Advice for two newbies buying MTBs

[Readsalot]

I just spoke to a guy from a shop who says he has two new Titan Trails (2015) available for R5,999 each, which means I get them with a warranty, which is obviously a big plus for me. The bikes seem like decent entry level bikes (they even have air shocks).

 

What do you guys think? Worth it?

[Uni]

I just spoke to a guy from a shop who says he has two new Titan Trails (2015) available for R5,999 each, which means I get them with a warranty, which is obviously a big plus for me. The bikes seem like decent entry level bikes (they even have air shocks).

 

What do you guys think? Worth it?

You're not the first  

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/148706-beginner-bike-titan-29r-trail/

[Readsalot]

Ha, excellent! Will see if I can twist my brother's arm and get something happening this weekend - would be great to get started. Still have to check out frames, though - while the internet says I should be comfortable on a medium frame I would rather try it out myself than buy something and regret it immediately.

[Mntboy]

I just spoke to a guy from a shop who says he has two new Titan Trails (2015) available for R5,999 each, which means I get them with a warranty, which is obviously a big plus for me. The bikes seem like decent entry level bikes (they even have air shocks).

 

What do you guys think? Worth it?

Have friends with Titan bikes and they managed Tokai on it. So yes I'd say Titan makes ok bikes.

 

Sent from my GT-S6790 using Tapatalk

[Rich990]

Hi there, good call coming here for the advice - I've learnt loads here, and bought two bikes from here! 

 

I have a large 2014 Sola 4 that i might sell if you're interested.

Has about 300 maybe 350km on it.  Probably needs a lube service though after my last muddy ride at rietvlei.  

 

If you're interested, my suggestion would be to go to a bike store and get an idea of what size you need to look at, and see if you can take a spin on a medium and large bike to see the difference and which works better for you.

[Readsalot]

Thank you - going to try my best to do that tomorrow!

[Longbarn Killer]

Justice put a few more options to you. Look at Axis, a kind of evolution of the Raleigh brand and Rapid, a budget friendly offering from Momsen

[eccc whippet]

A few things i have learnt from buying second hand bikes...dont.

 

However if you do...due to the budget...

 

Make sure the frame is tapered to upgrade if the fork is a spring one...otherwise it becomes a mission...the reason i sold and upgraded my revel.

 

If you take a second hand bike to your lbs...dont drop it with an instruction to "check" the bike.

 

Rather make a specific list of checks required...ie

 

Check...

front wheel bearings

Back wheel bearings...

Strip and check BB...

Wheel true...

Brakes...for leaks...pads...

If cables...rust in the cables

Etc

Etc

 

Very important very important...if the bike has xtr or dura ace components and parts are still within the warranty period...dont let that be a selling point...as it is worth nothing...warranty cannot be carried over...original owner only with proof of purchase.

 

You mentioned that you are heavy weights like me...make sure you bike and wheels are compatible to carry your fat a$$

[Kranswurm]

There is nothing wrong with buying second hand

I did a filtered search for MTB 29er Hardtail Medium in Gauteng with a max value of 6K and some very nice options came up within your budget and perfect for starting out

There are many hubbers who would only be too pleased to check out the bike for you.

So you wont be both riding the same bike.So what.

[Readsalot]

Thank you everybody - I really appreciate all the helpful advice! New plan, though: Last night my brother came home saying a coworker offered his old bike to us as he's not using it anymore. He doesn't really want much for it either and said we can use it for a bit and then decide if we want it.

 

Unfortunately my brother didn't ask any specifics, just knows it's a pretty decent bike but it's been standing in a garage for quite a while. So he doesn't know the make, model, size or anything else.

 

So now the plan is to get the bike to us this week and check it out by taking it to a local bike shop and getting some feedback, find out what they think it's worth and what needs fixing or replacing. Hopefully it's big enough for us (the guy's a bit smaller than us apparently) and doesn't cost too much to get in a good running condition again. With a little bit of luck we'll then have at least one good bike so we can get started.

 

Quite curious to see the bike for myself - will let you know as soon as we get it and post some photos - while asking for more advice, of course

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

PS Thanks for the checklist - very useful.

[scotty]

Good points here.

 

Enjoy, I'm not implying cycling is addictive..but..

 

 

[Uni]

and? what did you buy? 

[Readsalot]

Aaaaaaargh - I'm sitting here and chewing my nails off! Like I said, my brother suddenly announced on Friday last week that a colleague of his had kindly offered his old bike to us to get started on. Seems great, though I'm a bit worried that it's been standing for a while (months? years?) and I think he's a bit smaller than us. But thought it would be great to at least get it and try it out to see what it felt like. Unfortunately, my brother couldn't tell me anything more so I tried to be patient.... The weekend passed and every evening I'm asking: "So, any news yet?" Driving both of us insane. He doesn't want to bug his colleague too much so I don't know the make, the size, the model, 29er or 26er - nothing!

 

Finally, today I get a message that says: "Good news. He said we could get it this weekend. Apparently it's 'a K2, don’t remember the model but it a full suspension one with hydraulic disc brakes and a few Extra-light additions'."

 

Now, I've been spending the whole afternoon on the Net trying to make sense of that. I've never even heard of a K2, I still don't know what size it is or whether it's a 29er, 27.5 or 26er. I've seen photos of a bunch of K2s now but I suppose the only way to find out now is to wait just a bit more...

 

Will post photos and details as soon as it arrives - will probably need to take it somewhere for check-up, adjustments, replacements, what have you.

[Uni]

Aaaaaaargh - I'm sitting here and chewing my nails off! Like I said, my brother suddenly announced on Friday last week that a colleague of his had kindly offered his old bike to us to get started on. Seems great, though I'm a bit worried that it's been standing for a while (months? years?) and I think he's a bit smaller than us. But thought it would be great to at least get it and try it out to see what it felt like. Unfortunately, my brother couldn't tell me anything more so I tried to be patient.... The weekend passed and every evening I'm asking: "So, any news yet?" Driving both of us insane. He doesn't want to bug his colleague too much so I don't know the make, the size, the model, 29er or 26er - nothing!

 

Finally, today I get a message that says: "Good news. He said we could get it this weekend. Apparently it's 'a K2, don’t remember the model but it a full suspension one with hydraulic disc brakes and a few Extra-light additions'."

 

Now, I've been spending the whole afternoon on the Net trying to make sense of that. I've never even heard of a K2, I still don't know what size it is or whether it's a 29er, 27.5 or 26er. I've seen photos of a bunch of K2s now but I suppose the only way to find out now is to wait just a bit more...

 

Will post photos and details as soon as it arrives - will probably need to take it somewhere for check-up, adjustments, replacements, what have you.

don't spend a whole lot of money fixing up a bike that's the wrong size though.

 

You guys should go rent a bike over the weekend at least at Big red barn and go ride. With all these holidays and not being able to go ride - the itch must be awful  

[Readsalot]

Ohgodohgodohgodohgod what have we done... Well, we have our first bike! Photos here - we are so screwed. :D

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/gallery/album/1796-first-mtb-k2-razorback/

[Uni]

excellent. I'm having images of you and your brother fighting over who's turn it is to ride - hahaaaa enjoy it!