Raleigh Cyclone 29er

[Robbie Stewart]

Thanks guys appreciate the feedback.

 

I am a beginner and at this stage im not sure if i would like lit or not.

 

Also have read and got advise from my local bike shop that the 26er is no go as its going out and the 29er's are making a mark.

 

Also im 1.81 and was advised that i need a L to and XL frame so i think i might pedal myself in to oblivion with 26 inch wheels 

 

Let me be the one to welcome you to the BikeHub Bernard. And to the wonderful world of cycling. I see it as a responsibility to set you on the correct path as a cycling padawan.

 

You have already met your LBS (Local Bike Shop) - and you have already noted that your LBS will do their utmost best to get you to part with good money on stuff you may want  or need, but not immediately at the least. This apart from a good helmet. Helmets are not optional, they are required. Never ride without a helmet. EVER. Ignore the anti-helmet crew, they have not had concussion yet.

 

Also, you have been fortunate to find the BikeHub, where there are a ton of opinions flying around, and then some sense. As you have been told, buy second hand rather than a "new" B.S.O. - (Bicycle Shaped Object). If you still are hesitant, do yourself a favour and watch youtube to see some videos of Walmart bicycles being tested in the mountains etc. If nothing else, you will be somewhat amused by the utter failure of trying to ride a B.S.O.

 

On another note, I will bet that you are trying to console yourself in buying cheapie as an excuse that you may not really like riding a bike. This is a common fallacy made by many a beginner. I too made this unrealistic assumption. You will like bicycling. You will find ways to get better at bicycling. You will want a better bicycle. You will find out the joys of single track. You may have a tumble or three. You may find yourself hunting for coffee shops you have never been to. Your wife/girlfriend if they exist, will discover what it feels like being a cycle-widow if they do not share your joy and passion about 2 wheels.

 

But that's all just hearsay. Go find out for yourself.

 

Welcome bud.

[BernardNie]

So a medium frame wont be to small? 

[BernardNie]

Let me be the one to welcome you to the BikeHub Bernard. And to the wonderful world of cycling. I see it as a responsibility to set you on the correct path as a cycling padawan.

 

You have already met your LBS (Local Bike Shop) - and you have already noted that your LBS will do their utmost best to get you to part with good money on stuff you may want  or need, but not immediately at the least. This apart from a good helmet. Helmets are not optional, they are required. Never ride without a helmet. EVER. Ignore the anti-helmet crew, they have not had concussion yet.

 

Also, you have been fortunate to find the BikeHub, where there are a ton of opinions flying around, and then some sense. As you have been told, buy second hand rather than a "new" B.S.O. - (Bicycle Shaped Object). If you still are hesitant, do yourself a favour and watch youtube to see some videos of Walmart bicycles being tested in the mountains etc. If nothing else, you will be somewhat amused by the utter failure of trying to ride a B.S.O.

 

On another note, I will bet that you are trying to console yourself in buying cheapie as an excuse that you may not really like riding a bike. This is a common fallacy made by many a beginner. I too made this unrealistic assumption. You will like bicycling. You will find ways to get better at bicycling. You will want a better bicycle. You will find out the joys of single track. You may have a tumble or three. You may find yourself hunting for coffee shops you have never been to. Your wife/girlfriend if they exist, will discover what it feels like being a cycle-widow if they do not share your joy and passion about 2 wheels.

 

But that's all just hearsay. Go find out for yourself.

 

Welcome bud.

Thanks so much im sure i will love the sport just dont have a big budget to start off with so trying to find what will last me a year or 2 before I can upgrade 

[BernardNie]

So much bad information fed to you!! Listen to what the guys here have to say, loads of accurate info with no one planning to sell you anything.

 

At 1.81m you'll be a L (possibly a medium on the bigger frames), I'm 1.86m and ride a large comfortably. 

 

As for the 26" just a few points:

1) The hardware like cranksets, brakes, handlebars etc is interchangeable with only the frame, fork, wheels and tyres being exclusive;

2) 26" tyres are still very easy to come by, therefore I see no issue riding a 26" for the next 10 years;

3) 26" bikes tend to sell 2nd hand a lot cheaper than 29ers as they are seen as "old technology";

 

My opinion, by a 26'er, get better value for money, enjoy the ride. When you decide that you like the sport and have R20k to spend on a higher end bike get yourself a mid range 2nd hand 29'er

So a medium wont be to small for me then? 

[Letum911]

So a medium wont be to small for me then? 

Do a bit of homework on the specific brand/frame you're looking at:

For merida: https://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bike/frame-size-calculator

Specialized: https://thebikefactory.co.uk/specialized-size-guide/

Giant: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_au/rider_height_frame_size.pdf

Scott: https://static.evanscycles.com/production/pdf-media/sizing-table/Scott%202016%20Sizing%20Chart.pdf

 

But in short at 1.81m you seem to be in most of the brands in the overlapping zone where you can go either Medium or Large

[s14phoenix]

So a medium frame wont be to small? 

