Yes, sette bikes offer solid performance and value, especially on older hardtails and frames still found secondhand.
Shopping used bikes often surfaces one name from the late 2000s and early 2010s: Sette. If you’re eyeing one of these frames or complete builds, you want a clear take on ride quality, durability, and what to check before paying.
Quick Take On Sette Performance
If you’ve asked, “are sette bikes good?”, the answer is yes when condition and setup are right. Each model has a personality and age-related quirks, so judge any listing on the frame, the parts, and the care it has seen.
Sette was a value-driven label that sold frames and complete bikes with respectable parts lists. Riders praised the weight, stiffness, and neutral handling of several models. The flip side: wheels could be basic on stock builds, and long-term spares take legwork because the brand is no longer active.
Sette Models At A Glance
Here’s a scan-friendly snapshot of well-known Sette models and common feedback.
| Model | Category | Common Owner Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Reken | Aluminum hardtail (26″) | Light for the price, clean welds, fun handling; great budget build base. |
| Razzo (Al) | Aluminum 29er hardtail | Efficient climber, neutral steering; stock wheelsets can be a weak link. |
| Razzo SC | Carbon 29er hardtail | Snappy acceleration, race-lean feel, holds lines well through twisty singletrack. |
| Serum Elite/Pro | Carbon XC hardtail (26″) | Feathery builds near 20 lb; stiff under power yet comfy for long rides. |
| ACE | Road frame/components line | Good value road platforms and parts; spec varied by build. |
| Vexx | Freeride/DH frame | Budget entry to gravity builds; parts choice and tuning made a big difference. |
| House-brand parts | Stems, posts, bars, saddles | Functional kit that kept prices down on completes. |
| Misc. accessories | Pumps, tools, apparel | Basics that filled carts when buying frames. |
Are Sette Bikes Good? The Straight Verdict
For riders chasing value on the secondhand market, Sette bikes are good when the frame is sound and the parts are sensibly chosen. The brand aimed for performance per dollar, and many frames ride far above their original price tags. If you enjoy tinkering and don’t mind sourcing parts, a clean Sette can make a sharp trail or XC build.
Are Sette Bikes Good For Trail Riding? Pros And Limits
What Riders Liked
- Weight and snap: Carbon hardtails like the Serum and Razzo SC feel lively under power and change direction with ease.
- Neutral manners: Owners often describe steady steering that tracks well through tight trees and rolling singletrack.
- Budget wins: Frames such as the Reken delivered a lot of bike for little cash, leaving budget for smart upgrades.
Common Trade-offs
- Stock wheels: Many complete bikes shipped with entry wheelsets. They roll, but stiffness and hub longevity can lag.
- Brand support: With the original seller gone, decals, hangers, and frame-specific small bits take extra hunting.
- Old standards: Quick-release dropouts and 26″ or QR 29″ formats limit certain modern upgrade paths.
How Sette Came To Market
Sette started as a private-label range from an online retailer. The pitch was simple: take proven open-mold frames, pair them with name-brand drivetrains, and offer sharp pricing. That strategy worked for riders who wanted race-lean hardtails without boutique price tags.
What The Record Shows
Contemporary writeups praised the Serum and Razzo lines for lively handling and strong climbing. User feedback on large forums repeats the same theme: excellent value, decent finishing kits, and occasional wheel upgrades to round things out. Trade reporting confirms that the original retailer shut down in 2016, which explains why spares and direct support no longer exist; see the MTBR Razzo SC page at owner ratings and details and Bicycle Retailer’s news on the closure at trade coverage.
If you like receipts, skim an archived product page or owner thread for your exact model. The more details you collect on geometry, fork travel, and hardware, the easier it is to judge a listing in the wild.
Buying A Used Sette: Smart Checks
Frame Health
Inspect junctions around the head tube, bottom bracket, and seat cluster for paint lines, ripples, or chips that hint at impact. On carbon, tap lightly with a coin and listen for a clean, even note across tubes. Dull patches can signal internal damage. On aluminum, look around weld toes for hairline marks.
Hardware And Fit
Confirm derailleur hanger alignment and make sure you can still buy a spare. Check seatpost and stem diameters, steerer type, and axle format so you don’t end up chasing rare bits. If the fork is long for the frame, head angle can slacken and steering feel can suffer.
Drivetrain And Brakes
Spin the cranks, shift through every gear, and squeeze the levers hard. Listen for grinding or pulsing. Older bikes may wear mixed generations of Shimano or SRAM; that’s fine when cassettes, chains, and chainrings are in good shape.
Wheels And Tires
Check spoke tension by sound and feel. Hubs should spin smoothly with minimal play. If a listing still has original entry wheels, set aside budget for a sturdier pair. It’s the single upgrade that can transform a Sette hardtail.
