If the nukeproof scout is considered a budget bike then that's a little worrying for the sport. Having an entry level bike at the cost of over 2000$ is insane.
Well, there's always very good deals to be had buying used bikes. Best bang for the buck right there. I've bought all my bikes used so far (and those have been awesome) but now I'm building my first bike with all new part and yes, it's expensive as hell and it's not very sensible in any way but just wanted to build my dream bike.
I have this conversation with people trying to get them into the hobby. I think there is confusion for people between sport and leisure. Leisure is doing the thing but at a comfortable level. Sport is pushing yourself beyond the threshold of control repeatedly. The budget suspension on a $1000 Polygon will let you have plenty of fun. But chances are it also has budget wheels, cranks, bearings, etc. Neither you nor the bike is going to be happy repeatedly exceeding its limits. Compared to a sport entry bike that will put up with way more abuse before breaking down or needing service in comparison. A Judy just isnt made to have the same abuse cycle a Lyric or Fox 36 is. Enduro sealed bearings are going to outlast cheap sealed bearings many times over. My $3600 Nukeproof Mega I got on sale at CRC in 2020 is worth more than the sum of its parts and its blindingly obvious if you back to back ride budget to high end bikes down properly rough trails. For the average enthusiasts something in the $2-4000 range is going to be something they love getting on and develop the love for riding that keeps them coming back.
@@ZapRowsdower73Feel this. Mentioned what I'm looking at for my next bike in a MTB group and had a bunch of snobs jump on me saying I should just get something good out of the box instead of buying a used bike and upgrading it a bit. I'm getting a more capable bike with ~2 year old mid-high end parts for the same price as a new low-mid range bike. Everyone needs to have the exact same brand new bike apparently.
@Skulls Road I think Blake came to the same conclusion about his hardtail Megavalanche run. Yes, the bike is capable, but fatigue will set in when you have no shock to absorb the bumps. Most of us don’t do the Mega though, so we’re probably fine on hardtails
Please stop using the word “budget” unless it’s a more affordable bike for the average person. A pro’s budget bike costs 3x my bike. This was just hard tail vs. Full sus
The bike is the tool, the rider is the craftsman. Great riders can ride crappy bikes better than beginner riders can ride great bikes. Practice, skill, confidence, time in the saddle all play a part.
So good to see a brand not pushing for worst consume but at least showing that you can enjoy and be as fast on a budget, and that Is the rider that makes the time
Hardly a budget bike is it, it’s still more than the average man can afford , I just spent 750 quid on a cannondale cujo reduced from 1000 quid and it’s to take on my first trail ride ever when the weather clears up and I don’t even consider that a budget bike , I’d expect to see him on a carrera Vulcan for it to be considered budget
I have a ht and an enduro fs. I am surprised at how many times I get better times on the ht. You really have to pick your bike for the terrain. There are places in which one bike just struggles as opposed to the other.
Here´s a suggestion for an XC race: Two comparable riders, two bikes, one budge one top. Each rider does two laps, one with each bike. Best overall time wins.
But you need better technique to ride fast, and when it gets really rough down the hill, you need some degree of masochism. But that's where the fun comes from, right?
The most surprising result for me was just how close the pro times were for Enduro vs Hardtail. This seems somewhat in contradiction to many reviews which seem to rattle on about sacrificing climbing ability to get a better descending bike when the descending difference can be so minimal in the right hands. But I guess there are other things to consider, such as the video rightly pointed out, and that is comfort. It might be possible to descend nearly as fast on a hardtail vs full sus. but you're going to take a beating. I guess the video message is clear: regardless of the type of bike you want a Nukeproof is what you need - hahahaha!
That so called “budget” bike is literally one of my dream bike’s And HOW!! can you call a 2000$ bike a budget bike (Edit: I’d say a budget bike is at most 1100$)
The difference in speed on the rough stuff seemed so big but overall difference was not as impressive. And a difference between enduro and hardtail I’d say was marginal. Goes to show that rider skill is much more important than the rig itself.
Hardtails are about as fast on well maintained trails like the on they rode. However, hardtails will be much slower on technical descents due to the lack of grip on the rear tire.
