diverdi

HI Billaridoo. Thanks for the info. I agree the response from Momsen to you is pretty great. Unfortunately I bought a Merida last week second hand (which turned out to also not fit) so I have to first sell this before I can buy another bike (and if I don't get a buyer I will have to adapt the Merida). But I really appreciate the info all the same and will keep it in mind for when/if I'm in the market for a new one again.

I'm in CT for the weekend but if my flight goes according to schedule and I'm back in time I will do my best to join y'all..

Hi GreenBean, thanks for asking. I bought a 2nd hand Merida. Unfortunately when I got it home I found out its exactly the same size as my old bike! :-( so I will probably need to sell it again and buy another one. But its got offroad tires so I can theoritically give the whole offroad thing a try...

Would this ride be suitable for a first time offroader? Has a start time been decided?

Silverback was the other range I had my eye on when I started this thread (I agree, good value) but from what I can see from their website the reach may still be an issue. The top tube effective length of the Momsen small is 585 ( http://www.momsenbikes.com/bikes.cfm?prod=al129 ) ; the top tube of the Silverback is 561 ( http://www.silverbacklab.com/2011_website_SILVERBACK/web_gallery/alpine2.htm# ). An improvement of just over 2 cm but still more than my reach of around 540. (Before a stem tube is even factored in).

Hi Scotty. I tried Linden - no stock but I didn't go as far afield as Kempton. I'll try them tomorrow thanks.

Hi, so I thought I'd give an update on the great bike search. I called SW Fourways 1st thing this morning and the guy who dealt with me claimed they don't sell Momsens. So either he wasn't all that well trained after all, or in fact they do not sell the bike. I called Solomons again and was told no chance of a AL126 at this stage, however I was assured that my concerns re the AL129 were misplaced. So I went through and Besim tried to fit me on the the 129 and unfortunately it did not work out. It seems I have relatively long legs and short upper body, so even on the small size bike the handlebars are still uncomfortably a stretch for me. I was offered the 2013 Trek Skye which was definitely better from a reach point of view, but I'm afraid to say it is in my eyes the most ugly bike since the Chopper (yes I know I'm showing my age!). It was also fairly pricey in comparison with the now never-to-be-mine Momsen So I did some more research and came across the Merida Juliet which is another Womens design (but much better on the eye). However so far I haven't been able to find one in my size despite having phoned a number of shops. Cycle Lab said they may be able to get one in later in the week / next week but for now I remain bikeless and extremely frustrated because I really hoped that by now I'd be riding the thing and not still trying to find a bike that works for me!

Thanks for the input! I will certainly try to support the store thats helped me - provided they have stock. If as per your (and a few others, thanks all) suggestion to go Momsen, I'm not sure that the store has stock of the 126 :-( Nice info thanks.

Agreed - but the AL126 has XCM according to Momsen website. Its the AL129 that has the Raidon (see earlier comments why I'm not looking at 129).

That's great info - I'll contact them tomorrow. Thanks!

I've looked on the SW website ... a few Treks and Shwinns; not much in my price range. Are you saying the store has more models?

Goobacks - AL129 looks like a nice bike but I'm a bit short and heavy for a 29er so steering away from it. But another vote for the Momsen range is good too!

The first time I called I got Ulrich but he was busy and I've been dealing with Besim since. Seems helpful too but it doesn't hurt to try! Thanks

Hmmm. Maybe the salesman is just trying to push the more expensive 129... I'll double check on Monday. Thanks for the info!

Hi. Skandalis, so did you get your AL126 at Solomons? If so it seems they no longer have stock, only have the AL129 (which I have pretty much decided against because I'm not convinced I want to go 29inch NOR pay the higher price.) If elsewhere please tell where The AL126 quote I got was from Westrand. After reading up all day I was leaning towards one of the Alpines based on the forks because it seems the XCR or the Radion are better than the XCM..? But good to know you're loving yours - its still in the mix for sure.. - especially if I can find it for R4500!

ibruegge - those are probably valid points - I just don't want to blow money because I do not see myself upgrading - can't justify it. Scott - Solomon's don't have stock of the Fuji you recommended unfortunately..

