monadnock

I have a Fenix 2 and have been using Bluetooth for connecting to the HRM.

Thanks, guys. I was under the impression bluetooth devices can only connect to one other device at a time. If I can do it this way, I should be able connect speed/cadence to both iPad + watch as well?

I use a Wahoo Tickr X HRM, which is connected to TrainerRoad during the workout. But it sounds like I should rather connect the HRM to my Garmin watch, and the trainer to the phone? Which would suck since my TrainerRoad workout wouldn't have any HR data associated.

I am using an indoor trainer at the moment for my workouts, but I am not getting any credit from Discovery for the workouts. I monitor HR and all the other metrics in ipad/iphone running TrainerRoad, and then sync to strava. I then export from Strava and import to Garmin Connect. But these activities are not pulling through to Discovery. Any idea how to get this to work?

I am looking for 2/3 more people to join My Vitality Rewards team. Let me know if anyone is interested.

I'm keen for the Pta class. Rosemary Hill/Big Red Barn/Wolwespuirt all work for me

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have learnt alot already from your insights. I went to see the Merida last night, and hadn't checked back here. Spoke to brother in law and a friend, and they were both keen on the Merida. The friend has the Big Nine, and he loves it. So I pulled the trigger on the Big Seven. My impatience got the better of me, I should know better by now. I will give the Merida a spin for a couple of weeks. Went to Hot Spot Cycles yesterday to check if they have stock of the Sola 2. They didn't, but they called me back and said on EFT\Cash payments the price would be under R13 000. A little miffed that I went for the Merida now after seeing all your comments this morning, but what's done is done. Still excited to get on the bike and get my mtb journey started! Will post some pics when I get the Merida later this week.

I'm definitely interested for some newbie training if you ever put something together near Pretoria.

Just as I had decided on going for the Sola 2, I can now get a 2017 Merida Big Seven XT with less than 200kms on the clock for about the same price as a brand new Sola 2. The 2017 Merida XT specs: Frame - BIG.SEVEN TFS Fork - Rock Shox 30 Silver Air with remote lockout Wheels - Merida Big 7 Pro D with Maxxis Ikon 27.5 2.2 fold Front derailleur - Shimano XT HD double Rear derailleur - Shimano XT GS Shadow+ 11speed Shifters - Shimano XT-i / Shimano XT-i-11 Brakes - Shimano M506 180/160 Crankset - Shimano: XT 36-26 Cassette - Shimano M7000-11 11-42 Seatpost - MERIDA Expert SB15 27.2 Saddle - MERIDA Sport Stem - MERIDA Expert Handlebars - MERIDA Expert 720 Pedals - Shimano XT Just to recap, the Sola 2 specs: Frame: 29” Butted 6061 Aluminium, Tapered 1-1/8” – 1.5” headtube, 135mm QR Dropouts Fork: Rock Shox Recon Gold TK29, 100mm Travel, Tapered Alloy Steerer, Remote OneLoc Sprint, QR15 Dropout, Diffusion Black Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore FD-M615, Double, Black Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT Shadow Plus RD-M786, Long Cage, 10Speed, Black Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50, 10 Speed, 11-36T, Silver Handlebars: Sector Plane, W: 700mm; Back Sweep: 9° x ∮31.8mm; 6061 Butted Oversized Handlebar Stem: Sector Reach, 3D Forged 6061 Alloy, S/M: 80mm; L: 90mm; XL: 100mm, 7° x ∮31.8mm, Black Tyres: Maxxis Crossmark, 29” x 2.1, Foldable 60TPI Saddle: Sector, Cr-Mo Rails, Light Foam Padding Seat Post: Sector Level, Alloy, ∮31.6mm, S/M: 350mm; L/XL: 400mm, Black Which would you recommend? I wanted to go for a 29er, will the 27.5 be all that different? I even read that for shorter riders (I am 1.72), a 27.5 can be a more comfortable ride to a 29er?

Thanks, TheunisSA. I am in Gauteng, and I don't know how I can be sure that I can trust someone I can't meet up with.

I have been looking at 2nd hand bikes, but I can barely compare new bikes and specs, never mind comparing 2nd hand bikes with different mileage/usage across different specs.

Thanks guys, appreciate your advice. I am 1.72 and 83kg.

Thanks, Grease_Monkey! Merida Big Nine 500 =============== Frame: 6061 Double butted and Technoformed aluminium frame. Tapered headtube (with reducer for future upgrading) Inboard disc mounts Fork: Rock Shox XC30 Silver solo air with 100mm travel Headset: FSA NO.572/61BP-1 1-1/8″ 44.05/55/30D H:9L Bars: Merida Comp 12mm rise, 700mm wide Stem: Merida Comp 6061 aluminium 6 degrees Front Mech: Shimano Deore Rear Mech: Shimano SLX Shadow Speed: 20 Chainset: Shimano M627 36-22 Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50, 10 speed, 11-36 Chain: KMC Z10, 10 speed Front Brake: Shimano M315 hydraulic disc, 180mm rotor Rear Brake: Shimano M315 hydraulic disc, 160mm rotor Rims: Merida Big Nine Comp 32 hole Front Hub: Shimano centerlock quick release Rear Hub: Shimano centerlock quick release Tyres: Maxxis Ikon 29er 2.2″ Kevlar bead Front – Maxxis Ikon 29er 2.2″ Kevlar bead Rear Seatpost: Merida Comp alloy 27.2mm in-line Pedals: XC pro alloy Silverback Sola 2 ============= Frame: 29” Butted 6061 Aluminium, Tapered 1-1/8” – 1.5” headtube, 135mm QR Dropouts Fork: Rock Shox Recon Gold TK29, 100mm Travel, Tapered Alloy Steerer, Remote OneLoc Sprint, QR15 Dropout, Diffusion Black Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore FD-M615, Double, Black Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT Shadow Plus RD-M786, Long Cage, 10Speed, Black Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50, 10 Speed, 11-36T, Silver Handlebars: Sector Plane, W: 700mm; Back Sweep: 9° x ∮31.8mm; 6061 Butted Oversized Handlebar Stem: Sector Reach, 3D Forged 6061 Alloy, S/M: 80mm; L: 90mm; XL: 100mm, 7° x ∮31.8mm, Black Tyres: Maxxis Crossmark, 29” x 2.1, Foldable 60TPI Saddle: Sector, Cr-Mo Rails, Light Foam Padding Seat Post: Sector Level, Alloy, ∮31.6mm, S/M: 350mm; L/XL: 400mm, Black

Hi hubbers Brand new to the sport, and looking to buy my first bike. I have been told to look at hardtail 29ers and I am considering the Silverback Sola 2 and the Merida Big Nine 500. I don't know enough to compare groupsets and other specs. Which would you choose between these two and why? I am also open to other options in the R15K price range.