MTB - What should a Newbie look for

[Kanga]

Right So I have been doing this thing for a week now, and doing a gentle 10km route (mostly tar) a day since Saturday.

Bear in mind I am a large unfit creature so in my book thats is monster milage while I doubt its a sufficient warmup for any of you though.

 

Here is the thing, I decided while driving home that I will cycle stopped at the first LBS and asked for advice.

Owner looked at me , said aha you need an XL, debated discs vs V Brakes, knobblies vs slicks and whether I needed a cycle computer. Of course there were lots of pretty bikes so I assumed these guys are pros.

 

10 minutes later I pay for a sparkling (actually matt) Specialized Hardrock with V Brakes + some accesories, helmet, gloves and a XXXL pair of cycling shorts (soon to be XL). I then walk down to the pub virtually under the Shop and have a beer while they "set up" my new steed as well as add a water bottle cage. Thus I never sat on the bike, I did touch the paintjob and liked the feel

 

Now honestly I cannot blame the LBS becuase I spose I know better and should have done more homework than "mhhhh F*%$ it I am tired of being dik!!!!) Also I walk into his shop and I am not the average lean machine he sees in his shop so I am sure he is also out of his comfort zone. And he seems like the guy who would have answered my question knowledgeably and truthfully had I known what to ask.

 

After reading mulitple articles, forums and some chats with "real Cyclists" I think I might have a bike that may be a little big for me, and I should have gone discs, better front shock with lock out etc etc etc, I also like gadgets so I am sure this fuels my thoughts as well.

 

So after that longwinded background here is my question....

 

If I am ready and fitter, I am buying myself a "real" bike. What are the things I should be looking at and what questions should I be asking when I go into the LBS again? What sort of price range to get a decent (Non competitive) bike in your opinion.

 

 

Ps; I plan to do some road riding during the week and some Koeberg/winelands etc trails over weekends.

Edited September 19, 2012 by Kanga

[Warrior Princess]

Why don't you just go back and change it now while it hasn't been used yet rather than wait until you're "fitter" to buy a "real" bike.....

 

sure you paid real money to buy a real bike first time around?

 

sorry, didn't mean to be disrespectful, but i think just get the right thing and get it over and done with than going back again.....trust me, been there, done that - got the wrong bike, took it back and got refunded, just to go and get a "real" bike

[Mojoman]

Next time round visit quite a few shops, ride as many bikes as you can and dont always assume the bike shop owner knows all! Often they dont!

Do your homework and experience the feel and look of different bikes!

 

And take your budget and add more to it because it never seems enough!

Edited September 19, 2012 by Mojoman

[jules1976]

Why don't you just go back and change it now while it hasn't been used yet rather than wait until you're "fitter" to buy a "real" bike.....

 

sure you paid real money to buy a real bike first time around?

 

sorry, didn't mean to be disrespectful, but i think just get the right thing and get it over and done with than going back again.....trust me, been there, done that - got the wrong bike, took it back and got refunded, just to go and get a "real" bike

 

agree here 100% if the bike isnt the right size u will never enjoy the ride.

 

go in get the refund get sized up properly and spend a little more for disc brakes, better shocks and components.

 

keeping it now to change it later will only result in a bigger loss of money as bikes depreciate very quickly

[Kanga]

Thanks so far guys/Gals

 

This bike was cheap enough and I should have done more homework. So for now I will keep it until I really know what I want and can make an informed choice.

 

What should be the things I look at to make this "informed" choice of mine?

[Th3voic3]

I agree with all of the above, bear in mind that you are not fit and the bike is going to take a lot of punishment not just on the trails. Stick with your bike. Set your self a goal and reward you self with a new bike when you reach that coal. Don't worry about bike info/specs right now, just ride that bike till you reach your goal.

 

Don't know your weight but bear in mind that riding your bike is not enough, you will have to adjust you diet to ensure that you loss weight in a healthy way. I would recommend the Atkins diet and has worked wonders for my brother in law 125kg now only 92kg. Be very strict with your diet planning and consumption. When you reach your ideal weight REWARD yourself.

 

It is not going to be easy but don't loss focus on what you want to achieve.

[nishiki]

Actually, if you were sold the incorrect size bike you should return it. You were ill advised.

 

All the rest of your post says is that you were impulsive and should have rather come here first, or used the greatest resource we have, the internet, to steer your choice properly.

 

Becoming healthy and fit is not an impulsive thing though, and needs commitment, sacrifice and dedication. This needs to start with the little things. At the very least, cycling will show you how unfit you are and will set a starting point for change.

 

Good luck, and good choice.

