Stark Posted January 9, 2014 Share Hi Hubbers Newbie here, looking for advice on a MTB under 15K. I've been wanting to get started for quite some time but for whatever reason haven't gotten my now plump arse of the couch. The stars are however now aligning so with that and just a little luck, I should be in position to get a decent starter bike in the next month or so. I've done a bit of reading on this site and it and it seems there are still many diverse opinions regarding which size wheel to get, suffice to say I think the best bike for me is going to be a 27.5" or 650b.... still don't know where that name comes from ;-) A couple of things about myself: I'm ~176cm short, turned 40 last year and mainly want to get into this for a change of lifestyle and to get fit. I stay just south of Johannesburg, there seems to be lots of decent trails out here close to Eikenhof/Walkerville. In fact I'm seriously contemplating riding the Summer Fast One this weekend. I have a borrowed Scott Aspect 630 26er (Large) I can use which I got last week. Besides a few rides scoping out area the local area I haven't really done any riding since I did the 94.7 in 2001 :-0 . Over the last 10 days however I've done 2 x 10 km, 2 x 15km and 1x 43km ride (done in three stages) :-). I'm fairly confident I'll complete the 12km ride, at the summer fast one, but I'm nervous to do the 35km route, my comfort zone seems to end at around 20odd km's so 35 would be pushing it... How long do they give you on the trail before they load you into the bakkie and take you back to the start :-)? Anyway back to the question at hand. What bike, 650b hard tail for under 15K?Overall weight is important, I think, and I've a long way to go before I start doing very technical riding, or long marathons which is why I think the 27.5" hard tail is the best option for me. Color is not terribly important but I'd rather not get a red bike.I've had a look at several options including the Scott Aspect 720, GT Zaskar (red one), Titan Pro, and various Merida's in the Big 7 range like the TFS 300 and 500.The bike standing out for me at the moment is the ~11.5kg Merida Big 7 XT Edition So what do you guys think, anything else I should serious take a look at?. Edited January 9, 2014 by Stark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeloErv Posted January 9, 2014 Share I for one reason vote Merida all the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimpieva Posted January 9, 2014 Share Merida! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Posted January 9, 2014 Share That Merida XT was selling for R12950 or thereabouts at Cycle Lab with their so-called festive sale which ended on the 24th December - really nice bike and given the discount they were offering try and bargain a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The MTBer Posted January 9, 2014 Share Check Giant... Why not 29er? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johanpre44 Posted January 10, 2014 Share I like Silverback, looking at getting a Sola 1 in the next couple of months (its a 29er). I also like the Merida 1000/1500, but they tend to be a tad expensive. Also maybe check out the Giant XTC 27.5 2 (it comes in Red) and I think the price will be good. Enjoy the shopping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velloen bike Posted January 10, 2014 Share Get a feel of the bikes, the right bike will only come from feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stark Posted January 10, 2014 Share That Merida XT was selling for R12950 or thereabouts at Cycle Lab with their so-called festive sale which ended on the 24th December - really nice bike and given the discount they were offering try and bargain a bit pity, I was in Cycle Lab over the festive season and no-one mentioned these super specials , Thanks will try them out, but it may be a month or two before I can actually get the bike, doubt they'll be so kind then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stark Posted January 10, 2014 Share Check Giant... Why not 29er? I assume you're referring to the Giant Talon 1 27.5?for a only little money I'd think the better spec'd Merida is better? ...also can't find the weight of the Giant but I assume it's heavier? ...oh and it's red Regarding the 29er:From the reading I've done it seems the 27,5 format gives you the best of both worlds, it's better than the 26er for the longer open roads and better than 29er at the technical stuff, which is what I'd like to work up to. Edited January 10, 2014 by Stark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoman Posted January 10, 2014 Share Shop around, ride as many different bikes (and sizes, I am your height and ride a medium) as you can and do some new year haggling! There must be some specials out there for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdGe Posted January 12, 2014 Share Hi Hubbers Newbie here, looking for advice on a MTB under 15K. I've been wanting to get started for quite some time but for whatever reason haven't gotten my now plump arse of the couch. The stars are however now aligning so with that and just a little luck, I should be in position to get a decent starter bike in the next month or so. I've done a bit of reading on this site and it and it seems there are still many diverse opinions regarding which size wheel to get, suffice to say I think the best bike for me is going to be a 27.5" or 650b.... still don't know where that name comes from ;-) A couple of things about myself: I'm ~176cm short, turned 40 last year and mainly want to get into this for a change of lifestyle and to get fit. I stay just south of Johannesburg, there seems to be lots of decent trails out here close to Eikenhof/Walkerville. In fact I'm seriously contemplating riding the Summer Fast One this weekend. I have a borrowed Scott Aspect 630 26er (Large) I can use which I got last week. Besides a few rides scoping out area the local area I haven't really done any riding since I did the 94.7 in 2001 :-0 . Over the last 10 days however I've done 2 x 10 km, 2 x 15km and 1x 43km ride (done in three stages) :-). I'm fairly confident I'll complete the 12km ride, at the summer fast one, but I'm nervous to do the 35km route, my comfort zone seems to end at around 20odd km's so 35 would be pushing it... How long do they give you on the trail before they load you into the bakkie and take you back to the start :-)? Anyway back to the question at hand. What bike, 650b hard tail for under 15K?Overall weight is important, I think, and I've a long way to go before I start doing very technical riding, or long marathons which is why I think the 27.5" hard tail is the best option for me. Color is not terribly important but I'd rather not get a red bike.I've had a look at several options including the Scott Aspect 720, GT Zaskar (red one), Titan Pro, and various Merida's in the Big 7 range like the TFS 300 and 500.The bike standing out for me at the moment is the ~11.5kg Merida Big 7 XT Edition So what do you guys think, anything else I should serious take a look at?.What about a south african bike? check out Momsen Bikes: www.momsenbikes.com. i have a hardtail from them and I LOVE it! PoiZoNouZ and Al Pal 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoiZoNouZ Posted January 13, 2014 Share Second that. Some great value bikes there, although not much in the 650b size... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stark Posted January 13, 2014 Share What about a south african bike? check out Momsen Bikes: www.momsenbikes.com. i have a hardtail from them and I LOVE it!Second that. Some great value bikes there, although not much in the 650b size... Thanks, wouldn't mind getting something proudly South African however, I had a look at the AL655, it's heavier and lower spec'd than the Merida XT which is only a little (~R800) more expensive. The next momsen up from that is the dual sus Vipa which is quite a bit more expensive. PS - thanks for the suggestions, please keep them coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edkin Posted January 13, 2014 Share Why don't you consider a full suspension bike? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stark Posted January 13, 2014 Share Why don't you consider a full suspension bike? A decent starter full suspension bike seems considerably more expensive than a decent starter starter hard tail... My max limit is R15k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feetup Posted January 13, 2014 Share You LBS will be able to source this for 15K i am pretty sure. http://www.titanraci...arbonelite.html XT DerZTR rimsSelle seat650B Carbon frame Only the FD and crank is Deore but that can be changed in time. Edited January 13, 2014 by feetup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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