Help!!! What to buy for a noob?

[GuyKilfoil]

Hi guys,

 

I'm a complete noob about to splurge on what sounds like a bottomless pit hobby...????

 

So a quick question: is a 2016 Specialized Camber 29 (base model) going to cut the mustard for a 1,9m tall, 100kg dude? My mates who are big into MTB say componentry won't do for my weight and are pushing me towards the Comp. Which would be fine if there was an alloy comp in XL in stock anywhere! Instead my LBS is offering me an amazing deal on a '17 Camber Comp Carbon - but I feel this is the other extreme! Just way too much bike for a noob.

 

I know a million hubbers will say buy second-hand but I'm very fussy and the thought of dropping R30k or thereabouts on a bike that looks battered and bruised doesn't fill me with joy. Even though I know mine will get battered and bruised anyway. Makes no sense, I know!

 

So what do I do? Camber base plus gear for less than R30k. Or spend way more on way more bike?

 

Cue all the try Giant, Merida, etc comments but would appreciate your honest advice and feedback!

[porqui]

There is no such ting as too much bike ever.

 

There is such a thing as too much for a bike.

 

It's all about affordability you buy the best you can afford.

If you can afford a top of the range bike you go for it - well worth it.

 

Just make sure you buy the right type of bike and the right size.

*NB* pleaasse don't buy matching kit especially spaz

[igg]

At 100kg excl gear, probably the most important component are wheels. You don't want lightweight ones that will have to be trued after every ride, or even worse, break at the worst time possible because you're over the weight limit.

 

As for height, at 1.9 you're pretty much going to be on an XL in every bike. Don't compromise on frame size, just slap a shorter stem on there and enjoy the extra control.

 

According to Spez' spec sheet (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/trail/camber-29/106426), your rims are: Alex XD, 650b, 24/28h. That would make me a bit nervous, but then again it depends on the type of riding you want to do; the camber is certainly a very capable trail bike.

 

As above, buy the best you can afford. It will forestall the inevitable sell/buy cycle, but, don't waste money. You can get some incredible deals for ~R30k in the classifieds from reputable sellers who look after their rides better than the dealers will.

[Grease_Monkey]

I could go into a bunch of detail about why you shouldn't buy the base model, but long story short - you will buy the base model and within 2 or 3 months you are gonna love mountainbiking and learn a bit more about components, and wish you had bought the comp model.

 

Long story short - if you can afford the Comp model (alu is great if you can find one or wait for a bit), buy it! It is a good spec bike that will last you for a long time. It is not going to cause headaches with bad gear shifts and sub par suspension issues (you are on the heavy side for the base model suspension).

 

The comp is a great bike, and you will be very happy with it. On the other hand, the base model (in my opinion) is a bike that you will want to upgrade every single part within 6 months...

 

EDIT: Oh and as has been mentioned, do not compromise on frame size. In Spez you are and XL. I have made the mistake of going for an M over an L before (I am 1.78m and 95kg), and I regretted it and lost alot of money!

[lerouc]

I ride a Giant Anthem (Had the XTC before anthem) and i have ridden the stock wheels PXC2 since 2013 and to date only had 1 spoke broke on me and that was the only time that one wheel was trued. O yeah my weight averages between 120 and 130. 

 

If you are uncertain about the wheels get the bike shop owner or manager to tell you it is fine and then when they start breaking just take them back every time until they get gatvol. Also i ride trails not dirt roads so my wheels takes a pounding.

[GuyKilfoil]

Thanks so much guys!! Appreciate the feedback so far!!

[Christofison]

At 100kg excl gear, probably the most important component are wheels. You don't want lightweight ones that will have to be trued after every ride, or even worse, break at the worst time possible because you're over the weight limit.

 

As for height, at 1.9 you're pretty much going to be on an XL in every bike. Don't compromise on frame size, just slap a shorter stem on there and enjoy the extra control.

 

According to Spez' spec sheet (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/trail/camber-29/106426), your rims are: Alex XD, 650b, 24/28h. That would make me a bit nervous, but then again it depends on the type of riding you want to do; the camber is certainly a very capable trail bike.

 

As above, buy the best you can afford. It will forestall the inevitable sell/buy cycle, but, don't waste money. You can get some incredible deals for ~R30k in the classifieds from reputable sellers who look after their rides better than the dealers will.

I reckon that is the wrong wheel spec. Definitely not 650B wheels on that Camber 29 and definitely not 24/28 hole.

 

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[Christofison]

I'm not sure how accurate the specs are on the website, but if it is 9 speed and has Tektro brakes then rather save up or keep looking around for the Camber Comp Alu.

 

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[Help.Me.]

I ride a Giant Anthem (Had the XTC before anthem) and i have ridden the stock wheels PXC2 since 2013 and to date only had 1 spoke broke on me and that was the only time that one wheel was trued. O yeah my weight averages between 120 and 130. 

 

If you are uncertain about the wheels get the bike shop owner or manager to tell you it is fine and then when they start breaking just take them back every time until they get gatvol. Also i ride trails not dirt roads so my wheels takes a pounding.