 

Bike wise: I'd go for the best bike I could afford. Definitely discs, SLX/X5 groupo. If you go full suss, dont buy cheap. You get what you pay for. Sounds to me like you'd be best off with an entry level hardtail.

[Warrior Princess]

Thanks so far guys/Gals

 

This bike was cheap enough and I should have done more homework. So for now I will keep it until I really know what I want and can make an informed choice.

 

What should be the things I look at to make this "informed" choice of mine?

 

to make an informed choice, dont do what i did! Dont go and buy cheap everything just coz you're not sure if you're going to love the sport and continue with it.

 

I bought everything cheap, and started loving it from my first ride out and now want to buy everything I initially bought, better....take note it was only two months ago!! *facepalm*

 

edit: spelling

Edited September 19, 2012 by Warrior Princess

[dre]

I think you should look at a hard tail 29er, (I heard) the geometry fits nice for big guys.

Go for disk brakes.

Go for air fork, feels better than the other cheaper ones(like a rock shock recon, manitou etc...)

 

Maybe look for something like a Silverback Vida 3, 4 or 5 - should be less than R7k for the vida 3.

(maybe the 1 or 2 if you want to spend R11k or more).

 

The rest of the components are pretty much "you get what you pay for". Theres nothing wrong with cheaper components, just not as 'smooth' and light weight as the top of the range stuff.

[Kanga]

to make an informed choice, dont do what i did! Dont go and buy cheap everything just coz you're not sure if you're going to love the sport and continue with it.

 

I bought everything cheap, and started loving it from my first ride out and now want to buy everything I initially bought, better....take note it was only two months ago!! *facepalm*

 

edit: spelling

 

I hear you I already want to buy everything better and its been a week.

 

So here is the plan, set a goal reach it, buy new toy and donate current entry level bike to the next guy who wants to start losing weigh and get fit as long as he plots his progress on The Hub and does the same once he is ready to apgrade.

[nishiki]

Staying motivated is key. Find some people to ride with who have similar skills and objectives. And set realistic goals. It took you a long time to put on that weight, and will take a long time to lose it.

 

With MTB, skills are everything. They far outweigh the bike/what components etc. Get hold of this book: http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mountain-Bike-Skills-Edition/dp/0736083715

[Kanga]

Thanks guys, Nishiki just bought the Kindle version.

 

As for motivation, my wife is a pitbul if she sets her mind to something. Right now she is very serious about me losing weight, you see my mom passed away with cancer 4 months and my sister 3 weeks ago with cancer as well, so motivation I promise is there.

 

dre thanks, I will add that to my mental notebook

[Mileage]

Hey Kanga

 

Here's my 2c

 

Dont get sucked into believing that you have to spend 50k to have a "real" bike. If you do your homework and shop around you can get some good deals. If you shop from July onwards you can get some awesome deals on older stock that shops are trying to get rid of. Frequently all that changes is the paint colour. I got a 2011 Giant Trance X3 for R13k which was better than the R19k they wanted for the upcoming 2013 model.

 

Things to look for in a bike that will last you a while and provide enjoyable riding

- Air fork - cheaper models are coils. Rock Shoxs, Fox etc

- Hydraulic disc brakes - better in the mud than V brakes.

- Good components - Shimano SLX or SRAM X7 or better. Actually the better you get the more you spend on maintenance as they are built lighter but wear out quicker. New bikes are 3 x 9, 3x 10 or 2 x 10 gearing. if the bike you are looking at is 3 x 8 its out of date.

 

Depending on your riding style you have a huge choice of bikes. Marathon - Trail - Freeride - Downhill etc. Basically the steeper the hills you want to go down and the bigger the drops the more travel you will need.

 

Also go a reputable bike shop in your area. Search here on the hub for comments on the varios shops. Look around and see what the guys around you on the trails are riding. Chat to people about what they think of their bikes. Take all the advise, sift through the BS and make the choice of the bike you want that suits your pocket, ambitions and style of riding.

[Kanga]

Thanks Mileage

 

You make a lot of sense

Edited September 19, 2012 by Kanga

[Willie2011]

Good on you for making the decision to make that life change.Go to the Mens Health website and click on the belly-off link.They have a 12 week eating guide and training guide.You wont starve and you will learn how to eat and train right.It changed my life!!!Mountain Biking played a big part of it.

Happy Miles!!!

[DaLoCo]

Hey Kanga...I ended up buying a bike one size too big because it was a bargain. I took of the 120mm stem and put on a 60mm stem, made a world of difference to comfort in shoulders. I will eventually get the right size mtb, but the shorter stem made enough difference for to enjoy riding it.