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www.amazon.com/Tranz-X-Skyline-Dropper-Post-31-6mm/dp/B0884XTXGZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=21497SIPNVRE7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oLqPEvl2jvKcO6HGKaQDvM-sbFvPDool2Pwquyibfz_9C1xSRVFWlq1P9TTrqVd8sEFGKpuMEM1V00pJh3MfOvR66dhInGoUZcxjY-dVq2ribiYd_Ib2EUUdSExpwGAMCgdYiVGt-gIm8xJ28afYMtpFlA8Yg_fKt67XFbrq70723eY9Jhbrw5pM57QHUDDIiNB5u6jJANy8vv945QCG0g.tkSDevAdqD7Heasl-3CF2ZrHxXceWpOktwybGVYZSu4&dib_tag=se&keywords=tranzx%2Bdropper%2Bpost&qid=1714914137&sprefix=tranz%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1

I don't think it's that weird. The layout is pretty similar to a Santa Cruz Superlight. I'm not an engineer, but the upper/forward shock mount looks like it spreads the load along a wider section of that top tube. Additionally, under the compression, the load forces going into the shock are going to be more or less parallel to the top tube, so you probably don't have a tone of shearing forces that would try to pull those shock mount tabs down and break away from the top tube. I will concede that the overall construction of the rear triangle and those forward shock mounting tabs are fairly light. This is not an all-mountain/enduro/aggressive trail bike. It's for XC and lighter trail use which is what I'm doing with it. I have Specialized Stumpjumper and a Specialized Levo for when I want to ride more aggressively. I ride single track and keep the bike close to the ground. It's designed for that usage and I don't have any real concern that it will not hold up to that usage. Anything is possible and I am ok with tossing the frame in the bin if it fails. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the discussion.

Thanks for the heads up. I will update my description when I'm back home, but they've sold out.

I will update my description when I'm back home, but they've sold out.

Not always. This is an entry-level bike, but the components are all durable. It was built to handle off-road use and meets ISO 4210-2 standards. What this bike is not: light. The old saying applies here: Cheap, strong, and light - pick two.

I have 2 of those 4 things already...a 3rd is on the way

I think at 5'10", the large should be the ideal size. That said, I haven't seen the 520 in a large size to know how it compares to the XL I had. I did have a 530S in a large frame that I ordered after I ordered my XL 530S. Reason I got that one was because curated sent me a $20 account credit and a 15% off code, so I paid $178 including the 8.25% sales tax...couldn't resist. The large 530S was noticeably smaller than the XL. In fact, the S, M, and L sizes all have the same seat tube length. They only differ in top tube length and head tube length (actually, the M and L). The L did seem pretty small, more like a big medium or what Trek calls a ML. The XL 530S is the smallest XL frame bike I've owned. The frame design has a low standover, so you might not have any issue there. Still, I think the L will work for you because I mostly noticed the smallness in the seat tube length and stack height (which is a how tall the front end is). Decathlon recommends the L frame 530S for 5'9" to 6'0". I would say that needs to be adjusted to 5'8" to 5'11".

@@aaronbehindbars It's been 25 years I haven't been on a bike. Let me ask you this: is the pedals supposed to be in front of your butt or under your butt?? I am going to try to find a video explaining what is supposed to be the best posture to push the pedals efficiently on a bike.

I have a 2nd one of these and it makes the same noise. I think it's just the nature of a cheap coil rear shock. Everything seems to function fine, so I'm considering it normal.

​@@aaronbehindbars Thanks for the reply, lets hope its functioning normaly. Well now only thing left to do for me is to fix gear changing because they are not shifting smoothly.

​@@velk00s68The derailleur hanger may be slightly bent. Rough handling in shipping can cause those to get slightly bent in which will make tuning the shifting difficult.

Likely not. I don't have any camera equipment. I use my phone to shoot these videos.

I have been considering at least a rear shock upgrade. There seems to be plenty of inexpensive options for that. I will probably leave the fork alone as I don't want to spend a lot on this bike.

I'll hope for the best. This bike is very low cost for me, so I can afford to scrap it if it fails.

I will keep an eye on it and inspect it regularly. It is a little worrying that more than one person has warned of this type of failure. I hope it does not happen, but it's a cheap enough bike that I don't care all that much .

Yes because people see it as high end mtb and start jumping and going down the stairs so it breaks. Also the most entry level bicycles are not for heavy people but for 50 up to 90kg and thats all.

@@sluzbazaorganizacijucentra4050 The rear shock has settings for rider weight up to 105 kg, so I expect it's good up to that weight at minimum.

It's a great project bike! Best of luck with yours when you get one!

I'm no structural engineer, but I can't imagine the frame would crack from this shock. It has a little bit of abruptness as the shaft reverse direction from compression to rebound, but it's just making a little noise. I'm 99% sure it's just the way it is on a cheaper damper mechanism like this. I am considering an air shock upgrade down the road if I decide to hold onto this bike. I mainly bought it to experiment with, but I am kinda getting attached to it...time will tell. Thanks for watching!

​@@aaronbehindbarsI hope it doesn't crack, but my friends had that problem with this bike. but they don't ride in the off road they are urban riders

Yes, the red piece is just one of the headset spacers which is designed to work with the stem. There are two spacers, 7.5mm each, so you have 15mm of adjustment. I weighed the bike in stock form and it was 35.6 lbs or 16.15 kg. There is a decal on the downtube that states the weight of the bike is 15.7 kg...maybe they are measuring that without pedals.