Geometry And Sizing Tips
Expect shorter reaches and longer stems on stock setups than current bikes in the same category. Many riders drop stem length by 10–20 mm and add a wider bar to gain control without changing the character. Check standover and stack, then compare to a modern bike you know fits. If you sit between sizes, the smaller frame keeps a lively feel on tight trails, while the larger size steadies the front end on quicker descents. Pair fit tweaks with proper sag on the fork and you’ll get a ride that matches your trails without losing the quick, responsive feel riders like about these frames.
Ride Feel: What To Expect
Climbing
Most Sette hardtails sit on the racy side of the spectrum. The front end tracks well at slow speed, and weight shifts respond quickly. Reach numbers are modest by current trends, which can aid low-speed control on tight climbs.
Descending
These frames were built for XC speed, not park laps. Keep fork travel within the frame’s design window, use modern rubber, and mind your lines. Set pressure with a touch of comfort in mind, and they carry pace better than their age suggests.
All-day Comfort
Carbon models mute trail chatter better than you’d expect from budget frames. Aluminum builds ride a bit crisper. A quality 30.9 or 27.2 post with a sensible saddle and grips does plenty for comfort on long days.
Specs To Double-Check On A Listing
- Fork travel and axle type: Know the stock spec. A QR fork on a QR frame keeps setup simple; thru-axle swaps are limited.
- Headset standard: Identify whether it’s integrated, internal, or external so you can source bearings.
- Bottom bracket: Confirm shell type (threaded vs. press-fit) and measure any creaks during a test ride.
- Brake mounts: Post mount on most later frames; check rotor size limits.
- Clearance: On 29er frames, check room for modern 2.3–2.4″ tires.
Pricing Guide For Used Sette Frames And Bikes
Values swing with condition, parts, and local demand. Use these ballparks to gauge listings. Adjust up for pristine carbon frames, fresh drivetrains, and upgraded wheels; adjust down for heavy wear, mismatched parts, or unknown service history.
| Item | Fair Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reken frame only | $60–$140 | Look for straight hanger and clean threads. |
| Razzo (aluminum) complete | $250–$500 | Wheel upgrade lifts value. |
| Razzo SC carbon complete | $450–$850 | Check for clearcoat cracks vs. carbon damage. |
| Serum Elite/Pro complete | $400–$800 | Light builds bring the higher end. |
| Vexx frame | $150–$350 | Condition varies; inspect pivots and hardware. |
| House-brand cockpit set | $25–$60 | Bars, stem, post bundles from parted bikes. |
| Wheelset from stock build | $70–$150 | Fine for spares; not a performance upgrade. |
Upgrade Paths That Make Sense
Wheels
Swap tired QR wheels for a lighter, stronger set with quality hubs. You’ll feel faster roll-out, steadier cornering, and cleaner shifts under load.
Rubber
Fresh tubeless-ready tires with modern compounds add grip and calm chatter. On 26″ builds, a fast rear and grippy front keeps pep without dragging.
Contact Points
A stable bar, a newer saddle, and lock-on grips add control and comfort. Short stems can wake up older geometry on tight trails.
Brakes And Drivetrain
Two-piston hydraulic sets and wide-range cassettes are cheap upgrades these days. Keep rotors within the frame’s spec.
Who Should Buy One
Riders who enjoy building bikes and stretching dollars will get the most from a used Sette. If you want modern reach, slack head angles, and dropper routing out of the box, shop newer platforms instead. If you want a lively hardtail that climbs with a grin and rips local singletrack, a tidy Sette remains a smart pick.
Where To Find Reliable Info
Owner threads, archived product pages, and trade articles fill in the picture. Large forums and product databases keep years of rider feedback that helps you spot patterns in strengths and quirks.
Your Action Plan
- Pick the model that fits your trails: Razzo or Serum for XC speed, Reken for budget builds, Vexx for gravity projects.
- Pull the frame, fork, and wheel specs from an old listing so you know the stock baseline.
- Inspect the bike in bright light, ride it on a short loop, and budget for fresh tires, chain, and cables.
- Choose one high-impact upgrade first—usually wheels for completes and a fork service for older builds.
- Set pressures, torque key bolts, and go ride. A dialed setup does more than any shiny part.
Final Word On Value
The secondhand market rewards shoppers who know exactly what they need. Sette frames and completes can deliver nimble handling and dependable trail days at a low buy-in. Match the frame to your riding, verify condition with a cool head, and spend upgrade money where it moves the needle. So, are sette bikes good? With clear eyes and a solid inspection, yes—they hold up well and ride with spirit when built right.