OutdoorJunkie Posted August 30, 2017 Author Posted August 30, 2017 https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/265989-bought-for-947-last-year-and-used-twice-after/Thanks, but too small and too far.
OutdoorJunkie Posted August 30, 2017 Author Posted August 30, 2017 Hi Gents Getting into the buyers advice part now; here is my short-list, please point out important pro's and con's that I might have overlooked, and identify your favourite. I have shifted my search to secondhand entirely. Top of the list is this Giant Anthem X (R8000):https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/262486-giant-anthem-x-for-sale/ Pro's:Full SuspensionServicedHubberNew Chain + CasetteAir Fork 100mmFrame was replaced?I can go fetch it for less than R200 Con's:Oldish, 201026"3x9 Drivetrain Mongoose Canaan Elite (R9700)https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/263838-mongoose-canaan-elite-full-suspension/ Pro's:Full SuspensionNew drive chainSound like good quality componentsI can go fetch it Con's:This bike is so ugly I can't look at it for more than a couple of secondsBike looks oldAssume also 3x9 drivetrain Bergamont 2014 Revox Limited Edition (R10 000)https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/264380-bergamont-2014-revox-limited-edition/http://store.bergamont.de/hamburg/bikes/archiv/2014/revox-ltd/Pro's:3x10 cransketAir Fork Rockshox I can go fetch itModern 29erNew TyresGood quality componentsVisually appealing to me Con's:I feel like carbon is money wasted, as I'm not looking for a race bikeHardtailTop of my budget Silverback Sola 2 2014 29 (R7500)http://www.bikeroar.com/products/silverback/sola-2-2014/specshttps://www.gumtree.co.za/a-sports-bicycles-fitness/berea-musgrave/29er-mtb-silverback-sola-2/1001993784830910006427409 Pro's:500km on the clockAir Fork29erThink it's 3x10?Well positioned with my budgetI can go fetch it Con'sNot a hubber Mongoose Salvo Elite (R7500)https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-sports-bicycles-fitness/pietermaritzburg/mongoose-salvo-elite-dual+suspension-26er-mountain-bike-excellent-condition/1002064650730911027147409 Pro's:Good Dual SuspensionA block away from meWell within budget Con's:Can't get hold of the guy to find out what the frame size isIs it not a bit overpriced?Not a hubber Any of these that stand out from the rest?
OutdoorJunkie Posted August 30, 2017 Author Posted August 30, 2017 I am now really liking the Silverback Sola 2, owner says the back rim has been replaced with a better one, and the forks were recently serviced and upgraded with "better seals". Any opinions?
Letum911 Posted August 30, 2017 Posted August 30, 2017 I would NOT go for the Silverback you attached, expensive for a fairly entry level bike in my opinion. At around R4k I would consider it tho, from what I can tell it's got a Deore mix groupset (entry level) with a very basic fork. My 1st choice would be the Giant Anthem, awesome bikes and it comes with a XT groupset (higher end), and the new cassette and chain should give you about 3000-5000km's of joy with no issues. Second choice would be the the Bergamont, just cause it's a sexy bike. XT SLX mix components, however I do not like the Avid Juicy brakes on there (bad experience with Avid failing on me), and the fork looks a bit banged up.
Edereese Posted August 30, 2017 Posted August 30, 2017 Just close your eyes and buy a bike, once the riding bug bites, the rest will follow I owned an entry titan with spring shock, heavy would be an understatement lol, but I enjoyed every second of it.You will learn as you go along.Good luck and may safe/happy miles.
s14phoenix Posted August 30, 2017 Posted August 30, 2017 1st the Bergamont2nd Anthemskip the rest. But how about going to see them and then decide...
OutdoorJunkie Posted August 30, 2017 Author Posted August 30, 2017 I see the Bergamont and the Anthem both have RockShox Reba forks, which sound about 2 tiers higher than the RockShox Recon Silver on the Silverback Sola 2. @Edereese that is exactly what I do not want to do. The only reason I am allowing myself this much budget is to hopefully try and avoid the urge to upgrade as soon as the bug bites, I want to be able to spend a year or two on it without constantly thinking I should have bought a better bike, not that I can afford any better anyway. The Bergamont is stretching my budget a bit, but it sure looks awesome. So looks vs age vs 29" vs dual sus on the Anthem... Tough choice. And of course R2k more which I could use to buy some gear.
Reinardt Posted August 30, 2017 Posted August 30, 2017 @op i live in the same area as you. was in your shoes 18 months ago. We ride cascades almost every weekend. A 29er is the way to go with your height. If you dont want to Jump in with buying a bike, You can join in on saterday and use one of our bikes. Large sola1 3x10 or Momsen al429 2x10.