@@aaronbehindbars wow. Light for that. The best deal ever..

Rockrider st900 27.5 for 900$

It's usually the case that you can buy a good second hand bike for less money than even a budget priced bike like this. For what I paid, that is a little more difficult. In my area, you might be able to find a really worn out old 26 inch mountain bike for $200. Every once in a while, you'll see someone sell something a bit newer and nicer for cheap, but those usually get bought very quickly if it's a stellar deal.

That's not an easy question to answer because it depends a lot on the rider's physical ability as well how rough the terrain is and how long that climb lasts. A 13% grade means you gain 1.3 feet of elevation for every 10 feet you travel forward. That's pretty steep in the context of a road climb, but I don't think it's a huge challenge for the gearing on this bike. If you are actually referring to a 13° slope, that'd be quite a bit steeper. That equals about a 23% slope. I rode a bike with this same gear range (but in 11 speed) for years and got up and down my local trails just fine, but where I live there aren't any long, sustained climbs. The derailleur on the bike will handle up to a 46 tooth cog, so you can always switch to 11-46T gearing.

Shipped out in a day or two. It comes from California, so transit time varies to your location.

Welp...too late, lol. I've drilled seat tubes for internal droppers before and it looks so much cleaner. Plus, I found a new internal dropper for $50, so that's what I did.

​@@aaronbehindbars Do you have a link to that dropper tube?

@@AlphaFan90 www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0884XTXGZ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title Doesn't come with a lever for this price. I had a spare lever plus the cable and housing needed. I also had a cable grommet for the frame so it all looks neat and tidy.

As they say here in Australia... "She'll be right"

@@madsnakerus From Wikipedia: "She'll be right (often followed by a friendly term of address such as mate) is a frequently used idiom in Australian and New Zealand culture that expresses the belief that "whatever is wrong will right itself with time", which is considered to be either an optimistic or apathetic outlook.[1][2][3] The term can also be used to refer to a situation or object which is not perfect but is good enough to fulfil its purpose." I love Aussie slang and idioms, so thank you for introducing me to a new one! Here in Texas, we'd say something like "Close enough for government work!"

Awesome! Glad that discount code worked and I hope the bike is in good shape when you get it. Mine had a few scuffs on the cranks and fprk lowers from what I assume a little bit of rough handling by UPS, but nothing too bad and certainly nothing that affects performance. When you get your 520, check the hubs because mine were adjusted very tight and same happened on this 530S. It required a good once-over like a lot of new out of the box bikes do. Rather do it myself and know it's done correctly. Thanks again for the heads up on that 520 because it really got me paying more attention to finding Decathlon bikes at good prices.

​@@aaronbehindbars I think the 'Decathlon bikes at good price' is a one time thing: they tried to market their bikes in the US, but based on the lowered prices, I am not sure they will keep trying. It seems that they are shifting their focus to importing the camping and hiking gear...

Yes, square taper

If you feel comfortable giving it a close inspection at all the joints to make sure there aren't any cracks or gaps between the aluminum tube and steel lugs, it is probably going to still be glued together. How the bike was used and stored will have a lot to do with if the bonds are still sound. If it passes the visual test, got ride it gently. It isn't lkely to fall apart even if you had a compromised joint as long as you aren't hammering the bike. Liaten for creaks and rattles coming from the frame. Thoses are tell-tale signs of failure. Last, I wouldn't abuse the bike by riding hard and jumping it. I would limit riding to street and light trails/paths. I do hope you can gets yours out to ride. I probably never will ride mine to preserve as best I can.

Haha! I reckon it's a bloody British name I cain't rightly pronounce!

Awesome!

Indeed it is. That's the nature of Walmart markdowns. They still have some of these bikes, as well as a couple other Decathlon models, in local stores. Stay tuned to my channel for an upcoming video on another model from Decathlon that was on a significantly discounted clearance price. I also purchased via walmart.com, but this one was sold and shipped by Decathlon USA, so it's a marketplace item.

I did and I will! Thanks for the tip!

@@aaronbehindbars I told you a while back when you got the ST50 I would look out for you. I have the ST50 but haven't had time to set it up yet. I hope the 520 price drops in the L size. I am 5'10" and I believe the XL is too large for me

@@AlphaFan90 Indeed you remembered! I went back and looked and it was about a year ago, so bravo for the follow-up! This bike is exactly what I was hoping to get to try out. I have most recently been interested in a fairly new bike being sold in Walmart stores, which is the Ozark Trail Ridge, a $398 "trail ready" hardtail mountain bike that has been quite popular with reviewers. I went and purchased one new in the box from an area Walmart and was shooting an unboxing/assembly video in my garage when I reached the final step of installing pedals. One of the crank arms was missing the pedal threads, so I could not complete the video. I was so disappointed. I returned the bike because there were no others close by and shortly after I began the process of moving, so buying another bike became a very low priority. After 2 months at my new house, I can now take on some projects. Funny enough, the estimate delivery date for this new ST520 is 2 days before I leave for vacation for a week. Hopefully, it arrives in time and I will have something to look forward to doing when I return home. Thank you again for the heads-up on the Decathlon!