New Bike??

[Ottocs]

Hi Guys,

 

Ive been a little our of the loop for while, my bike is older than father time himself, im in the process of looking for a new one... i notice this question on here alot and hope not everyone looks at this thread and thinks "oh no another one of those"

 

At the moment i have a hardtail and im not ruling out a dual sus. Problem is i havnt had much exposure to a dualie before.

 

Ive always looked at it as "its a bike, that`ll do" reading all the articles on here has really messed with my head, im looking at all the technical info i can find, however the theoritical info doesnt always corrolate with the practical stuff, so i would appreciate some input.

 

I realise that if you spend a minimal amount of money you can expect to get what you pay for, but lets get real im no Minnaar / Macaskill. I want a reliable bike that components are readily available for, that can be upgraded and is gonna withstand a decent beating, riding single track, some rough stuff and messing about on some larger jumps.

 

Im looking at a few options at the moment, please be brutally honest and let me know what you think of the options that i do have and what would be a better option.? im looking at a budget of probably R8000 - R10000.

 

Giant Trance X4

Merida One twenty 500d

Merida Matts TFS 900d

Scott Aspect 10

 

Thanks in advance,

Ladas

[Wheelspin]

I have just got a 2010 Giant Trance X3 for R10,500 in mint condition with less than 500km on the clock.

 

I really like this bike.

 

Did the Magalies Monster last weekend and cruised past most people on the down hills (who promptly passed me again on the flat but that's another story !!!)

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Trance. Fantastic bike, and very good platform for upgrades

[Brett]

http://www.giant-bic....x4/7162/43791/

http://www.merida-bi...NE-TWENTY+500-D

http://www.merida-bi...Matts+TFS+900-D

http://www.bicycling...uide/aspect-10/

 

Look at the geometry. see what will suit how you ride/ want you want to ride.

 

The Merida Full susser has good spec. but ive never ridden one. how much R?

The giant trance pedals very well and has good geometry. I would just get a better model than the 4.

Would definitely recommend saving more for the X3. just looking at the spec and knowing how they ride is a no brainer.

http://www.giant-bic....x3/7162/43793/

It has a thru axle up front making steering way more precise and adds loads of confidence... As for the Fox products on the bike, i think the name speaks for itself - awesome.

 

other than that, if you want a hardtail then go for the merida tfs 900d- its got shimano slx! very nice! just ask to swap out the tyres?

Edited May 29, 2012 by ridin dirty

[Decapod_Crew]

here....have a look at this bike....not bad at all.only the location..8hdt (quicklink ref #)

Edited May 29, 2012 by Decapod_Crew

[Motard660]

Go for the GIANT....not because I have one, but it is the best alrounder and it is a dual. Experience in a dual, there is none according to me, just so mush better to have that dual and feel how that back suspension keep your tyres to gravel!:-)

 

Enjoy the shoping.....that is always a good part! Whatever you decide on, I am quite sure you will enjoy it anyway!

[Ottocs]

Hey,

 

Thanks for the responses. Looks like everyone seems to be in favour of the Giant, i got a bit of time so ill wait and see what pops up.

 

Ridin Dirty - yeh i havnt had any experience with Merida either, i hear good things .. ill check the bike out and see how it feels, thats possibly the best way to do this. Funny how the website doesnt mention weight at all, but the fork is like 3kgs alone.

 

Anyways Ta.

[Kranky]

Have you considered brands like Axis or Silverback? Apparently they offer value.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Goobacks

[The Big Bad Norm]

Momsen AL529 or AL329 Good spec, and great frame.

 

I have the 529 and it works for me.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I'd still go with the trance, even though at that spec level it is a bit heavier than the other ones on the list. I don't like the 1-20 for some reason. Can't pin it down, but it just doesn't sit right.

 

The Giant's suspension design is tried, tested, and proven. Plus, the frame is the same frame all through the range. Change fork / wheels and you're a for away. You'll have a bike for (most of your) life, that will suck up anything you can throw at it...

[Lamber]

Silverback and Giant has always been a value for money bike in the past. Don't rate sliverback's dualies, so i'd definately go for the giant!

[ThePubSA]

Trance X4 beginning of AM,got the 2011 sweet ride.Try get the x3 rather then you getting the float rear shock instead of giant.Then just upgrade fork to any thru axle revelation & swop the wheelset when they tired.You might like the 120 fork though

[ThePubSA]

http://www.giant-bic....x4/7162/43791/

http://www.merida-bi...NE-TWENTY+500-D

http://www.merida-bi...Matts+TFS+900-D

http://www.bicycling...uide/aspect-10/

 

Look at the geometry. see what will suit how you ride/ want you want to ride.

 

The Merida Full susser has good spec. but ive never ridden one. how much R?

The giant trance pedals very well and has good geometry. I would just get a better model than the 4.

Would definitely recommend saving more for the X3. just looking at the spec and knowing how they ride is a no brainer.

http://www.giant-bic....x3/7162/43793/

It has a thru axle up front making steering way more precise and adds loads of confidence... As for the Fox products on the bike, i think the name speaks for itself - awesome.

 

other than that, if you want a hardtail then go for the merida tfs 900d- its got shimano slx! very nice! just ask to swap out the tyres?

I'd still go with the trance, even though at that spec level it is a bit heavier than the other ones on the list. I don't like the 1-20 for some reason. Can't pin it down, but it just doesn't sit right.

 

The Giant's suspension design is tried, tested, and proven. Plus, the frame is the same frame all through the range. Change fork / wheels and you're a for away. You'll have a bike for (most of your) life, that will suck up anything you can throw at it...

What they said

[RockCoach]

What everyone else said. I probably would go for the Trance but I wouldn't rule out the Merida 120 until you have seen and test ridden one. I have just assisted a lady friend into buying one and I was super impressed with it. She was also looking at the Trance but it was so much heavier spec for spec.

[Ottocs]

K so i looked about went to check out the Merida, its not bad.... but...

 

Next to it was my first choice, which i eliminated based on ... well nothing, the Silverback Mercury 3 , Fox float rear and Rock Shock Recon - Silver front, remote lock out ... looks about the best for the components and value for money.

 

Anyone got anything bad to mention about this bike ??

 

Thanks.

[Rudi Pollard]

I have not ridden the Mercury 3 but I cannot fault Silverback as a brand. Have been very happy with my 2011 Ventura. The silverback is definitely the best value for money!!!