Beginner Blues - first bike purchase - H.E.L.P!

[vink3l]

Hello all

 

I have been looking into mountain biking for a long while now. I have spent hours reading on the net, visited local bike shops and purchased every local cycling magazine on CNA shelves.

 

I now need YOUR help to get started.

 

I am a 25 y.o. female, 1.65m tall, pants size 14. I am working on a student budget of not more than R3000. I therefore dont have much to choose from, but I would however like your opinion about the advice shop attendants have given me.

 

The following cycles were recommended, given their quotations fit in with my budget:

 

Titan calypso cruz (women's specific)

Titan calypso sport (women's specific)

 

And bikes I have looked at myself:

 

Titan cruz (unisex)

Titan sport (unisex)

Axis A90

 

So...

 

Concerning the titan bikes, I have ruled out the "shrink it, pink it, and put up the price" theory revolving around women's specific cycles. While the sport is an upgrade from the cruz in terms of speed and the shimano system, the specs for both the cruz and sport in either unisex or women's specific is the same, and the prices too. So I guess it is a matter of individual best fit.

 

The shop assistants recommendation of the womens specific bikes was apparently made according to my frame. As far as my homework went, womens bikes are designed with the following body characteristics in mind: longer legs in proportion to torso length than men, lighter weight, more petite figure compared to men. These, however, hardly describe me. Yes I am a woman, yes I am short, but my weight is certainly not that much lighter and my frame not that much more petite, just your average hour glass figure. What if the shocks go on my first try because they only support a weight of 60kg's? What if I dont really want to sit that much more upright than on a unisex bike? What if my shoulders arent that much narrower than they should be? How will I know if the seat really is as comfortable as they say it would be?

 

In short - it doesnt seem to be possible to take the bikes in a cycle shop for a short spin in the parking lot to test them. How will I ever know whether I should settle for women's specific or a unisex bike?

 

Regarding the Axis - since its a new brand, nearly all testimonials and trial runs were reported from a marketing point of view. It is definitely the cheapest option for me selling at R1999. I have failed to find any comments from actual axis owners and riders. Any comments about the axis in comparison with titan as a brand?

 

I would settle for a bike brand that I am in complete control of (not wanting to break my neck on the first go) and comfortable to the point where I can learn technicalities and enjoy the experience, and return for a second and third time without falling apart.

 

Any comments and further recommendations as to what would be best for me would be much appreciated, as I am struggling to find any reviews on the titan bikes Im looking at.

 

Kind regards

[covie]

Vink its all relative, from having the most expensive bike with the best kit and suspension to some people riding with singlespeeds and rigid suspensions. they all cover the the same territory, and the bike wont save you from breaking your neck, only you the rider can do that.

 

All entry level bikes are a dime a dozen, and none of them have great suspension, so with that you will need to make due.

 

Best value for money bikes tend to be silverback, as it generally has better hydrolic brakes than most of the other manufacturers.

 

Mens or womens specific, i think thats a bunch of hullabaloo, but thats my opinion. if your comfortable on a mens bike it will work well, womens specific bikes are more about stand over height, (bent toptubes) smaller handlebars (you can cut your larger ones down) and "womens specific saddles" but at that price range you can be assured it wont be a great saddle and you will want to change it soon.

 

Oddly moved my girl from a womens specific merida, to a mens scott and she is loving the bike like you wont beleive, even where the womens specific saddle hurt the nether regions now she's on a mens saddle and a happy camper.

 

Dont know how the silverbacks compare to the titan in your price range but i would definitly compare them like for like.

[Purnjap]

I have yet to meet someone who did NOT get bitten by the MTB bug after trying it out. I have also yet to meet the first time buyer who did not have to get rid of the R3k cheapy after three-six months in order to pay R6k or more for a lighter bike with components that make braking and gear-shifting a pleasure, instead of something that can spoil your ride. Thus my advice is to take a loan from the bank if you have to or continue saving till you get to R6k-R10k before buying it. Its one of the most worthwhile purchases you can make, with benefits ranging from health to general mood improvement and a new lifestyle that gets you to mabalingwe/legend gorge/groenkloof etc on a regular basis...heaven

[Wet Ears]

_{See if you can borrow a bike for one or two weekends just to confirm that the bug will in fact bite because as Purnjap correctly points out - once the bug bites the 3k bike is not your best option. That's what I did - rode the Spruit twice and hit Northern Farms on a loan bike and knew that it would not be a passing fad. I then knew that it would be better to fork out a few more sheckles for a decent bike. IMHO, a 3k bike is going to give you more grief than joy. Can get a decent Avalanche for a reasonable price.}

[vink3l]

Thank you for the comments so far. It is now established that the women's bikes are probably just a fad to catch the ladies into thinking its better.

 

Also, I appreciate the opinions about a R3k bike. In all honesty I will probably not be able to get a personal loan (those arent very student frienly) and saving for the necessary gear (helmet, spare tube, pump) and then the max R3k bike already took a fair amount of time.

 

Maybe such ventures are to be left until finances would not be so limited, starting now would probably not be such a good idea then.

