MBUK Video: Custom build vs shop-bought bike – ultimate £4k MTB battle!

MBUK Video: Custom build vs shop-bought bike – ultimate £4k MTB battle!

We see which approach gets you the best performance and value

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In this week's MBUK video we try to answer an age-old question – are you best off walking into a shop and buying a bike off the shelf, or are there advantages to choosing a frame and parts and creating your own custom build?

To find out, MBUK editor JCW specs his ultimate £4k bike – using a RAAW Jibb frame and parts from DMR, e*thirteen, Fox, Hunt, Magura, Manitou, OneUp, Shimano, Specialized and more – and pits it head-to-head with video presenter Will's Marin Rift Zone 29 XR.

Which one works out to be better value for money, and which performs best on the trail? Watch the vid to find out, then grab a copy of next month's MBUK – on sale 10 May – for the full lowdown on JCW's bike build!

RAAW Jibb V1 custom build
Marin Rift Zone 29 XR
Pics: Andy Lloyd & Laurence Crossman-Emms

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