Raleigh Cyclone 29er

[BernardNie]

Who is your LBS ?

 

It makes a difference.

Eagle canyon cycles and Northcliff cycles

[Mongoose!]

Eagle canyon cycles and Northcliff cycles

 

Conrad will sort you man. new or second hand

[BernardNie]

Conrad will sort you man. new or second hand

I have a Mongoose Switchback Expert L 27.5 and a Silberback Stride 10 L 26er in my view 

[Letum911]

Here's another very capable bike to consider:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/265287-giant-trance-2-2008/

[Mr lee]

What is your actual budget?

[BernardNie]

What is your actual budget?

At the moment 2500 pushing 3000

[BernardNie]

Going to look at a Schwinn Rocket 1 27.5 

[FrikkieMeyer87]

I'll tell you my story in the hopes that it may provide you with some proof of what's been said, and perhaps some insight.

 

I joined the hub right HERE, a while after a friend gave me a 2003 GT Avalanche 0.0, which is a 26" hardtail, for free. I thought he was crazy and that the bike had to be worth like R9k at least. In the end, I was very lucky to sell it for the R3000 that I got. My worst mistake (that I continue to make) is buying biking stuff BEFORE reading up on- and experiencing it. It's true that 26" is not completely dead yet, but a quick look at the classifieds will tell you that they aren't worth that much anymore either. You can buy a high-end 26" for less than an entry level dual sus 29", and for good reason. The same reason that you can buy a 3x9 groupset to pittance but can't find a single 11-speed shifter for sale. Because 1x11 is all the rage right now, just like 29s. And since Greg Minnaar took that victory on a 29" in the DHWC, you can't even say "but 29s are donkeys in the berms", because then everyone goes "hey, my bru, Greg won on a 29".

 

If you're starting out and that stated budget is truly all you can afford right now, might I suggest going for a second hand dual sus 26" at the very least. Don't buy a new bike, and don't take a hardtail if you're going to be riding trail, because after your very first ride you'll be hunting for a dual sus, guaranteed.

 

I didn't have a single grand for a bike in April. If I didn't get that GT for free, I probably would not be cycling right now. But I started riding trails and got hooked, 3 months down the line dropped R14k for a 2014 Scott Spark (29" dual sus) that I found by selling like half of my garage on Gumtree. Once it becomes a hobby, you suddenly find ways of making it work. Just like people with babies do. Fun fact, I got a brand new one of those in May as well and still dropped that R14k on my Scott, which should make it even more impressive

[BernardNie]

I'll tell you my story in the hopes that it may provide you with some proof of what's been said, and perhaps some insight.

 

I joined the hub right HERE, a while after a friend gave me a 2003 GT Avalanche 0.0, which is a 26" hardtail, for free. I thought he was crazy and that the bike had to be worth like R9k at least. In the end, I was very lucky to sell it for the R3000 that I got. My worst mistake (that I continue to make) is buying biking stuff BEFORE reading up on- and experiencing it. It's true that 26" is not completely dead yet, but a quick look at the classifieds will tell you that they aren't worth that much anymore either. You can buy a high-end 26" for less than an entry level dual sus 29", and for good reason. The same reason that you can buy a 3x9 groupset to pittance but can't find a single 11-speed shifter for sale. Because 1x11 is all the rage right now, just like 29s. And since Greg Minnaar took that victory on a 29" in the DHWC, you can't even say "but 29s are donkeys in the berms", because then everyone goes "hey, my bru, Greg won on a 29".

 

If you're starting out and that stated budget is truly all you can afford right now, might I suggest going for a second hand dual sus 26" at the very least. Don't buy a new bike, and don't take a hardtail if you're going to be riding trail, because after your very first ride you'll be hunting for a dual sus, guaranteed.

 

I didn't have a single grand for a bike in April. If I didn't get that GT for free, I probably would not be cycling right now. But I started riding trails and got hooked, 3 months down the line dropped R14k for a 2014 Scott Spark (29" dual sus) that I found by selling like half of my garage on Gumtree. Once it becomes a hobby, you suddenly find ways of making it work. Just like people with babies do. Fun fact, I got a brand new one of those in May as well and still dropped that R14k on my Scott, which should make it even more impressive

Thank you information helps a lot, I havent found anything as yet and to be honest I dont know what I will be doing with the bike etc. This I will only know once I have bought something. So my thinking is to get something second hand good but not great, see if the bug bites and then as you said haha sell what I can to upgrade lol