What beginner mountain bike to buy?

[sparky604]

Hi All

 

I have been advised by so many people on what Mountain to buy for a beginner, so much so that I now need some expert advise from someone who is not trying to make a quick buck from me.

 

I am 110kg and 1.8m tall. My budget is around the R10.000.00 to R13000.00, Have been given a price for a Titan 29er Pro for R13500.00, are their any other suggestions on what other bikes i can get, any help would be really appreciated.

 

[Veebee]

there's a few out there in that price range.

 

Have a look at Silverback / Giant / Merida. For Silverback/Giant, give the guys at Cyclesphere a call for pricing and specs.

[cpelser]

You're almost the same dimensions that I am.

 

I bought a Silverback Sola 1 last year only to find out a couple of weeks later the ZTR Crest rims only supports up to 86kg rider weight limit.

 

So your number one item to look at is a proper wheelset on the bike you buy.

Most brands in that price range has Alex rims or rebranded alex rims on them which won't last you too long.

 

So in my opinion, here's your options:

 

The PXC wheels that come on Giant's are heavy but bomb-proof

The standard Bontrager wheels that come on Trek bikes are rated up to 136kg

The roval wheels on Specialized bikes are also apparently quite strong.

 

At 1.8m you're likely a Medium frame.

 

I would buy a proper second hand hardtail if I were you.

 

For example - this bike is awesome but the rims won't last with your weight

 

Here is a great option, particularly since the entire bike has just been serviced, it's your size too

[cpelser]

If you're adamant on buying new, wait until the 2016 bikes start coming in, then you'll see 2015 models discounted by 20-30%

 

PS - Don't buy that Titan 29r Pro, Stan's Rapid wheels aren't rated for your weight.

[sparky604]

Many Thanks Chaps, guess i need to lose some weight then. On what site would i be able to locate a decent second hand bike, and if so how would i know that i am not going to get caught.

 

Also any advice on name of bike. Thanks for the positive feed back, need to get a bike ASAP.

[sparky604]

there's a few out there in that price range.

 

Have a look at Silverback / Giant / Merida. For Silverback/Giant, give the guys at Cyclesphere a call for pricing and specs.

Thanks will check out their web site as i am from KZN Pietermaritzburg

[sparky604]

You're almost the same dimensions that I am.

 

I bought a Silverback Sola 1 last year only to find out a couple of weeks later the ZTR Crest rims only supports up to 86kg rider weight limit.

 

So your number one item to look at is a proper wheelset on the bike you buy.

Most brands in that price range has Alex rims or rebranded alex rims on them which won't last you too long.

 

So in my opinion, here's your options:

 

The PXC wheels that come on Giant's are heavy but bomb-proof

The standard Bontrager wheels that come on Trek bikes are rated up to 136kg

The roval wheels on Specialized bikes are also apparently quite strong.

 

At 1.8m you're likely a Medium frame.

 

I would buy a proper second hand hardtail if I were you.

 

For example - this bike is awesome but the rims won't last with your weight

 

Here is a great option, particularly since the entire bike has just been serviced, it's your size too

Hi Thanks

 

Have never heard of the bike, can one get spares maybe upgrade, also what is the difference a 20 and 30 speed bike?

[cpelser]

This website is the best place to buy a second hand bike.

Go here: https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=hubmarket&module=core&do=view_category&category_id=26

 

Select KZN, Medium frame, 29" wheels and search.

 

I'd suggest you go and have a look at the one I linked to above, if it has indeed been serviced recently then you're most likely safe.

 

Maybe the seller can even provide you with the name of the shop that serviced it and you can then chat to the shop about the condition of the bike.

 

But it's an aluminium frame, so very little that can really go wrong.

 

Get on the bike, ride it and change gears (see if it shifts properly)

Check the frame for any cracks (unlikely on Aluminium)

Spin the wheels and see if they run straight

Very important : Check for stanchion wear (google it and you'll see what it is)

[sparky604]

If you're adamant on buying new, wait until the 2016 bikes start coming in, then you'll see 2015 models discounted by 20-30%

 

PS - Don't buy that Titan 29r Pro, Stan's Rapid wheels aren't rated for your weight.

Hi

 

Everyone says buy a decent second hand bike with good components, but you you no idea about the components, i have to rely on word of mouth and join a reputable site like this to get some sound advice.

[cpelser]

The bike has probably the most "mainstream" components in terms of value for money while not being entry level.

Components and spares are very cheap.

 

You should rather get a 20 speed in my opinion

 

The 20 speed had two chainrings up front, while the 30 speed has three.

You're going to ride in the smallest one 90% of the time anyway, and the gear ratios you have on the 20 speed is very similar to what you'll have on the 30 speed.

 

The trend has been to move from 3 x 10 (three front and 10 rear) to 2 x 10.

New 2016 high end bikes come in 1 x 11 or 2 x 11

 

So in short, go 20 speed if you can.

[sparky604]

If you're adamant on buying new, wait until the 2016 bikes start coming in, then you'll see 2015 models discounted by 20-30%

 

PS - Don't buy that Titan 29r Pro, Stan's Rapid wheels aren't rated for your weight.

Hi Thanks for heads up...

[sparky604]

This website is the best place to buy a second hand bike.

Go here: https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=hubmarket&module=core&do=view_category&category_id=26

 

Select KZN, Medium frame, 29" wheels and search.

 

I'd suggest you go and have a look at the one I linked to above, if it has indeed been serviced recently then you're most likely safe.

 

Maybe the seller can even provide you with the name of the shop that serviced it and you can then chat to the shop about the condition of the bike.

 

But it's an aluminium frame, so very little that can really go wrong.

 

Get on the bike, ride it and change gears (see if it shifts properly)

Check the frame for any cracks (unlikely on Aluminium)

Spin the wheels and see if they run straight

Very important : Check for stanchion wear (google it and you'll see what it is)

Hi

 

Thanks, will look it 

[sparky604]

The bike has probably the most "mainstream" components in terms of value for money while not being entry level.

Components and spares are very cheap.

 

You should rather get a 20 speed in my opinion

 

The 20 speed had two chainrings up front, while the 30 speed has three.

You're going to ride in the smallest one 90% of the time anyway, and the gear ratios you have on the 20 speed is very similar to what you'll have on the 30 speed.

 

The trend has been to move from 3 x 10 (three front and 10 rear) to 2 x 10.

New 2016 high end bikes come in 1 x 11 or 2 x 11

 

So in short, go 20 speed if you can.

Thanks

[sparky604]

Thanks

Hi

 

So in your opion better i look for a decent 2nd Hand Bike then, they wanted R13500.00 for the Titan 29er Pro Brand new, and I know that they retail at about R17500.00

[madbradd]

A good option is a silverback sola 2. I was looking a while ago and also 110 kgs... I think North cliff cycles has them at about 13500 as well. Good value bike without the soft wheels of the sola 1. However if you can get a sola 1 with the bikeshop swapping the crest for arch ex or flow wheels at no cost then go for that.

[cpelser]

The 29R Pro must be out due to the ZTR rapid rims.

At your weight you need a rim with a double inner wall, like the Arch Ex or Flow ex, or just the standard wheelsets that come on the bikes I mentioned above.

 

Look here at the shape of a Rapid Rim:

 

http://www.notubes.com/ZTR-Rims-C18.aspx