The Most Important Component on a New Bike? - Pinkbike Poll

 slow evening at pinkbike hq huh?

next pole:

whats better? a bike or no bike?

 How the f*ck is the frame considered a component?

 Streamers

 Handlebar. I need to hold on to something while running through the woods with, whilst dreaming of other components I will eventually get.

 Grips, if they aren't colour matched to the derailleur hanger and front axle, then the bike was not designed with match spec components. It would need a seriously good seat post clamp for me to look at getting it.

 For me, it's that the reflectors are correctly fitted to the frame and the wheels have them in too Health and safety is no laughing matter

 Anything that works,all my shit seems to do lately is fuck up for no reason.

 I wonder if Pinkbike have ever considered doing a poll about the most inane question ever posed in a Pinkbike poll

 Stoke is the most inportant component end of discussion. Most of us (hopefully) will ride nearly anything down a trail because lets be honest, sometimes riding a nugget down a trail it has no right being on is just super fun!!

 Some good motor oil. Keeps the brakes from squeaking and keeps my hair slicked back

 You could have the best suspension set up possible but if the frame is poor quality or lacks proper geometry the bike will not perform well

 With decent stuff like a gx drive train, solo air pikes, and even deore brakes, it just comes down to the bike company and their reputability when it comes to customer service.

 Run this again without the frame option, the results would be much more interesting.

 Seems a bit pointless of a question, if the frame is rubbish your not gonna buy the bike are you! Its also usually the most expensive part. If I have to change anything on a bike I'd rather it be brakes and wheels, I'm fussy about these and alot of the more affordable bikes have terrible spec brakes and wheels.

 I don't buy new bikes so my main criteria for buying a bike is if it has spent the last 5 years in a garage not seeing the light of day

 The rider is the most important component... closely followed by spokey dokeys......

 With the constantly changing "standards" (and ignoring the fact that the frame isn't a component) you have to say frame because it's setting what you can even buy. Just got the latest metric boost wonder machine? Well, there's only one manufacturer making what you need in each component category that will even work, so it's not really much of a choice is it?

 The rider. You can have loads of cash and buy the best of everything but if you can't ride worth a damn then your just trailhead decoration.

 The discount.

 The frame is the bike. I wouldn't consider buying a bike built around a frame I don't like, whereas I would and have bought bikes with wheels and drivetrain I don't like.

The wheels used to be the least important because my old wheels could just be swapped over to the new bike. Worst case I'd have to lace some new size rims to my existing hubs. Not so much anymore. Most components are either all generally good, or cheap enough to replace. Wheels on the other hand are always expensive, and most OEM sets are utter crap. Once you ride a good wheel, going back to a shit hub and a rim made of butterscotch because your new frame is +boost-ultra+ sucks!

 HT: fork is #1 (my ROS9 frame can be found cheaper than the fork I have on it now)
FS: frame is #1 (can't find any decent frame for cheaper than a fork, maybe a Meta AM V4)
Wheels: plenty of people think stock wheels suck, so I can happily find practically new DT M1700s cheap
Brakes/Drivetrain: SRAM street prices are ridiculous... Shimano and JensonUSA have my back. Whatever drivetrain comes with the bike eventually needs replacement

 kickstand

 I choose the fork, because the frame is a given. I would like to afford multiple bikes, but that's not happening at the moment. So I want a do-it-all bike. Seems like the bikes that could work best for that purpose come with 32mm forks. A do-it-all bike with flexy forks is no good, and therefore can't do it all. I can deal with shorter travel, cheaper wheels- but flexy fork not a good feeling. So what you end up with for a do-it-all bike is a bigger travel bike that isn't as fun on easier terrain, but hey, you have a beefy fork.

 I usually pay close attention to what kind of brakes and fork combination the bicycle has running upfront. I mean every component on a bike is of importance, the chain and tires are the most moving parts, right after brakes and suspension

 Any sort of TOL bike equipment is expensive, but I would say having a strong frame is a big plus, because if the frame breaks you're screwed. That being said, you never really know what the failure point might be on a specific bike.

 I think theyre forgetting something. What about pedals!? I go to Trek Store and see bikes over $2000 with plastic pedals lol Also id never buy a new bike. 26" for life. i just bought a used bike and yes its 26.

 I like this poll. The frame just goes without saying though. I feel like (and the industry seems to agree) that its all about the down. So why cant i buy a good frame with high end suspension, higher-ish wheels and mediocre everthing else? For the sweet spot price (maybe 3-4k ish)? I can live with house brand bars that should be replaced every year anyway. Tires ware out. Drivetrain? It works good at first but how many rides does that last for? Even if i dont smash it off a rock it wears out. Coming up with a few hundred bucks for anything... like a dropper post, is a pain but its within reach. 2k+ for better suspension is not.

 all components are important to get the way YOU want it ,the rider is most important ,then the frame is very important as well all the components you trust to do the job (intended use) its amazing the confidence you get from a bike you have custom built from the ground up for a intended purpose ,people who buy full/compleat bikes miss this vital part out .

 Personally, I listen to all the dumb shit everyone says, especially the ones that dont ride bikes, opinions of the uneducated are the most valuable tool when purchasing a bike. I pick depending on a blindfolded taste test if opinions are in short supply.

 Going to to have to go with frame on this pole, as the geo's are better for my preference but I dislike the stock spec on most bikes so I would immediately be swapping parts

 Frame. The soul of a bike

 Forgive me as I've been drinking Scotch, but..

I don't think the question should be 'The Most Important Component on a New Bike?'

Rather..

What 'Is' The Most Important Component on a New Bike?'

