Budget conscious newbie buying a Raleigh MTB from Makro

[HenryS]

This must be a record - the most people agreeing on something in a single thread. 

[DirtyFrank]

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/109759-commencal-meta-55-2013-all-mtb/

 

Lots of bike for little money.

[Rayman]

I'm kinda in two places on this one.

I was in exactly the same place as you when I started. I really wanted to get into the sport, and considered the Raleigh. But didn't want the Makro special. I wanted what was advertised on the 'Murican website...that led me to the SA website...and contacted their Cape Town sales rep.

And in my HO is a tool. Yes I know you can't sell direct to the public, but give me price on what I want, and I will be happy to pick up my custom order as Makro or wherever. Anyway, long story short, I still had no cash to get into the sport but fell in love the 2014 Titan 29er Cruz. So I bought it.

 

Great entry level bike, has all I need and fitted into my budget of R5400 for a new bike. Bought most of my other gear I needed at Sportsmans Warehouse and the rest at Mr Price sport as it all fits into my budget. And that was all based on what I can afford, not brand name.

 

So ya, if you can get a kiff Raleigh from the sates, sure..why not. but stay away from Makro specials. I love Titan bikes. Siverback, GT and Merida have great deals for entry level bikes, just shop, pop in and ask the sales guys, and be honest on your budget.  

I can't see myself buying a Harley for a bazillion bucks, and realizing 3 weeks later I don't like bikes, so why do the same for a MTB.

 

But hey, that's just my opinion and 2c worth.

 

hope you come right.

[BLADE_RSA]

Considering the OP's penchant for red and black bikes and we all know that once the bug bites its over I see this in his future....

 

http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/images/models/Specialized/2014/s-works-camber-carbon/Main.jpg

Now that's just not fair!

What is that and how much do you think I would get for a kidney in Brazil?

[BLADE_RSA]

Hey Blade, to get you going I will set you up with some starter kit I have lying in the cupboard. I have a helmet, gloves, bottles, cages and a pair of size 9 shoes and some other bits and pieces for you.....used but still perfectly functional. Let me know if your keen. Spend your full R5k on a bike out of the classifieds.

 

Thanks Bro, appreciate the offer. I'm going to try get to the cycle fair in Krugersdorp on Sat/Sun and I might just pick up some specials there. I'll get in touch if I don't come right though. Thanks again.

[marko35s]

Now that's just not fair!

What is that and how much do you think I would get for a kidney in Brazil?

Not enough.

[MuddyMike]

Now that's just not fair!

What is that and how much do you think I would get for a kidney in Brazil?

Its less than 10kg of some of the most awesomeness you could ride on a trail....Specialised Epic S-Works........ Let me know if you don't come right, I live close to where the fair is happening....

[BLADE_RSA]

Ok, so I've done some maths and more thinking on the subject... reckon I'll save up a bit and bump the budget up to R10k (maximum) for new bike in December unless I find the "perfect" second hander on the classifieds here for less than that... In the meantime I think I shall "splash" out on decent/semi-decent gear and borrow as many different rides as I can to test the geometries of the different makes.

 

The list of what I now know that I want includes:

Merida/Scott/Silverback/Titan/Momsen (loosely in that order) in terms of brand

Medium frame definately for my size (174cm tall +/- 80kg)

26" or 27.5" wheels (of the mix of trails I did I enjoyed the forest and technical stuff the most so I see a lot of that in my future)

Air shocks at the front (Rock shox or similar)

Hydraulic disk brakes

XT shifters

XT crank

Tubeless conversion would be a bonus

And of course, it MUST be red and black/grey (perhaps with a little bit of white for contrast)

Have I missed something?

 

I realise that it's gonna be tough to squeeze all that into my budget so I'd like to find out from you guys what 1 step down is on the XT kit (crank and shifters) but that's just as good or at least not *** (assuming this makes a big difference on the price) I don't mind not having a million gears if it helps. I've seen a lot of SLX kits on some decent looking bikes.

 

Also, someone told me the Titans don't have a 'double wall' rims or something like that but that something like Merida does and it's better for the "technical stuff" - what does that mean and is it a biggie? How can you tell cos it doesn't seem to be a specifically mentioned item in any of the specs. Is it the tyres or the rims or the combination of them both?

