Newbie MTB riders wanting some advise

[bologniusmaximus]

You mentioned that you and your wife are just starting MTB'ing and you are not sure if she will continue riding. As also mentioned buy 2nd hand for when she quits your loss will not be that big. A quick browse through the classifieds I noticed a few bikes that are decent specced and maybe try to negotiate the price in order to include some courier costs.

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/248817-merida-big-nine-900-29er-full-xtslx/

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/248768-silverback-slade-1/

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/248617-2016-silverback-sola3-29er-medium/

 

I will start off with a good 2nd hand bike and with time look at for a better specced bike or upgrades for your bike. Entry level equipments are fine and as your confidence and fitness grows you can upgrade. I started off managing 11 - 12km/h average on 30km races, now a good few years later I can manage between 15 - 17km/h average as my fitness and technical ability improved.

 

I started with a 26er GT 9spd with old Deore components, never had issues with the old Deore groupset. Later upgraded to a 29er Merida Big9 with SLX components. Currently riding with my sons old Specialised Comp Carve 29er with SRAM X5 components basically on par with SLX. The only difference between the Merida and the Spez is that the frame is slighly lighter.

 

Thanks, but that really does look like it's above our budget. I understand that it's not always the best idea to go lower budget, but we don't have much of a choice in this case. We're looking for a new hobby, and few hobbies has had my wife as excited.

 

Maybe we can make a plan. I'll look into it.

[Pure Savage]

Whats wrong with a bike from the bikehub classifieds?

 

Once you  know your sizes you are A for away. 

 

Lets guess you a large and wifey a Small.

 

you:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/246468-merida-big-nine-tfs-900-d/

 

 

wifey:

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/245132-silverback-small-frame-with-helmet-ridden-5-times/

 

even has helmet

[OldBull]

You got a lot of good advice on the bikes.

 

Dont go for cheap helmets from the mall. Get something with a decent reputation, like Bell. Good value if you start out, but not that costly.

 

Get gloves, but here you can go for real cheap stuff for a start.

[bologniusmaximus]

My opinion is solely because you mentioned the terrible word "budget" & the fact that you guys are still extremely new to the sport:

 

Lower your budget from R20k down to something like R10k for both bikes and look at the second hand market rather than visiting the bike shops.

 

My reason for this is simple: If you've paid only around 5-7 for each bike you'll be able to recover the money faster if one of you decide that cycling is not the preferred sport.

The other benefit will be that you'll be able to hold onto them for longer before you will "need" to sell if it possibly gets to that. 

 

You're welcome to send me a pm and I will guide you through all the pitfalls you may encounter during this process. The most important thing for your wife will be comfort rather than functionality so I would suggest getting some decent shorts. 

 

Second most important thing will be a proper set-up and some skills training when you've decided you want to pursue the sport. 

 

After replacing both my bikes (which were stolen) back in 2011 I bought a brand spanking new Trek 4300 (26er) for a staggering R4999.00 and every time I "upgrade" my bike I end up selling or get rid of the new bike and revert back to the 26er. Yes' I've upgraded it quite a bit but I've done over 10 000 km on it. I owned a 29er full carbon bike which I built up from scratch and after 2000km on it I sold it and still prefer the feel of my original bike. 

 

I honestly wish we didn't have to worry about budget. But I also want to do something more with this, I want to use it as an opportunity to try out the cheaper bikes and perhaps give feedback from a new cyclists as to what the whole experience is like. To perhaps help out other new cyclists as well.

[bologniusmaximus]

Whats wrong with a bike from the bikehub classifieds?

 

Once you  know your sizes you are A for away. 

 

Lets guess you a large and wifey a Small.

 

you:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/246468-merida-big-nine-tfs-900-d/

 

 

wifey:

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/245132-silverback-small-frame-with-helmet-ridden-5-times/

 

even has helmet

 

Absolutely nothing wrong with it at all. That's why I asked for feedback. Thank you for sending those, I'll most definitely look into it more.

