First Full Sus - Help a NOOB

[Vee-Man]

Good day Ladies and Gentleman

 

I am sure this topic has been debated to death many times.

 

A quick introduction, I have been slowly cruising around on the Tygerberg trails, I am a member of Tygerberg MTB Club and recently did Joberg2c (withdrew on day 7 due to an injury)

 

My current bike was only intended for the occasional ride as I have been more of a roadie.

 

 

On Joberg2c the bug hit me really hard, I need to get rid of my Silverback spectra comp and get a decent bike for the stage events I want to do.

 

I have a budget of about 35K.

 

a trip to CWC revealed 2 options I liked. (based on my VERY ltd knowledge)

 

• The Merida Ninety six 6000
• The Giant Anthem X 29er One

Fellow riders, are there better options to consider? I am not keen on a used bike, would prefer new.

 

Looking forward to advice

 

Many thanks 

[Serious Panda]

This is a better option:

 

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/silverback-29er-dual-suspension/products/silverback-sido-1-2017

 

Edit: The Merida has a carbon front triangle frame so its a very good buy

 

What is your bike size?

[Headshot]

Buy a trail bike instead - something with 120mm travel front a back and a slacker head angle. You will have more fun and be less likely to crash riding steep stuff. The Scott Spark trail bike is just such a machine. Good for long distance and having fun safely while advancing your skills. 

[Vee-Man]

This is a better option:

 

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/silverback-29er-dual-suspension/products/silverback-sido-1-2017

Thanks QWERTY

 

When I read specs I am afraid a lot of it goes right over my head. it is about 3K cheaper than the Anthem x 29er One. Specs wise is it a better bike?

 

again, based on nothing but my experience with my entry level silverback, I seem to habe a mental block against silverback.

[Vee-Man]

Buy a trail bike instead - something with 120mm travel front a back and a slacker head angle. You will have more fun and be less likely to crash riding steep stuff. The Scott Spark trail bike is just such a machine. Good for long distance and having fun safely while advancing your skills. 

I will look into this. I will do some googleFU on the Scott  

[GiarC]

Hi,

 

Also have a look at Bike Addict. They also stock Merida and Giant.

You can also look at Scott!

 

Thanks

[Vee-Man]

Buy a trail bike instead - something with 120mm travel front a back and a slacker head angle. You will have more fun and be less likely to crash riding steep stuff. The Scott Spark trail bike is just such a machine. Good for long distance and having fun safely while advancing your skills. 

 

This the one?

 

http://www.olympiccycles.co.za/shop/scott-spark-960-2017/

[Headshot]

The one you have found is their latest marathon bike which is also a bit more trail bike than it used to be. The bike below is the one I was thinking of though. 

 

http://www.bikemag.com/gear/mountain-bikes/review-scott-spark-720-plus/#fSFldQjkAfIcJJ9g.97

[Serious Panda]

Thanks QWERTY

 

When I read specs I am afraid a lot of it goes right over my head. it is about 3K cheaper than the Anthem x 29er One. Specs wise is it a better bike?

 

again, based on nothing but my experience with my entry level silverback, I seem to habe a mental block against silverback.

 

The Sido 1 and Merida 6000 are better buys than the Anthem (my opinion). The Sido 1 does not have the carbon front triangle like the 6000, but its listing weight is lighter, specs are more or less equal Shimano on the Sido and Sram on the 6000. The Sido 1 has better lighter wheels. Silverback has built a great bike with the Sido/Sesta with very good suspension your mental block is unnecessary.

[Serious Panda]

If you go by the listing price of R41,900.00 for the Merida 6000 and R 30,300.00 for the Sido 1 then the Sido 1 is a better buy, and also this full carbon bike:

 

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/silverback-29er-dual-suspension/products/silverback-sesta-comp-2017

[Vee-Man]

Thanks for the input so far. Busy doing reading on the suggestions 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Camber

New Spark (NOT the RC)

New Anthem (120mm version)

Silverback Sprada / Square / Synergy (NOT the sido or Sesta)

 

For the vast majority of riders, a bike with ~ 120-140mm travel would be far more suitable than an XC race bike like the Sido or an Epic. Far more comfortable, far more capable, far more confidence inspiring and far more spplicable to the majority of SA riders who are not at the pointy end of the scale. 

 

Yes, if you're contending for the top 5% / 10% in the GC or in your category, THEN a race bike with 90/100 mm suspension would be the logical choice. But I don't get the incessant push for an XC race bike when all people want to do is have fun whilst riding, and do multi day stage races / rides. 

 

If you're not a racer, don't buy a race bike. Easy. And no, Joburg 2 Sea is not a race unless you're contending for position. 

[BH South Africa]

Vee_Man. Maybe try a BH (Imported from Spain) Dual Sus. We just got this model in

 

Check out the link below

 

http://bhsouthafrica.co.za/portfolio-item/lynx-4-8-29er-alu-8-7/

[Serious Panda]

If you enjoy going fast or riding a bike that pedals efficiently, buy a race bike, if you enjoy technical trails and don`t care about going fast or efficiency, buy a trail bike.

[GiarC]

Also look at 2017 model if the 2018 models are out. You normally get good discount for the older models

 

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/giant-29er-dual-suspension/products/giant-anthem-x-29er-2017

 

This bike has SLX groupset and 11 speed

[T-Bob]

Fellow riders, are there better options to consider? I am not keen on a used bike, would prefer new.

 

Looking forward to advice

 

Many thanks 

 

Not sure how race focused you are, if you're out to ride CT trails and do some stage races or if it's stage race focused or what size frame you need but YT (yup I've posted it before) have a few last years models of the Jeffsy 29'r at crazy prices.

 

Read the reviews, it's an amazing bike anyway and with the base model slashed to R29K (saving around R12k) you're getting an awesome trail bike that you could easily do longer days on if you're not going for podiums or focused on 100% on position.

 

Doubt there is much out there to beat it as it comes with Reverb dropper, Pike RC fork, Monarch R rear can, 140mm all around, SLX and RaceFace mix. Heck you even get decent tyres in double Onza Ibex to roll on. 

 

This you would happily take to the U 2 days @ Piket bo berg and ride the best single track 2 days about! 

 

http://za.yt-industries.com/detail/index/sArticle/662/sCategory/575

 

They also have the 2 comps above it up @ R39K (saving around 11k a bit) with XT or Sram GX and the Pike RTX3 and Monarch RTC3

 

http://za.yt-industries.com/cat/index/sCategory/563