Where do I start?

[covie]

Any comments on this suggestion?

 

I would stick with the spez, great reviews, and loads of upgrade potential, not sure about the fuji brand in general, the thing with 29'ers are getting the geometry right, and apparently the geometry on the rockhopper is awesome, the rest as said before you will upgrade, doesnt make a diff if its alivio or deore, they both entry level with little or no difference. you will eventually be looking at putting on xt or SRAM x9. or even higher.

 

I use to only ride XT/X0 i had to put a x7 derailure on my new bike, and thought i would ride it a week before i would want to upgrade it, and amazingly i havent felt the need to upgrade, some of the lower end components these days are almost as good as the very top end. Just a bit uglier and a little heavier.

Edited April 13, 2012 by covie

[covie]

Dont have a bib and dont need one.Have done plenty of 80km rides without.I would rather make sure my saddle fits well .Dont waste money on a camelback.if you are planning to carry all that stuff around ,you are getting poor advice.Good used bike is better option than buying a new poor specced one .

 

 

Arendoog i suggest you go back to the beginning of the thread and read up before you make posts like this that totally opinionated and based on lack of information.

 

1 Everyone here has suggested the option to buy a good second hand bike, The OP is struggling to get one in XL and hence is opting for a cheap new bike with a frame that’s worth investing to build up.

 

2. Secondly having completed a couple of 80km races does not make you an authority on bibs and cycling pants. Let’s make this clear you need to do three things, eat breath and ****, the rest is optional and a luxury, every single person i know that cycles and they are legion, have gone through the baggy, cycling short, and eventually graduated to Bib. Do you need a bib no you don’t, I’ve done races in normal shorts thanks to my bibs tearing on a ride the day before the race, you don’t need any of it. Is there merit to owning a bib yes, the advantages far outweigh baggies and normal cycling pants, and since all three is expensive it makes sense to invest in a decent bib from the word go. that way you don’t waste thousands on finding out a bib is superior to baggies and cycling shorts.

 

My suggestion in future is to base you posts on fact, and to read the entire thread before telling the OP he has received bad advice, as in this case your advice is non sensical and you happen to be the weakest link. Good bye.

Edited April 13, 2012 by covie

[Scott2luvit]

I would stick with the spez, great reviews, and loads of upgrade potential, not sure about the fuji brand in general, the thing with 29'ers are getting the geometry right, and apparently the geometry on the rockhopper is awesome, the rest as said before you will upgrade, doesnt make a diff if its alivio or deore, they both entry level with little or no difference. you will eventually be looking at putting on xt or SRAM x9. or even higher.

 

I use to only ride XT/X0 i had to put a x7 derailure on my new bike, and thought i would ride it a week before i would want to upgrade it, and amazingly i havent felt the need to upgrade, some of the lower end components these days are almost as good as the very top end. Just a bit uglier and a little heavier.

 

I agree with you on the 29er issue but disagree on buying a very entry level "branded" bike, I made that mistake and upgrading is always allot more expensive then buying right the first time. My suggestion is go and ride a couple of bikes in the 6k market and buy one that you feel comfortable on, I have friends thats got no name brand 29ers and I average a better pace on them as on my 26 entry level bike

[covie]

I agree with you on the 29er issue but disagree on buying a very entry level "branded" bike, I made that mistake and upgrading is always allot more expensive then buying right the first time. My suggestion is go and ride a couple of bikes in the 6k market and buy one that you feel comfortable on, I have friends thats got no name brand 29ers and I average a better pace on them as on my 26 entry level bike

 

Once again every one made that suggestion the OP cannot get a second bike in his size in that price class not many XL bikes in the market, hence the OP is opting for a new bike, Upgrading is always more expensive your quite right, but the OP is not looking for a XTR/XO machine to start off with, So buying the hardrock is perfectly fine. And since its also a new bike theres no risk of defunct components. buying a 6k bike second hand then having to buy a 5k fork a month later becuase the seller lied about the service history is also not always the best idea.

 

Basically the OP needs to decide if he wants to wait for a second hand bike to come around or buy a bike thats worth the money and effort to upgrade in time.

[Scott2luvit]

Once again every one made that suggestion the OP cannot get a second bike in his size in that price class not many XL bikes in the market, hence the OP is opting for a new bike, Upgrading is always more expensive your quite right, but the OP is not looking for a XTR/XO machine to start off with, So buying the hardrock is perfectly fine. And since its also a new bike theres no risk of defunct components. buying a 6k bike second hand then having to buy a 5k fork a month later becuase the seller lied about the service history is also not always the best idea.

 

Basically the OP needs to decide if he wants to wait for a second hand bike to come around or buy a bike thats worth the money and effort to upgrade in time.

