harrywb Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Somehow I have signed up for the Grabouw Xterra triathlon next month and am in the market for my first MTB. I have asked friends who are in the know, looked at online reviews etc and have decided to spend 12-13k on a well made hard tail. My local bike shop has the 2015 Specialized Rockhopper for 13k....is there any reason not to go with a new bike from a respected brand? Any advice welcome!
Daniel J Méssem Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 any decent 29er hardtail should see you through would definitely recommend lots of practice in technical stuff asap, buddy of mine who doesn't spend much tume on his mtb broke his collar bone on that race last year
harrywb Posted January 2, 2015 Author Posted January 2, 2015 any decent 29er hardtail should see you throughwould definitely recommend lots of practice in technical stuff asap, buddy of mine who doesn't spend much tume on his mtb broke his collar bone on that race last year. Noted - will hit the trail asap!
Raydek Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Yip, very sandy, including some climbs. Try and ride near the beach on the Koeberg trails, they are most like the sandy bits.. The single track isn't too technical and is usually congested if you not out front, so going is slow..
Odinson Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 The Spez Rockhopper is a great bike- I'm actually saving up for one as a week day training bike. Make sure to get the Rockhopper Expert. The Rockhopper also has slightly more relaxed geo, when compared to Spez's other hardtails (the Stumpjumper and Crave).
harrywb Posted January 3, 2015 Author Posted January 3, 2015 Yip, very sandy, including some climbs. Try and ride near the beach on the Koeberg trails, they are most like the sandy bits.. The single track isn't too technical and is usually congested if you not out front, so going is slow.. Thanks for the tip!
harrywb Posted January 3, 2015 Author Posted January 3, 2015 What distance are you going to be doing? I am doing the full 28km distance on the bike
harrywb Posted January 3, 2015 Author Posted January 3, 2015 Ringing around I have found a 2014 GT Zaskar Sport for 10k and its Elite bigger brother for 13.5k (both with Conti Race King tyres). The dealer was helpful and seemed pretty knowledgeable; he says that the Zaskar has better components and a lighter frame than the Rockhopper. He sent me the full specs for both the Zaskar models. Any strong views out there on the GT Zaskar?
Daniel J Méssem Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 my 2c, at a minimum the components should be shimano deore or better (deore < slx < xt < xtr) fork is important, will see a bigger difference between forks than frames here (havnt looked which forks come with which bikes myself) then wheels, or rims for this discussion since the hubs are going to be pretty basic - rims make a difference good idea to go tubeless too, will prevent pinch flats for the new mtber
Daniel J Méssem Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 if I am looking at the right bikeshttp://www.gtbicycles.com/usa_en/2014/bikes/mountain/xc/2014-zaskar-9r-elitevshttp://m.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopper-expert-29 then just about everything on the gt is a step above the specialised fork, derailer, shifters, even the spokes
harrywb Posted January 4, 2015 Author Posted January 4, 2015 if I am looking at the right bikeshttp://www.gtbicycles.com/usa_en/2014/bikes/mountain/xc/2014-zaskar-9r-elitevshttp://m.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopper-expert-29then just about everything on the gt is a step above the specialisedfork, derailer, shifters, even the spokes Exactly what I needed to know; looks like the GT is the way to go. Thanks!
brucem76 Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 Ringing around I have found a 2014 GT Zaskar Sport for 10k and its Elite bigger brother for 13.5k (both with Conti Race King tyres). The dealer was helpful and seemed pretty knowledgeable; he says that the Zaskar has better components and a lighter frame than the Rockhopper. He sent me the full specs for both the Zaskar models. Any strong views out there on the GT Zaskar?May I ask who the dealer is? Looking for a Zaskar too...
harrywb Posted January 4, 2015 Author Posted January 4, 2015 May I ask who the dealer is? Looking for a Zaskar too... Avron at Cycle Traders in Woodstock (cell 083 400 2068), very helpful and knowledgeable. Give him a call.
brucem76 Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 Avron at Cycle Traders in Woodstock (cell 083 400 2068), very helpful and knowledgeable. Give him a call.Thanks - so are those prices you mentioned for 2nd hand bikes?
harrywb Posted January 5, 2015 Author Posted January 5, 2015 Thanks - so are those prices you mentioned for 2nd hand bikes?Those prices are for new bikes
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