CraigCCW Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 I got a quote from gecocycles for the following: Silverback Sola 4These 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... IMHO, R9000 is very good price for a Sola 4, its a great bike to start off with.
CraigCCW Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 I would also caution against second hand, especially as a newbie. It may cost you more, but starting out you don't need a "high" spec bike, and with buying new, you get the guarantees that come with the bike. Once you have gotten into it, and you have better knowledge of bikes, then maybe look at upgrading to a second hand bike.
CraigCCW Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 Momsen, also good value: http://www.cwcycles.co.za/bikes/momsen-al229-2017
Blackheart Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 I'm amazed at how much better bike shops have been in every aspect. Especially service, and I would rather *pay more and talk to someone who is an *expert in the product or field. *And so it begins.*I would never make that assumption. Some very good advice on this thread, especially about size and fit.The best bike for you is the one that fits you, the one you are stoked to ride again and again.
bologniusmaximus Posted May 17, 2017 Author Posted May 17, 2017 *And so it begins.*I would never make that assumption. Some very good advice on this thread, especially about size and fit.The best bike for you is the one that fits you, the one you are stoked to ride again and again. The resistance is weak within me.
Blackheart Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 Momsen have some good deals on clearance bikes http://momsenbikes.com/product-category/clearance-bikes/ O Bike is often worth a look too https://www.obike.co.za/index.php/store#!/MTBs/c/6595490/offset=0&sort=normal
Mr lee Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 That is a really good price on the Sola 4. As mentioned you should try and negotiate a better deal on 2. Try find a local shop that will match or better the deal. That way they can also set the bikes up with you on it. Not as good as a proper bike fit but better than nothing to start with! Go to a shop and try out a few bikes! You don't have to buy. Also ask them to advise on the correct size frame for your frame . Going by your height is a good start but you will have longer or shorter legs and arms than the next oak so actually getting on the bike will help. I would steer clear of just adding sealant to the tyres that the bike comes with! They have very thin side walls and won't hold up to cuts like a proper tubeless reinforced sidewalled tyre will. If you are really talented and stretch your negotiation skills to the limits you might be able to walk away with the bikes, helmets, gloves and a tubeless conversion with tyres for R20K From experience, or rather my wife's, I strongly recommend the 29er for your better half. Mine is nearly the same height and I mentioned in my previous post how much better it was for her...but at the end of the day it is your money and you need to do what makes you both happy
bologniusmaximus Posted May 17, 2017 Author Posted May 17, 2017 That is a really good price on the Sola 4. As mentioned you should try and negotiate a better deal on 2. Try find a local shop that will match or better the deal. That way they can also set the bikes up with you on it. Not as good as a proper bike fit but better than nothing to start with! Go to a shop and try out a few bikes! You don't have to buy. Also ask them to advise on the correct size frame for your frame . Going by your height is a good start but you will have longer or shorter legs and arms than the next oak so actually getting on the bike will help. I would steer clear of just adding sealant to the tyres that the bike comes with! They have very thin side walls and won't hold up to cuts like a proper tubeless reinforced sidewalled tyre will. If you are really talented and stretch your negotiation skills to the limits you might be able to walk away with the bikes, helmets, gloves and a tubeless conversion with tyres for R20K From experience, or rather my wife's, I strongly recommend the 29er for your better half. Mine is nearly the same height and I mentioned in my previous post how much better it was for her...but at the end of the day it is your money and you need to do what makes you both happy Now I just need the finances. On a totally unrelated situation, does anybody want to sponsor me? I'll design, print and put the ads on my bike. All I'm asking for is a measly R40k. (For the fuel, bike rack and other things)
ChrisF Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 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 hehehe .... gotta love it when people reply without READING a full post ..... Being on a budget I suggested the gloves go with various other items that will be bought over time. Just not possible for the ordinary person to buy each and every item when they start out. Almost a year down the line, and I still dont have a pair of glasses ..... and no, I dont have gloves, never had gloves, and not interested in getting gloves. The ONE hard fall I had on a bike really gaffed my elbows .... for the ordinary trail/gravel rider a full body suit is hardly needed. but that is just my humble opinion - as a commuter and recreational MTB cyclist. Understandably "snakes" (racers) and downhillers etc would have a different set of requirements.
