brian1 Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Hi Guys, New to this forum and thought it best to introduce myself and maybe tap a bit of wisdom. My name is Brian and I do a fair bit of road running, max half marathon distance but not being naturally built for it and now in my mid forties I am starting to pick up more and more injuries that simply mean I cannot run as often as I would like. So I started looking at a lower impact exercise and started riding my old Makro bike, but honestly the way that thing creaks and groans and the gears and pedals jump I am pretty sure I am not getting full benefit nor enjoyment. So I started to read thehubsa, awesome forum and information source, keep it up.And then I took myself off to the local Cycle Lab. I now know I fit a large frame, a 21 inch KTM 29er was the one they recommended, used once apparantly for R11k with tubeless conversion. A new one was in the region of R18k. Must be honest from R1000 every so often for running shoes to that was a bit of a shock. However from reading here I have to ask myself would I not be better off buying a used 26er from thehubsa classifieds?I think I should be able to do quite well in the R7k range? I am leaning towards a MTB because knowing myself it won't be long before I am heading to the local Sat morning race and it appears that there are more MTB races around than road bike races. I am not the kind of person who rushes out and buys the newest of everything, rather someone who tries to get good value and then makes a start.Unfortunately I am just figuring out my headset from my groupset and would really appreciate any comments or advice that you could offer. Cheers Edited January 7, 2014 by brian1
rouxtjie Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Yo howzit brian...there are some great deals on thehub...secondhand of course. You will get very good value for money and you can negotiate, you the one with the cash remember.
rouxtjie Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Good deal https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/73843-moorewood-kwela-large/
nathrix Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 If you know you are going to do some races I would suggest you invest in a 29er from the start, don't waste your time and money on a 26er or 27.5 ChUkKy 1
rouxtjie Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Oh and dont forget you need some sunnies, helmet, shoes, gloves and a bib and jersey to start....
FrancoisC Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Don't get into bikes.It will bankrupt you - its worse than heroin.Save yourself!!! nathrix, schizo, VicanZA and 1 other 4
Surv0MTB Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Yeah, if you can find a second hand 29r go with that. Then its the gear, shoes, bibs, tops, camelbacks, helmets, repair kits, Gu's and protein bars, new components, new tyres once a year. Cycling is more expensive than golf now days I reckon.. its a huge money suck but way more rewarding than doing anything else. Edited January 7, 2014 by Surv0MTB VicanZA 1
schizo Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Oh and dont forget you need some sunnies, helmet, shoes, gloves and a bib and jersey to start....Yeah very true, Unfortunately the initial layout the bike and all the things mentioned above, including a bike rack will be a fair amount of money, I tired to make do with what I had, so rather rode flats with takkies for the first month or so till I could buy a nice pair of shoes and cleats, also used normal shorts and gym tops for awhile and now I am at the stage where I am looking at upgrading my bike.You can get a very good deal on second hand bikes
VicanZA Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 welcome Brian, this cycling thing is expensive! if the 11k shocked u get ready for many more. go for a 29er dont look at anything else at this stage. when u start racing and the etch to stage race comes get ready to sell a kidney.
brian1 Posted January 7, 2014 Author Posted January 7, 2014 welcome Brian, this cycling thing is expensive! if the 11k shocked u get ready for many more. go for a 29er dont look at anything else at this stage. when u start racing and the etch to stage race comes get ready to sell a kidney. Hahaha, thanks for the warm welcome and tips everyone. One kidney is already allocated with one kid starting Uni this year and the other still in school. Can a person live without any kidneys??? Just kidding, things we enjoy often cost money but that's also why we pay up. VicanZA and rouxtjie 2
DJR Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Hahaha, thanks for the warm welcome and tips everyone. One kidney is already allocated with one kid starting Uni this year and the other still in school. Can a person live without any kidneys??? Just kidding, things we enjoy often cost money but that's also why we pay up. What, your wife don't have a spare kidney?
VicanZA Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Just kidding, things we enjoy often cost money but that's also why we pay up. right u are Brian, but as more people get into this, suppliers and race organizers trying to milk us, the up side is new MTB venues popping up everywhere.
lone one Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Def go second hand, dont even consider new - if you can get a 29er good, 26er will serve you well however - I still thoroughly enjoy my 26er!!Shop around there are some very good deals out there (and on the hub) - esp on 26er's The kit adds up quickly - I have listed in priority the kit:- Helmet shop around you can get some good deals - (remember it is your head you protecting though!) +-R1000 - Saddle bag (if you going this route), Co2 bombs and adapter, spare tubes and tire levers - if you going saddle bag, stay away from the bags which only hold on with Velcro, slightest bit of mud and it will not hold. - +-R500 - Water bottle - get a good one, the cheap ones ALWAYS leak!! - or go with a camelbak if the budget allows - Bib pants - you can get normal riding shorts, however personally i find bibs alot more comfortable on long rides. I have found good value in anatomic or first assent - reasonable value for money. +-R700 for bibs - shoes/cleats/pedals - same thing shop around you get some descent shoes for under R1k cleats are about +-R100 (you need to make sure these are compatible with your pedals) - Shirt - i descent riding shirt makes a more comfortable ride - again anatomic, first assent, cape storm +-R500 Just the above is close to R4000 - so i strongly suggest get some good advice and make sure you buy right the first time around (this certainly dosent mean you need the most expensive). Suggest you buy the most expensive bike you can afford after taking the kits needs into account - its gets very expensive if you start wanting to change bikes
ChUkKy Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 If you know you are going to do some races I would suggest you invest in a 29er from the start, don't waste your time and money on a 26er or 27.5 Stir the pot china, stir it nathrix 1
ChUkKy Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Oh and dont forget you need some sunnies, helmet, shoes, gloves and a bib and jersey to start.... Oh and dont forget about shammy cream
JGR Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Hahaha, thanks for the warm welcome and tips everyone. One kidney is already allocated with one kid starting Uni this year and the other still in school. Can a person live without any kidneys??? Just kidding, things we enjoy often cost money but that's also why we pay up. I dunno but dont sell your liver - that is required for after races at the beer tent
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