Narrowing down the MTB choice - Another Newbie

[Gripen_85]

Amazing seeing the variation in price depending on where you shop.

 

A friend who's into cycling said the Momsen AL129 sounds good. Bit out of my price range, but I can always save some more.

 

I went to Velolife earlier this year. I'll swing by again.

 

Wayne, the Spectra 2?

[Wayne Potgieter]

Slx components and rock shox fork. I bought one as a gift for one of my staff a while back. Great bike. I personally am not a fan of the tyres (kenda small block 8) but thats a personal thing. Also incidently bought a momsen al26 for another staff member. Prefer the silverback.

 

Edited July 29, 2013 by Wayne Potgieter

[Gripen_85]

Slx components and rock shox fork. I bought one as a gift for one of my staff a while back. Great bike. I personally am not a fan of the tyres (kenda small block 8) but thats a personal thing. Also incidently bought a momsen al26 for another staff member. Prefer the silverback.

 

Ta.

Will see which shops have them and take them for a ride to see which feels better.

[The Ghost]

Slx components and rock shox fork. I bought one as a gift for one of my staff a while back. Great bike. I personally am not a fan of the tyres (kenda small block 8) but thats a personal thing. Also incidently bought a momsen al26 for another staff member. Prefer the silverback.

 

Can I come and work for you?

[Wayne Potgieter]

Can I come and work for you?

Send me a CV. I pay in bicycles.

[Guest Latent Blue]

Send me a CV. I pay in bicycles.

 

You do not not need anyone in KZN? i can put in a hour or so every evening...?

Pretty please

[wynandvdmerwe]

Do yourself a favour and Just get a 29er...

[Mountain Bru]

I rate a second hand bike is your best bet. New bikes are cool and shiny, but if you're a noob, you're probably gonna bail a bit in the beginning, so the new shiny thing isn't gonna last long. Cycling is also stupidly addictive, and upgrading your bike can be stupidly addictive too, so if you get a cheap new bike with entry level components, there's a good chance that in 6 months you're either going to want a new bike, or you're going to want to replace all your entry level components with better ones, and that can be start to get super expensive.

 

I'd say the stuff you should look out for in a second hand bike are:

1. Derailleurs should be SLX or XT.
   
2. Fork should hopefully be an air shock and a lockout would be nice. (Hopefully Rock Shox)
   
3. Bigger wheels are better if you're a noob and pick rubbish lines over rocks and stuff.
   
4. Good brakes can be important, but very few entry level bikes come with good brakes (Shimanos entry level brakes are probably better than most Avids in that price range)
   

Everything after that is open to debate cos it comes down to personal preference.

 

A good cycling pant can be essential too, and they can be pretty expensive so don't forget to factor that into your budget.

[Gripen_85]

I'll test ride both the 26er and 29er and see which I prefer.

 

I rate a second hand bike is your best bet. New bikes are cool and shiny, but if you're a noob, you're probably gonna bail a bit in the beginning, so the new shiny thing isn't gonna last long. Cycling is also stupidly addictive, and upgrading your bike can be stupidly addictive too, so if you get a cheap new bike with entry level components, there's a good chance that in 6 months you're either going to want a new bike, or you're going to want to replace all your entry level components with better ones, and that can be start to get super expensive.

 

I'd say the stuff you should look out for in a second hand bike are:

1. Derailleurs should be SLX or XT.
    
   
2. Fork should hopefully be an air shock and a lockout would be nice. (Hopefully Rock Shox)
    
   
3. Bigger wheels are better if you're a noob and pick rubbish lines over rocks and stuff.
    
   
4. Good brakes can be important, but very few entry level bikes come with good brakes (Shimanos entry level brakes are probably better than most Avids in that price range)
   

Everything after that is open to debate cos it comes down to personal preference.

 

A good cycling pant can be essential too, and they can be pretty expensive so don't forget to factor that into your budget.

 

Many thanks, that's some great info!

 

I also need to factor in a helmet and maybe gloves. So if I bought the bike new, I could see if the shop will give me a discount if I buy some kit too. But I'm not too worried about that.

[Wil6]

27,5" is the way to go! 29ers are on the way out! By the time you need to replace tyres, they will be a lot more affordable! You will get the best of both worlds! My opinion anyway!

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but please don't say something that is not true. Different horses for courses. I have a 26" duel, 26" rigid single speed and 29" hardtail and every bike I enjoy in their own different way on different terrains.

[Gripen_85]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Will try out as many as possible, and decide at the of the month.

[Lone_Ranger]

BTW 29" tires are going cheaper than 26" at the moment. A lot more specials. I've been struggling to find specials on 26" tires, so don't believe that just cos they smaller they'll be cheaper.

 

I'd go for 29er if you can get one in your range, other wise Silverback for the win. My first bike was a Silverback and I still have it. Converted it to single speed and loving it.

[Gripen_85]

BTW 29" tires are going cheaper than 26" at the moment. A lot more specials. I've been struggling to find specials on 26" tires, so don't believe that just cos they smaller they'll be cheaper.

 

I'd go for 29er if you can get one in your range, other wise Silverback for the win. My first bike was a Silverback and I still have it. Converted it to single speed and loving it.

BTW 29" tires are going cheaper than 26" at the moment. A lot more specials. I've been struggling to find specials on 26" tires, so don't believe that just cos they smaller they'll be cheaper.

 

I'd go for 29er if you can get one in your range, other wise Silverback for the win. My first bike was a Silverback and I still have it. Converted it to single speed and loving it.

 

Thanks for the info!

[TimC]

I rate a second hand bike is your best bet. New bikes are cool and shiny, but if you're a noob, you're probably gonna bail a bit in the beginning, so the new shiny thing isn't gonna last long. Cycling is also stupidly addictive, and upgrading your bike can be stupidly addictive too, so if you get a cheap new bike with entry level components, there's a good chance that in 6 months you're either going to want a new bike, or you're going to want to replace all your entry level components with better ones, and that can be start to get super expensive.

 

I'd say the stuff you should look out for in a second hand bike are:

1. Derailleurs should be SLX or XT.
    
   
2. Fork should hopefully be an air shock and a lockout would be nice. (Hopefully Rock Shox)
    
   
3. Bigger wheels are better if you're a noob and pick rubbish lines over rocks and stuff.
    
   
4. Good brakes can be important, but very few entry level bikes come with good brakes (Shimanos entry level brakes are probably better than most Avids in that price range)
   

Everything after that is open to debate cos it comes down to personal preference.

 

A good cycling pant can be essential too, and they can be pretty expensive so don't forget to factor that into your budget.

 

+1 to this.

 

Look 2nd hand. I managed to pick up a Momsen AL529 in almost new nick for half the price of a new one.

Also, when I first got into MTB I bought a cheapie and ended up replacing every part of the bike except the frame. In most cases it was because things broke...and other because the upgrade addiction kicked in. I ended up spending more on the upgrades that the bike is really worth. Point being...spend a little more...it will save you more in the longer term.

[Gripen_85]

Visited the guys at Velo Life today.

 

They have the Scott Aspect 640, for just under R6000.

If I were to buy new... Scott 640 vs Silverback Stride 10. Opinions?

[Gripen_85]

Might have found a secondhand Merida, going for a reasonable price.

Only issue, it's a large frame. I see on their sizing chart they say Medium or Large is for people 175cm tall. I'm around 175cm tall.

 

If I enjoy the bike but find the frame too much of a stretch, what can I do? Shorten the stem and try a different seat post?