 

thanks

[covie]

Thank you for the comments so far. It is now established that the women's bikes are probably just a fad to catch the ladies into thinking its better.

 

Also, I appreciate the opinions about a R3k bike. In all honesty I will probably not be able to get a personal loan (those arent very student frienly) and saving for the necessary gear (helmet, spare tube, pump) and then the max R3k bike already took a fair amount of time.

 

Maybe such ventures are to be left until finances would not be so limited, starting now would probably not be such a good idea then.

 

thanks

 

If thats all you can afford, and its all your going to be able to afford for a while i say go for it, yes it wont be the dream machine but you can still have hours and hours and hours of fun on any type of machine.

[Super J]

Right,you don't say where you are but contact Hotspot cycles in Pta,ask to speak to Jacque Marits, he stocks Titans and will let you take one for a spin,and R3k will get you a R4k bike in his shop, and you get great service,his wife Dale has been to worlds and she will give you all the "ladies" help you need! Phone him before you do anything!! All be it just for advise.....

[fastlegs]

Honestly, I find no difference riding a male or a female bike. But in saying that, agreed to the above comments, see if you can loan a bike from friends, etc and test it out before purchasing your own bike. But definitely once the bug bites, you want to upgrade your bike (if you are indeed going for the cheap bikes), try not to just buy because its the cheapest for cheap sake but go for what you can max. afford and see if the bike parts can be upgraded at a later stage - but importantly buy from a reputable bike shop where staff and service is friendly, they will then always assist with recommending upgrade parts and they are just a wealth of knowledge (especially to a newbie)

[Dirty Des]

Hi Vink,

 

Have a look at the used bike market as well, can get some really good bikes at a considerably lower price. Try Bikebay and ask at the shops, there are usually a few good machines lurking in the trade- in rack.

[Clinton1]

I have yet to meet someone who did NOT get bitten by the MTB bug after trying it out. I have also yet to meet the first time buyer who did not have to get rid of the R3k cheapy after three-six months in order to pay R6k or more for a lighter bike with components that make braking and gear-shifting a pleasure, instead of something that can spoil your ride. Thus my advice is to take a loan from the bank if you have to or continue saving till you get to R6k-R10k before buying it. Its one of the most worthwhile purchases you can make, with benefits ranging from health to general mood improvement and a new lifestyle that gets you to mabalingwe/legend gorge/groenkloof etc on a regular basis...heaven

 

My advice.... DO NOT TAKE A LOAN FROM THE BANK TO BUY A BIKE!

 

I bought a R4,500 bike in November and am still very happy with my purchase. I am fully aware that it does not have the top of the range fork, brakes, derailleurs, tyres etc etc etc etc but it more than serves it's purpose. I can ride the same trails that my fellow riders on their R25,000 bikes choose to ride.

 

This may all be psychological but I also have the added advantage that when we do a ride, just for fitness, I know I am actually getting more out of it as I am carrying around a lot heavier bike and do not have all the latest goodies on it making every pedal stroke more efficient. Yes, those would be great if I was a racer but I'm not, I'm doing it for fitness and fun and my bike more than suffices. Stick with your budget and just get out there an enjoying riding.

Edited March 14, 2012 by Clint_ZA

[JGR]

Get something second hand. I saw an awesome Merinda on here for R2500 yesterday or the day before - althought 2nd size small is quite difficult to find.

[geecee]

i got a 15k bike for 5k second hand and its a gem, hardly ridden.

 

find a bike that fits your needs and keep your eyes peeled.

especially on the classifieds here and on gumtree..

 

then go check it out, take a mechanically minded, preferably a cyclist with you to have a once over and take it for a spin, if she feels good, bingo

[Tiny K]

alternatively, see if you can find a 2nd hand, better spec, bike here on the hub

[vink3l]

Wow, thank you for all the different inputs!

 

I am aware that I shouldn't have stars in my eyes about what I will be able to do with my lower end bike. I have however slept on the idea of waiting until I can afford something better, but I'm afraid that won't do. I desperately want to get out on a bike within the next month!

 

I am in pretoria, and have googled hot spot cycles and they are not too far from where I live. Better go there first for advice on your recommendation. I will browse for second hand bikes, maybe I get lucky with the size small, who knows - Maybe I can get a better bike for the buck that way!

 

I appreciate the help so much, very insightful for a wannabe beginner! You guys are a very helpful and friendly community!

[Wet Ears]

At the risk of contradicting my original post, I see that Thread magazine just did a review of an entry level Raleigh 29er and it wasn't half bad. Bike retails in the 3k area, can always upgrade brakes etc when have more cash.

[It's me man]

i think you stick to your R3k budget for now, you probably going to have plenty of thrills a few pedal knocking, tree root scraping spills. so get some technical experiance and confidence on something that wont break the bank for repairs then upgrade. Trek, Merida and Silverback have some economically sensible bikes in your price range, some also have life-time garentees on the frame. i still have my first hardtail trek, did plenty hardcore MTB rides with it, knysna, harkerville , boschendal. happy hunting