 Doesnt matter how high end the parts are on a bike, if you dislike the geometry you will still hate it.

 I wouldn't buy a new bike, my bikes have been evolving for over twenty years now so they all have 26", 135mm rear ends, apart from a 24" jump bike.
I'd want a front mech and external routing so Banshee maybe

 When i bought my fuji hardTail, i thought, i should replace the components, from brakes to wheels. Then, i completed everything, i wanted to choose the frame. So i'd say the whole bike would be what i wanted to upgrade

 I bought a Cube FS because the kit on board was the best value package in my budget and the bike does well in EWS, However when it comes to hardtails it's the frame everytime.

 Brakes : if you're not happy, pair of slx does the job for 90€.
Drivetrain: easy to go one by if it's not stock.
Tires : get used quick enough.
Wheels : crossride/m1900 is enough, just a bit narrow.
Bar & stem : easy to change and quite personal anyway.
Fork : ok another one is expensive, but you don't have to pay 1000€ and selling the stock one helps.
Shock : same.

No really, the only thing stopping me from buying the jeffsy Al comp 1 is the frame sizing. I want XL length with L seat tube. And 150mm reverb!

 Not sure... I am currently looking for a used bike and I cant decide whether I should buy a 26" bike with sweet components for a good offer or whether I should search for a 650b model with possibly worse components

 I don't see myself ever buy a complete bike now that I've got enough good, carefully chosen stuff kicking around and on the bike it is supposed to replace. Even if I'd update everything to the current/popular standards (wheel size, hub spacing etc) I still have enough small parts (cranks, brakes, handlebar etc) that could transfer to the new bike so that getting it all new isn't necessarily cheaper. The lowest spec Kona Process 134 goes for 3000 euros. They don't sell the frame separately but I'm pretty sure I could get an Alutech ICB2.0 (more or less similar frame) and, for that kind of money, spec it considerably nicer. If I transfer components from the old bike, the new components can be even better. I still don't get why people buy complete bikes instead of a frame.

I voted frame as it was impossible (for me) to not vote that now that the option is presented. But otherwise I'd have chosen the (not presented) option "rear shock" in case of a full sus bike. These are expensive and often have a factory tune for that frame.

 Best bang for the buck is the wheels. Most top frames and even many Chinese frames perform well. You will definitely feel a difference in a wheel upgrade before a frame upgrade, with equal amounts being spent on either.

 I wish they had not included the frame there.

 Suspension and brakes makes the biggest difference .

 Not even on the list, but tires are super important. Pretty much the only component you see pros openly running from non-sponsors.

 +1 Spokey Dokeys

They are my childhood

 A good carbon frame is pretty nice. Me personally, I'd prefer a solid set of disc brakes. Frames are overrated, disc brakes are where its at.

 The most important things I look for in a bike are either the grips or the headset cap.

 26" wheels

 This is stupid.

 A rider with balls is the most important part. You can have a mad setup and mad skills, however if you don't have the balls to hit it you won't. Other than that brakes and wheels for me.

 The sum of all the parts is grater then the parts seprat. And important like stated above is the rider. For me though it is the time to ride that is means the most.

 Drivetrain because it locks you in to buying expensive replacement parts (SRAM), when you could be spending way less(Shimano) .

 Brakes from Shimano. The rest is optional and exchangable

 Some of you guys need to get a life, if you don't like the question then just don't participate, don't go out of your way to be a twat

 a very philosophical, almost spiritual moutanin biking question

 Most important part on your bike is the warranty. Especially if you've accidentally bought a NORCO!

 I just ride.... don't care. Sure, I like good products but I'm fine riding with less bling.

 The frame isn't a component... If I needed to swap out my frame I wouldn't be purchasing that bike... Fork all the way.

 Really need the whole package.....frames don't ride nice without wheels...brakes.....bars...etc Weird surveys

 Joy? Appreciation you have first world problems?

 Dear Pinkbike, please include a "I refuse to vote when only Bullshit-Questions are allowed" in your further polls.

 Unless you're minted you look at the whole package, there's always some part you don't want, and a few that you do

 presta or shrader...... I thought this poll was about things that matter most to the average rider.....

 Self justification over and over.

 bought a mountain bike, the bike's fine but the mountain cost more..

 whatever , the anwser wont be "the chain"

 Dropper post.

 Until man/lady balls is a component everything else is moot.

 Not that its inportant but *important. Hahah

 I always use brakes as the judge of how good a build spec it is.

 The most important price on a bike is weather or not the pegs on your pedals are titanium or aluminium

 A bell

 I ....ope no one said that , important is eeeeeeeverything .

 The flask that holds the bourbon

 Boost is the most important component

 That red marked down sticker on the price tag!

 Most important? Easy, the rider.

 Budget wheels don't cost $600.

 I voted for the frame. But really I would say the dropper post.

 Light weight fat rimmed bomb proof wheels that have a noisy buzz.

 Your mom!

 Got to be the turbo

 Eh what about pedals??? I seen bikes are the Trek store over $2000 with plastic pedals lol

 More interesting pole if frame weren’t an option.

 Comfortable cockpit, good tires and fully functioning brakes!

 Carbon fiber...nothing matters unless it's carbon fiber!

 The rider. Duh.

 Valve stems. Can't ride without them.

 Frame. everything else can be replaced.

 what kind of question is this..................

 Forks on a hardtail, frame on a full sus.

 The rider?

 Strava data

 Cable housing!

 Don't drink and write

 Tape deck.

 Tires!!!!

 Streamers.

 lube. durhh

 Shock

 Fireball

 Does it have boost?

 Great job Pinkbike for not including the option off buying used.

 Tires.