Newbie needs advice

[natheer1]

Howzit guys and girls?

 

So as I said in my intro, I'm really keen on getting a bike, MTB preferably, but I need some advice on what to look for. I'm a rather big and heavy guy, 1.8m tall with a 40inch waist. I was told by a buddy to look at a large hardtail 29er. However, he himself just started out not too long ago. Is that good advice? What else should I look at? I obviously don't wanna spend too much on my first bike as I haven't been on 1 in about 20 years, so I'm anticipating some damage lol. What would a reasonable budget be, and where in Cape Town can I go shopping? Please help? Thanks in advance!

 

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[Johnny Lawless]

Bike: Get a full suspension. Since you're a big bloke your rear wheel might suffer and dent without a shock. Also, a full sus is more forgiving and lets you get away with more. And it opens up more options since you can ride more terrain more easily on it.

 

Budget: Double what you want to spend ;-) You WILL get hooked so spending more now will save you buying a new bike in 6 months from now...perhaps. 15k could probably get you a decent 2nd hand bike.

 

Where: Here. On BikeHub. Buy 2nd hand. Great deals and you'll get a much more bang for your buck.

[SuperDooperSnooper]

If you are on a tight budget, there is nothing wrong with starting off on a decent hardtail with good wheels. Once you have found your niche, you can always upgrade to a dual sus, whether it is XC, trail or downhill. 

Don't get side-tracked by a specific brand - most make quite decent bikes. More important to get a bike you feel comfortable on, which is the correct size and then have a proper fitment and setup done.

A budget of R20 000 - R25 000 would definitely sort you out with a good bike and the necessary gear. A proper helmet and shorts or bib should be top of your list, followed by shoes and rest of kit. I would recommend a shop that stocks more than one brand so that you can compare. Take a buddy with to help keep track.

[BaGearA]

Talk to the guys at Bike Market they'll sort you quick with something proper that suits your price range.

 

Enjoy Your MTB Sir.

[Omlette]

Hey there Natheer1

 

Large mtb for you sounds about right at 1.8m

I would say go past a bicycle shop and test a 26er, 650b and a 29er mountain bike to see which feels best for you. search the classifieds on BikeHub for a 2nd hand bike that fits your budget (but 10-15k would be great). don't buy too much cycle kit in the beginning as you will shed weight if you ride often (when I started again I lost close to 8kg first month) and will replace. try buy decent shorts with good padding.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Talk to the guys at Bike Market they'll sort you quick with something proper that suits your price range.

 

Enjoy Your MTB Sir.

This.

 

They really seem great. And you've got loads of different bike sizes/wheel sizes and price ranges to choose from, in one place, and that will make everything much easier and simpler:-)

[natheer1]

Talk to the guys at Bike Market they'll sort you quick with something proper that suits your price range.

 

Enjoy Your MTB Sir.

Where can I find them?

 

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[Mntboy]

Howzit guys and girls?

 

So as I said in my intro, I'm really keen on getting a bike, MTB preferably, but I need some advice on what to look for. I'm a rather big and heavy guy, 1.8m tall with a 40inch waist. I was told by a buddy to look at a large hardtail 29er. However, he himself just started out not too long ago. Is that good advice? What else should I look at? I obviously don't wanna spend too much on my first bike as I haven't been on 1 in about 20 years, so I'm anticipating some damage lol. What would a reasonable budget be, and where in Cape Town can I go shopping? Please help? Thanks in advance!

 

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Natheer welcome to the Bikehub!

 

Let's tackle the issue of a reasonable budget first, as it would be based on two different parts. The first is obviously the bike itself. Do you want a brand new bike or would you be happy with a previously loved one? Your budget would be different for both. If new I'd say have a budget of R8000 to R15000 as that should allow you to get a decently specced bike. Double that amount if you go the full suspension route. Second hand bikes are bit cheaper and you could pick one up anywhere from R3500 to R15000 with the higher priced bikes being very well specced and possibly including carbon frames. The second part of your budget will be for kit, which should at absolute minimum imho consist out of a helmet, a pair (or three) of padded shorts/bibs, a moisture wicking shirt (or three) and gloves. Budget about R5000 to R8000 for this. The helmet and the padded shorts are the most important parts of the kit and you would do well to purchase the best available in your price range.

 

With regards to wheel size, imho it doesn't particularly matter but you do need to bear in mind that wheel size has an effect on the bike's turning circle and therefore the way it handles in corners and tight, twisty terrain. That said each wheel size has it's pro's and con's and I would suggest reading up on the subject prior to deciding which one you would prefer. Also I'd advise you to try and ride bikes with the different wheel sizes to help decide which one to settle on. Can't think of any other advice that would be helpfull right now but feel free to ask questions and I'm sure that the Bikehub will do it's best to answer those for you.

 

Edit: ITO bike sizing I think you may range between M and L, depending on brand. Reach (the length between the seat and the handle bars - to keep things simple) would be important too so make sure you get fitted with a bike that allows you to feel comfortable breathing and easy to steer while riding.

 

 

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[Kalahari Vegmot]

It would be helpful to state your budget, as to get the best advice possible.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Where can I find them?

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They are situated in Melville, but most(if not all) of the secondhand bikes they have are listed on Bikehub.

 

Shipping of bicycles can be arranged, but it is always best to try before you buy.

 

Test out a few different bikes at different price points, new and used, 26", 650b, 29" etc. You get the idea, just don't rush into anything.

My 2c

[porqui]

Welcome to thehub.

 

Define big (1,8m is not big)

 

What is your budget?

 

What kind of riding do you think you would enjoy?

[natheer1]

Big as in fat. And my initial budget was about R10k, but I now realise that that's not gonna work...

 

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[Kalahari Vegmot]

The more you can spend, the better, don't take out a loan or anything, but if you can allow yourself more, do it.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Oh, and 10k as a budget will work just fine...

You'll still get a pretty decent 26er and some kit at that price point, and you can always resell the bike if you want to upgrade

[Harryn]

From personal experience, I have learned that Going cheap is actually more expensive. Bite the bullet now, get something decent that you can ride comfortably and reliably, and ENJOY, for years. People who give up on the mtb after 1 or 2 rides, usually only do so cos they are on cranky uncomfy, ill fitting, bikes, which are heavy as lead, and that's not fun. If you are heavy, don't consider a hardtail.

 

When the bug bites, and you are riding crap, you will be looking to upgrade soooo much sooner than you think.

[MSquared]

Newbie mistake no 1-Buying a bike from Cajee's.....not knowing what I wanted.

 

Newbie mistake No 2- setting the bike geometry up myself, not knowing what I was doing.

 

Newbie mistake no3 - getting frustrated with bike, sore back and leaving it on the shed for 3 yrs....

 

Gran always said that a clever man learns from his mistakes and a wise man from the mistakes of others....

 

Enjoy, [emoji4]