We’ve all been there – eyeing up that suspiciously cheap mountain bike at a department store.
But what happens when one is pitted against the remote, challenging trails of Pisgah Forest, where “reliability” can be a matter of life or death and there’s “no cell phone reception out here”?
This video, explores just that.
“built and assembled to the lowest spec possible”
What Happened
The presenter and Alex embarked on an ambitious journey, acquiring a pair of Genesis V2100s – bikes described as being “built and assembled to the lowest spec possible”.
These V2100s at least offered front discs and threadless headsets. They packed extensively, including gorilla tape and zip ties, knowing they would be “relying on these bikes for over 5000 feet of elevation change”.
What “started as a ride quickly devolved into a grueling hike”. The “tires had no traction, and the bikes flexed like crazy under any kind of torque”. As they slowly ascended, “cranks started creaking, and [their] hubs began to eat themselves”.
While Alex, adopting a much slower pace, saw his bike miraculously survive with gears and brakes still functioning, the presenter’s experience was far more brutal. Their bike suffered a “blown up fork and no drivetrain whatsoever”.
It was clear by this comparison that “speed is the major destructive force on these bikes”, turning braking into a “full body workout that leaves you in pain for days”.
Outro
Their adventure confirmed what the warnings on these bikes explicitly state: they are not for mountain bike trails.
The video suggests that while a £149 bike might suffice for a “flat dirt path”, attempting serious mountain biking on one is “not fun, and most definitely not a game”.
Just “like sushi, tattoos, and cosmetic surgery, you’ll regret cheaping out on a bike that you really intend on exploring the mountains with”.
For those looking to enjoy mountain biking, the presenter advises renting a proper trail bike first or saving up for an “entry level hardtail”, otherwise, “you may be hiking anyway”
