Purchasing a Mountain Bike

[shadowchaser-d]

So my wife wants me to buy her a mountain bike and i need some advice on what i should be looking for when purchasing.

 

I am not prepared to spend to much on her, as i am not convinced that she will share the same passion for the sport as i do.  However, having said that, i am also not going to buy her the cheapest bike on the market either.  I am thinking for R10 000 i should be able to get a fairly decent mnt bike.  My local bike shop does Mongoose, Gt, Raleigh but i am sure they could order others for me.

 

Any suggestions would be welcome as i am a 100% roady, so have very little knowledge of the mountain bike stuff.

 

Thanks

[TheLegend]

a: get a second hand bike

b: mechanic dis brakes are a No-No!

 

[PappaBear]

Schwinn and mongoose the best value for money, but for 10k you can get a very nice Merida as well, which would be lighter.

 

I'd go for that.

 

[AndreZA]

For 10k you will get more then a decent bike. Get the best forks possible. It's a pity you are in the NW and only a budget of 10k. For 13k there's a SPecialised FS in the classifieds.

[Dirtbreath]

Get her something that looks good and gives as little crap as possible.

 

Buy her the best lady's saddle straight away and some good shorts. One arse aching session and all your hard work will be undone.

 

Take her on slow, easy and scenic rides so that she can build her confidence first! Don't do anything hectic. If she wipes you are also in big sh*t!

[shadowchaser-d]

a: get a second hand bike
b: mechanic dis brakes are a No-No!

 

Thanks but i will rather go for a new, that way if i need to change the stem, saddle, pedals, etc it will be far easier and knowing my local bike shop at no extra cost either.

 

Don't the disc brakes push the price up considerably?  My thought was to get V brakes with a better groupo and late upgrade to discs if need be?

[Marius]

I saw a moerse bargain on another list, wait let me look for that add again... ok, got the link for now:

 

http://www.makro.co.za/ProductDetail.aspx?cat=6490&prod=36699&SKU=000000000000124447|EA 

 

[shadowchaser-d]

Schwinn and mongoose the best value for money' date=' but for 10k you can get a very nice Merida as well, which would be lighter.

I'd go for that.
[/quote']

 

which Merida in specific are you talking about?  I like the ligher part as i know that she aint going to be lugging her bile around much if it is a schlepp.

[shadowchaser-d]

For 10k you will get more then a decent bike. Get the best forks possible. It's a pity you are in the NW and only a budget of 10k. For 13k there's a SPecialised FS in the classifieds.

 

Mampara, what forks are decent and would i have a choice really if i purchase a complete bike?

 

Do you get a soft tail in that price range?

[shadowchaser-d]

I saw a moerse bargain on another list' date=' wait let me look for that add again... ok, got the link for now:

 

http://www.makro.co.za/ProductDetail.aspx?cat=6490&prod=36699&SKU=000000000000124447|EA 

 

[/quote']

 

  A macro raleigh next to my bike, i don't think so!!!!!!

[PappaBear]

The Merida TFS 700, Rockshock Tora fork, Shimano Deore Disc Brakes, LX and XT gears.

 

J

 

[AndreZA]

  

Mampara' date=' what forks are decent and would i have a choice really if i purchase a complete bike?

 

Do you get a soft tail in that price range?

[/quote']

 

Shops will swop for you but you'll have to pay in. No decent FS biks at that price.

 

Look at the Meridas and Mongooses. Maybe you'll get away with a Women Specific Trek aswell.

 

 

 

 

[shadowchaser-d]

  

Mampara' date=' what forks are decent and would i have a choice really if i purchase a complete bike?

 

Do you get a soft tail in that price range?

[/quote']

 

Shops will swop for you but you'll have to pay in. No decent FS biks at that price.

 

Look at the Meridas and Mongooses. Maybe you'll get away with a Women Specific Trek aswell.

 

 

 

 

 

I see the Merida and Mongoose come in small, medium, large, etc  How does the sizing work on mnt bikes......same as road bikes?

 

 

[PappaBear]

57-59 road bike or larger will be a large mtb frame, but it varies on different brands.....

 

 

 

[AndreZA]

I see the Merida and Mongoose come in small' date=' medium, large, etc  How does the sizing work on mnt bikes......same as road bikes? 

[/quote']

 

That's where the next mission starts. All manufacturers' sizes are not the same. YOu will have to go and try them out. Even within the same manufacturer you will get "sport" and "racing" geometry.

 

Oh by the way, go straight to hydraulic disks. They do push up the price but when it's time to upgrade it's gonna cost you R3000 - R5000.

 

Look at the Silverback Sierra. Should set you back under 9k.

 

http://www.silverbacklab.com/mtn.htm

 

 

 

 

[shadowchaser-d]

I see the Merida and Mongoose come in small' date=' medium, large, etc  How does the sizing work on mnt bikes......same as road bikes? 

[/quote']

 

That's where the next mission starts. All manufacturers' sizes are not the same. YOu will have to go and try them out. Even within the same manufacturer you will get "sport" and "racing" geometry.

 

Oh by the way, go straight to hydraulic disks. They do push up the price but when it's time to upgrade it's gonna cost you R3000 - R5000.

 

Look at the Silverback Sierra. Should set you back under 9k.

 

http://www.silverbacklab.com/mtn.htm

 

The Sierra looks pretty cool and the price is right......my lbs says they can't get stock

 

Is 12.5kg normal for a mountain bike?