Questions on buying a MTB - Please help a noob.

[Rayman]

Hi all.

 

Today is my first day here, but have been thinking about starting and buying a MTB soon. So my question is the same for 99% of us noobs here - What to buy?

 

I'll start by saying I have popped into City Cycles in Canal Walk Shopping Centre

and had some awesome service compared to a few other shops, and was told I will need to get a large frame, and a few brands were suggested to me.

With doing some reading and asking around I have come to this point on what to buy....

 

I am about 94 odd kilos, and have a budget ( I hope it's realistic ) of 6,5K

to spend on an entry level bike (and all the extras like bike racks etc)

It doesn't have to be brand name stuff like "Mc Awesome bike racks"

or "Super Duper Expensive" bottles n cages....

Oh, and I plan on riding places like Majick Forest, and joining the TB Mountain Club to get some weekend riding in and a few comps maybe. But no down hill just yet....

 

the bikes I am looking at are the following :

 

Silverback Stride 10 & 20 (2013 model)

Axis - A60 -26er, A80 or A70

Raleigh Talus 29er, Talus Comp and Talus Sport

 

What gets me, is when comparing components, all 3 brands have very similar and in some cases the same components. - What to choose?

I would prefer on buying new so I get a guarantee if something breaks due to manufacturing. And second hand I don't mind, but for a few bucks more, I get a new bike. - I'm stuck again.

 

Also confusing is many cycle shops are uber anti Raleigh brand and see them as cheapies or inferior, but for a beginner who doesn't have a big budget and the gear has decent parts - it seems viable to buy.

 

So, I would appreciate some help here.

I don't know if maybe I'm looking at it wrong here, but I see this like some cars...

you can buy a Proton car...but it has Lotus engine in - is it still a bad car?

Or a guitar.... Some middle or entry level gear just needs a few decent mods and it will kick ass.

 

Is this the same for MTB's like the above mentioned Raleigh models or Axis?

 

Thanks guys.

[marko35s]

Guarantee aside have a look at the classifieds here, you will get much more value than going new.

If you buy entry level and the bug bites big time (and it almost certainly will) you will end up upgrading pretty soon anyway.

[Adrian Fogg]

Agree with Marko35s.

 

IF and WHEN that bugs bites you, you gonna say to yourself I should've spent a bit more or looked through the classifieds for a bike with better components, wheels, etc. That's exactly what I did bought a cheapish bike, bug bit me bad and ended buying myself a new bike.

[Surv0MTB]

The hardest most complicated decision one could make these days im afraid, is choosing a worthy bike.

 

One thing I must say is that if you think you have budgeted enough, budget some more. You should look at getting a bike for not less than 6.5k, but I would push that up and get a hardtail 29r with semi decent components. Around R8-9k. This will save you down the line when you realise you need a stronger bike, one that wont need to be serviced after every ride.

 

I spent 4k on my first bike, 8 months later, I forked out 20k. Guess its a learning curve you need to go through yourself.

 

Cycling gear, bike wracks, extra gadgets for the bike are expenses that never really cease.

 

So my advice, if you want to save some money in the long run, rather than spend more now and save later.

 

As mentioned above, once the bug bites, you will regret buying an absolute entry level, unless you are prepared to try sell and upgrade in a few months.

[Rayman]

Damn. why does this awesome sport have to cost so much?

I might have to start selling my body in the evenings to help save up.

 

But generally speaking though,are the above mentioned bikes are ok to dabble with and see if biking is

my cup of tea, and will it last a few rides and competitions?

[SAGecko]

Hi Rayman.

 

I was you about 14 months ago. So, my 0.02 Rands worth:

 

1) You will probably spend more than 6.5K on the bike but at that price point you can still get a decent frame. (for example a Momsen AL129 or a GT Karakoram 3.0 / Merda Big 9 TFS 100) but the components are a bit, well, not-so-nice as you'd possibly want them to be.

 

It's just that you will want to have better than the Suntour fork, Shimano Acera / Alivio on offer at that price range.

 

2) Borrow a few extra grand and the options open up a bit and you'll probably save a stack in the medium term from not having to upgrade (especially the fork. That can cost a large wad of cash if you find your weepy, squeaky Suntour isn't to your liking).

