osiris Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Hi all, Need some advice or confirmation that I'm on the right track. So I started cycling last year some time with road cycling and did a couple of races. I did the Argus, the Tour of Durban and a bunch of smaller rides.I did about 1400km of cycling since the beginning of the year so I'm a regular weekend warrior.I've recently started looking at buying a mountain bike and it's a daunting task.It gets very confusing with AM, Enduro, XC, etc and then cross country not actually meaning crossing a country but riding a circular track. So I've done some research and think that a 100mm travel bike will suit the riding I want to do.My reasoning is that I want to be able to climb faster, do longer rides and have an overall lighter bike.I would also want to in future do some stage rides like Sani2C.Now come 6 months down the line and then I decide I like AM or Enduro will this 100mm bike be limited? Cos I've seen some youtube vids of guys going through some rough downhill stuff with just a hardtail. I then decided that I'll get myself the Giant Anthem 27.5 3.Went to a couple of shops and the best deal for this I could get is R23k.The shop will give me the bike plus do a tubeless conversion and throw in some pedals.Not sure which pedals, it's Shimano's at R900.Is this a good deal? and is my reasoning right?
osiris Posted July 7, 2014 Author Posted July 7, 2014 All good so far .Look at the trance also What would suit stage races?Trance or Anthem?
rouxtjie Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 What would suit stage races?Trance or Anthem?Anthem Wil6 1
Vangar Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Have to add look at the Silverback Sprada 1 as well. I bought it because of the 120mm travel, XT and Slx kit and stans wheels. A bit of a do it all buke so might not be the best at one but neither am i. Comes in at under 30k. Got mine for 25k
worriesnot Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Have to add look at the Silverback Sprada 1 as well. I bought it because of the 120mm travel, XT and Slx kit and stans wheels. A bit of a do it all buke so might not be the best at one but neither am i. Comes in at under 30k. Got mine for 25kjip... I went for an Anthem but Sprada is a good option as well. OP looks interested in 650B though and Sprada only comes in 29er (I think...)
Vangar Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 jip... I went for an Anthem but Sprada is a good option as well. OP looks interested in 650B though and Sprada only comes in 29er (I think...) I missed that lol. Then the Slider 1 would be the competition. Although the Giant is by far the best in class I think. Never ridden a bike with that much travel so I'll let the other guys comment on whether it would work for stage races etc.
rouxtjie Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Hi all, Need some advice or confirmation that I'm on the right track. So I started cycling last year some time with road cycling and did a couple of races. I did the Argus, the Tour of Durban and a bunch of smaller rides.I did about 1400km of cycling since the beginning of the year so I'm a regular weekend warrior.I've recently started looking at buying a mountain bike and it's a daunting task.It gets very confusing with AM, Enduro, XC, etc and then cross country not actually meaning crossing a country but riding a circular track. So I've done some research and think that a 100mm travel bike will suit the riding I want to do.My reasoning is that I want to be able to climb faster, do longer rides and have an overall lighter bike.I would also want to in future do some stage rides like Sani2C.Now come 6 months down the line and then I decide I like AM or Enduro will this 100mm bike be limited? Cos I've seen some youtube vids of guys going through some rough downhill stuff with just a hardtail. I then decided that I'll get myself the Giant Anthem 27.5 3.Went to a couple of shops and the best deal for this I could get is R23k.The shop will give me the bike plus do a tubeless conversion and throw in some pedals.Not sure which pedals, it's Shimano's at R900.Is this a good deal? and is my reasoning right?With those key words I would maybe suggest looking at a 29er hardtail. You will get a lighter, better spec'd bike for your buck that will probably be better suited to your needs. Above all, buy the bike you want to ride.... EZRider 1
osiris Posted July 7, 2014 Author Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) See guys the thing is I don't know what I type of riding I want to do. These are mainly assumptions I'm making from my research.My reasoning was that I get something that I could do a lot of different disciplines with and coming from a road cycling background spead, weight and climbing are just things I relate with.I live close to the Drakensberg so would probably do alot of riding there or in PMB and don't want to be limited or feel buyers remorse.Also is the price good? Cos i see in the Trance thread that you get a higher spec Trance for less. Edited July 7, 2014 by osiris
rouxtjie Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 See guys the thing is I don't know what I type of riding I want to do. These are mainly assumptions I'm making from my research.My reasoning was that I get something that I could do a lot of different disciplines with and coming from a road cycling background spead, weight and climbing are just things I relate with.I live close to the Drakensberg so would probably do alot of riding there or in PMB and don't want to be limited or feel buyers remorse.Also is the price good? Cos i see in the Trance thread that you get a higher spec Trance for less.Again...a well spec'd 29er hardtail will be more than adequate. It can also double up as a second low maintenance training bike if you later want to move to something else. nonky 1
Andrew Steer Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 With those key words I would maybe suggest looking at a 29er hardtail. You will get a lighter, better spec'd bike for your buck that will probably be better suited to your needs. Above all, buy the bike you want to ride.... Yes, you need an EMD Niner rouxtjie 1
rouxtjie Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Yes, you need an EMD Niner It would be a no brainer for me if I was the OP, awesome frameset that....checks all the boxes. Andrew Steer 1
Bizkit031 Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Osiris I think you have pretty much made up your mind,full suspension all the way. Maybe not as light as a hardtail but I think comfort is key,the Anthem sounds like it is more for your type of riding. The Trance has a bit more of a relaxed head angle and is more trail orientated and not so much racing and marathon. The 650b works very well with Giants frame setup.Try mad ride one if possible.
porqui Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) Mountains = dual suspension preferably min of 125mm travel. The Trance is an amazing all round bike and it keeps it's 2nd hand value.The 650b is great.The Trance is also very accommodating and forgiving.Get them to throw in a Giant dropper post from the start. Tip - Ask for the previous year's model the discounts are up to 35% and the frame geometry does not change every year. *NB do not get suckered into the wheel size debate - remember your height does not determine wheel size - the type of riding you do does. Edited July 7, 2014 by porqui Bizkit031 1
RockCoach Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Yeah, you have to decide if you want a marathon bike or a trail bike. The only way is to ride both. I'm sure there are some Hubbers in kzn who could help you out with a test ride and even some personal advice. Just think about the fact that you stay in trailbike heaven. Bizkit031 1
Bizkit031 Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Yea Porqui my opinion is more travel is better,especially when the going gets tough,lot more forgiving.
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