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Help!!! What to buy for a noob?


GuyKilfoil

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Posted

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  :whistling:

I'm on this hub every day and struggling to find decent XL bikes second hand. Just missed out on a Spez Camber Comp alloy in XL last week because I was in Spain on business. Bike had done one ride before the previous owner got injured in the gym. Missed out big time!

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Posted

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.

 Correct! Can only get base model (2016) and Comp Carbon (2017) in XL. No comp aluminium anywhere! And apparently none coming until well past April. That's just too long to wait!

Posted

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.

 

I am 1.88m and perfectly happy on a Large camber 

Posted

 Correct! Can only get base model (2016) and Comp Carbon (2017) in XL. No comp aluminium anywhere! And apparently none coming until well past April. That's just too long to wait!

 

I would recommend that you buy the camber comp carbon (it's the sweet spot in the entire camber range) and TRY the Large.  

 

As i mentioned above, I am 1.88m and happy on a Large 2016 camber comp carbon.

Posted

I am 1.88m and perfectly happy on a Large camber 

 I'm actually borderline L/XL. Problem is my extra-long gorilla arms, hence the advice to go XL by my LBS... :clap:

Posted

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.

 

 Correct! Can only get base model (2016) and Comp Carbon (2017) in XL. No comp aluminium anywhere! And apparently none coming until well past April. That's just too long to wait!

 

Yup...  I would go for the Carbon if you can afford it. I really think that base model is going to be a regret down the line. But maybe that's just me!

 

I would recommend that you buy the camber comp carbon (it's the sweet spot in the entire camber range) and TRY the Large.  

 

As i mentioned above, I am 1.88m and happy on a Large 2016 camber comp carbon.

 

Agree on the Carbon part, but because of the long arms I would go XL, just for that reach, and then being able to plonk a short stem on there - wouldn't be able to do that with a large. I am 1.78m, and on a Large Stumpy  - fits like a dream. Was on a medium before and I was VERY cramped. I also have long arms for my height.

 

 

 I'm actually borderline L/XL. Problem is my extra-long gorilla arms, hence the advise to go XL by my LBS... :clap:

 

Trust them...

Posted

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  :whistling:

You make a valid point about the weight but even if I get super lean 90kg is probably the lowest rung on the ladder for me - which is still hefty.  :eek: And it's the junk componentry on the base model that's worrying me:

 

FORK:                                     RockShox Sector Silver RL 29, Solo Air, lockout and rebound adjust, 15x100mm Maxle Lite thru-axle, 51mm offset, 120mm travel

REAR SHOCK:                        Custom X-Fusion 02 Pro RL, air sleeve, rebound adjust, lockout, 205x53mm

FRONT HUB:                          Specialized disc, alloy, sealed cartridge bearings,15x100mm thru-axle, 32h

REAR HUB:                             Specialized disc, alloy, sealed cartridge bearings,12x142mm thru-axle, 32h

SPOKES:                                 Stainless, 14g

RIMS:                                      Specialized 29, alloy, 24mm inner width, 32h

CRANKSET:                            SRAM 2x, alloy

BOTTOM BRACKET:              SRAM GXP XR, 73mm

SHIFT LEVERS:                       Shimano Alivio, 9-speed

FRONT DERAILLEUR:            SRAM GX, bottom pull

REAR DERAILLEUR:               Shimano Deore, Shadow design, SGS cage, 9-speed

CASSETTE:                              SRAM PG-920, 9-speed, 11-34t

Posted

Agree with other posts here - the Camber Carbon Comp is the best all round bang for buck MTB that Specialized make.  If you can get a good deal on that it is worth it.  There nothing on that bike that will hold you back however far you progress.. 

Posted

Hey man, have you actually phoned each concept store yourself? I know they have interlinked systems, but you never know. There may be one sitting somewhere. 

 

I'd suggest doing that, and go for the alu comp model. You don't NEED carbon. The Comp's specs though are definitely worth the extra cash.

 

Though that Stumpjumper you commented on in the classifieds is also a GREAT buy. For 20k you can't go wrong. 

Posted

Agree with other posts here - the Camber Carbon Comp is the best all round bang for buck MTB that Specialized make.  If you can get a good deal on that it is worth it.  There nothing on that bike that will hold you back however far you progress.. 

 That's exactly the advice almost all have given. Just for the record, spec is:

 

FORK: RockShox Revelation RL 29, Solo Air spring, lockout and rebound adjust, 15x100mm Maxle Lite thru-axle, 51mm offset, 120mm travel

 

REAR SHOCK: FOX FLOAT Performance, Rx Trail Tune, AUTOSAG, DPS damper, rebound and 3-position compression adjust, 205x53mm

 

FRONT HUB: Specialized disc, alloy, sealed cartridge bearings,15x100mm thru-axle, 24h

 

REAR HUB: Specialized disc, alloy, sealed cartridge bearings,12x142mm thru-axle, 28h

 

SPOKES: DT Swiss Industry, stainless, 3x, 2.0"

 

RIMS: Roval Traverse 29, hookless alloy, 29mm inner width, 24/28h, tubeless ready

 

CRANKSET: RaceFace Aeffect, 6000-series alloy, 24mm spindle, 49mm chainline, 26/36T

