Need some help/advice buying a MTB

[Andrewjw]

Hi guys,

 

I need some advise.

 

I am 1.91 (1.92 on a good day) and about 110kg. I am looking for a MTB. Want to cycle at least twice a week and do the odd MTB race.

 

I am a beginner - use to do some cycling 7-8 years ago on a hardtail 26er.

 

Now, for my question - I have a budget of R6000 to R8500 - should i buy a second hand dual suspension 26er or should i buy a very entry level 29er hardtail (second hand or brand new)?

 

I have never riden a 29er or a 26er dual suspension.

 

Is there really a huge differance between the two?

 

Have had conflicting sugestions/recomendations and personally dont really mind having a 26er with better components than an entry level 29er............ please comment.

 

Also would i need to get an XL frame or would a Large suffice?

 

Thanks in advance

Edited December 19, 2013 by Andrewjw

[rouxtjie]

I wouldn't worry to much about wheelsize if I were you, but I would suggest rather going for a hardtail than a dual sus to begin with for a good couple of reasons.

 

Secondhand in that bracket will get you an awesome bike if you go 26inch.

[CraigCCW]

I agree, there are a lot of really good deals on second hand 26inch. Everyone is jumping on the 29er bandwagon, but a well. Equipped 26er would not let you down.

[CraigCCW]

I would also look at a hard tail 26er in that price range.

[BrandonF_]

XL!!! Whatever you take!

[porqui]

Hard tail or dual suspension depends on the kind of riding you are going to do. If cross-country then by all means hard tail but if you are going to do some mountain trails like Tokai and Jonkershoek then get a dual suspension. Living in the Cape I would go for dual susp. as it gives you more options. Cross country 29r but 29ers are way too over-rated. Plenty of 29ers on the 2nd hand market nowadays.(why?)

[arendoog]

XL 29er Hardtail .You are to tall for 26".Budget to small for any decent DS

Edited December 21, 2013 by Blitzer

[porqui]

XL 29er Hardtail .You are to tall for 26".Budget to small for any decent DS

 

 

Bollocks!!

 

 

On all counts!

Edited December 21, 2013 by porqui

[mrbaker]

XL 29er Hardtail .You are to tall for 26".Budget to small for any decent DS

 

So all the taller guys never rode bikes a few years back when 29ers didn't exist??

 

29er would be better suited, but I don't think your comment is constructive to the OP at all.

 

[Jewbacca]

Hard tail or dual suspension depends on the kind of riding you are going to do. If cross-country then by all means hard tail but if you are going to do some mountain trails like Tokai and Jonkershoek then get a dual suspension. Living in the Cape I would go for dual susp. as it gives you more options. Cross country 29r but 29ers are way too over-rated. Plenty of 29ers on the 2nd hand market nowadays.(why?)

 

If you're mocking other peoples posts I think I'm jumping on the bandwagon you set and say no.... To suggest that a dual sus gives you more options and list Jonkers and Tokai as examples is rubbish! Both places are frequently ridden and shredded and really enjoyed by fully rigid bikes, hardtail big travel forked Bfe's and the like.

 

The OP is looking to buy a bike to do the odd MTB race. A 20 foot road gap probably wont be on his radar for a good long while and to imply you need a dual sus to enjoy/ride Tokai or Jonkers is really untrue.

 

A 29er will suit the OP and for 8k you can buy a really nice 2nd hand one. Get it checked out by a pro before you commit but you really needn't get a high maintenance full sus bike and lose out on a quality wheelset and slightly (if not infinitely!)better all round better components on a similarly priced hardtail.

 

Sorry Porqui, but you said Bollocks 1st.......

[arendoog]

Bollocks!!

 

 

On all counts!

At 110kg he will never get enough grip from a 26 "tyre to ride any moderate climbs .

[keithbe]

As a newbie 'weekend worrier' alot of time was spent researching and asking questions regarding 26/29 and full/hard tail. There are ALOT of differing opinions on these topics and there is n no right answer. After some weeks of bike store hoping I finally made a decision with which I'm very, very happy with.

 

At the end of the day a 'virgin' bike rider has no where near the skill and fitness level of those that have been riding for a while.

 

Regardless of what bike you get it is going to take a while to learn how to ride properly and not to kill yourself if your fitness is not where it could be.

 

At the end of the day you want something reliable, with a solid frame, with some reliable mid range components that come together and gets you back onto it week in and week out.

 

Starting to customise ones bike is for sure the next phase in the MTB evolutionary process. Trying different group sets, handle bar lengths, seats, tyres etc etc the list is endless is all part of the biking package. The beauty about this is that it's nothing like customising ones car with shiny rims, blue light shining from underneath and a sound system that's worth more than twice the actual car. (No offence intended).

 

Having fun riding is what it's all about. .. besides I don't know of any regular MTB biker that has had just one bike. They may have their original one stored away but have at least one or a few more waiting for them to ride!

[Track]

XL 29er Hardtail .You are to tall for 26".Budget to small for any decent DS

Absolute rubbish! Everyone was riding 26 inch not so long ago.

[Kranky]

At 110kg he will never get enough grip from a 26 "tyre to ride any moderate climbs .

 

I was always under the impression that the more weight on a tyre the more grip. Hence the lose of grip when you get out the saddle and the use of aerodynamics to create downforce in motor racing.

 

And, before 29er madness, did big guys just walk up all moderate climbs? No, they did not. They rode up them much like they do today.

Edited December 22, 2013 by Nick.

[ThePubSA]

http://media.komonews.com/images/080324_Leonid_Stadnik.jpg

http://www.allhatnocattle.net/giant-ukraine.jpg

 

 

Seems happy with his 26 er

[ThePubSA]

Im 1.88- 1.89 on a good day... i only ride 26ers atm... frame wise a 9er might be better ,,but then again the wheels and forks arent as strong or stiff as a 26er so its a trade off... id still go 26er if you planning to do some proper trail riding.