Top end tech will allow a pro who can already get 90% out of the equipment get closer to 100%, they won't allow an amateur who can get perhaps 70% out of the equipment get closer to 90%
I like to say that when a bike costs more than my car it's not a "budget" bike anymore. It might be if you're rich but 2500 pounds would be insane for a normal person to spend on a bike
Maybe if you are terrible with your money. For example, I left home with zero in the bank, got a close to minimum wage job in a steel fab shop, had a studio apartment within a few weeks and paid cash for a bike worth more than that within a few months of working. People are just incapable of making good financial decisions these days. I earn around 50k AUD a year which is lowest class here in Aus and I'm living better than most people with two middle class incomes due to basic self control.
Obviously its about the rider. But the bike also makes a huge difference. I went from budget hardtail to a 2022 trek slash 9.8 xt. It did make a big difference. But a pro rider on the local place tried my bike and he did things with i cant imagine doing lol. Atleast i know what my bike is capable of so i have more confidence etc.
I mean a pro knows how to pick lines faster and knows what part of the bike to make the most use of, like positioning especially with a hard tail, (all this was said prior to watching full video just wanted to see the outcome)
Wait wait. There is a distinction between a "cheap" bike vs "affordable" bike. That Scout is not a cheap bike by any means. It's an affordable and quite capable bike. "Cheap" should be reserved for walmart bikes or similar.
The rear tire on that hardtail 👀Michelin force Am2 "Racing line"? New prototype tire spotted from Michelin im about to order a force am2 but maybe I'll wait for the racing version😄
Thank you so much, Juluis! Elliott's riding is in another league! You really respect pro mountain bikers when you attempt to go anywhere near as fast as they do. 😂 All the best and safe riding! Ed @GMBN
While you'd fully expect Elliot to smoke am amateur, what about one of the older ex pros. Maybe someone that is a presenter on GMBN for example? They used to be quick but has been left behind by the next generation
Anyone who's ridden with top level skills riders knew this outcome, they're usually on a whole other realm of speed, that hardtail had pretty good parts.
Do you think you could get near either of Elliott's times?
NO.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. No.
In my dreams... Sure 😂
Whit infinite bikes and attempts maybe :')
Ill let you know later in the year when i take my hardcore hello dave there. 🤟
If the nukeproof scout is considered a budget bike then that's a little worrying for the sport. Having an entry level bike at the cost of over 2000$ is insane.
I agreed, getting to mtb has been really hard just for the overprizing for bikes and equipment
I agree, people have gone mad. especially for just having fun a $500-1000 is plenty. I know I have a lot of fun on mine for a lot less than $1000
Well, there's always very good deals to be had buying used bikes. Best bang for the buck right there. I've bought all my bikes used so far (and those have been awesome) but now I'm building my first bike with all new part and yes, it's expensive as hell and it's not very sensible in any way but just wanted to build my dream bike.
When buying a used one you can get good hardtails with good components and in nice condition under 800€ easy.
I have this conversation with people trying to get them into the hobby. I think there is confusion for people between sport and leisure. Leisure is doing the thing but at a comfortable level. Sport is pushing yourself beyond the threshold of control repeatedly. The budget suspension on a $1000 Polygon will let you have plenty of fun. But chances are it also has budget wheels, cranks, bearings, etc. Neither you nor the bike is going to be happy repeatedly exceeding its limits. Compared to a sport entry bike that will put up with way more abuse before breaking down or needing service in comparison. A Judy just isnt made to have the same abuse cycle a Lyric or Fox 36 is. Enduro sealed bearings are going to outlast cheap sealed bearings many times over. My $3600 Nukeproof Mega I got on sale at CRC in 2020 is worth more than the sum of its parts and its blindingly obvious if you back to back ride budget to high end bikes down properly rough trails. For the average enthusiasts something in the $2-4000 range is going to be something they love getting on and develop the love for riding that keeps them coming back.
Surely the budget option would be the entry level Scout with Rockshox Recons and Deore 10 speed.
My thoughts exactly. That "cheap bike" is far from it, my old Scott that I ride is lower spec and it cost me $2500 used here in NZ
Sad what the snobbery did to mtb culture
Didn't want him to die though
@@ZapRowsdower73Feel this. Mentioned what I'm looking at for my next bike in a MTB group and had a bunch of snobs jump on me saying I should just get something good out of the box instead of buying a used bike and upgrading it a bit. I'm getting a more capable bike with ~2 year old mid-high end parts for the same price as a new low-mid range bike. Everyone needs to have the exact same brand new bike apparently.
That scout was not a budget build. It was more middle of the price build. It had a Pike on it which is a top level fork.
Kinda agree with you. But it is the lowest level Pike, so not top level. What would you recommend as a cheap fork ?