 

This may or may not be true. It is very trickey finding the right size when you are not sure what you should or should not be getting.

 

at 178cm I ride a medium 29er and had medium 26ers large 26ers large 27.5 and medium 27.5 - I found the medium frames just feel right. So you will need to "feel" a few bikes to see. but there is some guidelines to follow with the sizing and you are also on that medium/large borderline so go try some bikes.

 

It is true that a medium 26er is not the same as a medium 29er.

I have both as my wife rides a 26er still in size medium. So depending on the bike generally a 29er is naturally longer than a 26er due to the wheels needing clearance. I would suggest you check a medium to large 29er but a 26er would probably be a large.

 

Another question you had was whether you could change the wheels from 26 to 29 later.

The short answer is NO. you need a 29er frame and fork to fit those bigger wheels unless you buy a 29er with some 26er wheels on it  - which would be a bad idea if it existed.

 

Maybe look at your budget and see if you can squeeze a 29er in and remember the helmet.

There is some on the classifieds from R6000 in size large typically.

[Longbarn Killer]

So a medium frame wont be to small? 

If the cycleshop says that you have long legs for your height, I wouldn't go medium. As a guide, measure your inside leg from crotch to floor (without shoes) and mulitply by 0.65.

 

This will give you a rough idea of your frame size.

 

If the result is:

 

52 = Small or 16 inch

54 = medium or 18 inch

56 = large or 20 inch

58 = Xtra large or 21 to 22

 

These are based on road bike sizing, but can be applied to a mtb too. Some brands do have different sizing, so the above is general.

 

In my opinion, that Raleigh is at the upper section  of the low end bikes. It should do what you want it to do and should have a medium level of reliability.

 

If its in good condition, as a first time bike, it will see you through. As time goes on and as you improve, you could always uprade bit by bit.

[BernardNie]

If the cycleshop says that you have long legs for your height, I wouldn't go medium. As a guide, measure your inside leg from crotch to floor (without shoes) and mulitply by 0.65.

 

This will give you a rough idea of your frame size.

 

If the result is:

 

52 = Small or 16 inch

54 = medium or 18 inch

56 = large or 20 inch

58 = Xtra large or 21 to 22

 

These are based on road bike sizing, but can be applied to a mtb too. Some brands do have different sizing, so the above is general.

 

In my opinion, that Raleigh is at the upper section  of the low end bikes. It should do what you want it to do and should have a medium level of reliability.

 

If its in good condition, as a first time bike, it will see you through. As time goes on and as you improve, you could always uprade bit by bit.

I measured 85 if I can remember correctly when i sat on a medium frame i was able to get the saddle high enough so that my leg is straight when the pedal is at the bottom 

[Letum911]

@OP, I'm not sure where you are located and what your budget is.

 

In my opinion this is not a bad buy: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/265188-specialized-s-works-dual-suspension/

 

Keep in mind that the services & running costs of the Brain suspension system is notoriously expensive. However the guys that own Spaz love them!!

[BernardNie]

@OP, I'm not sure where you are located and what your budget is.

 

In my opinion this is not a bad buy: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/265188-specialized-s-works-dual-suspension/

 

Keep in mind that the services & running costs of the Brain suspension system is notoriously expensive. However the guys that own Spaz love them!!

Thanks will look it to it Im in Gauteng 

[BernardNie]

Do any of you know the axis range can get a large axis looks good and the components looks good as well

[BernardNie]

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/265206-axis-a80-with-a-indoor-trainer/

[eddy]

Thanks will look it to it Im in Gauteng

 

Who is your LBS ?

 

It makes a difference.

[Boerklong]

I am 1.8 and thats borderline on M and L.

Axis, as far as I know is/was part of Scott (don't quote me on that though). If look look at Axis check out Titan and Momsen too.

Best bet is to buy 2nd hand

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Also, that is a very big frame for your height.

 

I ride a medium frame 29er and I'm 1.81m.

erm, Large frame is absolutely fine for those at 1.8. 

 

Depending on the geo, someone 1.8m tall could be on anything from a medium (progressive, long and low geo) to an XL (old school geo)

 

And frame suitability is entirely dependent on geo, not wheel size. BUT it is true that most 26ers are shorter due to them being mostly "older geometry"

 

SO ja, 26ers are mostly shorter than niners, if the niner is current geo and not built at the same time / year as the sixer, where the predominant geo was "old school"

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Do any of you know the axis range can get a large axis looks good and the components looks good as well

A no from me-mechanical discs, and that fork sucks.

 

I'd keep on looking if I were you.

 

Axis bikes are pretty decent-they're to Scott what Titan is to Merida-perhaps a little heavier, but it'll last.