Newbie MTB riders wanting some advise

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Spend less money on the bike, and buy 1.) Good quality bibs, and 2.) Get a proper bike fit.

[bologniusmaximus]

By merely following the discussion from the beginning it's clear to see that a decision has already been made about the where and how and merely relies on the finances to come through. I've therefore decided to bow out of this discussion without offering any further advice. All the best with the purchase and enjoy the journey

 

Hey Robert,

 

Until I hear back about financing no final decision has been made. But I am open to options and willing to consider everything. Even if sometimes it doesn't seem like it.

[bologniusmaximus]

Spend less money on the bike, and buy 1.) Good quality bibs, and 2.) Get a proper bike fit.

 

What bike would you recommend then?

[Kalahari Vegmot]

What bike would you recommend then?

Hi, I'd look at any of the following:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/246707-scott-aspect-610-alu-26er/

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/248806-momsen-al329-large-frame/

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/248579-trek-6700-m/

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/245583-ktm-race-cross-extra-large-26er/

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/247963-giant-xtc/

 

So that would mean going secondhand, and perhaps 26". Wheel size is unimportant. A good fork makes a massive difference.

 

And I know they are all in Gauteng. But look around on OLX, Gumtree; you might find something.

 

Again, I think you mentioned you don't want to buy secondhand, which is understandable.

 

Good luck man!

[ChrisF]

What bike would you recommend then?

 

MOST bike shops DO provide a bike-fit function as PART of the sale ... just another reason to buy in your own town (unless an internet purchase saves enough to pay for this extra ..)

 

 

bibs .... lights ... whole different topic !!  Many threads on this as well.  For STARTERS - get a set of flashing front and rear lights at R90 for the set.  That will last you some time.  Add to that BRIGHT coloured clothes.

[bologniusmaximus]

MOST bike shops DO provide a bike-fit function as PART of the sale ... just another reason to buy in your own town (unless an internet purchase saves enough to pay for this extra ..)

 

 

bibs .... lights ... whole different topic !!  Many threads on this as well.  For STARTERS - get a set of flashing front and rear lights at R90 for the set.  That will last you some time.  Add to that BRIGHT coloured clothes.

 

I'll make sure I do that.

[s14phoenix]

MOST bike shops DO provide a bike-fit function as PART of the sale ... just another reason to buy in your own town (unless an internet purchase saves enough to pay for this extra ..)

 

 

bibs .... lights ... whole different topic !!  Many threads on this as well.  For STARTERS - get a set of flashing front and rear lights at R90 for the set.  That will last you some time.  Add to that BRIGHT coloured clothes.

 

MOST bike shops have no idea how to bike-fit. Go have it properly done for a decent bike-fit.

[bologniusmaximus]

MOST bike shops have no idea how to bike-fit. Go have it properly done for a decent bike-fit.

 

I'll do that. In fact, I joined a group at work that has some very experienced riders in it. They've been bombarding me with feedback. And I might even be able to get some kit from them to use till I can afford my own.

[ChrisF]

MOST bike shops have no idea how to bike-fit. Go have it properly done for a decent bike-fit.

 

serious question - so how do a novice know if a bikeshop can provide a proper bike fit ?

[bologniusmaximus]

serious question - so how do a novice know if a bikeshop can provide a proper bike fit ?

 

Heh good question!

[ChrisF]

For clothes also consider Mr Price SPORT.

 

Popped into our local Mr Price Sport tonight.

 

Got a cycling shirt for R199, in grey.  Matches Maritz's T-shirt colour.

 

Wanted the blue cycling shirt for R299, sadly did not have my size.

 

 

These probably wont last as long as the R1k+ shirts from the bike shops .... time will tell.

 

 

 

Personally I rather spend the serious money on my BIKE at this early stage.  Next year the bike will still be good and I can invest in better clothes - IF these low cost items prove to be poor quality ...

 

 

 

dont forget, trails and fun-rides are additional expenses .....  Trails around here vary between R30 to R60 per person per day.  Fun-rides vary widely in entry fees ..... But well worth it for us !!

[bologniusmaximus]

Popped into our local Mr Price Sport tonight.

 

Got a cycling shirt for R199, in grey.  Matches Maritz's T-shirt colour.

 

Wanted the blue cycling shirt for R299, sadly did not have my size.

 

 

These probably wont last as long as the R1k+ shirts from the bike shops .... time will tell.

 

 

 

Personally I rather spend the serious money on my BIKE at this early stage.  Next year the bike will still be good and I can invest in better clothes - IF these low cost items prove to be poor quality ...

 

 

 

dont forget, trails and fun-rides are additional expenses .....  Trails around here vary between R30 to R60 per person per day.  Fun-rides vary widely in entry fees ..... But well worth it for us !!

 

Yeah I will definitely keep that in mind.

 

I'll go look at La Lucia mall tomorrow. Gotta go see how I will do the bike financing now that Bike Life doesn't do it any longer. Made a friend at work who also has some gear lying around.

 

I'll also go look at some other shops. The more I think about it though, the more I feel like a 14kg bike is a bit on the heavy side...

 

Thoughts on this?

[ChrisF]

weight .....

 

emotions aside, some hard facts to consider.

 

TWO types of weight :

 

- Rotational mass - wheels, rims, tubes - THIS is where it REALLY matters !  Each time you slow down that mass must be accelerated again.

 

- "bike weight" (total minus the wheels) - 1 or 2 kg here has the same net effect as 1 or 2kg fluctuation in your own weight .....  At least in terms of the energy required to move this weight.

 

 

The total weight obviously has an impact on the handling of the bike .... but handling also is impacted by MANY other factors .....