LOL... sorry about the typo.But this isn't helping with my choice of bike !

Morning gentlemen. I opened a new thread with some spec sets and would love your opinions please.. See here: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/120666-help-comparing-spec-sets-please-1st-real-bike/

Hi guys. Multiquote seems to not be working this morning so: @ awesme: fortunately there are a number of very quiet roads in my area at the times I am able to ride so not too much of an problem for me. I know I enjoy it so I do want to keep road cycling as an option. @Skandalis - R5000 @Scott - a lot of what Solomons have on their website they don't have stock of - I know because I've been to see them and called with follow-up questions. Not 100% sure which bike you've listed the specs of - the Nevada 1.0 maybe? I can contact them to ask if they have that one in stock however it is on the extreme of the "may consider" price range so please tell me why specifically this one as opposed to say the Silverback Alpine 2 (my option 3)? And if I went for it which of the tyre sets would most likely work better for me (since I see there's a choice) - the Hutchinsons or the Kendras? Thanks..

Hi. Following on from my thread yesterday ("Upgrading from 10-ish year old Avalanche Tundra"), I would appreciate some opinions from people on some bikes I've been offered in my intended price range - R4000 - R6000. First option: Momsen AL126 2012 Frame Race Tech 1, Alloy 6061 Tubeset Fork SR Suntour XCM RL, Remote Lockout Lever Chainwheel Shimano M361 42/32/22T Bottom Bracket Cartridge Type F. Derailleur Shimano Acera R. Derailleur Shimano SLX Shifter Shimano M390 Trigger Type Brake Levers Tektro Draco Hydraulic Brakes Tektro Draco Hydraulic Cassette Shimano HG20 Cassette, 11-32T Rims Weinmann ZAC2000, 32H Tires Kenda Small Block Eight 26 x 2.10 60tpi Pedals Alloy Platform Type Handlebar Alloy Riser, 31.8mm Oversize Stem Alloy Forged, 31.8mm Oversize Seatpost Alloy Micro-Adjust Seat SR Seta Headset Ahead Type, 1.1/8" Colors Matte Black w/Red Details Chain KMC 9 Speed Hubset Shimano Centerlock, 32h Spokes Stainless Steel Grips Kraton Comfort Second option: Silverback Alpine 3 Frame / G2 Force Alloy Fork / Suntour XCR LO Lock-out 100mm - Alloy Steerer Rims / Alex TD25 Double Wall Aluminium Hubs / Shimano RM66 Center lock Tyres / Kenda Small Block Eight 26" x 2.1 Shifters / Shimano SL-M390, 9 Speed Rapidfire Plus Front derailleur / Shimano M390 Rear derailleur / Shimano Deore Shadow Crankset / Shimano M391 Octalink 22/32/42T Bottom bracket / Shimano ES25 Octalink Cassette / Shimano HG20-9 Speed, 11-32T Pedals / VP Components Brake set / Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc 3rd option: Silverback Alpine 2 Frame / G2 Force Alloy Fork / Suntour Raidon X2 Air Lock-out 100mm - Alloy Steerer Rims / Alex TD25 Double Wall Aluminium Hubs / Shimano RM66 Center lock Tyres / Kenda Small Block Eight 26" x 2.1 Shifters / Shimano Alivio 9 Speed Rapidfire Plus Front derailleur / Shimano Alivio Rear derailleur / Shimano SLX Shadow Crankset / Shimano M430 Octalink 22/32/44T Bottom bracket / Shimano ES25 Octalink Cassette / Shimano HG50-9, 9 Speed 11-32T Pedals / VP Components Brake set / Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc Option 4: (a push financially!!!!) Momsen AL129 Frame Race Tech 2, Alloy 6061 Butted Tubeset Fork RockShox XC30 Turnkey Lockout 100mm Chainwheel SRAM E400 44/32/22T Bottom Bracket Cartridge Sealed F. Derailleur SRAM X5 R. Derailleur SRAM X5 9 Speed Shifter SRAM X5 Trigger Brake Levers Tektro Hydraulic Brakes Tektro Hydraulic Cassette SRAM PG950, 11-32T Rims Weinmann Alloy, 32H Tires Kenda 26 x 1.95" Pedals Alloy Cage Handlebar Alloy Riser , 640mm x 15mm Rise, 31.8mm Oversize Stem Alloy Forged, 31.8mm Oversize Seatpost Alloy Micro-Adjust Seat Momsen Race Headset Ahead Type Colors Matte Black w/Red Details Chain KMC 9 Speed Hubset SRAM 306H, 32h Spokes Stainless Grips Kraton As you can see all but the last are 26inchers. I'm 1.67m with inner leg measurement of 79cm so I'm not so sure about the 29inch bike. Also I'm sure there are other bikes I could look at but these are the best specced ones I've been offered in this price range. (I'd love to pay less and the Silverback Stride 10 is one such option here. To date I have been sticking to riding on the road (existing bike has slicks). A couple of hubbers are doing their best to convince me to go offroad. Lets assume I will still do a fair amount of road riding with some dirt riding. Which would be better on both surfaces - the 26 inch or the 29 inch with knobblies or would they be fairly similar? Main aim: fitness and weight loss!! I work weird hours so most of my cycling is likely to be done alone - when I'm not working everyone else is and vice versa! Thanks