@@Dempsey222 i've found pikes for that much. Bike24 has lyric ultimate for 600. ZEB select for 480
@@andreaTRY2FLY Backcountry had the Zeb Select for 291 dollars in November. There are some great deals.
@@Dempsey222 now that is a deal. Well, first a better bike for me. I love my hardtail, but i do want a fs.
you guys never seen a cheap fork. look for suntour xc series
Just what a decent, down to earth rapid, nice bloke Elliot is. More of him on the channel please!
We love having Elliott on the channel! We're sure there will be more to come! 👀
i won a carbon helmet off him there the other day
You should've gone far more budget on this one like using the voodoo or something
Agree. Would love to see the same thing with a truly budget hardtail.
Pike is my high build lolz
Agreed. How is a bike with Pikes of any sort deemed budget?
@@tonyparkin3379 exactly. That bike could easily have cost nearly £2000
Yeah, I think that around $1000 you can buy solid budget hard tail 👍
Damn, if Ed's an amateur rider with sends like that, I must be a toddler 😂😂
I thought the same hahahah, like wtf!
Just practice bro,it just takes time
Very amazed how close the scout came to Eliots run on the Giga . Proves Its all skill
Yep. Also that hardtails are extremely capable in the right hands.
@Skulls Road that is true . I think the track was stil rated a dbl black
For sure! Having an expensive bike is nice, but it isn't always necessary! 👍
@Skulls Road Yep, multiple stages in a day...
@Skulls Road I think Blake came to the same conclusion about his hardtail Megavalanche run. Yes, the bike is capable, but fatigue will set in when you have no shock to absorb the bumps. Most of us don’t do the Mega though, so we’re probably fine on hardtails
I’ll always upvote a hardtail episode
Please stop using the word “budget” unless it’s a more affordable bike for the average person. A pro’s budget bike costs 3x my bike. This was just hard tail vs. Full sus
Dang. Kinda sad that you think your 2500$ nukeproof scout is a budget bike😂
Well done. I would like to see the young boys on old 26“ DH bikes vs. the Don.
That's a sick idea! Thanks for the suggestion!
I'm 15 and ride a bike that older than me 2004 specialized enduro
@@benllewhellin1072 How cool is that. I don‘t think that was possible when I was your age, MTBs just were not invented that long before.
When that is a cheap bike, and the other guy is a beginner, i m a drunk dolphin.
“Budget build” still 3-4x more expensive than my bike 😂😂😂😂
The bike is the tool, the rider is the craftsman. Great riders can ride crappy bikes better than beginner riders can ride great bikes. Practice, skill, confidence, time in the saddle all play a part.
Elliot’s always quality!👍🏻 his bike park tour with Warner is hilarious!😂
So good to see a brand not pushing for worst consume but at least showing that you can enjoy and be as fast on a budget, and that Is the rider that makes the time
Except its not a budget bike. This video is delusional
Even the budget bike is above my budget!
🤣😂🤣
Hardly a budget bike is it, it’s still more than the average man can afford , I just spent 750 quid on a cannondale cujo reduced from 1000 quid and it’s to take on my first trail ride ever when the weather clears up and I don’t even consider that a budget bike , I’d expect to see him on a carrera Vulcan for it to be considered budget
I have a ht and an enduro fs. I am surprised at how many times I get better times on the ht. You really have to pick your bike for the terrain. There are places in which one bike just struggles as opposed to the other.
It's crazy how fast you can still go on a hardtail. As Elliott said, it's easier to hold speed on smooth trail with the hardtail. 👍
Here´s a suggestion for an XC race: Two comparable riders, two bikes, one budge one top. Each rider does two laps, one with each bike. Best overall time wins.
The fitter rider will win.
@@_Inferis Yeah, I know, it´s just for the show. I´d say maybe technique would play a big role as well.
That's not a budget bike, what a wasted opportunity. Whole thing just felt like an advert for Nukeproof.
How can you call a nukeproof scout a "budget" bike? Lol
Great comparo!!! Very interesting indeed! 👌 Some more comparisons by pro riders please!
All the best for 2023 GMBN team!
We will put some more together soon!
Also goes to show that you don't need high end suspension to go fast, decent suspension performs just fine.
But you need better technique to ride fast, and when it gets really rough down the hill, you need some degree of masochism. But that's where the fun comes from, right?
A Pike Select is still relatively high end compared to a Rockshox Recon!
@@hambo76extremely high end compared to a Sr Suntour xcm30
that budget bike is not really a budget bike, just a less expensive proper bike, happy new year!