ChrisF Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 I got a quote from gecocycles for the following: Silverback Sola 4These 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... They arrange the delivery, and can quote on that as well. Each and every day they send out many bikes via delivery. Same with CWC. You should see the mountain of stuff that gets shipped out of there .... These companies KNOWS the delivery game and will quote on the lot, and package it properly for you. In fact, they pre-assemble the bike, check cable settings etc etc, then package it for delivery.
ChrisF Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 Thank you, I really appreciate that. Now I know what frames to look for! Just for clarity .... 27,5'' and 29'' refers to tire size. The "frame size" is something different. At 1,75m I am on the edge between M and L frames (in most makes - and YES it does differ between makes). I just feel better on a M. The 27,5'' gives better gearing - lower gearing by about 5%. I need this due to bust knees. Obviously not a main decider for most. The 29'' rools better over obstacles and is the current trend for MTB's. Your wife might be just as comfortable with a "S" 29'' as with a "S" 27.5'' .... assuming she is short, otherwise she might go for a M. The main advantage for her might be the lower gearing of the 27,5''. Proper bike fitment takes MANY dimensions into consideration. but in this price level it should be sufficient if you can give your length and "inside leg" (crotch to floor) measurements to the cycle shop. The one bit of advise I have not seen thus far - LOAN BIKES .... speak to your local bike shop. Most decent bike shops DO have loan bikes, either to try in the parking lot, or rather to go do a 5km ride. TRY 2 or 3 different bikes. Believe me when I say there is more to it than the type of gear and the colour of the bike .... WOW !! the game has really changed a LOT !!! Just glance at the "geometry" of the different bikes ... those numbers hardly do justice to the massive difference in how different bikes "feel" !! best wishes with your search
bologniusmaximus Posted May 17, 2017 Author Posted May 17, 2017 Just for clarity .... 27,5'' and 29'' refers to tire size. The "frame size" is something different. At 1,75m I am on the edge between M and L frames (in most makes - and YES it does differ between makes). I just feel better on a M. The 27,5'' gives better gearing - lower gearing by about 5%. I need this due to bust knees. Obviously not a main decider for most. The 29'' rools better over obstacles and is the current trend for MTB's. Your wife might be just as comfortable with a "S" 29'' as with a "S" 27.5'' .... assuming she is short, otherwise she might go for a M. The main advantage for her might be the lower gearing of the 27,5''. Proper bike fitment takes MANY dimensions into consideration. but in this price level it should be sufficient if you can give your length and "inside leg" (crotch to floor) measurements to the cycle shop. The one bit of advise I have not seen thus far - LOAN BIKES .... speak to your local bike shop. Most decent bike shops DO have loan bikes, either to try in the parking lot, or rather to go do a 5km ride. TRY 2 or 3 different bikes. Believe me when I say there is more to it than the type of gear and the colour of the bike .... WOW !! the game has really changed a LOT !!! Just glance at the "geometry" of the different bikes ... those numbers hardly do justice to the massive difference in how different bikes "feel" !! best wishes with your search No worries about the wheel size. I totally understood what they meant. And know what a 650B is as well thanks to youtube. I've spent hours on the GMBN channel on youtube. But the rental bikes might be a great idea. I'll go talk to the shops. I'll also see if they would allow me to try out the bikes for a little longer. Who knows.
Nakoota Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 Before going the LBS route, look here: https://momsenbikes.com/product-category/clearance-bikes/ If they have your size then you will probably get double the value for the same price as some of the bikes you listed. I just bought the AL429 with SLX/XT mix for R11995. If you mail them a reasonable offer on two bikes you might even get a better price than listed.
