Advice for new bike

[kosmonooit]

And nothing wrong with Al frames! How can a Al alloy frame be 'harder' than a Fe one? ... or is this just some anti-Cannondale bias?

[Doggone]

At 1,89m tall I wouldnt consider a 26 er at all, and at 118 kg a dual susser would tend to be more comfortable on the body.

 

Go ride the bikes then decide.

[Zac.A]

 

Gears? Mtb is only 3 x 9 speed. 2 x 10 speed is for your road bike, the occasional pro rider and someone wo has never hear of Thomas Baines.

 

 

I think you meant to say almost all pro riders, the rest use 1x10.

 

Because 2x10 is faster.

[andretraut]

there is so much to say.

Lets start with material:

carbon is plush but expensive and can crack and pop if dropped on rcks.

alu is the common material for mountain bikes. Very hard on the body, thus the need for dual suspension. (You only are playing to correct the material shortcoming)

Titanium works at least R8000 for the frame only.

Steel is the best material but has a weight consideration. However as you are a recreational cyclist this should not be a problem. Try Cotic, on-one, rocky mountain, singular, kona ext (even look for a retro frame). With steel you won't need dual suspension.

 

Next wheel size. a Major debate, but keep in mind a 29er has more momentum but needs more leg power to get going, so as a beginner this will be great for "touring" marathon type riding but could have drawbacks on trail and cross country racing (initially) However, make the choice and never doubt your choice.

 

Dual or hardtail? Dual works for 26inch wheels on a alu frame only. It does not work on a 29er or carbon, steel or titanium frame. Do this and you are ghay (wear white cycling shorts with your USPS shirt) and must move to Camp's bay or Craighall park. (If you Afrikaans then you will send your kids to Waterkloof Hoerskool as well).

 

Gears? Mtb is only 3 x 9 speed. 2 x 10 speed is for your road bike, the occasional pro rider and someone wo has never hear of Thomas Baines. It is a mountain bike for riding over mountains, you will need your granny. Don't leave her to grow old in an old age prison. Even better ask for a 11 x 34 cluster. If you rid in Sabie or any of Baines and sons artworks you will be grateful. If you are more a fringe type person, and still listen to ELvis, Abba and Queen consider a foray into the Single Speed (SS) culture, but be prepared to be shunned like triathlete (especially at marathon races) or worshipped like a Justin Beber (joking) when you ride at 24hr races. (Deore is the minimum but avio has been used as well).

 

Brakes? Discs. I don't think they make v brakes any more.

 

In conclusion:

 

Buy a steel frame (either 29er or 26er) put on 3 x 9 gears (or a ss conversion). Dress it up with a rockshox fork (Tora or better) and ride like you stole it.

 

If you live in Camp's bay and just love what Justin Bieber has done with his hair then buy a carbon 29er dual suspension with 2 x 10 gears, but just remember to pick up those white bibs on the way out.

Who is this dude who is so knowlegeable,or is this post supposed to be a joke?

[Wyatt Earp]

Who is this dude who is so knowlegeable,or is this post supposed to be a joke?

Agreed

I listen to Queen, Elvis on the very rare occasion and have a SS.

Witkop, you are the kind of guy I like to race against on my SS at races

[Zac.A]

Witkop, you are the kind of guy I like to race against on my SS at races.

 

And I wouldn't mind racing you (Witkop) on my 2x10.

Edited January 5, 2012 by Zac.A

[Wyatt Earp]

And I wouldn't mind racing you (Witkop) on my 2x10.

You 2X10 poser

[scotty]

you lot, dont let this turn into a 29 er debate amongst yourselves. Stick to the OP question.

 

What advice would you give ?

 

 

 

I would suggest if the bike shop is worth the advice, ask them if you can ride the bike round the block. See if you feel comfy on the bike. Do it with other models. And do you research to find out about the ongoing debate about 29er vs 26er.

 

Whether riding a 26 or 29 not all brown stuff is mud, if you are unsure rather avoid it

[Iwan Kemp]

there is so much to say.

Lets start with material:

carbon is plush but expensive and can crack and pop if dropped on rcks.

alu is the common material for mountain bikes. Very hard on the body, thus the need for dual suspension. (You only are playing to correct the material shortcoming)

Titanium works at least R8000 for the frame only.

Steel is the best material but has a weight consideration. However as you are a recreational cyclist this should not be a problem. Try Cotic, on-one, rocky mountain, singular, kona ext (even look for a retro frame). With steel you won't need dual suspension.

 

Next wheel size. a Major debate, but keep in mind a 29er has more momentum but needs more leg power to get going, so as a beginner this will be great for "touring" marathon type riding but could have drawbacks on trail and cross country racing (initially) However, make the choice and never doubt your choice.

 

Dual or hardtail? Dual works for 26inch wheels on a alu frame only. It does not work on a 29er or carbon, steel or titanium frame. Do this and you are ghay (wear white cycling shorts with your USPS shirt) and must move to Camp's bay or Craighall park. (If you Afrikaans then you will send your kids to Waterkloof Hoerskool as well).

