First w2w bike

[Kelly007]

Hi,

 

First post so hi. Coming over from the trail running crowd due to injuries and really starting to enjoy mtb. My dad has asked me to cycle w2w with him this year. My dilemma: I have a hand me down Rocky mountain element (guessing 10 year old 26") that I have been riding but just have this nagging feeling that it's slightly too small for me. It's a medium and I'm 90kg 182cm. I can't afford a new bike before the race. My options are spend a little money on the Rocky as it's a bit tired and stop thinking about it. Alternatively buy something similar in a large (say r7000 budget), i see there are 26" giant anthems on Gumtree around that price. For the second option, what should I be looking at? We are not gonna win the race and don't plan on ever. My weekend riding is mostly newlands/table mountain. Riding partner on a giant trance 2, I can keep up with him if not faster on anything with the Rocky.

 

Help?

 

 

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[Griffin]

1.82cm,,, a 26" medium is too small. You will definitely feel it on a long-ish distance ride

 

Spending money on the Element isn't going to change the frame size unfortunately

[Kelly007]

1.82cm,,, a 26" medium is too small. You will definitely feel it on a long-ish distance ride

 

Spending money on the Element isn't going to change the frame size unfortunately

Thanks,

 

Gonna start looking around for a large 26". Most likely a giant as they are the only model names I understand[emoji2]

 

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[ChrisF]

I am 1,75, and on the verge between M and L, on 29''.

 

Any reason you want to stay with a 26'' ?

 

 

I currently have a 27,5'' for a commuter, and a 29'' for trail riding.

 

 

Off road the 29'' just "rolls" easier over the bumps.

 

 

 

Giant has been staying with the 27,5'' much longer than the other brands.

 

 

 

Kelly you can look in the following places for a second hand bike :

 

- here in the classified section

 

- Speak to Mark at Mark's Workshop - 021 949 5219

 

- Cyclosport in Kuilsriver does trade ins and sells second hand bikes - http://cyclosport.co.za/ 

 

- Speak to Marnitz at Chris Willemse Cycles (CWC),  They dont sell 2nd hand bikes, but Marnitz has the contact details of a gent that specialise in this.

 

 

 

ENJOY

[Kelly007]

I am 1,75, and on the verge between M and L, on 29''.

 

Any reason you want to stay with a 26'' ?

 

 

I currently have a 27,5'' for a commuter, and a 29'' for trail riding.

 

 

Off road the 29'' just "rolls" easier over the bumps.

 

 

 

Giant has been staying with the 27,5'' much longer than the other brands.

 

 

 

Kelly you can look in the following places for a second hand bike :

 

- here in the classified section

 

- Speak to Mark at Mark's Workshop - 021 949 5219

 

- Cyclosport in Kuilsriver does trade ins and sells second hand bikes - http://cyclosport.co.za/

 

- Speak to Marnitz at Chris Willemse Cycles (CWC), They dont sell 2nd hand bikes, but Marnitz has the contact details of a gent that specialise in this.

 

 

 

ENJOY

Thanks,

Alot of info. 26" purely for price at the moment.

 

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[Iwan Kemp]

Welcome to Bike Hub!

 

At your height I would say Large for sure, older models may even be X-Large. Geometry of bikes have changed quite a bit over the last couple of years so it's difficult to give solid keyboard advice. 

 

Whatever you do don't spend money upgrading your current bike as it's too small - no doubt about that.

[ChrisF]

Kelly something else to consider

 

Many of the bike shops offer test rides, or even loan bikes, if you show a keen interest in buying a new bike.

 

 

 

Test ride the different "types" such as XC etc .... get a feel for what works for you.