Edereese Posted August 30, 2017 Posted August 30, 2017 I see the Bergamont and the Anthem both have RockShox Reba forks, which sound about 2 tiers higher than the RockShox Recon Silver on the Silverback Sola 2. @Edereese that is exactly what I do not want to do. The only reason I am allowing myself this much budget is to hopefully try and avoid the urge to upgrade as soon as the bug bites, I want to be able to spend a year or two on it without constantly thinking I should have bought a better bike, not that I can afford any better anyway. The Bergamont is stretching my budget a bit, but it sure looks awesome. So looks vs age vs 29" vs dual sus on the Anthem... Tough choice. And of course R2k more which I could use to buy some gear.That urge is unavoidable I have been cycling nearly 2 years, had 4 road and 1 mountain and still the urge is not satisfied.
OutdoorJunkie Posted August 30, 2017 Author Posted August 30, 2017 Hi Reinardt, Thank you for the invitation, but I want to go bike viewing on Saturday. Also, I am very unfit, rode that jeep track starting at Cascades and had to stop more than once to catch my breath!I am currently on this borrowed donkey: http://archive.fujibikes.com/2009/Fuji/nevada-10-europe2The brakes are scary, read non-existent!
Letum911 Posted August 30, 2017 Posted August 30, 2017 Hi Reinardt, Thank you for the invitation, but I want to go bike viewing on Saturday. Also, I am very unfit, rode that jeep track starting at Cascades and had to stop more than once to catch my breath!I am currently on this borrowed donkey: http://archive.fujibikes.com/2009/Fuji/nevada-10-europe2The brakes are scary, read non-existent! What is your arrangement with the loan donkey? Why not upgrade the brakes and ride the bike for a few months and gain some knowledge and fitness. Then buy when you have a bit more experience? I have never ridden Cascades but have seen many photo's and videos, and in my opinion I would rather have a dual 26" than a HT 29" there.
Reinardt Posted August 30, 2017 Posted August 30, 2017 Cascades has many different options depending on what level or riding one wants to do. Most of the video stuff is the downhill lines.There is a lot of nice moderately technical trails for the beginner. They have recently labeled the single track portions but there is no mapped route that i know of. We just have built up routes overtime by flowing the markings that have been left behind after races
OutdoorJunkie Posted August 30, 2017 Author Posted August 30, 2017 What is your arrangement with the loan donkey? Why not upgrade the brakes and ride the bike for a few months and gain some knowledge and fitness. Then buy when you have a bit more experience? I have never ridden Cascades but have seen many photo's and videos, and in my opinion I would rather have a dual 26" than a HT 29" there.I have thought about that, as I can keep the donkey. The bike has been maintained well, but perhaps the bike (and brakes) just need a service. The back brake can't drag the rear even on a firm pull when going down. I don't want to put much money into it just to realize after a few weeks that I really still need another bike. But my plan is to pass this on to my wife, who wants to cycle purely for fitness and fresh air, she has no interest in the technical stuff. So I am looking for a mtb that I can use on jeep tracks with her and single track with my buddies. So my options are to1) keep riding the donkey (and stay off the gnarly stuff) and buy my wife a 26" hardtail, or2) upgrade the donkey and buy my wife a 26" hardtail, or3) buy a decent bike for myself and give her the donkey, for her needs it won't need any upgrades. The donkey has a 20.5" frame, which I think is slightly too small for me and slightly too large for her. If she enjoys riding (I know for a fact I will - I love everything outdoors) then we can always look at selling the donkey and buying her something that fits her better.
bullet77 Posted August 30, 2017 Posted August 30, 2017 That Silverback Sola 2 is actually a good deal, with mid level components and an air fork you can't go wrong. It's below your budget so you can get some extra cycling goodies.
eddy Posted August 30, 2017 Posted August 30, 2017 I have shifted my search to secondhand entirely. Pro's: Hubber Google Rouxtjie's rule
OutdoorJunkie Posted August 31, 2017 Author Posted August 31, 2017 Lol yes eddy. I like forums, probably too much. After listening to what he wiser folks have to say, you always end up buying something more expensive, even if it is exponentially better than what you wanted to buy. I just can't get myself to commit to that Anthem, I think I am going to keep on looking until I find a good Alu 29 Hardtail with proper forks. Other times I want to phone the guy and ask him for his banking details so that I can go fetch it on Saturday...
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