Mountain bikers advice needed

[YoYo-Smileyguy]

Hi guys,

 

Looking at buying my wife and I mountain bikes.

For the wife it's mainly for riding in the park.

For myself would be to eventually do a few races.

 

I used to race road a few years back but have been out of the cycling scene for a while.

 

Any recommendations on what to look at and what's worth me buying.

My budget is 7k for my bike.

 

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

[Julian]

Silverback Sola 4 for you, great value at just above 7k!

[YoYo-Smileyguy]

  On 4/26/2014 at 5:32 PM, Julian Goldmann said:

Silverback Sola 4 for you, great value at just above 7k!

 

Thanks Julian,

 

Will look into that.

[johanpre44]

I bought my wife a Silverback Sola 4, she loves it (but only doing the occasional rides like the easy routes at northern farms). Great value for money. I was tempted to buy one for myself (to upgrade my cheap 26er).

 

Must add that I upgraded my wifes bike from a 26er with V-Brakes and the 29er made a big difference on her confidence (lots more stable, much less twitchy). If you want to take your wife on rides through the spruit or northern farms I suggest that you maybe look at a good 2nd hand 29er (if she is not too short), her confidence will make for a much more enjoyable ride.

[TK-Sp3cialiSt]

Check the classifieds, will get a hgher spec(a year or two old) well within your budget, new will be entry level

[Fruity]

If your budget can stretch to R800 extra, the Merida Big Nine TFS 100 doesn't look too shabby for R7800

[TheV]

  On 4/26/2014 at 9:33 PM, ScottDude said:

If your budget can stretch to R800 extra, the Merida Big Nine TFS 100 doesn't look too shabby for R7800

 

Can't go wrong with Merida as your first MTB bike.

[Spokey]

  On 4/27/2014 at 1:25 AM, TheV said:

 

 

Can't go wrong with Merida as your first MTB bike.

 

I have had great service from my Merida, and awesome service from the dealer when I bust the frame. I can also recomend the Sola 4, I recently bought one for my 19 year old son , 6ft 2 inch gym monster who has started riding for cardio, he loves it, good bike for the money.

[braailegend]

Id look at something 2nd hand at that price

[Spokey]

Buggar, finger trouble, TheV, I know you did not say all that, I some how

added to you post!

 

[*Roxy*]

Get a decently specced second hand bike. Thats what i did after looking around in bike stores and noticing the overpriced entry level bikes in stores. You can get a decently specced used full suspension 26er for around R7k as well. I purchased a Specialized epic 29er after riding a hardtail for awhile but i only ride over weekends so i thought i might as well sell it and get a well specced 26er and pocket Whats leftover as it will get me up and down the mountains just as any other wheel size would. Then i purchased my cousins friends Morewood Zula 26er as he was going abroad. He first loan it to me for few days and i simply loved the bike. Great looking in White and i even enjoy it more than the Epic 29er i had. Shop around and you will find something in your budget and to your liking.

[YoYo-Smileyguy]

Awesome stuff thanks guys I appreciate all the advice will see what's around. I'm sure I can stretch the budget a bit more.

 

Will keep you posted on my purchases.

 

Have a awesome Sunday.

 

[kosmonooit]

Yes, think of second hand, bikes loose up 50% of their value after a year. Obviously just coming into the game, you don't really know what's what but stick around here on the hub for advice and insight, and good offers to be had in the classifieds.

 

Hard tails should be good for now, groupsets bits you can upgrade with time, you might even pick up some 29'ers what with 27.5 being all the rage now.

[BenReaper]

In that price range you should get a nice 'above entry level' 2nd hand bike.you can also look into some of the cheaper brands like Titan.they have very well specced bikes for cheaper than the main brands.

[YoYo-Smileyguy]

Thanks for everybody's advice.

 

Had a look around at what's good tech on the bikes so decided to up the budget.

Bought my wife the silverback slade 4 perfect for her as she is really short and the spec are good enough for a park/recreational rider.

I got the Scott scale, seemed like a good priced bike for the specs.

 

Thanks again everyone.

 

Test rode them around emerentia dam and they rode beautifully.

 

 

[BenReaper]

Halo there YoYo,witch Scott scale did you get,the 960?