The most surprising result for me was just how close the pro times were for Enduro vs Hardtail. This seems somewhat in contradiction to many reviews which seem to rattle on about sacrificing climbing ability to get a better descending bike when the descending difference can be so minimal in the right hands. But I guess there are other things to consider, such as the video rightly pointed out, and that is comfort. It might be possible to descend nearly as fast on a hardtail vs full sus. but you're going to take a beating. I guess the video message is clear: regardless of the type of bike you want a Nukeproof is what you need - hahahaha!
well spotted, just 7seconds difference! Didn't expect that on 5mins track.
Brilliant, get Elliot on more often, love his sense of humour and he’s an amazing rider. Respect to Ed too.
We love having Elliott on the channel! We'll be sure to get him back in a video soon! Thanks for watching!
I already know the answer, as Blake beat me in the EWS on a hardtail. 😂
"I ain't driving six hours as a loser..."
Hell yeah.
That's the spirit! 😂
The scout is an awesome bike well out of the budget of many riders. Disappointing comparison.
One thing not really mentioned is how darn great the recording and videos have become. Not just the bicycles and riders.
Fair play for even getting down it Ed! 🤘
Elliot on the scout looked pretty smooth
A very talented rider for sure!
I agree, have the pro ride with a cheaper Suntour fork and then see how he overcomes it.
That so called “budget” bike is literally one of my dream bike’s
And HOW!! can you call a 2000$ bike a budget bike
(Edit: I’d say a budget bike is at most 1100$)
for me i have a 289 dolar bike and its budget , more of 300 is expensive
very humble he is. he pointed out was his weakness and strenth in which his opponents forte. bery humble sir! you will be a great racer for sure.
Love how the „budget“ isn’t budget. BUT. I understand the comparison here
Generous comment from Elliott at the end, shows maturity and breadth of perspective. Impressed with all of that.
"Cheap bike"? £1,600+ ?? Really?!
What happened to the eurobike mountain bike?
Proper sportsmanship! Mad respect Elliot!
Love Hardtails..... regards and thanks for the video!
The difference in speed on the rough stuff seemed so big but overall difference was not as impressive. And a difference between enduro and hardtail I’d say was marginal. Goes to show that rider skill is much more important than the rig itself.
Hardtails are about as fast on well maintained trails like the on they rode. However, hardtails will be much slower on technical descents due to the lack of grip on the rear tire.
the cheaper bike is better than my bike 😭😭
Budget? With almost top tier@ brakes and trail fork? I would have expecged Rockshox Revelation and less top of the line brakes with that.
SRAM level are the budget brake SRAM offers? It’s SRAM nx drivetrain which is budget trail, and a pike can be had for £300
You're a stoic man Rich, well done. Also to your wife, a great team. x
Great idea for video. More stuff like this. Approved... :D
Awesome, thank you! We'll keep them coming this year! 🤘
Happy New Year Neil to you and your family
As an avid skier who dreads the lack of snow I really want to get into this sport but simply can’t afford it 😢
Awesome ride Mate,. Nice video shot
Having seen Sam Pilgrims cheap bike challenges... I can say it is all about the rider.
Blake would give this a thumbs up! Conclusion: buy a hardtail. 😊
So true! 😂
Top end tech will allow a pro who can already get 90% out of the equipment get closer to 100%, they won't allow an amateur who can get perhaps 70% out of the equipment get closer to 90%
A video where you can see the blue sky and its not pouring?! Amazing
In Wales too!
All rider. I have a great bike but being a bit older, fear of crashing is what holds me back
I like to say that when a bike costs more than my car it's not a "budget" bike anymore. It might be if you're rich but 2500 pounds would be insane for a normal person to spend on a bike
Maybe if you are terrible with your money. For example, I left home with zero in the bank, got a close to minimum wage job in a steel fab shop, had a studio apartment within a few weeks and paid cash for a bike worth more than that within a few months of working.
People are just incapable of making good financial decisions these days. I earn around 50k AUD a year which is lowest class here in Aus and I'm living better than most people with two middle class incomes due to basic self control.
That Scout is clean. I need a hardtail in my stable.
What is that gore coat called that GMBN commonly use??
Amazing videos, really cool to compared, but the Amateur is not a real newbie, he is quite good already. Thumbs UP!
