Newbie - entry level bike advice please

[SAGecko]

So do you guys think a SB Spectra Com is a good "all rounder" (onroad & offroad) and with decent component specs for R6600?

 

http://www.silverbac...pectra-29-comp/

To be honest Rogue, it's such an underwhelmingly speced bike that I think most of the regulars here couldn't be bothered to respond.... There's nothing meaty to discuss.

 

But I will tell you that if you buy this bike (and its a great bike for the bucks), you learn the skills necessary to stay upright and hammer the technical stuff on the trail, if you ride it enough to become lean and fit, then you will thrash many a Hubber on his latest and greatest R80K bike.

 

Remember that the soft carbon-based thing propelling the bike is far, far more important that all the hard carbon-based bits bolted onto it.

[BenReaper]

To be honest Rogue, it's such an underwhelmingly speced bike that I think most of the regulars here couldn't be bothered to respond.... There's nothing meaty to discuss.

 

But I will tell you that if you buy this bike (and its a great bike for the bucks), you learn the skills necessary to stay upright and hammer the technical stuff on the trail, if you ride it enough to become lean and fit, then you will thrash many a Hubber on his latest and greatest R80K bike.

 

Remember that the soft carbon-based thing propelling the bike is far, far more important that all the hard carbon-based bits bolted onto it.

I like that last paragraph,very true.It doesnt matter what you ride,but how you ride it and most inportantly that you enjoy the riding part.

[Rogueblue]

I think so yes. It'll definitely be a good bike to learn on. Should be a fun ride and for now that's actually the most important bit. Remember to set some money aside for a helmet, a pair of cycling pants (baggies or lycra) and a set of gloves. A budget of R1500 should cover this easily.

 

Edit: Layout

Hi & Thanks Mntboy for your input, so you think as an entry level it's at least worth the specs? For me I know all is going to laugh but R6600 is still a huge amount, and not sure how comfortable I feel about spending it if it's "just another bike" ... I had a Raleigh a few years ago & that cost me about R3K and it seemed fine ... would this rteally be better & worth the extra 3 and a half grand?

[Rogueblue]

Thanks again everyone for you input.

 

To be honest Rogue, it's such an underwhelmingly speced bike that I think most of the regulars here couldn't be bothered to respond.... There's nothing meaty to discuss.

But I will tell you that if you buy this bike (and its a great bike for the bucks), you learn the skills necessary to stay upright and hammer the technical stuff on the trail, if you ride it enough to become lean and fit, then you will thrash many a Hubber on his latest and greatest R80K bike.

Remember that the soft carbon-based thing propelling the bike is far, far more important that all the hard carbon-based bits bolted onto it.

Hey Gecko. Thanks I appreciate the honesty.

So as I asked Mntboy earlier, you say although seriously underwhelming for the major dudes here, the price is still worth the specs? Or would you have anything better to suggest for the same price?

I know it's laughable here lol but originally I was only looking to spend R5K, but now have upped it (not eagerly I might add as my budget very tight) to try get something better. But IF it doesn't make much difference than from a R4K or R5K bike then I feeling like I'm going to be wasting my extra cash.

As I mentioned before, at THIS particular stage I'm not looking to become a fulltime extreme mountain biker, wanting an all rounder bike that's decent, but it still has to feel worth the R6600, and better than the R3K bike I had a few years back.

Is there anything else I should consider for the same price?

[marko35s]

Hi & Thanks Mntboy for your input, so you think as an entry level it's at least worth the specs? For me I know all is going to laugh but R6600 is still a huge amount, and not sure how comfortable I feel about spending it if it's "just another bike" ... I had a Raleigh a few years ago & that cost me about R3K and it seemed fine ... would this rteally be better & worth the extra 3 and a half grand?

If you ride it enough it will be worth the money. Later on you can add better parts or upgrade the bike if you want to, but for now you will be fine with that bike. And yes it is a big improvement on a Makro special.

I started out on something s whole lot cheaper and as I got more confidence I started changing parts over (in such a way that the wife never realised [emoji1] ) and a few years down the line I have a much upgraded bike at minimal additional cost.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Yip I recall that challenge. You're just gonna have to do it at Nixon's! Lol!

 

Wheels are only as useless or useful as the person behind the bars!

There was this one bloke who told Chris that his pump track couldn't be ridden on a niner.

 

Rofl.

 

/Cue Barry Hilton voice/

 

Is iiiiiit?

 

Watch this, my bruuuuu

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Thanks again everyone for you input.

 

Hey Gecko. Thanks I appreciate the honesty.

So as I asked Mntboy earlier, you say although seriously underwhelming for the major dudes here, the price is still worth the specs? Or would you have anything better to suggest for the same price?

I know it's laughable here lol but originally I was only looking to spend R5K, but now have upped it (not eagerly I might add as my budget very tight) to try get something better. But IF it doesn't make much difference than from a R4K or R5K bike then I feeling like I'm going to be wasting my extra cash.

