figjam_sa Posted February 19, 2014 Posted February 19, 2014 Hey guys! My wife and I want to start doing Mtb'ing. We live in the Sandveld, about 50km from Clanwilliam. Around here there are dirt and gravel roads and maybe we'll go to the Cedarberg once in a while. Main idea is to get fit and stay in shape. I've done a bit of research already, but at the moment I'm still not sure whether I should rather go for a well spec'd 26er vs the bigger wheels with lower specs. Keep in mind the budget at the moment is about R15k for both bikes and I'm 1,71m tall and my wife around 1,65m. I would prefer R8-9k for my bikes and R6-7k for wife's bike. She doesn't REALLY care, as long as "it's pretty".... you know haha! Here is what I found so far: 26" 2013 Scott Aspect 610 26er for R7500 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/aspect-610-2013-mountain-bike-ec042353 2013 GT Zaskar Elite 26er for R9350 - http://www.gtbicycles.com/int/2013/bikes/mountain/xc/zaskar-elite 29" 2013 Momsen AL 329 for R8500 - http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/momsen-al329-2013?quicktabs_1=1#quicktabs-1 2013 Silverback Vida 2 for R10 000 - http://www.bicycling.co.za/bike-buyers-guide/vida-2-29er/ WIFE Titan 650B Sport - http://www.cyclefactory.co.za/index.php/bikes/27-5-mtb/titan-calyp-650b-sport-detail Giant Tempt 4 - http://www.cyclefactory.co.za/index.php/bikes/27-5-mtb/giant-tempt-275-4-detail Silverback Splash 1 http://www.silverbacklab.com/upload/2011_website_SILVERBACK/splash1_14.htm Momsen LA 651 650b - http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/momsen-650b-la651-2014 This is what I've got so far in my price range.... The rest all seem to have Alivio/Acera/Deore components and I'm allergic to buy anything to replace it in the near future. I would actually prefer a 27,5" but I don't seem to find anything that's worth looking at in my price range for that size. ANY other suggestions welcome! Also any critique and advise! I appreciate your input guys!
Cranky Posted February 19, 2014 Posted February 19, 2014 I have a friend who recently bought the Silverback Splash and is very happy. I tried out the bike and it feels good. But it all comes down to personal preference and the deals you can get. Momsen and Silverback offer great value. I would always look at wheels and fork on a bike before looking at other components, e.g. if you could stretch you budget to include a Momsen with Stan's ZTR tubeless ready wheels that would make life so much better.
figjam_sa Posted February 19, 2014 Author Posted February 19, 2014 Hmm ok, I just listed the different sites so you experts can see the specs and help me to which is the better bike for the money!
scotty Posted February 19, 2014 Posted February 19, 2014 Someone who has done actual research, states costs and purpose and not the usual "Please help I want to buy a bike". Momsen and Silverback are both good brands with backup.
Cranky Posted February 19, 2014 Posted February 19, 2014 Hmm ok, I just listed the different sites so you experts can see the specs and help me to which is the better bike for the money! OK, out of your options, I would go for the Vida 2 and Splash 1.
figjam_sa Posted February 19, 2014 Author Posted February 19, 2014 Flat surfaces would be what we ride mostly, but I just thought that the two deals on the 26ers were GREAT deals! Any critique with the Scott and GT? Is that a good price for the Silverback Vida 2? Somehow I just don't find the Vida 2 a particular attractive bike... not that it's ugly. Just think the Scott and Gt looks way better. Any deals on 29ers or 27,5" that anybody know about??
johanpre44 Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 I bought a 26er Silverback Stride 10 in 2012 to get fit, really cheap mtb, but its been holding up fairly well (over the last 3000km+). Suggestions I can make is to maybe get an Air Shock and if you plan on doing any races it will be best to get a 29er. I also got my wife a bike (Silverback with V brakes, which I would not suggest) and is looking at getting her a Sola 4 in the near future. When it comes to components you may be surprised how well the cheaper components (Alivio/Deore) last, so I would not be too worried about getting better components, but the Fork makes a difference.
Uni Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 I'm the furtherst thing from an expert but my experience with buying the bike, especially with the wife, check out the sizing of the different brands, standover height is often said to be not important but it adds to the comfort you feel on the bike and having to hop off in a hurry, so get her to try them out and not just - oh that's pretty. If you buy both bikes from the same LBS you may be able to get a better price. I've had my Splash 1 for about 2 months now, thoroughly enjoying it. Thoroughly enjoying the ride. Did find the handle bars a bit wide to start with, and struggled with tighter turns to begin with, but much better now.
Cranky Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 Brilliant bike prices on the CWC sale today!
figjam_sa Posted February 20, 2014 Author Posted February 20, 2014 yup!! Saw this just now! Ok, If I throw in the Merida Big 7 tfs 500 (IF I can stretch the budget) and also the Momsen AL429... What do you guys think? Compared to the Scott aspect 610 26" R7500, Silverback vida 2 R10 000 and GT Zaskar Elite 26" R9300 and the Momsen AL329 R8500. I can also get a Merida Big 7 tfs 300 for R8200. What makes my decision so difficult is that I don't want to upgrade anything on my bike in at least the next year or so. Again, critique and input more than welcome! Thanks for the help so far guys!
Longbarn Killer Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 Looking at your heights, consider getting a 650b for the wife and a 650b/29er for yourself. Don't even consider a 26er. They have no resale value because no body wants them.
shaun85 Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 I have the 2013 GT Zaskar Sport 29inch and damn it is a very fine bike. Personal choice I know, but from a GT customer I am very happy. I got it for R8999. Came from a 26inch and my skills improved notably.
eddy Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 Check your gender, check your bank balance, make a note of your age and your hight and find all your answers here : https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/136539-cycle-lab-settles-the-wheel-size-debate-once-and-for-all/ Sorry, couldn't help myself, but failing that, there are good answers above......
Mylolylo Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 Look on www.cwcycles.co.za right now. mad specials on so you could probably get two nice bikes for way cheaper!
Caerus Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 Looking at your heights, consider getting a 650b for the wife and a 650b/29er for yourself. Don't even consider a 26er. They have no resale value because no body wants them.Nothing wrong with a 26" bike, good deals to be had. Strange that cause there are hardly any in the classifieds section
figjam_sa Posted January 5, 2015 Author Posted January 5, 2015 Just to update this thread. I bought myself a Silverback Slade 2 650b last week. Got it for a good price with tubeless conversion incl. Thanks for the input. Now to start with the accessories and necessities!
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