[Jurgens Smit]

snip

 

Gloves ... not needed ... at least not now.  Over time you will get a new wardrobe, gloves can then be added.

 

 

 

Get a bike and helmet and go ENJOY the outdoors.

No gloves is the kakkest advice you can give. When (not if) you fall your hands will be ripped to shreds.

 

I bought o'neal mx gloves at the local bike shop, cost me 150 and they are bomb proof

[Thor Buttox]

1) Proper fitting (bike and saddle)

2) go tubeless if you can

3) find the bike that fits 1) that has the best components for its cost. I think there is a diminishing cost benefit return after you go past XT but the very cheap stuff can be frustrating.

4) second hand can be good but try meet at a bike shop where people can give you a proper opinion. I sold mine this way and everyone was happy.

[CraigCCW]

Welcome, but be aware:

 

[bologniusmaximus]

For interests sake I did 

 

No gloves is the kakkest advice you can give. When (not if) you fall your hands will be ripped to shreds.

 

I bought o'neal mx gloves at the local bike shop, cost me 150 and they are bomb proof

 

Thanks, I'll play it safe and get some gloves. Specially for the wife, she rarely does anything physical so her hands are soft as marshmallows.

 

I grew up on a farm so I have a bit of experience with falling

[eddy]

You can change everything on a bike except the size. Make sure you buy the right size.

[bologniusmaximus]

I got a quote from gecocycles for the following:

 

Silverback Sola 4

These bikes with sealant in the wheels, bottle cages, bottle and a first free service.

 

At a price of R9000.00 per bike.

 

Opinions? I wonder what delivery would cost...

[bologniusmaximus]

You can change everything on a bike except the size. Make sure you buy the right size.

 

Very fair point!

 

Any guides as to what would be the correct size bike? I saw a size comparison at a shop and it showed that 29er on a large frame might be best for me.

 

About 1.78m tall, weigh about 70 to 75kg

Wife is about  1.6m tall and weighs about 60kg

[RobertWhitehead]

I got a quote from gecocycles for the following:

 

Silverback Sola 4

These bikes with sealant in the wheels, bottle cages, bottle and a first free service.

 

At a price of R9000.00 per bike.

 

Opinions? I wonder what delivery would cost...

 

I found the following with a Silverback:

 

Longer horizontal top tube length and shorter Seat tube length than other brands. The effect will be higher saddle and shorter stem to get you fitting properly. Do a little size comparison between the various brands and you'll notice the difference immediately. Google works very well for this exercise.

 

You will be fine on a M frame and your wife a S frame. 

[CraigCCW]

I found the following with a Silverback:

 

Longer horizontal top tube length and shorter Seat tube length than other brands. The effect will be higher saddle and shorter stem to get you fitting properly. Do a little size comparison between the various brands and you'll notice the difference immediately. Google works very well for this exercise.

 

You will be fine on a M frame and your wife a S frame. 

 

Agreed.

 

Maybe look at a 27.5 for your wife, and a Medium 29er for yourself.

[Lurch the stalker]

I got a quote from gecocycles for the following:

 

Silverback Sola 4

These bikes with sealant in the wheels, bottle cages, bottle and a first free service.

 

At a price of R9000.00 per bike.

 

Opinions? I wonder what delivery would cost...

 

I bought a Sola 3 in December last year that I use mostly for commuting and the odd weekend playing on the dirt and I am very happy with it (ridden around 2300km on it).

 

Not sure on the price on the 4, but if you're buying 2 I'd ask for a discount.

[bologniusmaximus]

I found the following with a Silverback:

 

Longer horizontal top tube length and shorter Seat tube length than other brands. The effect will be higher saddle and shorter stem to get you fitting properly. Do a little size comparison between the various brands and you'll notice the difference immediately. Google works very well for this exercise.

 

You will be fine on a M frame and your wife a S frame. 

 

 

Agreed.

 

Maybe look at a 27.5 for your wife, and a Medium 29er for yourself.

 

Thank you, I really appreciate that. Now I know what frames to look for!