MTB - What should a Newbie look for

[Cav']

You sure it was a LBS and not a cash converters.

[Clinton1]

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.

 

I got my new bike in Nov last year. Prior to that I only did some social beachfront riding on an old bike. I started out doing 15km rides with my new bike and recall feeling I had done well. Fast forward to today where I did a 60km ride (again possibly nothing compared to some on here) and still felt there was some left in the tank.

 

Moral : Do you own thing, have fun and the mileage will come

[scotty]

You don't mention how tall you are, perhaps the XL is the correct size but settings need to be adjusted. You also mention the bike you were sold had V brakes, a good set of V brakes are much better than mechanical disk brakes and will have you coming to a dead stop even going over the bars if pulled hard enough, they do suck in wet and muddy conditions though.

 

The LBS could have span you a story similar to a colleague i work with, last year he was looking for bikes for him and his son to ride together on the weekend. He mentioned they would use the bike for tar riding but did not want a road bike and would prefer a MTB type. A Hybrid would have been better but he was sold 2 DS 29'ers costing around R30 000.00 each, if he has done 100km riding to date its a lot.

Edited September 20, 2012 by scotty

[geecee]

maybe give us a hint on how tall you are, and we can give a bit more insight.

 

dont be scared of second hand either, I managed to get an awesome deal on a hardly used mtb when i got into it, and the components etc are all well specced.

 

welcome to the world of cycling, just be dedicated and you will see a whole new lifestyle

[Caerus]

Get the right size bike, you will enjoy riding a lot more

[deviate]

be pedantic, homework homework homework homework. through all this you will find what you want then squeeze for a better price, but also by doing your homework you can save tons of cash. i have been to a few lbs' to find that some are 3k cheaper than others just on their displayed price...

 

i am a bit evil but i dont believe in paying the sticker price for a bike over 13k or a car for that matter.... but maybe thats just me?

[Kanga]

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!!!

Thanks will check it out

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.

Thanks will certainly look at this

I was thinking a stem with more of and angel as well

You sure it was a LBS and not a cash converters.

Unless Cash Crusaders is the new agents for Specialized and Giant

You don't mention how tall you are, perhaps the XL is the correct size but settings need to be adjusted. You also mention the bike you were sold had V brakes, a good set of V brakes are much better than mechanical disk brakes and will have you coming to a dead stop even going over the bars if pulled hard enough, they do suck in wet and muddy conditions though. The LBS could have span you a story similar to a colleague i work with, last year he was looking for bikes for him and his son to ride together on the weekend. He mentioned they would use the bike for tar riding but did not want a road bike and would prefer a MTB type. A Hybrid would have been better but he was sold 2 DS 29'ers costing around R30 000.00 each, if he has done 100km riding to date its a lot.

Around 1.92meters tall

Yip I could fall in that trap

maybe give us a hint on how tall you are, and we can give a bit more insight. dont be scared of second hand either, I managed to get an awesome deal on a hardly used mtb when i got into it, and the components etc are all well specced. welcome to the world of cycling, just be dedicated and you will see a whole new lifestyle

be pedantic, homework homework homework homework. through all this you will find what you want then squeeze for a better price, but also by doing your homework you can save tons of cash. i have been to a few lbs' to find that some are 3k cheaper than others just on their displayed price... i am a bit evil but i dont believe in paying the sticker price for a bike over 13k or a car for that matter.... but maybe thats just me?

Indeed I hear you, I am the same

 

Thanks for the advise guys

 

one of the good fella's here suggested I get a HR monitor as well whic I am doing to track progress

[geecee]

i could be under correction but id say XL is right for you.