I was being indoctrinated about thru axles for a long time. Then I built a gravel bike out of a 2008 entry level hardtail. QR front and rear. I dont see a difference aside from more care being needed when setting the wheel in the dropouts to ensure the disc brake doesn't rub. Peak Torque has a great video explaining how Thru Axle isn't inherently stiffer than QR.
I built a qr mtb into a touring bike, and I agree with you. The problem is qr is becoming obsolete. If I were to buy a new bike, qr would be a dealbreaker.
I understand the strength and reliability of thru-axles, but there's nothing wrong with QR's. I have been riding mtn bikes for over 33 yrs and never once had one fail or come loose during a ride. I have ridden the Portal Trail in Moab back in 1994 on a short travel mtb and thru-axles weren't even a thing yet. I also think that there shouldn't really be a price increase just because a bike has thru-axle wheelsets.
My problem has never been with QR itself: it is that aligning rotors is such a pain with QR when, say, you have a puncture and need to add a tube or something. TA makes putting the wheel back much easier with Discs. I still prefer QR over TA but only when it is with rim brakes.
I like those 50-50 bars is there a link form in the description or what's the measurements on them I like to rise? Also what fork did you go with I really like that airfork?
I have mountain bikes with thru axles and older mountain bikes with drop outs (qr). I haven't felt any relevant difference. Some people still believe that the quick release skewer is what holds the weight and not the hub.
After watching several reviews, I recently bought the Switchback Expert. I really like the bike, but I have bit of a problem with the freehub. When I peddle after coasting at moderate speeds, it takes about a quarter of a rotation for the pawls to catch the teeth, resulting in a really awkward "dead air" feeling until the gears re-engage. Is this normal? Can this hub be replaced with one that engages faster?
It’s a pretty low engagement hub, although a full quarter of a turn sounds like a lot. You could definitely replace the hub though with a higher engagement one though.
@RideYearRound Can you recommend a model? My local bike shop guy said there were very few options available for this size wheel (something about the QR length).
That's true. 135 QR hubs are getting increasingly harder to find, but you should probably be able to find some from Shimano and other large manufacturers by searching for "135 QR hub".
It's the newest budget bike, and even with current sale doesn't make it the best budget bike for the price due to what it has out the box.. Ozark trail ridge is best budget bike for normal price or 399 Second best(or first when on sale which it is currently) is Giordano Intrepid under $400 Best under 1k with Thru axle on both ends, can't beat the Poseidon Norton at 699 Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with QR in any scenario. But for future proofing, thru axle it is .
There are definitely more budget options popping up in the last year or two which is great news. I haven't ridden any of the bikes you listed, but did consider the Norton at one point. My only hold up there was I'm not a huge fan of 27.5 unless it's a plus tire. Otherwise, it's a smokin' deal for a thru axle equipped bike with new school geometry.
@@RideYearRound you can fit a 2.6 in the rear. For Norton Only bikes I'd recommend at or slightly over grand is Cannondale habit (thru axle version) or Marin San Quentin (thru axle version)
At this point I know it's a lower price point in a budget hardtail or bike I mean but why can't we just get a cheap suntour air fork I mean they offer $100 off on an upgrade program might not just put that air fork on there?
@@RideYearRound It even has an upgraded geometry for this year. I really think you should review it and let people know that great geo doesn't have to cost tons of money.
Yep, I totally agree and think they’re superior in every way. But having helped so many friends and acquaintances with a slight interest in biking get a bike, the thought of getting something for more than 800-900 (or paying 500 for a used one) blows their minds. Unfortunately there are very few thru axle equipped bikes out there for under a grand with decent geometry.
![The 12 "Backwards" MTB Basics for Beginners [The RIGHT Way - 4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IfwwgTkrTU4/mqdefault.jpg)
"That doesn't mean that a bike with QR is unrideable or not worth buying." -Agreed! At a certain price point, there is nothing wrong with QR.
I was being indoctrinated about thru axles for a long time. Then I built a gravel bike out of a 2008 entry level hardtail. QR front and rear. I dont see a difference aside from more care being needed when setting the wheel in the dropouts to ensure the disc brake doesn't rub. Peak Torque has a great video explaining how Thru Axle isn't inherently stiffer than QR.