 

Also need some advice on helmets please, from what I can see Scott is rated right up there but will it come in Red and Black (yes seriously)? Are there any others in the same class? What are the top 5 brands for example?

 

Shoes: what's the deal with clip-ins? I mean do you buy a particular shoe with a particular set of pedals or is it one size fits all kinda deal? I don't like the look of the hulking big wrap around your shoe thingies and it also seems that they will be more tricky to get your foot out in a pinch.

It feels like it is something that can wait but am I right in thinking it will assist with "buny hops" - do they still call them that? Does the brand matter much?

 

Kit: I like the look of the "Anatomic" stuff, is it any good? And... more importantly, what shorts will best serve my need to not waddle for a week after a ride ?

 

Hydration: A camelpack/backpack seems like the best option cos I don't see myself reaching down for a drink whilst on a bumpy trail. Would you guys agree? I assume that this is something I can get from Makro/Sportsman warehouse or will that start the whole thread over again?

 

Gloves: Gel padded gloves made a HUGE difference on my Harley so I assume the same applies to MTB? Are their recommended brands?

 

I'd like get to an idea of what I'm looking at when I go the the fair tomorrow.

 

PS: apparently you can get up to 40% on Anatomic gear!

 

Shades: Is it safe to assume that this is a personal choice and anything goes or is there something specific I should be on the lookout for? At some stage I'll probably want presrciption lenses so frames that could be used for that later on would be a bonus as I could hopefully save some cash.

Edited October 24, 2014 by BLADE_RSA

[Longbarn Killer]

Solomons is advertising a full susp. Axis A30 or 40 for R6 999. You will not find anything better than that for that amount of money..........and it's red.

[johanpre44]

I would not worry too much about XT (its great but pricey), Deore (XT-2) and SLX (XT-1) are great.

 

I've got some Anatomic Baggies, not the best but they last well enough (especially for the price).

 

Stick to bottles if you can (and your rides are generally less than 2 to 3 hours), they are the cheapest hydration method by far (R150 for two bottles and cages). If you want to do longer rides and need a hydration pack, get a Camelback (at least R600). They are pricey but the best (least effort to drink something using the Camelback bite valve). You generally will not drink on bumpy/twisty single track.

 

I will not go a too expensive Helmet, lots of options under R1000. Get one that you like (bearing in mind that most cool/nice helmets are quite expensive).

 

Most of the bikes in your price range comes with Alex Rims (which are double wall), some are even "rated" to be used for tubeless (especially on the 2015 range bikes).

[BLADE_RSA]

Awesome sauce I picked up what I believe to be a bargain from Solly's at the fair today...

R3,500 for a "built up" Silverback. Frame seems slightly used but still in very good nic and all parts are new albeit a bit shopworn/dusty before I cleaned it up, some even still had price tags on.

 

Mandatory couch pics follow:

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22151_zps54cdb9ef.jpg

 

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22161_zpsd14ff53a.jpg

 

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22171_zps7fe5165c.jpg

 

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22181_zpsd858fd18.jpg

 

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22191_zps24b9a720.jpg

 

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22201_zpsb8f18117.jpg

[BenReaper]

Awesome sauce I picked up what I believe to be a bargain from Solly's at the fair today...

R3,500 for a "built up" Silverback. Frame seems slightly used but still in very good nic and all parts are new albeit a bit shopworn/dusty before I cleaned it up, some even still had price tags on.

 

Mandatory couch pics follow:

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22151_zps54cdb9ef.jpg

 

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22161_zpsd14ff53a.jpg

 

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22171_zps7fe5165c.jpg

 

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22181_zpsd858fd18.jpg

 

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22191_zps24b9a720.jpg

 

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/srjswart/IMG_22201_zpsb8f18117.jpg

Real nice bike for a good price,hope you have many happy miles on it.[emoji106]

[BenReaper]

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Edited October 26, 2014 by BenReaper

[Spokey]

Been following this thread, seems a lekka deal, wish you lots of good riding!

[BLADE_RSA]

Thanks all, really looking forward to upping my skills and getting some kilometers under my belt. Feel free to sticky or reference my thread to other newbies that might consider giving Makro specials a go

[cpelser]

Anyway ,just a run down on how pricing works on the hub.

 

Listed 7-9k will accept 4-6k.

9-18k will accept 6-15k

 

Just put in some low ball offers on older adds u will be surprised.

Bwahahahahahahaha

 

This was really funny