “Why are mountain bikes so expensive?” “Why do they cost so much more than your average bicycle?” “Is it worth buying an expensive mountain bike?”
Those are just some questions that we are going to answer below, so stay tuned until the end to learn new things that might change your mind and thoughts!
Why are mountain bikes so expensive?
In Mountain Bikes, it’s not just the frame that’s expensive, but also the other parts like brake pads and chains. If a bike has expensive components that make the bike more durable, that means it can last much longer than a cheaper bike.
Mountain bikes are expensive. They can cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars, or you can buy a cheap bike for less than $300. The parts of a mountain bike are designed to be lightweight, with a durable high-end frame, especially for the mountains.
That’s why is so expensive to buy them. Also, some parts like the tires need to be replaced every now and then because nothing lasts forever and as you know, MTB tires are usually more expensive than bikes with road ones.
- The retail price is another thing to consider because it depends on where you choose to purchase your bike from. For example, in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, mountain bikes are more expensive than in other Asian countries.
Another thing that plays a significant role in the expense of a bike is shop expenses. A small mom-and-pop shop will be able to charge less than a high-end store since they don’t have as much overhead as the latter does such as rent, labour costs, or traffic expenses which could cut into their profits because customers stay away from those areas due to safety concerns.
Is it Worth Buying an Expensive Mountain Bike?
In this section, we will analyze whether or not it is worth buying an expensive mountain bike. We will discuss what an expensive mountain bike is, the value that it adds to a rider’s experience, and how to find a quality bike that won’t break the bank.
Who Shouldn’t Buy an Expensive Mountain Bike?
- A person who wants to exercise once in a while for a short amount of time.
- A person who doesn’t have an idea what is Mountain Biking.
- A person who doesn’t know the benefits of his/her own bike.
- A person who lives in a city with no nature like forests and mountains.
Overall, a person who wants to buy a mountain bike for the first time should ask themselves why they want to buy a mountain bike and what they want to use the bike for.
Who Should Buy an Expensive Mountain Bike?
- Someone who has the appetite to exercise regularly in hard terrain.
- Someone who competes in MTB races.
- Someone who is a die-hard fan of mountain biking.
- Someone who wants to take mountain biking seriously.
A person looking for a mountain bike with low-grade features and an affordable price would be better off buying a used mountain bike in a good condition.
On the other hand, if someone is looking for a relatively expensive model that has high-grade features such as front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and more, then it might be worth buying such as an expensive mountain bike.
Some people buy expensive mountain bikes and ride them only a few times and then they put them in storage. That is not worth it. You should buy a cheap mountain bike or a used one for this kind of situation.
Cheaper mountain bikes generally have less advanced parts, such as suspension forks, braking systems, and gears which make them not as good of a choice for off-roading or racing. However, they are still good bikes that can be enjoyed on leisurely rides around town or country roads – if that is what you want to do with your bike.
What is a Reasonable Price for a Mountain Bike?
A reasonable price for a mountain may be different for each person but let’s measure what average people think is a reasonable price for a mountain bike.
The cost of a mountain bike is going to depend on the type of bike you are buying, the features you want, and where you buy it from.
There are many other factors that determine the price of a mountain bike. It is important to know the budget and the features we need in a mountain bike before we start looking at prices.
If you are looking for an affordable mountain bike, a good place to start is Walmart. These chains offer a selection of bikes that can cost as low as $400. You can also find some moderately priced bikes at stores like REI Mountain Bikes.
If you’re willing to spend more money for a higher-end mountain bike, then your best bet is going to be speciality shops that specialize in bicycles or big-box retailers that sell speciality bikes such as Trek Bicycle Store or Performance Bike Centers.
Nowadays, mountain bikes can be found in three different price ranges. These are:
- Budget mountain bikes – these range from as little as $200 to as much as $600. In this price range, the bike is usually made of lower-quality hand-welded steel frames and heavy wheels with small tires. The bike also offers a less-than-ideal suspension system and a smaller gear range.
- Mid-range mountain bikes – these range from about $600 to about $1000 and come with all the bells and whistles you might expect from a mountain bike. These include lightweight aluminium frames, greased ball bearings, high-quality suspension systems, low gears for climbing steep hills etc.
- Premium mountain bikes – these special types of mountain bikes, can start from a range of $5,000 and can even hit prices up to $16,000! As you understood, these ones are the bikes with the most high-end materials.
However, there’s no need to spend all of your money or even your life savings to get one of these premium models, unless you are a professional biker, and your main source of income comes from Mountain Biking.
