Hi I posted this question earlier and am posting here in the q & a space for a little help with my NEXT BIKE purchase ... Hi, I am Mel and I am looking for a bike ... I am new to this mtb story (3yrs) and get a little overawed by all the brands, slick lines and huge price tickets. Having said that I am trading up from my beloved 'Sabie mt slayer' Sliverback Sola 2 2015 for something ... faster and lighter. Some basics: R30K abso tops price - (bike finance will have to come into it) NO, donate a kidney, price tickets!Year model not a biggie. Happy with 2013/2014/2015 ...I am 176 tall (currently on a Large Merida Big Nine 5000 - just too big sadly - chiro says no!)I ride once a week or twice if I am luckyI enjoy a couple races a year: Ashburton series, Trailseeker Series, Fun Grabadoo and the one time only experience of the Magalies Monster.More control on tricky descents.I have no major bias for a brand but have been looking at the Silverback Storm 1/Merida Big Nine 5000... and a Scott or two, Nino performance wannabe. Bottom line for all the above: LIGHT BIKE that climbs like a breeze and doesn't buck me off on the drop-offs - and affordable. Oh yes ... and pretty! I am a designer and I don't do ugly - I will be looking at her for up to 5 odd hours some days! All advice welcome