My first bunch of quotes (yesterday) came from there. They quoted on the A70 and A90 and recommended the AL129 to me - didn't mention these others. Not sure why..

Ok so I've done some phoning around and would appreciate the comments. I've been offered a Momsen AL126 for around R5k, (remember theres also the AL129 at around R6K as well) A Giant Revel 3 Women specific for R5k a GT Avalanche 3 2012 for R4300, a Merida TFS300 for R5200 and a Silverback Aline 3 for R4300. Oh, and a Trek 3900 for R5k too. I think most of these are 26 inch? 2 shops ercommended the Momsen 29 inch as pretty good specs but one shop said maybe the 26inch Momsen rather because of my height? Comments please? Unless you've found other options, S.I.R Maxxis?

Thanks for the brand suggestions. Any recommendations perhaps as to shops with decent prices and service in the Randburg area? Similar experience counts a lot so don't apologise - thanks for the comments. You guys are REALLY trying to get me to go "rough"! Thanks for the offer of knobblies S.I.R Maxxis. The problem is that it doesn't overcome the original issue with my existing bike - which is that it's uncomfortable due to the bad fit. (Ironically it was bought from a LBS not from a Makro or a PnP!! But I'm told that "10 or so years ago bike shop salemen knew less aboput these things"... whether or not that's true or I just dealt with an idiot I can't say.) My intention for the existing bike (now that I've found out its the wrong fit for me) is to use it on an indoor trainer I bought a few weeks ago. I've only used the trainer a few times because it was chewing the tyre so my plan was to go out first thing tomorrow and get a trainer tyre to put on it and assign the bike to permanent indoor trainer use. Which would mean no outdoor with it at all. But at least I'd get some use out of it because for plain cardio workout indoors I don't need handlebars! So I don't know that I'd get a chance to try the knobbly route...

Thanks S.I.R Maxxis. I'm next to Cresta Mall. Work weird hours so mostly would be alone when cycling...

Hi. Thanks for the reply. I am 1.67 m with an inleg measurement of 79 cm. As for getting dirty my main thing is wanting to be able to cycle out of my driveway and get right into it. Additional costs for bike carriers is not part of the plan, nor the time to get to where the dirt is. Otherwise no specific objection to your suggestion! I bought a Bontrager Quantum helmut when I got the bike out of storage and I have a useable (but not fancy) pair of cycling shorts.