As we said before, the most important factor in determining the reasonable cost of a mountain bike is its quality and features.
A cheap, poorly made one may not be worth our money in the long run, but it does not mean that an expensive one will last forever either.
If you are on a tight budget, then do some research to find bikes that are similar to your needs but have lower prices.
Is it Cheaper to Buy or Build a Mountain Bike?
It is often cheaper to buy a mountain bike from a retailer, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t find a great deal for a quality used mountain bike or custom-built mountain bike.
Buying a mountain bike is usually cheaper than building one. It depends on the price of the mountain bike and the number of parts required. Building a mountain bike is more expensive than buying one because you will need to purchase all the necessary parts to build the bicycle.
One of the reasons that it may be cheaper to buy a bike from a retailer is because they have lower overhead costs and don’t have to pay their employees as much.
However, there are other things to consider before making your purchase decision. For example, many used or custom-built bikes may be of better quality than those available at retailers. In addition, some retailers may offer warranties on their products as well as free shipping and assembly options.
So, you have more advantages and options when you buy a bike from a store rather than build one on your own.
Also, it depends on your budget and your needs and wants. For someone who can afford to build a custom bike then who we are to say “no”? You are free to make your choice wisely.
Is Mountain Biking an Expensive Hobby?
Yes, mountain biking is an expensive hobby. But it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking to save money on your mountain bike, chances are you’ll need to buy a used bike. Used bikes can be found at local shops or online at sites like Craigslist or eBay. You can also find them from friends and other riders in your area.
These options will often cost less than buying a new bike, but unfortunately, the equipment might not be as good as new equipment and may need some repairs and maintenance.
Components like brakes and tires are also very important in mountain biking, which can add up in costs too. On average, it’s very expensive when taking all these factors into account!
Mountain biking apart from being a generally expensive hobby is also a bit dangerous and risky for some people.
What should a beginner mountain bike look for?
This section will highlight some points that one should consider when buying a mountain bike for the first time. The focus is on the features that are important to beginners, so it is more of an overview than a comprehensive guide.
Mountain biking is a demanding sport that requires a lot of physical exertion. It also takes a lot of patience and skill. Mountain bikes come in different types and sizes, so it can be difficult to figure out what will work for you.
Also, for a beginner cyclist, it is important to get a bike considering his/her height and weight. You can check out later our article on mountain bike sizes and more.
As a beginner mountain biker you should go after and have in mind the features below:
- Comfortable seat
- Good brakes
- Pedals with toe clips or clipless pedals
- Wide tires to accommodate bumps and rocks on the road
- Sturdy frame to prevent back pain from pressure on the spine
Mountain bikes are designed to be used on rough terrain, so they have components that can withstand bumpy rides and occasional spills. It is important to keep in mind the different types of trails when deciding what kind of bike you need because there are bikes made specifically for certain kinds of trails.
If you’re not sure about which type would work best, try renting different kinds until you find one that suits your needs.
For people buying their first mountain bike, comfort is an important concern because it is one of the most important things in order to ride it well and have a good experience with their mountain bikes.
Overall, to choose a beginner’s mountain bike you should consider being comfortable with it, having a lot of gears and having a good suspension. It should also have fat tires to have an extra and better grip on the surface.
Also, if you are a beginner you should also consider building and improving your mountain biking endurance.
What is the most expensive part of a mountain bike?
The most expensive part of a mountain bike is the frame. A frame can be made out of carbon fiber, aluminium, titanium, steel. Frames are usually made out of carbon fiber because it is lightweight and strong.
A frame can cost anywhere from $400 to $5,000.
A frame is the skeleton of a bike. It supports the bike’s weight and provides a mount point for the fork, which supports the front wheel. The frame can be made of metal, carbon fiber, plastic, bamboo or aluminium.
Mag wheels are also made from aluminium and they can be a very nice upgrade to a bike
A frame is the main structural element that supports the rider, bicycle parts, and cargo.
Also, frames besides supporting all the other components on it. Frames are designed to have sufficient strength to withstand the forces of pedalling and must also exhibit stiffness to transfer power efficiently.
Generally speaking, frames on mountain bikes are designed to be lightweight so they don’t weigh you down when you’re riding up a steep hill or through rough terrain. They are also typically designed with shock absorption in mind because these bikes will often take a beating from jumping over rocks and roots.
Conclusion
All in all, in this blog post we mentioned why are mountain bikes so expensive, the prices of each bike and more things like which mountain bike is the most suitable for an entry-level rider to buy. We hope that you found it helpful and solve some of the inquiries you might have. Feel free to share it with your friends and family!