 

The Cube Acid is going for R11,500 at the mo' (BuyCycle) and you will not have to put in another cent for years.

 

Or at around nine grand, the Axis A30 2013 from Solomons is a decent buy.

 

Probably the best in your price range though, is the Axis A40.

 

Let us know what you finally get. I can assure you though Rayman, whatever you end up buying, you're going to love this sport.

[scotty]

Of those choices I would select Silverback. As mentioned 2nd hand would get more bang for bucks, I helped a friend get a Schwinn DS with RS shock and fork, 9spd mix sram9/7 in very good nick for R3500.

[GhostSixFour]

I was in the same boat not too long ago - I bought a GT karakoram and have since upgraded the brakes, the wheelset, the saddle and the fork..

 

So, buy decent the first time to save from all the upgrades.

[GhostSixFour]

Some nice second hand options:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/80975-commencal-meta-55-26-sram-x0-shimano-xt/

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/80957-specialized-xc-pro-very-rare-wood-paint-finish/

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/80953-gt-zaskar-pro-carbon-26/

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/76873-giant-anthem-26er/

[Rayman]

Thanks guys.

 

I'm going to go blow up a ATM quick and get some shiny new toys.

So if you see a big smurf on the track, you know it's me.

 

But I'll def let you guys know what I end up getting.

[SAGecko]

That GT Zaskar in the classifieds looks awesome. Fox Talas, XT everything......Wow.

[dev null]

Silverback or Axis if you want new and your budget is set. They seem to have better components than the cheapies from established names.

[Skubarra]

Guarantee aside have a look at the classifieds here, you will get much more value than going new.

If you buy entry level and the bug bites big time (and it almost certainly will) you will end up upgrading pretty soon anyway.

So my advice, if you want to save some money in the long run, rather than spend more now and save later.

 

As mentioned above, once the bug bites, you will regret buying an absolute entry level, unless you are prepared to try sell and upgrade in a few months.

Agree with Marko35s.

 

IF and WHEN that bugs bites you, you gonna say to yourself I should've spent a bit more or looked through the classifieds for a bike with better components, wheels, etc. That's exactly what I did bought a cheapish bike, bug bit me bad and ended buying myself a new bike.

 

I'm going to disagree with the general trend here. As hard as it is to believe for us who dig the sport, actually the bug does NOT bite everybody and the last thing you want is sitting with a 20K bike rusting away in the garage...

 

You dont need an expensive bike to start out with and I only took a small knock on my cheap entry level bike when I sold it and upgraded a year later. Upgrading a few months or a year down the line also has the benefit of you having a much better idea of what your preferences are and choosing a bike would not be as daunting as it is when starting out.

 

Part of the fun/learning for me upgrading from an entry level bike is experiencing first hand what things actually makes a difference and what is just hype.

 

So my 2c, stay in your budget and I hope you enjoy the sport

[Rayman]

Thanks guys.

I appreciate all the help and input.

[Mojoman]

I'm going to disagree with the general trend here. As hard as it is to believe for us who dig the sport, actually the bug does NOT bite everybody and the last thing you want is sitting with a 20K bike rusting away in the garage...

 

You dont need an expensive bike to start out with and I only took a small knock on my cheap entry level bike when I sold it and upgraded a year later. Upgrading a few months or a year down the line also has the benefit of you having a much better idea of what your preferences are and choosing a bike would not be as daunting as it is when starting out.

 

Part of the fun/learning for me upgrading from an entry level bike is experiencing first hand what things actually makes a difference and what is just hype.

 

So my 2c, stay in your budget and I hope you enjoy the sport

I agree with you, its not everyones cup of tea especially once they realise you need to put some quality effort in to get enjoyment out. I have 3 friends who bought bikes and have rather opted to sell them and do something else as its too much like hard work after a hard night of partying! I have another mate who rides about once every 4 months and yet another one who bought a bike and has not ridden for about 3 years (and he has done 2 Comrades so is (was) fit enough but is now tied down with a house and never has time to train anymore).

[2721sim]

There are positives to both sides of the argument ... I spent R4k 3 months ago ... I however bought what I thought was a good idea, and that is what I am going to aim at sharing here ... I bought a bike that already had discs ... basically that was the entry point ... My thoughts were I could upgrade any part of the bike ... and if I didn't like the sport I wasted as little as possible....