MTB Choices

[hvh]

I mean, who calls himself abcdefg??

 

abcdefg does

[ValeYellow]

The one thing I do know about cycling is that once the bug bites - its terminal, you will be hooked for life. Now I guess there is the conundrum of whether you buy the cheapest bike possible, try things out, and if you dig the sport (which you will), then shop around for a better equipped machine? This theory is also know as p!!ssing money down the drain? If I were you abcdefg (that is a very unique username), buy a secondhand bike right here on the hub, 5-6k should hook you up with something decent. This will get you a rig with ok disk brakes, ok components, and so forth, and if you really dig the sport - you at least have a decent ride for a year or so? You will get more value selling a 5-6k secondhand ride when the time comes to upgrade or sell cause you don't dig riding (this is almost an impossible scenario) - compared to a 2.5k ride which if you can find a buyer for it, they will offer next to nothing for it? Remember, if you are just starting out, it will be some time before you out-perform the bike (talking about a 5-6k 2nd hand bike here) - unless of course you are a born natural, have mad skills, in which case, go buy a Santa Cruz v10

Edited November 29, 2013 by ValeYellow

[abcdefg]

What is the difference between the different component levels? I can understand that disk breaks are better than V breaks but what is the difference between tourney and acera or any of the other levels. Being all shimanoo parts is it like buying a BMW 316 vs a M3. Is it purely performance but still good quality?

[ValeYellow]

What is the difference between the different component levels? I can understand that disk breaks are better than V breaks but what is the difference between tourney and acera or any of the other levels. Being all shimanoo parts is it like buying a BMW 316 vs a M3. Is it purely performance but still good quality?

my 2 cents worth (and puts on the Harry Potter invisible cloak) - when it comes to this price range of entry level bike, they are all going to be similar in terms of components, front shock, rims, hubs, and brakes (being v-brakes in this case) - therefore all offering a similar rider experience - the difference would be in frame geometry (maybe). Upping the ante and looking at a seconhand 5-6K bike, which would have cost possibly in the region of 8-10K new, will definitely offer you a significant "upgrade in terms of rider comfort. Brakes will be hydraulic disk brakes, front fork would be perhaps solo air, and components would be in the range of Shimano SLX or SRAM X5? Trust me, and I am sure most hubbers will agree - spend a bit of extra cash, and buy something decent from the get go - you will enjoy your bike so much more.......

[El Scorcho]

I made this mistake, I bought cheap (3k) and sold my bike within a few months to upgrade to a 10k bike.

 

All valid advice being given here. If I could do it all again, I'd wait a bit more, save up, and buy something decent from the start.

[ValeYellow]

Give this man a Bells!!

[Uni]

The one thing I do know about cycling is that once the bug bites - its terminal, you will be hooked for life. Now I guess there is the conundrum of whether you buy the cheapest bike possible, try things out, and if you dig the sport (which you will), then shop around for a better equipped machine? This theory is also know as p!!ssing money down the drain? If I were you abcdefg (that is a very unique username), buy a secondhand bike right here on the hub, 5-6k should hook you up with something decent. This will get you a rig with ok disk brakes, ok components, and so forth, and if you really dig the sport - you at least have a decent ride for a year or so? You will get more value selling a 5-6k secondhand ride when the time comes to upgrade or sell cause you don't dig riding (this is almost an impossible scenario) - compared to a 2.5k ride which if you can find a buyer for it, they will offer next to nothing for it? Remember, if you are just starting out, it will be some time before you out-perform the bike (talking about a 5-6k 2nd hand bike here) - unless of course you are a born natural, have mad skills, in which case, go buy a Santa Cruz v10

 

as someone in a similar position - i got a very cheap bike to start with, 11 months down the line i want / need an upgrade. The amount and type of riding i do i don't think i'll be upgrading annually (i'm level headed like that) but I do want to get something that will last me a good couple of years - but I'm nervous about buying second hand.

1. fraud.

2. how do you know you're not buying a stolen bike

3. no warranty

[Uni]

I made this mistake, I bought cheap (3k) and sold my bike within a few months to upgrade to a 10k bike.

what 10k bike did you buy?

[El Scorcho]

what 10k bike did you buy?

 

Went from Titan 26er with Altus/v-brakes to Momsen 29er with X5/Elixir 1/Recon Silver Air.

[ValeYellow]

as someone in a similar position - i got a very cheap bike to start with, 11 months down the line i want / need an upgrade. The amount and type of riding i do i don't think i'll be upgrading annually (i'm level headed like that) but I do want to get something that will last me a good couple of years - but I'm nervous about buying second hand.

1. fraud.

2. how do you know you're not buying a stolen bike

3. no warranty

in terms of buying secondhand, yes it does come with its worries. I am not entirely sure if one would know whether the bike you are buying is stolen or not? A good rule of thumb when buying secondhand, only investigate options that are within your area or province. Find something you like, then ask the seller to meet with you at either your LBS, or a bicycle shop of your choice? If he is serious about selling it - he will make the effort. This way the bike shop can check the bike out for you and any problematic areas can be pointed out and addressed there and then. I would suggest taking moola with you though to purchase the bike if the bike shop guy gives you the green light?

[Lefty V]

in terms of buying secondhand, yes it does come with its worries. I am not entirely sure if one would know whether the bike you are buying is stolen or not? A good rule of thumb when buying secondhand, only investigate options that are within your area or province. Find something you like, then ask the seller to meet with you at either your LBS, or a bicycle shop of your choice? If he is serious about selling it - he will make the effort. This way the bike shop can check the bike out for you and any problematic areas can be pointed out and addressed there and then. I would suggest taking moola with you though to purchase the bike if the bike shop guy gives you the green light?

 

good advice.

 

and for your price range I would definately buy used.

 

To put that in context: I would also buy a second hand Hilux instead of a new GWM

[ChUkKy]

I mean, who calls himself abcdefg??

 

maybe, hijklmnop?