I built a qr mtb into a touring bike, and I agree with you. The problem is qr is becoming obsolete. If I were to buy a new bike, qr would be a dealbreaker.
I understand the strength and reliability of thru-axles, but there's nothing wrong with QR's. I have been riding mtn bikes for over 33 yrs and never once had one fail or come loose during a ride. I have ridden the Portal Trail in Moab back in 1994 on a short travel mtb and thru-axles weren't even a thing yet.
I also think that there shouldn't really be a price increase just because a bike has thru-axle wheelsets.
Also even though it comes with quick release you can still convert it over to through axles if you wanted to
My problem has never been with QR itself: it is that aligning rotors is such a pain with QR when, say, you have a puncture and need to add a tube or something. TA makes putting the wheel back much easier with Discs. I still prefer QR over TA but only when it is with rim brakes.
I feel ya there...the alignment issue is super annoying haha.
I like those 50-50 bars is there a link form in the description or what's the measurements on them I like to rise? Also what fork did you go with I really like that airfork?
Also I don't know if I missed the brakes but does it come with hydraulic brakes or did you put those on there?
I have mountain bikes with thru axles and older mountain bikes with drop outs (qr). I haven't felt any relevant difference. Some people still believe that the quick release skewer is what holds the weight and not the hub.
After watching several reviews, I recently bought the Switchback Expert. I really like the bike, but I have bit of a problem with the freehub. When I peddle after coasting at moderate speeds, it takes about a quarter of a rotation for the pawls to catch the teeth, resulting in a really awkward "dead air" feeling until the gears re-engage. Is this normal? Can this hub be replaced with one that engages faster?
It’s a pretty low engagement hub, although a full quarter of a turn sounds like a lot. You could definitely replace the hub though with a higher engagement one though.
@RideYearRound Can you recommend a model? My local bike shop guy said there were very few options available for this size wheel (something about the QR length).
That's true. 135 QR hubs are getting increasingly harder to find, but you should probably be able to find some from Shimano and other large manufacturers by searching for "135 QR hub".
is there an easy way to remove the stock grips?
An air compressor with a nozzle on the end is one of the best ways to remove and install grips like these
It's the newest budget bike, and even with current sale doesn't make it the best budget bike for the price due to what it has out the box..
Ozark trail ridge is best budget bike for normal price or 399
Second best(or first when on sale which it is currently) is Giordano Intrepid under $400
Best under 1k with Thru axle on both ends, can't beat the Poseidon Norton at 699
Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with QR in any scenario. But for future proofing, thru axle it is
.
There are definitely more budget options popping up in the last year or two which is great news. I haven't ridden any of the bikes you listed, but did consider the Norton at one point. My only hold up there was I'm not a huge fan of 27.5 unless it's a plus tire. Otherwise, it's a smokin' deal for a thru axle equipped bike with new school geometry.
@@RideYearRound you can fit a 2.6 in the rear. For Norton
Only bikes I'd recommend at or slightly over grand is Cannondale habit (thru axle version) or Marin San Quentin (thru axle version)
At this point I know it's a lower price point in a budget hardtail or bike I mean but why can't we just get a cheap suntour air fork I mean they offer $100 off on an upgrade program might not just put that air fork on there?
Wish mongoose update their xc&trail frames
This is pretty much an XC frame by modern standards so maybe you'd enjoy it.
Good video. There is no better budget mtb than the marin bobocat trail. As hard as a I try, i cant find one that is better at its price point.
I've never ridden the Bobcat Trail, but Marin always seems to do a great job on the value per dollar with their bikes.
@@RideYearRound It even has an upgraded geometry for this year. I really think you should review it and let people know that great geo doesn't have to cost tons of money.
Dude. Through axles have been around for years. There are way more through axle options nowadays than QR.
Yep, I totally agree and think they’re superior in every way. But having helped so many friends and acquaintances with a slight interest in biking get a bike, the thought of getting something for more than 800-900 (or paying 500 for a used one) blows their minds. Unfortunately there are very few thru axle equipped bikes out there for under a grand with decent geometry.
Hi first