thanks guys. Yes, special only with Sportsmans. The plan is to keep it maintained where needed at the local bike store. Just don't want to buy a lemon.
We will check internet to do a proper check with size as the frame is a L.
My son currently is 180cm. So I don't know if it is too large.He looked comfortable when he sat on it with seat all the way down.
Thank you all for the inputs. Much appreciated. I am +- 20 years out the game and rode mountain bikes when the 26 inch was the norm and disc brakes with cable activation only just started to come onto the market. Lots of things have changed since then technology wise. So I do not want to buy a lemon that don't have support on it. Let me ask some more details to bring my knowledge up to speed.
As mentioned, I think it is tubeless. We only went on looking at the type of valve it has. I think you are right. Let's work on not being tubeless.
Drivetrain is shimano. Brakes are full shimano.
BB i just wanted to know if it is a universal one that can be swapped with any other one and not Zini specific thread or whatever making it difficult to maintain in future.
Front shock. Is the tapered style the new design? Not Zini designed specific for in case the shock needs to be replaced or upgraded?
I saw some bicycle shops in Gauteng being the agents. I will phone them today to find out about the rear dropouts. Worried this is also brand specific.
The bike was normally priced at R12 000. Then reduced to R8 999. It will be on sale on the 3rd to clear old stock for R5999. I cannot afford a R12 000 as my daughter has some medical expense with braces so I don't want to buy a lemon that I can't get parts for if it breaks.
I am not 100% sure but think tires are tubeless already.
This is why I asked on this platform for inputs. He just wants to buy the bike but as adults we tend to think more out of the box. I don't like stuff that are brand specific as maintenance can and will be a problem.
Is the BB not a universal item that can be replaced with a better one if the current one fails?
So my son and I found a bike at our local sportsmans warehouse. 29"and frame size L. Zini 29" and model is the Trail. All parts are decent Shimano parts except the fork which is also a Zini. I believe can be replaced with an aftermarket if needed. My concern is the following statement on their website:
Replaceable dropouts
Bent a hanger? Not a problem, Zini derailleur hangers are easy to replace.
What does this mean? Is this a universal part or Zini specific.
Price is R5999
https://zinibike.co.za/product/2023-z29-trail/
Axis was advertised as a L. Let me give more detail.
He wants to get out and ride for fun and exercise. The Axis is advertised for R5500. I told him he must look at the Merida because we know the history. Practically still brand new. And he will have money to maintain the Merida. If he buys the Axis he will use all his savings with the extra I will help him with to buy. Then lastly, his butt is itching for a motorcycle. So I predict he will ride this bike till 18 then want to sell it to buy something else. Merida he can still get his R2000 back in 2 years. The Axis I doubt if he will get R5500 again for it.
We will test fit. My son is 180cm with current age of 16. I remember at 16 it is the last stretching height wise so I predict he will stretch a few cm next year when he turns 17. Can't remember with myself.
The person who's bike it is grew until 19 and eventually stopped at 193cm thus the reason for selling. Bike feels too small for him. It is friends of ours who's son wants to sell bicycle.
My son showed me a 29er AXIS but I told him it will be too big for him and the price is going to kill his pocket money. With the Merida he will have money to do some mods if needed.
Hi all
So many moons ago I was looking for a mountain bike for my son. I still have my Giant Rincon that I will use to ride with them now that my daughter is 12 and can get onto a 26er. My son had my wife's Giant boulder SE which he rode but sold due to riding everywhere and getting brake fade from the V brake setup when muddy and wet.
I can get a Merida Matts TSF 100 (XL frame) that does not have allot of KM on it but don't know what to offer. Gears are not shifting properly (adjustment needed) and tubes probably have punchers. here is a link of one that sold but I have no idea how long ago this price was allocated.
https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/89784/merida-matts-tfs-100
I am thinking of offering R2000 as I will probably have to get it serviced and tubes replaced as it was standing for a couple of years.
Haha. I don't ride yet. My bike is still in storage at my parents. My son who is now 16 is now hanging on me to get it so that we can go and ride. He took over my wife's Giant which is also a 26er. We were in Orania for December and with all the rain there he still rode but complained frequently about no brakes. Mud and water also messed up his brake pads, so much that the rear pads are wasted. Need to replace them. But at that price I wonder if it is worth it to upgrade if we are not really going to ride in wet conditions.
Now I have another question. I can get a 27.5 Merida with disc brakes and more modern geometry for him. I heard today from someone the 27.5 I must stay away as they are phased out. 26 one can still get some parts for but the go to now is 29er. Any recommendations?
Hi all
Any recommendations for better brake pads/shoes on a old style V brake setup?
I don't ride in wet conditions but it would be nice if my brakes will still be usable if I am in the middle of nowhere and a unforeseen cloud decides to wet the road being traveled.