As I mentioned before, at THIS particular stage I'm not looking to become a fulltime extreme mountain biker, wanting an all rounder bike that's decent, but it still has to feel worth the R6600, and better than the R3K bike I had a few years back.

Is there anything else I should consider for the same price?

Yes, it is. Miles better both in longevity and performance of parts. The 2 cannot be compared. Show one of those "Raleighs" some singletrack, and they will self destruct

[Uni]

wrong thread sorry

[SAGecko]

Thanks again everyone for you input.

 

Hey Gecko. Thanks I appreciate the honesty.

So as I asked Mntboy earlier, you say although seriously underwhelming for the major dudes here, the price is still worth the specs? Or would you have anything better to suggest for the same price?

I know it's laughable here lol but originally I was only looking to spend R5K, but now have upped it (not eagerly I might add as my budget very tight) to try get something better. But IF it doesn't make much difference than from a R4K or R5K bike then I feeling like I'm going to be wasting my extra cash.

As I mentioned before, at THIS particular stage I'm not looking to become a fulltime extreme mountain biker, wanting an all rounder bike that's decent, but it still has to feel worth the R6600, and better than the R3K bike I had a few years back.

Is there anything else I should consider for the same price?

Try this bike Rogue:

 

http://cyclelab.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/merida-big-seven-team-replica-mountain-bike.html

[Mntboy]

Hi & Thanks Mntboy for your input, so you think as an entry level it's at least worth the specs? For me I know all is going to laugh but R6600 is still a huge amount, and not sure how comfortable I feel about spending it if it's "just another bike" ... I had a Raleigh a few years ago & that cost me about R3K and it seemed fine ... would this rteally be better & worth the extra 3 and a half grand?

Glad to help.

 

Yes it is definitely a massive improvement on the Makro special. My story is pretty similar to Marko35s' one. Although I went from an old steel bike with no name to an Avalanche and from there my first Silverback - I've owned three (including my current one) and love the brand to bits. You feel the difference from the first ride and he's (Marko35s) very correct in saying you can upgrade on parts and get a better bike that way. It's pretty much what I intend to do with my Slade 1 as I love the frame and find it conducive to the way I ride.

[Mntboy]

There was this one bloke who told Chris that his pump track couldn't be ridden on a niner.

 

Rofl.

 

/Cue Barry Hilton voice/

 

Is iiiiiit?

 

Watch this, my bruuuuu

If that happened on the Sunday before Freedom day then it's probably my mate, who's a bit of a know it all at times. Although I suspect it might have more to do with the fact that he doesn't particularly like pump track riding. I don't think he's ever ridden the pump track out close to St Peter's church just past Silvermine sports fields. Love riding there and not just because it's free - loads of fun to be had.

[Rogueblue]

Try this bike Rogue:

 

http://cyclelab.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/merida-big-seven-team-replica-mountain-bike.html

Eish I had to ask lol ... hm ok so how does this compare to the SB Spectra Comp I was looking at?

http://www.silverbac...pectra-29-comp/

And already still more uncertainty whether the 29" or 27,5" would be better for a newbie like me that wants to do some road and some off road.

 

Ps ... So it's pretty apparent already all the wars going on lol ... Brand vs Brand (e.g. SB vs Merida), 29" vs 27.5", Vodka vs Whiskey....

[Rogueblue]

Oh and if I'm going to be doing a lot of casual road cycling is it fine with these tyres or a bad idea?

I know one buy extra slicks and swop them, but one I'm sure it won't look so good thin slicks on a MB and also maybe not all that easy swopping everytime ... and then of course the extra cost of an extra set of tyres.

I hope I'm looking at the right type bikes for what I want, the all round road & off-road ... just worried about makin a mistake with my moola & regretting after...

[Trance Dance]

I did a quick check on the classifieds and there is a large anthem x for R8k negotiable. It's a 26 inch. But, in my experience those are faster than their bigger wheeled friends. At least with the guys I ride with...

 

Get a cheap 26 inch full suspension bike and a cheap as chips road bike for the odd tar session.

 

BTW, the anthem is a very capable Bike. The fastest female time on contermans, according to strava,was done on a 26 inch anthem...

[SAGecko]

Eish I had to ask lol ... hm ok so how does this compare to the SB Spectra Comp I was looking at?

http://www.silverbac...pectra-29-comp/

And already still more uncertainty whether the 29" or 27,5" would be better for a newbie like me that wants to do some road and some off road.

 

Ps ... So it's pretty apparent already all the wars going on lol ... Brand vs Brand (e.g. SB vs Merida), 29" vs 27.5", Vodka vs Whiskey....

The CycleLab bike is on special at the mo'. It has slightly better components than the Silverback.

 

I will not comment on the wheel size issue as I left my flame suit in the cupboard this morning.

[SAGecko]

 Vodka vs Whiskey....

 

Oh, and it's got to be Whisky.....

 

Only plebs stuck in the eighties drink Vodka and ride 26" wheels.

 

(Gecko runs for the exit)