First bike choice

[zalaw]

Hi All

 

I am totally new to mountain biking and need help in choosing a bike.

As is the case with most other salary earning people, I have a budget of about R5000 and want to buy within the next week. Bike prices in Port Elizabeth are just crazy and I decided to go online and looked at the following bikes and would appreciate your guys input. 1) TITAN 29R Sport-D 2) 2012 TREK 4500 DISC 21" 3) MERIDA MATTS TFS 100-D 2012 - a bit more expensive- 4) GIANT REVEL 1 D 2013 5) SILVERBACK STRIDE 10 2013 6) FUJI ADDY 2.0 2012

These bikes are all within my budget, although the Merida is about a R1000 more.

 

Please help

['Dale]

Have you considered 2nd hand and get a better spec?

[zalaw]

I have, but nothing available in PE

[Eugene]

What online shops are you looking at? Don't be fooled into thinking you will save big going online. Overseas shops look cheap, but once you've added VAT, duties and postage, they are actually more expensive.

 

If the online shop is local, the price difference between them and your average bike shop are minimal. Rather pay the extra few bucks and get your bike from a local shop. At least you know it will be set up properly for you, the size will be right, your first service will be free and you will build a relationship between yourself and the shop. Any warranty claims will be handled properly (you won't have to post your bike back to wherever).

 

PE prices aren't any different to the rest of SA. For R5 000, you should be looking at Axis, Titan and Silverback. All 3 will deliver the best bang for your buck

 

If you want second hand, have you tried Recycle Sports in Charlo? Mark is really helpful and he has quite a range of second hand stuff.

[Pietervdw]

Have a look on thesportsbasement.co.za friend of mine bought a really nice Felt for R5500 with Sram X7/9 mix

[zalaw]

What online shops are you looking at? Don't be fooled into thinking you will save big going online. Overseas shops look cheap, but once you've added VAT, duties and postage, they are actually more expensive.

 

If the online shop is local, the price difference between them and your average bike shop are minimal. Rather pay the extra few bucks and get your bike from a local shop. At least you know it will be set up properly for you, the size will be right, your first service will be free and you will build a relationship between yourself and the shop. Any warranty claims will be handled properly (you won't have to post your bike back to wherever).

 

PE prices aren't any different to the rest of SA. For R5 000, you should be looking at Axis, Titan and Silverback. All 3 will deliver the best bang for your buck

 

If you want second hand, have you tried Recycle Sports in Charlo? Mark is really helpful and he has quite a range of second hand stuff.

Thanks, will have a look there

[zalaw]

Have a look on thesportsbasement.co.za friend of mine bought a really nice Felt for R5500 with Sram X7/9 mix

Thanks, will have a look