But you must ride more often,nothing happens to wheels and spokes if the bike is kept in the garage.... #justsaying

[J trailx]

Silverback sprada- its got good parts and wheels.

[GuyKilfoil]

At 100kg excl gear, probably the most important component are wheels. You don't want lightweight ones that will have to be trued after every ride, or even worse, break at the worst time possible because you're over the weight limit.

 

As for height, at 1.9 you're pretty much going to be on an XL in every bike. Don't compromise on frame size, just slap a shorter stem on there and enjoy the extra control.

 

According to Spez' spec sheet (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/trail/camber-29/106426), your rims are: Alex XD, 650b, 24/28h. That would make me a bit nervous, but then again it depends on the type of riding you want to do; the camber is certainly a very capable trail bike.

 

As above, buy the best you can afford. It will forestall the inevitable sell/buy cycle, but, don't waste money. You can get some incredible deals for ~R30k in the classifieds from reputable sellers who look after their rides better than the dealers will.

Definitely a Camber 29. Not 650b. Wheel spec is Specialized 29, alloy, 24mm inner width, 32h. No 650b Camber available in ZA - only US and other markets.

[PhilipV]

I'd buy the cheaper bike in the right size and keep the surplus in the kitty to upgrade wheels later (if you manage to break them) or whatever else you want to upgrade.

For me Tubeless wheels and a dropper seatpost are a non negotiable item. So if spend money here. And with proper tyres, not the flimsy sidewall tyres that are OEM spec. Spez tyres are generally crap, unless you can get the grid sidewall. Anything less is just to susceptible to sidewall damage (personal experience of spez tyres.)

 

 

And who knows, maybe in 6 months you realise you want something totally different, then you are not over capitalised in case you want to sell. (That being said, I reckon the camber is a great do it all bike and you can't go wrong here.)

[popcorn_skollie]

I'd buy the cheaper bike in the right size and keep the surplus in the kitty to upgrade wheels later (if you manage to break them) or whatever else you want to upgrade.

For me Tubeless wheels and a dropper seatpost are a non negotiable item. So if spend money here. And with proper tyres, not the flimsy sidewall tyres that are OEM spec. Spez tyres are generally crap, unless you can get the grid sidewall. Anything less is just to susceptible to sidewall damage (personal experience of spez tyres.)

 

 

And who knows, maybe in 6 months you realise you want something totally different, then you are not over capitalised in case you want to sell. (That being said, I reckon the camber is a great do it all bike and you can't go wrong here.)

 

I agree. You can upgrade as you see fit at your own pace if (or when) you feel the need to scratch that itch.  

[Grease_Monkey]

I'd buy the cheaper bike in the right size and keep the surplus in the kitty to upgrade wheels later (if you manage to break them) or whatever else you want to upgrade.

For me Tubeless wheels and a dropper seatpost are a non negotiable item. So if spend money here. And with proper tyres, not the flimsy sidewall tyres that are OEM spec. Spez tyres are generally crap, unless you can get the grid sidewall. Anything less is just to susceptible to sidewall damage (personal experience of spez tyres.)

 

 

And who knows, maybe in 6 months you realise you want something totally different, then you are not over capitalised in case you want to sell. (That being said, I reckon the camber is a great do it all bike and you can't go wrong here.)

 

The comp already comes with a very good wheelset, as well as a dropper. Great suspension and components too. The only thing you will have to do is tubeless (which Specialized will throw in with the sale anyway), and maybe somewhere down the line some decent tyres. The money you save on going for the cheaper model will not be enough to get the cheaper bike to the same spec as the comp... 

 

The comp models in Specialized is where I think you get the most value per rand...

[MarcBurger]

You can get a hell of a lot of bike for R30k second hand. For example there's an XL giant anthem which looks quite hot. But if your new bike rule is absolute then that's that.

 

As for your 100kg'ness. Barely a concern for a starter rider I recon. Bikes are designed to take a beating, wheels being the deciding factor usually. I'm sure you're not going to be smashing your bike down cliffs any time soon.

1. Most bike OEM wheels are pretty strong and heavy
2. If you're starting out, you might loose said 100kgs pretty soon.
3. Worst case: you break a wheel. Get a better wheel.

Just make sure (super make sure) you don't settle for junk componentry. You'll end up having to fiddle and fiddle to get it working smoothly to the extent you'll hate riding it. 

 

When in doubt: Keep posting bikes you think you'll enjoy for peer scrutiny. Hubbers love shopping for others 

[PhilipV]

The comp already comes with a very good wheelset, as well as a dropper. Great suspension and components too. The only thing you will have to do is tubeless (which Specialized will throw in with the sale anyway), and maybe somewhere down the line some decent tyres. The money you save on going for the cheaper model will not be enough to get the cheaper bike to the same spec as the comp...

 

The comp models in Specialized is where I think you get the most value per rand...

True, but the OP mentioned that there is no stock of the XL available.

No use buying the right spec in the wrong size.

At 1.9 the OP definitely is an XL.