 

 

 

Your really need to be a serious rider, pushing for good race times before this becomes a "real" issue.

 

Emotionally / Irrationally ... obviously the feel good factor of knowing you shaved another 100grams makes you feel better, and when you feel better you pedal better ....

 

 

 

I know a guy with a mid-range hard-tail Merida that CAN cycle.  More than once he has been called in by friends to stand in for Wine-2-Whales and similar rides, on his "entry-level" bike.  He just smile at the guys trying to buy better performance ......

 

 

 

by all means, when the budget aint an issue, go wild.  But when on a budget dont feel cheated just because your best option is still not exactly what you wanted .....  In this range, the one bike is hardly better than the other, at least not in terms of weight.  A decent front shock (air shock) is way more important than a lighter bike with a lesser shock.

[Thor Buttox]

I have now read the thread through and based on my years of experience and having started after never having had a bike as a kid, and learning many things the hard way, there are only a few things that really matter. All the rest is bumph:

- size the bike correctly. 'Numbnutz' is not a happy song title when 'Tainted Love' will do.

- use tubeless if you can afford it. There are many small pricks on a trail waiting to cause you grief. Be prepared.

- get a decent pair of shorts and for all that is holy, do not wear undies. Chaffing is for chicks. Chafeing is for the birds.

- hand wash the bibs/chamois and spray a bit of surgical spirits after use. (Rub a bit on your bits too... It burns, but it helps those pesky follicle infections. Google at your peril.)

- gloves help. You will fall. If you don't you are not a Mountain biker.

- get a decent, comfortable helmet. No, I don't mean as a result of using good bib-shorts. Pay attention.

 

All the rest is a nice-to-have. Style only matters if your name is Patchelicious, but he doesn't mind an 'iou' - it's in his name, for goodness sake. And long socks are only there for people with pitiful calves - they are like those shirts with a six-pack printed on the front.

 

Cheaper tops, socks, and bottles work fine... You will probably get free bottles at every race. I have many, unused. (Cheap hydration packs are generally *** though - and their valves leak all over your leg, which is annoying. Your elderly relative dribbles, not you.)

 

Now for tools. Don't skid on the trails and ruin corners. Don't push ladies into the bushes being a hero. And tyre-levers, a tube, and some bombs (with an adapter!)will generally do.

 

Have fun!

[bologniusmaximus]

weight .....

 

emotions aside, some hard facts to consider.

 

TWO types of weight :

 

- Rotational mass - wheels, rims, tubes - THIS is where it REALLY matters !  Each time you slow down that mass must be accelerated again.

 

- "bike weight" (total minus the wheels) - 1 or 2 kg here has the same net effect as 1 or 2kg fluctuation in your own weight .....  At least in terms of the energy required to move this weight.

 

 

The total weight obviously has an impact on the handling of the bike .... but handling also is impacted by MANY other factors .....

 

 

 

Your really need to be a serious rider, pushing for good race times before this becomes a "real" issue.

 

Emotionally / Irrationally ... obviously the feel good factor of knowing you shaved another 100grams makes you feel better, and when you feel better you pedal better ....

 

 

 

I know a guy with a mid-range hard-tail Merida that CAN cycle.  More than once he has been called in by friends to stand in for Wine-2-Whales and similar rides, on his "entry-level" bike.  He just smile at the guys trying to buy better performance ......

 

 

 

by all means, when the budget aint an issue, go wild.  But when on a budget dont feel cheated just because your best option is still not exactly what you wanted .....  In this range, the one bike is hardly better than the other, at least not in terms of weight.  A decent front shock (air shock) is way more important than a lighter bike with a lesser shock.

 

Honestly what I meant by weight was not the weight of the bike but the centrifugal force of the wheel spinning. Soon as I turned and the wheel lifted off the ground I could feel it. That's what was really causing me hassles. 14kg after all isn't that heavy. Thinking about it another part is probably the size of the bike. Just not used to large bikes.

[bologniusmaximus]

I have now read the thread through and based on my years of experience and having started after never having had a bike as a kid, and learning many things the hard way, there are only a few things that really matter. All the rest is bumph:

- size the bike correctly. 'Numbnutz' is not a happy song title when 'Tainted Love' will do.

- use tubeless if you can afford it. There are many small pricks on a trail waiting to cause you grief. Be prepared.

- get a decent pair of shorts and for all that is holy, do not wear undies. Chaffing is for chicks. Chafeing is for the birds.

- hand wash the bibs/chamois and spray a bit of surgical spirits after use. (Rub a bit on your bits too... It burns, but it helps those pesky follicle infections. Google at your peril.)

- gloves help. You will fall. If you don't you are not a Mountain biker.

- get a decent, comfortable helmet. No, I don't mean as a result of using good bib-shorts. Pay attention.

 

All the rest is a nice-to-have. Style only matters if your name is Patchelicious, but he doesn't mind an 'iou' - it's in his name, for goodness sake. And long socks are only there for people with pitiful calves - they are like those shirts with a six-pack printed on the front.

 

Cheaper tops, socks, and bottles work fine... You will probably get free bottles at every race. I have many, unused. (Cheap hydration packs are generally *** though - and their valves leak all over your leg, which is annoying. Your elderly relative dribbles, not you.)

 

Now for tools. Don't skid on the trails and ruin corners. Don't push ladies into the bushes being a hero. And tyre-levers, a tube, and some bombs (with an adapter!)will generally do.

 

Have fun!

 

 

Thanks I really do appreciate each and every response.

 

I'm not riding to win. I'm riding to spend time with my wife, to do something I enjoy and to have fun. I don't see myself ever racing. But you never know.

 

I'll try and remember all of this.