What to buy for under 6k?

[WannabeBikePerson]

I am sure similar topics have been discussed previously! I am also sure that compared to what some bikes cost, R6k -R8k is quite low, but that is all I have. However, I really want to start doing duathlons, especially the more extreme offroad races. I do not plan on being a hardcore contender, I would like to do this for fun. What bike would you suggest? Softail or hardtail, 26er or 29er? What brand? Please help

[scotty]

Under R8000 new is not going to get you a decent 29 whether HT or DS nor 26 DS but 2nd hand you could get a bargain . Buying new will get get a decent 26HT, which should be fine for duathlons as you not going to spend epic times on the bike.

 

New bikes i would suggest Silverback, Axis and Merida.

[jannosmit]

Scott Aspect 10

[MTBcrazy]

http://thesportsbasement.co.za/cycling/browse/17-mtb-bikes?sef=hc

[Wayne Booysen]

 

R6999.00

[The_Break]

I am sure similar topics have been discussed previously! I am also sure that compared to what some bikes cost, R6k -R8k is quite low, but that is all I have. However, I really want to start doing duathlons, especially the more extreme offroad races. I do not plan on being a hardcore contender, I would like to do this for fun. What bike would you suggest? Softail or hardtail, 26er or 29er? What brand? Please help

For offroad tri I would guess they are mostly not very technical courses. I wouldsuggest a 29er hardtail for this as that is the most efficient bike you can use on such a course and would probably not be too bad if you wanted to put slicks on for the odd road tri if you didnt have a road bike.

 

29inch wheels ARE faster than 26inch wheels on such courses.

Edited August 15, 2012 by The_Break

[Cav']

Scott Aspect 10

+1

[Lord Catapult]

I have a almost new Axis A60 I would like to get rid off.

 

I bought it in March and bought a Dual Suspension Ghost in April.

[JTK]

Get something 2nd hand. Ask someone that know bikes and that you trust to assist with the purchase. Try and be clever. Realise that some of the components you can upgrade as time goes by. So if you get a nicely specce'd bike with a crappy fork in your budget you may as well go for it. You can ride and get a 2nd hand fork in a few months for next to nada. same with wheels etc. What you wanna do is start with a nice'ish frame and groupset that will be reliable. So I would go Deore min. the rest you can add as time goes. Suppose same for the groupset but generally you get them cheapest on the bike...

 

As said the Scott's are good but dont look past a Talon 29'er. Good frame and good starting point if you can pick it up cheap. Frame is the 95% the same as the XTC and lighter than almost anything out there. (mine with headset weighed 1.7kg). Then keep your eyes open for a hollowtec crank. Deore is fine. A nice SLX+ casette on some better wheels (the giant PXC jobbies are pretty decent for what you can pick them up for). Before you know it you are close to 12kg with a fork upgrade and you have a nice reliable bike with great geometry.

[Dexter-morgan]

I would tend to agree with JTK but don't forget Schwinn moab.