Obviously its about the rider. But the bike also makes a huge difference. I went from budget hardtail to a 2022 trek slash 9.8 xt. It did make a big difference. But a pro rider on the local place tried my bike and he did things with i cant imagine doing lol. Atleast i know what my bike is capable of so i have more confidence etc.
The level of commitment in the pro is mad. The AM is and great rider but the pros balls made a huge difference
That why I ride a hardtail, it's not the bike it's the rider and I'm fully of the understanding that I'm the slowest part of my bike.
I have a pulse and gw raven rigid and as much as I would like cheap to be the best, it is not in rigid a descent kills my back and knees
I mean a pro knows how to pick lines faster and knows what part of the bike to make the most use of, like positioning especially with a hard tail, (all this was said prior to watching full video just wanted to see the outcome)
How about a premium build HT vs a budget FS?
An expensive bike won’t instantly make you the best, but it will sure be a confidence boost
If you know the trail that is a much bigger help!
Wait wait. There is a distinction between a "cheap" bike vs "affordable" bike. That Scout is not a cheap bike by any means. It's an affordable and quite capable bike. "Cheap" should be reserved for walmart bikes or similar.
still waiting to see the budget bike.
The rear tire on that hardtail 👀Michelin force Am2 "Racing line"? New prototype tire spotted from Michelin im about to order a force am2 but maybe I'll wait for the racing version😄
Ed is amazing though. I would not consider him as amateur. He's got fundamental skills of being a rider.
Thank you so much, Juluis! Elliott's riding is in another league! You really respect pro mountain bikers when you attempt to go anywhere near as fast as they do. 😂 All the best and safe riding! Ed @GMBN
Happy new year everyone! Great vid to bring in the new year!
Happy new year!
I guess to their standards that's a budget bike definitely not a entry level or amateurs bike.
Not sure a Scout counts are a "cheapbike".
43 seconds just shows the difference a pro can make. I raced in the late 90s against Pros on a GT Lobo, and once came near the 8th place time. Luck!
That comment about turning the rebound shaft 3-4 times before fitting the footnut should be printed in big letters on the fork!
Very good video! Interesting as well!
Or what about a bling HT vs a budget full sus?
Great episode! Elliot top work
that's why i buy the new nukeproof scout
Fun video but really out of touch trying to call a 2k bike cheap. Maybe if it had suntour xcm forks and a sram sx drivetrain
Where is this trail?
So clearly the hardtail can be fast. The real test is if it can stay fast over a full day. After two or three stages Elliott would be shattered.
Great ride by Eliot, this is why I haven’t bought a new bike for many years - races are won by the talented strong guys who train hard.
Proper fun!! Fair play mates. Cheers and happy new year.
Glad you enjoyed this one! It was a great one to make! Happy new year to you too! 🤘
While you'd fully expect Elliot to smoke am amateur, what about one of the older ex pros. Maybe someone that is a presenter on GMBN for example? They used to be quick but has been left behind by the next generation
Budget build 😂 hardly guys - love the content as always but cheap bike title is a bit of a stretch.
Anyone who's ridden with top level skills riders knew this outcome, they're usually on a whole other realm of speed, that hardtail had pretty good parts.
Would of liked to see Ed on the budget build.
Maybe next time! 😬 I think I'd be a lot slower! 😂 All the best! Ed @GMBN
@@gmbn yeah for sure. I think it would be a great comparison for us normies.
Budget? My bike is 710 dollars and thats NOT budget like 1500 dollars is budget?
budget doesn't mean cheap necessarily and when it comes to real mountain bikes these days 1200 is the minimum for a hardtail, I'd say.
Great video, comparison was good to see, Hardtail for me laugh.
Great video 😃 I really like videos like this one 😃😃
I wanna see him ride the hardtail on a set of berd wheels. I wanna see just how good the soft spokes do.
Blake recently tried a Calibre Bossnut. Would love to see Elliot with the Bossnut on the same route! I still think he'd be quick!!
That was a great video the amateur was amazing on a bike omg. The pro is pro for a reason great video loved it.
Continuity issues with the chest mount makes you realise this wasn't all one run.
Ed killed it! Very impressive!
Thanks so much! Elliott was a machine on that hardtail! All the best! Ed @GMBN
That's a budget bike?! 😱😱
SRAM level, SRAM nx and alloy frame and wheels, is definitely budget, pike can be had for £300
@@kbeightyseven That nukeproof scout is approx £900
@@robinburt5735the frame is like 350-400£, don’t know where 900 is coming from
Can the scout fully decked out be faster?
Elliot is great. What a nut!