desmondalie Posted May 7, 2008 Share What is the best value for money entry level MTB? I have come up with the GT Avalanche Expert as the best option so far. Retrailing for about R8K. Are there any better deals out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtrider Posted May 7, 2008 Share A Raleigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desmondalie Posted May 7, 2008 Share Do you have any suggestions on which model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggavis Posted May 7, 2008 Share I would Say Silverback Nabraska @ R6,915. Has got better brakes (Avid Juicy's), rest almost identical except for Shimano Lx/Xt vs. SRAM x7/X9 drivetrain. Also prefer shimano SPD's vs. Crank bros candy pedals. Check out Schwinn Moab Disc. For 900 Rondts more buy the Silverback Sierra..Similair spec level bike is the Felt RXC 2, which retails for around R11,000. Massive saving of R2k! Silverback has the best value for money at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowbee Posted May 7, 2008 Share oh boy - hear we go again. desmond in all times of asking questions - the only way to solve this is try them for yourself. Chat to the LBS and try them all out. And let me say that about 8k easily goes to 10k ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desmondalie Posted May 7, 2008 Share Slowbee thats fair enough, but questions are free and responses optional. Bike shops dont always give you the truth, most of the times they just want to make the sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowbee Posted May 7, 2008 Share desmond - I am in the same boat !! The LBS just wants a sale. But here, everyone has a view, including on the best LBS, best this best that from their experience. I have also tried to tap into this vast knowledge base and landed up having clarity of thought about as thick as dark albany chocolate. The best advice I was given, draw your line on your budget and then go from there. One LBS said buy the best frame and upgrade bits and pieces. Another said by the best components and upgrade the frame, then all the others in the middle. and 3 months later I am still looking ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desmondalie Posted May 7, 2008 Share I think I will go with the GT then. I am not waiting 3 months to make a decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceboy Posted May 7, 2008 Share GT is very good value! My first bike was an Avalanche 1.0, and i loved it....until it got stolen. You can't go wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Zone Posted May 7, 2008 Share Problem is that bike shops sell a few brands only and will punt those brands. Check our some of the on line reviews. At then end of the day go for a bike with a decent shock and group set. Stay away from Disk brakes as you normaly get rubbish on a entry level bike, and disks soak up the budget for better components. You dont need disks if you ride in the Western Cape, V's are fine 99 % of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted May 7, 2008 Share Bikeshop response to 'whats the best bike for 3 grand' - lets see what I got in the shop at 3500, which just happens to be the best as well, how lucky for you ......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtbreath Posted May 7, 2008 Share Make sure the expensive bits are of better quality. eg fork. Get a general idea of what the components in your range cost and you can easily make an informed decision. As for the choice that will be up to you as its very personal. You want to LURV your bike. Dont get a good bike that looks *** as you wont want to ride it. If you drool when you look at your bike half the battle is won. Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desmondalie Posted May 7, 2008 Share Dirtbreath - at last someone that shares my sentiments. I cant agree more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowbee Posted May 7, 2008 Share thats the problem - drooling over a anthem or commencal or felt or specialised or santa cruz or .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtbreath Posted May 7, 2008 Share There are limits. When I was looking for a hardtail a few years back I was offered a great deal on a GT. I didnt like the colour or the way the seat stay comes up to the seat post. Just a personal quirk. Eventually found a used bike that although not as "cool" as the GT just was more to my taste. Hugged it every night. It's like finding a boy/girlfriend. That guy/girl with the missing front teeth just does it for you and you want to ride all night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desmondalie Posted May 7, 2008 Share Next thing you know you riding without a shorts and no saddle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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