ChrisF Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 BIKE RACK - ooooohhh .... now here is a hole different can of worms !! Thuli, Hold Fast and ??? are the three most common brands (damned if I can now recall the name of the third) Basic options : On the roof - https://www.thule.com/en/za/bike-rack/roof-bike-racks?q=oTG5gmK3vMANY pics of people that forgot about the bike and drove into the garage .... :(one very nice benefit - no dust on the bike ... Hatch brackets - https://www.thule.com/en/za/bike-rack/trunk-bike-racksdoes NOT work on all cars !!!! newer cars often have wrap around glass on the hatch, then you cant use these brackets - directly from the Thule guys. They would not sell this for my one car. Spare wheel - https://www.thule.com/en/za/bike-rack/trunk-bike-racks/thule-spare-met-963pro-_-963pronice option .... but limited to a specific type of vehicle. also check if the door is strong enough for the extra weight .. some instances of doors bending and/or delaminating. TOWBAR - here you have two basic options- quick clip units - (this is a two bike unit) - https://www.thule.com/en/za/bike-rack/towbar-bike-racks/thule-xpress-_-970000It is a TIGHT fit for the two bikes !! You will need some poodle-noodles to prevent damage ...the three bike version is NOT a "quick-clip" unit, it must be bolted onto the towbar. The problem with the above units - THEFT .... the only way to try and prevent theft is to use a cable and lock ... too many instances of the whole rack being unclipped and carried away with the bike !! jumping a number of variants, we go to : - Lockable units - https://www.thule.com/en/za/bike-rack/towbar-bike-racks/thule-velocompact-927-_-927This three bike unit goes for a tidy R10k ... But the rack is a quick clip onto the towbar, then locked in place. Each bike is placed, secured, then locked in place. And even with everything in place it is 2 second action to tilt the rack forward in order to open the boot or hatch (obviously dont help for side opening back doors). Many of the "smaller" racks in the classifieds as people end up buying lockable options. These are perfect for fun rides - you are either at your car or riding the bike .... the problems start when you go on holiday and have keep an eye on your bikes because you dont have a lockable rack ....
bologniusmaximus Posted May 17, 2017 Author Posted May 17, 2017 BIKE RACK - ooooohhh .... now here is a hole different can of worms !! Thuli, Hold Fast and ??? are the three most common brands (damned if I can now recall the name of the third) Basic options : On the roof - https://www.thule.com/en/za/bike-rack/roof-bike-racks?q=oTG5gmK3vMANY pics of people that forgot about the bike and drove into the garage .... :(one very nice benefit - no dust on the bike ... Hatch brackets - https://www.thule.com/en/za/bike-rack/trunk-bike-racksdoes NOT work on all cars !!!! newer cars often have wrap around glass on the hatch, then you cant use these brackets - directly from the Thule guys. They would not sell this for my one car. Spare wheel - https://www.thule.com/en/za/bike-rack/trunk-bike-racks/thule-spare-met-963pro-_-963pronice option .... but limited to a specific type of vehicle. also check if the door is strong enough for the extra weight .. some instances of doors bending and/or delaminating. TOWBAR - here you have two basic options- quick clip units - (this is a two bike unit) - https://www.thule.com/en/za/bike-rack/towbar-bike-racks/thule-xpress-_-970000It is a TIGHT fit for the two bikes !! You will need some poodle-noodles to prevent damage ...the three bike version is NOT a "quick-clip" unit, it must be bolted onto the towbar. The problem with the above units - THEFT .... the only way to try and prevent theft is to use a cable and lock ... too many instances of the whole rack being unclipped and carried away with the bike !! jumping a number of variants, we go to : - Lockable units - https://www.thule.com/en/za/bike-rack/towbar-bike-racks/thule-velocompact-927-_-927This three bike unit goes for a tidy R10k ... But the rack is a quick clip onto the towbar, then locked in place. Each bike is placed, secured, then locked in place. And even with everything in place it is 2 second action to tilt the rack forward in order to open the boot or hatch (obviously dont help for side opening back doors). Many of the "smaller" racks in the classifieds as people end up buying lockable options. These are perfect for fun rides - you are either at your car or riding the bike .... the problems start when you go on holiday and have keep an eye on your bikes because you dont have a lockable rack .... Yeah I have a small hatchback. And not really looking at getting a new/er car right now. So it will have to keep. Once the family increase in numbers then we will get something else. I'll make a plan with the locking of the cars/bikes on the racks and such. Might even figure out a way to fit them inside the car, I have some plastic sheeting and there's decent space once the back seat is folded over. Doubt that it's enough.
bologniusmaximus Posted May 17, 2017 Author Posted May 17, 2017 For all my research I seem to have completely missed the point that Momsen bikes are made in PE. What the heck? I feel like I've been living under a rock. Any other local manufacturers? Or am I missing the plot here?
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