 

Gears? Mtb is only 3 x 9 speed. 2 x 10 speed is for your road bike, the occasional pro rider and someone wo has never hear of Thomas Baines. It is a mountain bike for riding over mountains, you will need your granny. Don't leave her to grow old in an old age prison. Even better ask for a 11 x 34 cluster. If you rid in Sabie or any of Baines and sons artworks you will be grateful. If you are more a fringe type person, and still listen to ELvis, Abba and Queen consider a foray into the Single Speed (SS) culture, but be prepared to be shunned like triathlete (especially at marathon races) or worshipped like a Justin Beber (joking) when you ride at 24hr races. (Deore is the minimum but avio has been used as well).

 

Brakes? Discs. I don't think they make v brakes any more.

 

In conclusion:

 

Buy a steel frame (either 29er or 26er) put on 3 x 9 gears (or a ss conversion). Dress it up with a rockshox fork (Tora or better) and ride like you stole it.

 

If you live in Camp's bay and just love what Justin Bieber has done with his hair then buy a carbon 29er dual suspension with 2 x 10 gears, but just remember to pick up those white bibs on the way out.

 

Wouldn't know where to start to correct you. Your "advise" would need a complete rewrite. At best.

[BianJ]

Hi All

 

Thanks for the advice, at least I know what questions to ask. It seems the bottom line is that I need to spend the time and ride a few bikes and then make a decision.

 

Now the next question, any recommendations as to a decent shop to approach?

[scotty]

In Jhb Linden Cycles would be my best choice.

[Witkop]

Who is this dude who is so knowlegeable,or is this post supposed to be a joke?

 

It was written as a bit of a joke. The intent was to get people to think a bit broader than the immediate solution. There are many options out there that may work. The best is to determine who you are and buy a bike that reflects who you are (and the degree of your love of Justin Bieber).

 

Often we are given a magic sales pitch (like the carbon dual suspension 29er with 2 x 10 gears) but the arguments get mixed up. Like the bigger wheels are better on the rough bits (so why the rear shock then?) and Carbon is so light and compliant, so as to compensate for the bigger wheels, and you don't really need the granny gear (so we all have legs of Tom Boonen then). Sooner or later it becomes evident that all these things cancel out, or the bike is so comfortable it can be also used for Downhill riding. My dig is at the overkill (especially out of budget) of some of these comfort machines. (there are some that say the 29er wheel is so good that any suspension is actually unnecessary, but these people also say that one gear is all you need). The airforce talks about pilot skill, platform and weapons systems when evaulating combat readiness. These three things need to added up to predict a winner in any encounter. After all the comments about how good 29ers are, the only reason a guy with a 26er hard tail can drop at 29er in a race is because of pilot skill..........

 

Yes, I also listen to queen, elvis and dire straits and cycle a steel single speed, so that dig was at self. (I have also raced duathlons so have been shunned like a hairlegged spider by other race snakes ). I have been mobbed at 24hr races because of my one gear. (Unfortunately not by teenage girls though).

 

And the guys that are so confident of their abilities with 2 x 10 speed are welcome to join me with 15kgs of kit on a few of Baines and sons passes on my next holiday ride in the Cape. I love my granny. Seriously.....

 

 

ps steel is real, and most of the time you only need one gear. The rest is because you want it, not need it.

[Wyatt Earp]

1)It was written as a bit of a joke.

 

Yes, I also listen to queen, elvis and dire straits and cycle a steel single speed, so that dig was at self. (I have also raced duathlons so have been shunned like a hairlegged spider by other race snakes ). 2) I have been mobbed at 24hr races because of my one gear. (Unfortunately not by teenage girls though).

 

3)And the guys that are so confident of their abilities with 2 x 10 speed are welcome to join me with 15kgs of kit on a few of Baines and sons passes on my next holiday ride in the Cape. I love my granny. Seriously.....

 

 

4)ps steel is real, and most of the time you only need one gear. The rest is because you want it, not need it.

 

1. Good to know.

 

2.WoW, I wish that could happen to me.

 

3.Anyday.

 

4.Yes steel is real, no doubt, as for only needing one gear most of the time, I wish this was true for most riders with one gear most of the time.

[Witkop]

1. Good to know.

 

2.WoW, I wish that could happen to me.

 

3.Anyday.

 

4.Yes steel is real, no doubt, as for only needing one gear most of the time, I wish this was true for most riders with one gear most of the time.

 

1. Okay I will put in the metatags "do not take too seriously" next time. It is still good to know you don't have a house in Camps bay.

 

2. Fortunately it tends to be middle aged men who are more interested in looking at the bike than at the rider.

 

3. You are invited, I hope to put a four day cycle from Ceres to Citrusdal and back together (includes at least 3 of Baines' passes). We might have to take tents along for the over night stops. (Hope you have panniers). It will be great to have another cyclist along for the ride.

 

4. Agreed. After about 50km single speed can become a bit of a grind on the legs, but for the shorter races and rides, it gives a good work out.

[Iwan Kemp]

There's a section to organize rides. We're here to give advise without pushing our own agendas or getting argumentative about bad advise given in the first place or stupid comments made then quoted on here to further your own opinion.

[Just Keep Pedaling]

I suggest trying MTB'ing first before you splash on an expensive bike. Maybe you don't like it. Borrow a bike for a ride or two first.

 

Seriously, you can get a decent enough bike for R4500. Once you have decided you want to take it seriously then you can consider the pro's and cons of nice things like 29'ers, carbon, fancy suspension and 70k bikes.