Iwan Kemp Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 I'll be able to tell you a bit better in a hour. Will make a detailed post on the bikes in that cat. The waiting game begins...
Slowbee Posted March 14, 2008 Author Posted March 14, 2008 I have an excel sheet - its starting to look umm interesting !!now I need to get back to work !! its not paying for the bike thats a worry - its the money to enter races once or twice a month!
gparsons Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 De ja vu! I am in your position exactly. And then yesterday I rode the Dual Susp. Commencal 5.5.1?. Big mistake ? now I want one. Getting back to you though, the bikes you mention are the ones I have also looked at, all 2008 and namely:<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Giant Alias, Talon: Really like the Talon and the fact that the Giant frame is one of the best imho. Both bikes felt really nice to ride, although spec wise I would prefer the Talon. The only thing still bothering me is should I go for the Talon frame or the XTC frame?!? The Talon is quite a heavy bike at something like 14kg, where as the XTC is lighter (although the weight thing is relative, i.e. me vs the bikeJ) GT Avalanche 1: Nice bike (I like the silver ones but no stock in the country presentlyL, only black with yellow decals) and given a very good review at www.bikeradar.com (best bike in price category by far, according to them) <?:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Merida?. Not really a fan, but that?s not to say they are bad as their riders and bikes have won many races. Silverback?. I have not been able to find a local dealer with the full range. Rode the Nabraska and then directly after rode the Talon. For me, the Talon felt much better, but then I think it must be to do with frame geometry (or bike feelJ) and what suits me...  Felt: Nice with light frame and good components. Can?t get to test one though, and I won?t buy what I can?t test. Q720 sells for R5995 and the Q920 sells for R8000. Kona: Nice bikes but quite expensive. Tempted though ? like the Kula all the way at R11.5K. Bloody hell, I wish I was rolling in the cash!! Raleigh: Recommended to me as the best bike in its price range. I ride a Raleigh road bike which I love, so am also tempted toward that too. Mongoose: There is a mongoose that is very similarly specced to the GT Avalanche that retails for about R5800. If bikeradar is to be believed, and I haven?t read a bad thing about mongoose frames, then perhaps this bike is the best in the R5-R6K range. My lbs also weighs it at a very reasonable 13.3kg too. Just some thought for you?.. Sorry if they confuse even more Be sure to test ride each one you are interested in!
PappaBear Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 Looks like I'm the only Schwinn fan on the hub.... Â Â Â
Slowbee Posted March 14, 2008 Author Posted March 14, 2008 hey thanks qparsons the one you didnt ride was a scott. in chatting to one or twenty blokes there is no real difference between the components on the bikes around the 5k region. It is more about feel and looks.  Having said this you do still want to get the best your cash can buy - the guys from CFS mentioned you change gears alot and ride on the fork alot so try and get these as best you can. Frame weight is not really an issue in this price range as they are all more or less the same weight.  I must say the guys from CSF have been really good and they know their stuff. The best part is they are willing to talk about bikes that they dont stock !!!! I even got told they will get oe from outside their range if i REAALY cant find what I want there. Dont like Mongoose or GT - at the moment I think its between scott, merida, felt and maybe, just maybe a second hand giant - but we will see.Â
Iwan Kemp Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 The Q920 is at Cycle Factory Store for R7700 and they are willing to neg for cash or EFT.qparsons: if you enjoyed the Commencal it would explain why you liked the Talon. The Talon has a relaxed cockpit aimed at more trail riding. The other bikes mentioned here are more XC orientated.
Slowbee Posted March 14, 2008 Author Posted March 14, 2008 Papppa, can you tell me more about the schwinn bikes? in the 5K range?Â
PappaBear Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 The Mesa comes in a V-brake and disc, same specs but the V about R800 cheaper. The Moab also comes in a V and disc, V=R6000 and Disc=R7000. The mesa has a rather upright cockpit, while the moab is more race designed. It all depends on how strict you is with your budget, because the bikes described in this forum, like the nebraska and giants are all way over the 5k mark.....Â
Iwan Kemp Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 Q720 for R5,700...Re frame weight. If you buy a bike and look after it, you'll be able to upgrade as and when needed. Then a lighter frame makes sense. Also one, like Silverback, who gives a lifetime warranty to first owner. Merida gives 5 years.
Cycle Factory Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 Hey Slowbee,Like The Crow says, best would be to pop in and take the bikes for a spin. We have all of the bikes he mentioned in stock, already build so you can try them back to back.Â
Slowbee Posted March 14, 2008 Author Posted March 14, 2008 Hi CFS I guess you will be seeing me on the easter weekend... Crow reckons there is enough tea and cake to make the Minister(ess) of Finance and Home Affairs happy .... makes it easier to discuss these issues when there is cake invloved !
Cycle Factory Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 Alternatively you could go for this carbon beauty...CFS CT2008-03-14 08:00:44
gparsons Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 Sorry, my mate has the Scott 40. Nice bike - know why you like it. Want hydr discs, etc and I think the first Scott to do that is the 40? A bit hefty price tag. Have you ridden the gt? Not bad, I also didn't really like it until I rode it
AndreZA Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 Alternatively you could go for this carbon beauty...  hijack alert! DAMN! that is hot. Love the white rims. hijack over.  Mampara2008-03-14 08:16:57
skollie Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 Slowbee, jy kan nie verkeerd gaan met Silverback nie! Zoon, waar is jy? Ek dog jy's bemarker?
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now