 

I also agree on buying a new bike, as he one can easily buy a cat in the bag, what I am saying is go out and test all the 6k bike s you can find and take the one that you feel comfortable on

[L.T.G]

Hi All

 

I am not only new to the forum but also new to the sport. Before I step on any toes, is there a place where I should introduce myself before posting? If not, here goes:

 

I have accepted a challenge from some mates to enter the W2W in November. Now, I need a bike, fitness, motivation and any tips that I can get. I guess the right place to start would be a bike? I am male, 1.86 m, weighs 98kg. Any suggestions of what I should be getting - please note that I want to spend as little as possible!

 

Thanks in advance.

As already mentioned ... Welcome the wonderful world of mountain biking (and a possible addiction )

If this has already been mentioned and I missed it .. Apologies..

Shotgun, what you need more then anything else in this sport is a sense of humor!

That, is more important then any bike be it 26", 27,5" or a 29'er. Or a Baggie vs a bib. Hardtail or DS...

Many happy kms!

[Shotgun]

Thanks for all the good advice people. I got the bike today and did a 10km run around to get comfortable with the shoes etc. Did the tubeless conversion as well, so that with bike, shoes, computer, clips put me on R7700 so far. I am pretty sure that it is a very basic piece of kit, but so am I! Would rather grow into the sport than out of it. Will keep you posted! Please keep the suggestions on fitness coming!

[Heckflosse]

Thanks for all the good advice people. I got the bike today and did a 10km run around to get comfortable with the shoes etc. Did the tubeless conversion as well, so that with bike, shoes, computer, clips put me on R7700 so far. I am pretty sure that it is a very basic piece of kit, but so am I! Would rather grow into the sport than out of it. Will keep you posted! Please keep the suggestions on fitness coming!

:clap: :clap:

[Shotgun]

Did a leisurely 21km this afternoon to further explore the bike and getting use to the shoes. I guess to no surprise my arse feels like I have spent my Easter weekend in Pollsmoor prison. Anyway, will see what the week holds and how my staff will react you my new John Wayne walking style.

[Dicky DQ]

Did a leisurely 21km this afternoon to further explore the bike and getting use to the shoes. I guess to no surprise my arse feels like I have spent my Easter weekend in Pollsmoor prison. Anyway, will see what the week holds and how my staff will react you my new John Wayne walking style.

 

No mentioned shammy cream........... It also helps. A Bit, but you are gonna have to get the ass and saddle mated.

[Agteros]

No mentioned shammy cream........... It also helps. A Bit, but you are gonna have to get the ass and saddle mated.

shammy cream doesn't have to be the expensive, LBS specific variety. You can use anything from Fissan Paste to 'speensalf' too. Just not Deep Heat, Wintergreen, toothpaste (even for sensitive teeth)

[Caerus]

Did a leisurely 21km this afternoon to further explore the bike and getting use to the shoes. I guess to no surprise my arse feels like I have spent my Easter weekend in Pollsmoor prison. Anyway, will see what the week holds and how my staff will react you my new John Wayne walking style.

Awesome, how did the new bike go? The sore ass will pass with time. Congrats on the new toy, I'm sure you will are super stoked

[IdeJongh]

6. Don't over caplitalise on a bike etc before you know the sport is for you, but give it a bit of stick, takes bit of time ot get bike fit and your backside used to the saddle

 

IJ - See you rode with a Mark Oliver on the recent Epic, is that the Dr from Morningside? or have I got my wires crossed ?

 

Thats indeed the one! He's a strong rider for an older ballie!

[Shotgun]

shammy cream doesn't have to be the expensive, LBS specific variety. You can use anything from Fissan Paste to 'speensalf' too. Just not Deep Heat, Wintergreen, toothpaste (even for sensitive teeth)

 

Thanks. I can also now add Tiger Balm to the list of things NOT to use!

[Shotgun]

Awesome, how did the new bike go? The sore ass will pass with time. Congrats on the new toy, I'm sure you will are super stoked

 

The thing is I have no idea how it is suppose to go and am pretty sure for you experienced guys it will be a piece of ****. But as they say one man's piece of sh*t is another man's compost; is another fly's gourmet dinner.

 

I must admit that the clips/cleats makes a massive difference and that to me is the biggest difference from my old bike and that it is now the right size. It also feels quite weird/high in the saddle of the 29er, but I guess also just something to get familiar with.

Edited April 16, 2012 by Shotgun

[Caerus]

The thing is I have no idea how it is suppose to go and am pretty sure for you experienced guys it will be a piece of ****. But as they say one man's piece of sh*t is another man's compost; is another fly's gourmet dinner.

 

I must admit that the clips/cleats makes a massive difference and that to me is the biggest difference from my old bike and that it is now the right size. It also feels quite weird/high in the saddle of the 29er, but I guess also just something to get familiar with.

A bike bought from Game or Makro will be a piece of shite, what you have there is a decent/ capable piece of equipment. Nothing wrong with what you bought.

 

Did they set you up correctly at the shop? If not go back and get them too. Otherwise a proper bike fit will also go a long way(R500 for an Ergofit/ BG Fit)

 

As long as its going where you want it too, its going fine. With fitness and confidence everything will fall into place and where you thought it may not have been able to go will blaze its own trails. Just ride and enjoy it, thats all there is to it.