Evening Guys, My names Matthew, I'm a BSc student at Rhodes and this is my first post on this great site. Hoping you guys can help me make a decision to get me back into cycling. I'm by no means a very serious rider, but I rode a 2008 Silverback Alpine for some time and I'm looking at getting back into riding again. I'm after a bike for daily commute to lectures and back, probably only looking at 10-12 km a day to get around, with a bit of touring around on weekends etc. I'm a big guy and managed to buckle a a rim on my old Alpine hopping a pavement, so I'm after a frame and wheel set that won't fold under my weight. I have about 5000 to spend, maybe a bit more. The new Alpine looks great, a real step up from what I had in the past, but the option of an Avalanche ATX575 has been recommended to me as well. I like silverback but mostly because thats all I've had the chance to ride. In Grahamstown I've managed to find a Silverback for 4700, and an Avalanche for 5000. Am I being ripped or is that what I expect to pay? and lastly, which one do you guys think is the better bet? Components wise and ride-ability? Are there other options? I come from a long line of costly hobbies, and I know there is always better than I can afford, but 5000-6000 is what I can squeeze. Thanks in advance BM
