Four Bike Options!

[Bman001]

Hi all

 

I'm new to the forum and am new to mountain biking! I am looking to buy an entry level mountain bike within the R5000 to R8000 range - so any advice would be appreciated.

 

I am currently considering four possible options:

• Silverback Sola 4 (R7000)
  
• Titan Sport (R6700)
  
• Momsen AL029 (R6000)
  
• Momsen AL129 (R7400)
  

If you could recommend a bike and in a short sentence (or few sentences) explain why you would choose one bike over the others, that would be much appreciated.

 

Here are some links for the bike specs:

 

http://www.silverbacklab.com/upload/2011_website_SILVERBACK/sola4_14.htm

http://www.titanracingbikes.com/29rsport.html

http://www.momsenbikes.com/bikes/29-er/al029

http://www.momsenbikes.com/bikes/29-er/al129

[TheV]

From your list, the Silverback offers best value/spec.

 

The lightest, Shimano brakes a big +, try and get a better deal/discount on it.

[braailegend]

Joh! that seems like a lot of money these days, for such low spec. I would not buy one of them. But the silverback has the best components of the lot, if one has to choose a better of the evils.

 

Check bike shops for last years stock.

Got hold of an entry level bike for my mother at 2/3 of the original price, with similar spec (ended up around R4800). I was shocked to see the lack of build quality on entry level bikes, half of the bikes we looked at still had screw on cassettes! Not to mention the plate stamped chainrings. Would've thought better tech came down to the lower price bracket, but everything seems china mass produced.

[Pulse]

I would also go for the Silverback (from the list), but agree with Braailegend on the old stock

[Bman001]

Thanks for the help! I agree with you that the prices are really expensive, especially for new 29er mountain bikes. I'm not sure if I'm not looking correctly but I am finding it exceptionally tough to get better deals on bikes.

 

Even the prices of 2nd hand bikes don't seem to be much cheaper than buying them new as most advertised prices are only R500 to R1000 cheaper.

 

Would the Silverback be a reliable bike? I plan to ride maybe every second week. I have also entered Die Burger MTB challenge...

[Maximis]

Value for money - silverback ( plus has a tapered head tube which the others don't)

Coolest - momsen al129

 

And yes, the silverback is a reliable bike

 

Good luck

[braailegend]

Thanks for the help! I agree with you that the prices are really expensive, especially for new 29er mountain bikes. I'm not sure if I'm not looking correctly but I am finding it exceptionally tough to get better deals on bikes.

 

Even the prices of 2nd hand bikes don't seem to be much cheaper than buying them new as most advertised prices are only R500 to R1000 cheaper.

 

Would the Silverback be a reliable bike? I plan to ride maybe every second week. I have also entered Die Burger MTB challenge...

 

They will all be reliable, for the amount of riding you plan on doing. The issue with these bikes usually come with wheels not being tough enough, but for stuff like the burger, I doubt it will go above the bikes limits.

 

I checked the secondhand bikes, I saw people are ridiculous with their prices on gumtree, basically asking the original price. Bike like that should be round R3500 in second hand market.

[Pulse]

They will all be reliable, for the amount of riding you plan on doing. The issue with these bikes usually come with wheels not being tough enough, but for stuff like the burger, I doubt it will go above the bikes limits.

 

I checked the secondhand bikes, I saw people are ridiculous with their prices on gumtree, basically asking the original price. Bike like that should be round R3500 in second hand market.

Agreed. As there usually is no guarantees with 2nd hand stuff, I would not even look at something selling for more than 50-60% of original price. But 29ers are the in-thing, so even 2nd hand the prices are crazy.

[Pulse]

The 2015 models usually gets launched in August/September. If you can hold out 'till then you may be able to pick up a 2014 model a bit cheaper.

[Eugene]

Silverback..........best after sales service in SA

[Johny Bravo]

Tbh, I would save up some more. Those bikes are really low spec, and you will soon find that you need to upgrade. I would add the Merida big nine to the list, most of the 2014 bikes are on special currently. You can pik up a Specialized Crave, with air fork and slx groupset for about R 10k. Its really a lot better than what you are looking at.

[Bman001]

It looks like the Silverback is the clear winner out of the four then! You make a very good point Pulse - the prices could drop when the newer models come in. However, that means that I will have to do Die Burger on a friend's "Makro special" bike, which might be interesting.

 

I'm going to keep an eye on the classifieds as well as Gum tree for some good deals (if they still exist). I saw a Momsen AL329 advertised for R7500, which was the best deal so far - unfortunately it got sold really quickly.

[Bman001]

Just out of interest....for the Silverback Sola 4, what is the component or part that is the weakest? In other words, what about the bike will annoy me and cause me to upgrade?

[Pulse]

Shop around... Some 2015 models already launching

Edited July 13, 2014 by Pulse

[Pulse]

I'd say the drivetrain will be 1st to bug you.

[Longbarn Killer]

Just out of interest....for the Silverback Sola 4, what is the component or part that is the weakest? In other words, what about the bike will annoy me and cause me to upgrade?

There is nothing wrong with any of the parts. Nothing will annoy you.The bike will last you for years if you look after it properly.

 

Rather buy a new bike. You have the peace of mind of a warranty, the shop will make sure it fits you perfectly and there is nothing better than bringing home a shiny stead with no scratches.