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Update: 12 months and +/-60 rides later I've since bought a Merida Matts 60 from a mate who was immigrating... and also it was Red and Black so I couldn't resist. The Silverback went to my wife who is getting into it nicely with about 6 rides under her belt already. And after about 2-3 months on the Matts I found a dual sus in the classifieds for a great price... 2013 Merida 120 (Also Red and Black of course). The Hardtail Merida was sold to a friend's father to afford the trade up. I'm not sad about having bought 3 bikes to date and the reason for this post is to advise that you can work your way up to a great bike if you are patient, budget about R600 a month in savings and look out for good 2nd hand deals.

LOL, yeah I saw the Spaz hater thread after I posted this... oh well. As long as it comes in black and red, the name don't matter too much to me

Shifters were giving me 9 clicks but the Slx derailleur was only giving me 7 shifts. With the XT derailleur on I've got all 9 at the back now (27 gears yay!). I do think it may have been an older type XT being 9 speed and all. Smooth as butter and shifting with just my index finger. Well worth the R1200 spent (ok, so a bit more cos I got a new chain and few other bits and bobs with the service) and yes, much cheaper than changing the other parts since my brakes and shifters are integrated - plus, I like them that way. I do think I had some cable stretch on the front cos the front is also shifting much better since the service but the back was definitely an indexing issue. *edited after double checking the number of gears on the cassette*

5 months and 20 rides later (according to Endomundo history) and I'm still a very happy camper. Bike has gone in for it's first service and I shall be picking her up tomorrow in time for the weekend's riding. The more bikes I've seen since starting this adventure, the more I realise what a steal this bike was. And the more riding I do, the happier I am that I'm not on that Makro special! 1 tiny complaint though, is that I've been missing 2 gears on the back 10 tooth casette since the get-go. I had put this down to some initial set-up issue and wondered if it wasn't perhaps a mismatch in parts. A friend help me fiddle and I ended up at least having the middle 8 gears as opposed to the extreme granny or speed gears. As it turns out, I was right about the mismatch in the end and the SLX derailleur on my bike isn't exactly matched to the LX shifters... I could go on a splurb about how I found out about indexing and how it differs ever so slightly for different sized rear cassettes and how you need to ensure that your shifter indexing matches your derailleur indexing and so forth if you buying parts/built up bikes... but it's much easier to just say "it seemed like a good enough excuse to upgrade to an XT derailler whilst it is in for the service." After all, if XT is good enough for the Cape Epic riders (mal ouens) then it should last me *forever* (read as *until I can buy that Black n Red Santa Cruz or Spez Works of my dreams*) Can't wait to have another 6 whole gears in my range!

Thanks all, really looking forward to upping my skills and getting some kilometers under my belt. Feel free to sticky or reference my thread to other newbies that might consider giving Makro specials a go

Awesome sauce I picked up what I believe to be a bargain from Solly's at the fair today... R3,500 for a "built up" Silverback. Frame seems slightly used but still in very good nic and all parts are new albeit a bit shopworn/dusty before I cleaned it up, some even still had price tags on. Mandatory couch pics follow: http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22151_zps54cdb9ef.jpg http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22161_zpsd14ff53a.jpg http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22171_zps7fe5165c.jpg http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22181_zpsd858fd18.jpg http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22191_zps24b9a720.jpg http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22201_zpsb8f18117.jpg