 

CHAINRINGS: 36/26T

 

BOTTOM BRACKET: PF30

 

SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano SLX M7000, 11-speed

 

FRONT DERAILLEUR: SRAM GX, mid direct-mount, 2x11

 

REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Deore XT M8000, Shadow Plus, SGS cage, 11-speed

 

CASSETTE: Shimano SLX M7000, 11-speed, 11-42t

 

CHAIN: SRAM PC-1110, 11-speed w/PowerLink

 

FRONT BRAKE: Shimano M506, hydraulic disc, resin pad, 200/180mm rotor

 

REAR BRAKE: Shimano M506, hydraulic disc, resin pad, 180/160mm rotor

 

HANDLEBARS: Specialized, 6061 alloy, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 27mm rise, 750mm width

 

GRIPS: Specialized Sip Grip, half-waffle

 

STEM: Specialized Trail, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 6-degree rise

 

SADDLE: Body Geometry Henge Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm

 

SEATPOST: Command Post IRcc, 12 position micro-height adjustable, alien head design, bottom mount cable routing, remote SRL lever, 30.9mm, S: 100mm, M/L/XL: 125mm travel

Posted

Hey man, have you actually phoned each concept store yourself? I know they have interlinked systems, but you never know. There may be one sitting somewhere. 

 

I'd suggest doing that, and go for the alu comp model. You don't NEED carbon. The Comp's specs though are definitely worth the extra cash.

 

Though that Stumpjumper you commented on in the classifieds is also a GREAT buy. For 20k you can't go wrong. 

Thanks Myles. But still waiting for a response from the OP on the Stumpy. Looks a good buy. And I also think carbon is a bridge too far. Definitely no XL at Melrose Arch, Cedar Isle, Bedfordview, or Lynnwood. Haven't tried West Rand yet...

Posted

Thanks Myles. But still waiting for a response from the OP on the Stumpy. Looks a good buy. And I also think carbon is a bridge too far. Definitely no XL at Melrose Arch, Cedar Isle, Bedfordview, or Lynnwood. Haven't tried West Rand yet...

Also try the WC stores. And all the others... 

 

Also - phone. Don't wait for a response on the message. 

Posted

 That's exactly the advice almost all have given. Just for the record, spec is:

 

FORK: RockShox Revelation RL 29, Solo Air spring, lockout and rebound adjust, 15x100mm Maxle Lite thru-axle, 51mm offset, 120mm travel

 

REAR SHOCK: FOX FLOAT Performance, Rx Trail Tune, AUTOSAG, DPS damper, rebound and 3-position compression adjust, 205x53mm

 

FRONT HUB: Specialized disc, alloy, sealed cartridge bearings,15x100mm thru-axle, 24h

 

REAR HUB: Specialized disc, alloy, sealed cartridge bearings,12x142mm thru-axle, 28h

 

SPOKES: DT Swiss Industry, stainless, 3x, 2.0"

 

RIMS: Roval Traverse 29, hookless alloy, 29mm inner width, 24/28h, tubeless ready

 

CRANKSET: RaceFace Aeffect, 6000-series alloy, 24mm spindle, 49mm chainline, 26/36T

 

CHAINRINGS: 36/26T

 

BOTTOM BRACKET: PF30

 

SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano SLX M7000, 11-speed

 

FRONT DERAILLEUR: SRAM GX, mid direct-mount, 2x11

 

REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Deore XT M8000, Shadow Plus, SGS cage, 11-speed

 

CASSETTE: Shimano SLX M7000, 11-speed, 11-42t

 

CHAIN: SRAM PC-1110, 11-speed w/PowerLink

 

FRONT BRAKE: Shimano M506, hydraulic disc, resin pad, 200/180mm rotor

 

REAR BRAKE: Shimano M506, hydraulic disc, resin pad, 180/160mm rotor

 

HANDLEBARS: Specialized, 6061 alloy, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 27mm rise, 750mm width

 

GRIPS: Specialized Sip Grip, half-waffle

 

STEM: Specialized Trail, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 6-degree rise

 

SADDLE: Body Geometry Henge Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm

 

SEATPOST: Command Post IRcc, 12 position micro-height adjustable, alien head design, bottom mount cable routing, remote SRL lever, 30.9mm, S: 100mm, M/L/XL: 125mm travel

 

One of my friend's ride an XL Camper Comp Carbon (2017) model, he is 1.89 and about 95kg - so pretty much EXACTLY in your position. He is a very good rider (doing Epic aiming for a top 40 finish), and he rides the bike HARD. He loves it, and the bike takes all the pounding he throws at it. You would be buying a bike your skills can grow into, and you won't need (want is a different story) to make any upgrades for a long time.

Posted

Thanks Myles. But still waiting for a response from the OP on the Stumpy. Looks a good buy. And I also think carbon is a bridge too far. Definitely no XL at Melrose Arch, Cedar Isle, Bedfordview, or Lynnwood. Haven't tried West Rand yet...

 

If the Carbon is a bridge too far, try wait for the Alu to come in stock. If you settle for another bike you will regret it when the stock finally arrives. I am a very impatient person, and have paid school fees many many time because of my impatience...

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