Cheap vs. Expensive pieces – where can you save?

Cycling can be a very expensive sport. Whether it's components, bikes, or the apparel itself, some items can really lighten your wallet. But what's worth investing in?

Anyone who is starting or has started with cycling has been surprised at least once by how financially demanding this sport can be. However, as in any other industry, if you want quality, you have to pay for it. And how much? What's too much, and what's too little? Is there an ideal price?

Ideal price-to-quality ratio

Finding a quality product at a reasonable price isn't difficult if you have a good understanding of cycling. You don't necessarily need a top-tier premium brand, which is usually appreciated by experienced cyclists who ride over 20 hours a week.

When choosing any new equipment, I answer 5 questions for myself:

1. Do I really need this product / Can I do without it?
2. How will it affect my ride?
3. How long will the product last? (estimate)
4. How often will I use it?
5. Am I overthinking this unnecessarily?

Now, let's discuss a few bike components, accessories, and also apparel, to give you a basic overview. Consider these as examples. You can find a wide range of products offering excellent value for money on our MTBIKER shop.

Apparel

Cycling apparel is a very complex topic. While some seek out more expensive clothing and premium brands, others are content with more affordable options. It always depends on how much you ride. If someone is an occasional cyclist who goes for an hour-long ride once a week, they probably don't need premium apparel with top technologies.

Conversely, if a cyclist rides frequently, especially on longer rides, poor quality (or incorrectly chosen) apparel can diminish riding comfort and even spoil the ride. It also depends on the discipline. If you ride more extreme disciplines where there's a risk of falling, it means your clothing will eventually get damaged (from my experience).


Therefore, when choosing apparel, focus on:

• Riding frequency
• Ride duration
• Discipline focus

For beginners, I recommend Force and Silvini, which are among the more affordable brands with great value for money.

Tip: In the e-shop, sort items by their rating.

Helmet

Don't skimp on safety. However, this doesn't mean you immediately need to buy the most expensive helmet or protectors. First and foremost, you need to own a helmet – any helmet. However, if you ride more frequently, or in this case, ride more extreme disciplines (where there's a higher risk of falling), I would focus on mid-range helmets. You'll notice differences in the price-to-quality ratio even at lower price points, such as €30 - €60.

Helmets also have various certifications, and it's best to actually see and feel them in person. Helmet quality is often evident at first glance. This could be due to higher quality materials, as well as various features like Fidlock (magnetic chin strap buckle), protection against rotational forces during a fall (e.g., MIPS), various integrated lights in the helmet, or even premium materials (carbon).

Components

And here we are. How much money does one saved gram cost? But seriously. For components, especially for beginners, it's worth investing primarily in certain categories. The first category is brakes.


When it comes to brakes, it pays to invest a bit more. For example – Shimano. It's better to buy a one-finger brake lever (the lever can also be replaced separately), which is more sensitive and offers better modulation than a brake with a two-finger lever. You'll feel the difference immediately.

The rotor and pads also play a significant role in braking power. Sometimes, simply buying a larger diameter rotor or quality pads (e.g., Galfer) is enough, instead of replacing a 2-piston brake with a 4-piston one. Likewise, maintenance should not be neglected.


When it comes to shifting, specifically the rear derailleur, you'll primarily compare them based on lifespan and weight. More affordable options are typically heavier and often have a shorter lifespan. However, with SRAM, I personally found it beneficial to opt for at least a 12-speed GX groupset (compared to SX and NX). In this case, a GX derailleur outlasted two NX models (approximately €100 vs. 2x €65).

For Shimano, the functional difference between 12-speed derailleurs is negligible. You can confidently choose a Deore derailleur.

Higher quality shifting is more precise and smoother, but you'll pay a significant amount for it. Therefore, for beginners, I recommend Deore (Shimano) and higher, as well as GX (SRAM) and higher groupsets.

Tip: If you want the best price-to-performance ratio, I recommend a combination of a 12-speed Shimano Deore derailleur and a Shimano XT gear shift, as you'll notice a greater functional difference in the shifter itself, where it's more worthwhile to invest in an XT shifter than an XT derailleur.


Tires – Invest primarily in the front tire. The front tire guides the bike, so if you are trying to save money on components, at least get a mid-range tire for the front wheel. It will last a long time (as the front tire wears out less quickly) and you'll consistently experience excellent grip. Higher-end tires can range from €35 up to €90.

Saddle – A quality saddle doesn't have to be expensive. Here, it's more about trial and error. Don't forget that you spend hours in the saddle during a ride. The wrong saddle can lead to discomfort, as well as various issues, so I wouldn't skimp on the saddle in this instance.


Pedals – The right pedals (i.e., so not plastic ones from the factory) are fundamental for a comfortable and, most importantly, safe ride. They don't have to be the lightest. What's important is good pin placement and a sufficiently large platform (for flat pedals). For clipless pedals, it's mainly about the cleat system type (Shimano, Crankbrothers, etc.) and also weight. You can get quality flat pedals for as little as €20 or €30.

Other components – such as cranks, stems, and handlebars, do not have that big of an impact on the ride. Rather, it's more worthwhile to invest in components that will noticeably enhance your riding experience.

Accessories

Do you really need a bike bottle worth €100? Some accessories are worth the investment, but for others, a higher investment can be completely unnecessary. It all depends on how often, for how many hours, and in what conditions you ride.

If you ride a lot in heat and will utilize an insulated bike bottle, such an investment will definitely pay off. If you often ride in the evening or at night, you definitely shouldn't skimp on lights.


Tips from my personal experience:

• Cycling shoes are more important than a branded jersey.
• A quality helmet is a better investment than an expensive GPS watch.
• Invest in quality brakes instead of the latest electronic shifting.
• The right saddle and pedals are more important than a carbon seat post and handlebars.
• Only buy premium apparel if you'll truly utilize it.
• Choose quality glasses that don't strain your eyes and adequately protect them, rather than very cheap and lower-quality items that will only last a short time.

Treat yourself

Cycling is our passion and hobby. If we enjoy it, we should treat ourselves from time to time. You can often come across excellent discounts and promotions where you can acquire premium items at fantastic prices. In our e-shop, in addition to the classic sales, you can find great stuff in the "deal of the week", where products rotate every week.

Don't forget: the most important thing is to ride and have fun cycling. It doesn't matter what bike, what accessories, what clothing, or what components...