Ok, so I've done some maths and more thinking on the subject... reckon I'll save up a bit and bump the budget up to R10k (maximum) for new bike in December unless I find the "perfect" second hander on the classifieds here for less than that... In the meantime I think I shall "splash" out on decent/semi-decent gear and borrow as many different rides as I can to test the geometries of the different makes. The list of what I now know that I want includes: Merida/Scott/Silverback/Titan/Momsen (loosely in that order) in terms of brand Medium frame definately for my size (174cm tall +/- 80kg) 26" or 27.5" wheels (of the mix of trails I did I enjoyed the forest and technical stuff the most so I see a lot of that in my future) Air shocks at the front (Rock shox or similar) Hydraulic disk brakes XT shifters XT crank Tubeless conversion would be a bonus And of course, it MUST be red and black/grey (perhaps with a little bit of white for contrast) Have I missed something? I realise that it's gonna be tough to squeeze all that into my budget so I'd like to find out from you guys what 1 step down is on the XT kit (crank and shifters) but that's just as good or at least not *** (assuming this makes a big difference on the price) I don't mind not having a million gears if it helps. I've seen a lot of SLX kits on some decent looking bikes. Also, someone told me the Titans don't have a 'double wall' rims or something like that but that something like Merida does and it's better for the "technical stuff" - what does that mean and is it a biggie? How can you tell cos it doesn't seem to be a specifically mentioned item in any of the specs. Is it the tyres or the rims or the combination of them both? Also need some advice on helmets please, from what I can see Scott is rated right up there but will it come in Red and Black (yes seriously)? Are there any others in the same class? What are the top 5 brands for example? Shoes: what's the deal with clip-ins? I mean do you buy a particular shoe with a particular set of pedals or is it one size fits all kinda deal? I don't like the look of the hulking big wrap around your shoe thingies and it also seems that they will be more tricky to get your foot out in a pinch. It feels like it is something that can wait but am I right in thinking it will assist with "buny hops" - do they still call them that? Does the brand matter much? Kit: I like the look of the "Anatomic" stuff, is it any good? And... more importantly, what shorts will best serve my need to not waddle for a week after a ride ? Hydration: A camelpack/backpack seems like the best option cos I don't see myself reaching down for a drink whilst on a bumpy trail. Would you guys agree? I assume that this is something I can get from Makro/Sportsman warehouse or will that start the whole thread over again? Gloves: Gel padded gloves made a HUGE difference on my Harley so I assume the same applies to MTB? Are their recommended brands? I'd like get to an idea of what I'm looking at when I go the the fair tomorrow. PS: apparently you can get up to 40% on Anatomic gear! Shades: Is it safe to assume that this is a personal choice and anything goes or is there something specific I should be on the lookout for? At some stage I'll probably want presrciption lenses so frames that could be used for that later on would be a bonus as I could hopefully save some cash.

Thanks Bro, appreciate the offer. I'm going to try get to the cycle fair in Krugersdorp on Sat/Sun and I might just pick up some specials there. I'll get in touch if I don't come right though. Thanks again.

Now that's just not fair! What is that and how much do you think I would get for a kidney in Brazil?

and yes it helps that it is red and black

how bout this? http://cyclelab.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/silverback-stride-20-26-mountain-bike-black-red.html

Thanks guys (and gals?) Really appreciate the advice and I think I will take it. If only that red and black Merida listed was a medium frame! Damn! I'm such a sucker for red and black in general it's not even funny. Secretly it is probably also what made me reconsider the Makro bike Back to the drawing board I suppose Oh and for those who wondered about me going from riding a Harley to now needing to consider Makro specials and tightening my belt, THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!! Relax I'm just kidding, but it is kind of a long story which involves me getting retrenched a year ago and needing to sell my bike. Coincidentally around the same time, my cousin had a major prang on his ninja 600 and sustained what is called a "diffuse brain injury" which pretty much left him mentally disabled for life at 35 years old so selling seemed like a really good idea at the time. Then the buyer of my HD business went phut which has left me still paying off a bike I don't have anymore. Why put it up with that BS you might ask? Well, cos the buyer is my dad and it was my way of helping him out of a pinch without being able to give him hard cash. It's been a tough run I suppose but such is life's bumps, you beat some and other's "wys jou waar David die wortels begrawe het" - I've learnt that it's getting back on the saddle again afterwards that counts. I've been blessed with a well paying job in a much better environment subsequently but monthly bills and debt repayments a bit of a drain on the finances - thus the current dilema. Sorry if all of that is overshare but who knows? Maybe a hubber feels sorry for me a donates me a 2nd Hand, Red and Black 650B, "proper" hardtail bike if they feel sorry enough for me - you never know - jk

