Need help ASAP with first road bike purchase

[PreshKZN]

Hi guys, im new to the whole biking scene, im looking to purchase my first road bike, my budget is R7k

 

please dont laugh at me, i know my budget is sad...... just want to really start and maybe in year i can upgrade

 

option 1 - Silverback Strela 2017, bike is unisex shape (8 speed claris, 9.8kg bike) R7k

option 2 - Titan Stryker Expert, very nice looking bike (9 speed sora, 10.1kg bike) R7.2k

 

 

i will really appreciate any advice possible....

 

Thank YOU

[Fox3]

I reckon the Titan, it is quite nice looking

[Rocket-Boy]

Check the classifieds, you can get a whole lot more bike than those ones for the same money.

[Paddaman]

Consider a mountain bike as your first bike, that way you don't have to buy another bike when you realise road cycling is not for you.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Nonononono! For 7K you buy secondhand. Period.

 

Road bikes are much "safer" to buy secondhand, and you can get a pretty decent bike-that'll give you waaay more enjoyment-secondhand.

 

A few examples:

 

Haggle this guy's price a little, and this would be my current pick of the bikes in the classifieds:

Campy Chorus is miles better than claris...

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/263493-full-carbon-merida-scultura/

 

A few others:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/262504-tommasini-full-campagnolo/

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/258995-gt-carbon-road-bicycle/

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Consider a mountain bike as your first bike, that way you don't have to buy another bike when you realise road cycling is not for you.

That way you never have to worry about cycling costing you a cent more. Too much chance of getting exposed to short sock and saddle bags when you start with MTB.

[ChrisF]

WELCOME to the hub

 

Jip, 2nd hand is the way to go .....

 

 

 

ENJOY your cycling

[Eugene]

Get the Titan. Sora is so much better than Claris.

[PreshKZN]

the only reason im looking for new is the warranty factor...

these 2 bikes are in budget i guess

[madbradd]

Alu road bike you're not going to have much of an issue with warranty. You should be able to pick something up that will be a lot better than two you have posted.

 

But of the two you have posted, Titan because Sora is much better than Claris.

[FirstV8]

Go the used bike option whether it be road or MTB  . You will get twice the bike for your budget price and it would not be that abused . If you are not up to accessing a used bike ask someone to go and access the bike with you . I have just bought a MTB with great equipment on for less than half of the original price . I do assessments and buy classic cars for overseas buyers so one word of advice " haggle " the price down , have cash available or do an immediate EFT and leave with the goods .  Deals are not done on a handshake anymore . Good luck with the purchase . 

[PreshKZN]

Go the used bike option whether it be road or MTB  . You will get twice the bike for your budget price and it would not be that abused . If you are not up to accessing a used bike ask someone to go and access the bike with you . I have just bought a MTB with great equipment on for less than half of the original price . I do assessments and buy classic cars for overseas buyers so one word of advice " haggle " the price down , have cash available or do an immediate EFT and leave with the goods .  Deals are not done on a handshake anymore . Good luck with the purchase . 

Thank you sir, that does make alot of sense

[PreshKZN]

WELCOME to the hub

 

Jip, 2nd hand is the way to go .....

 

 

 

ENJOY your cycling

Thank you, much appreciated 

[PreshKZN]

Nonononono! For 7K you buy secondhand. Period.

 

Road bikes are much "safer" to buy secondhand, and you can get a pretty decent bike-that'll give you waaay more enjoyment-secondhand.

 

A few examples:

 

Haggle this guy's price a little, and this would be my current pick of the bikes in the classifieds:

hubmarket-82577-0-41674100-1502703835.jpg

Campy Chorus is miles better than claris...

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/263493-full-carbon-merida-scultura/

 

A few others:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/262504-tommasini-full-campagnolo/

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/258995-gt-carbon-road-bicycle/

Thank you very much sir

[DJTerblanche]

I also vote for the titan.

 

But, as other posters said. Seriously consider second hand.

 

The upgrade-ability of a new 7k road bike is not so good. You are stuck with a "heavy" aluminium frame and probably lacking some aggressive/aero geometry. Your one shot of upgrading the bike is probably going to be good wheels. Replacing the groupset with ultegra or the 105 groupset, will save you 500 - 750g and a new 105 groupset is 7k. Replacing stems, handlebars, seatpost, is also expensive (grams saved per rand).

 

You will get guys who who are willing to let their second hand bike be checked by a local bike shop, if you want more peace of mind.

[Barend de Arend]

2nd hand alu road bike, carbon fork, 10spd shimano 105 and up, or campy.  You'll get something better quality, with better access to spares, and the gears will give zero problems.

 

The only problem is you might have to polish out some scratches.

 

If in doubt, get a bike shop or a buddy to check it out.