There, I said it... I've been doing a lot of research and figured it would be interesting to bring my thoughts here to see what the hubbers would say about my findings/opinons on buying my first MTB. My story: I've pretty much decided 100% that I want to take up MTB'ing as a hobby in order to get fit and get back on 2 wheels. I'm taking a sabatical from motorbikes for a few years as a recent family tragedy has left me not wanting to leave my wife and 2 little girls in the lurch if I have a serious accident on my motorbike. So... Harley Davidson sold and colours and riding gear stowed away in the rafters (sadly). Thing is though, I've been riding (motorbikes) for about 30 years so 2 wheeling is kinda part of my DNA. I figured taking up MTBing would be a good way of keeping the animal at bay and also having some fun with friends whilst getting back into shape - I truly miss my six pack hahaha. So this past weekend I borrowed a bike and did my first trail ride (Rietvlei in brackendowns). We did a "cut-and-paste" mix of the different trails and 11 kilo's or so later I was feeling thoroughly mountain-bike-bug-bitten aleit gasping for breath with my smoker lungs. I've chatted to a number of people and all have done their best to give me good advice. Right in the beginning before I knew anything about this I looked at a dual susser at Makro and was impressed. It looked better than any bicycle I'd ever owned but then I spoke to a dealer who sorta swayed me in the direction of Titan - though it was way above my pretty much non-existant budget. Once I started thinking of dropping more than 5k on a bike then the proverbial thought flood gates opened and I played with a number of options including considering the following brands (all in hardtail of course): Titan Silverback Momsem Scott Merida The above would have been new hardtails at a price range of 8 to 14k. Then I saw a second hand Scott Spark for R12k posted for sale here and that got me thinking about buying a 2nd hand bike - plus I had received advice to consider this as an option. Before long I even started considering financing a new "proper" bike, something along the lines of the Scott Spark 710 dual susser. BUT... then I logged on to my bank and reality started sinking in - I honestly cant afford to drop much more than R5k on a bike right now or in the near future - I simply don't have the cash or the credit facilities available right now. One thing I know for sure and that is that the Giant I rode on Sunday was too big for me (large frame) and the seat sure as hell was too hard - I'm still sitting very gingerly and it's been almost 2 whole days (I know, I know TITS,TITS and more TITS - but seriously, I'm not too proud to buy a "senior" saddle and even cover that with an additional gel seat cover - this pain is near unbearable man! So then I did some more research and discovered that Raleigh is actually a near 100 year old brand and that they have sold millions of bikes all over the world and that got me thinking again about the bike I saw at Makro. Does the mre fact that it is labelled Raleigh and not Merida or Scott and the fact that it is sold my a Massmart chain instead of a dealer and the fact that it is a dual susser at under R4800 brand new (yes really) automatically have to mean that it will fall apart after 10 rides and that it is utter junk? Considering my budget constraints, I find myself needing to challenge these preconceptions and prove the theory wrong. Also, in my experience, more expensive does not necessarily always mean better in all aspects and it is often more a case of brand loyalty that comes from a good experience on a particular bike (remember, I rode Harley's so I think I'm entitled to that opinion at least . Don't get me wrong, from what I've seen read and heard, I'm not anti-expensive bike at all and would buy that new Scott Spark in a heartbeat if I had the cash but I simply don't and I don't want to wait until I do either cos I want to get riding ASAP - that is of course, once I can actually sit properly again Thanks for reading guys, hope you had a chuckle or 2 along the way. Your well thought out responses that show you can challenge the paradigms of marketing brainwashing would be appreciated but the trolls are welcome to post too . Oh, and I promise to post a pic of my new bike (whatever it may end up being) on my couch. Cheers Link for the bike in question: http://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-outdoor/raleigh-29er-sports-frs-alloy-mountain-bike-272037EA