Some (older) noob advice please?

[NeelsBasson]

So, having struck a midlife crisis and wanting to get rid of some flab, I’d thought I’d give mountain biking a bash.  Hopefully the bike will not end up on the garage wall after two or three outings J

I have owned some GT’s in the past – no specific reason and I do like the brand.

 

The choices for brands have gotten more and there are so many choices. But it seems 29’rs are the way to go? I am based in Bellville and have visited some of the nearby shops - CWC, Gecko, Cape Town Cycles and Giant Durbanville.

 

But oh my, have bikes gotten expensive. I have a top budget of around 10K. I would prefer to buy new, but I will look at a nice low km bike in good condition as well.

 

I have been shown one or two bikes that I really like. Giant makes a nice Fathom, but I am not really sure that I am going to use the drop-out post.

With Black Friday looming, it seems some bikes hops have some really nice specials lined up. What I have seen so far:

 

- Momsen AL129 – unfamiliar but seems good.

- Momsen AL229 - unfamiliar but seems good.

- Giant Fathom – my favourite so far, especially in orange. Bit pricey though.

- Giant Talon – no air fork.

- Silverback Spectra – no air fork but very nicely priced.

- GT - GT Karakoram Elite 29r – nice bike, nice parts.

- Any other suggestions?

 

Will a good coil fork suffice for weekend warrior type riding or should I look at a bike with an air fork? Upgrading seems costly so it makes more sense to buy the right bike from the start?

[Meezo]

10k is good budget,

 

do exactly that go around to all those shops, but i'd say wait a few days, Friday and Monday will see most if not all bikes shops having deals on bikes/parts/accessories

[Mojoman]

I like GT. BUT I didn't like the new GT Karokorams as they look a bit k@k in my opinion.

I wound up buying the 2018 Momsen AL129. It came with tubeless tyres so a couple of hundred R's for a tubeless kit and you are sorted. Its not a bad bike at all. I also swopped the pedals for M520s and changed the saddle for my Gobi (personal preference that). Hubs are Shimano as are the brakes.

 

I got it in Sept and have done around 600km on it. Given it a bit of hammering and to be honest I quite like it, I will change the fork sometime in the future, even though its 'air' its still a bit tacky...I put in foam rings and its a lot smoother now (**the head tube is straight, do note that as it looks as though its a taper,). I know its a 3x9 but I really don't care about going 1x10 or 1x 11 etc. Handles Magalies just fine....

 

The bike looks good and handles well so for around R8k or whatever (PM me if you are interested and I will send you details of who I bought it from, perhaps they can get you a good price again). 

[eddy]

 

 

- Momsen AL129 – unfamiliar but seems good.

- Momsen AL229 - unfamiliar but seems good.

 

 

 

In your price range, you won't go wrong with Momsen which offers an excellent product at very competitive prices.

 

They are very well regarded.

[Andrew64]

So, having struck a midlife crisis and wanting to get rid of some flab, I’d thought I’d give mountain biking a bash.  Hopefully the bike will not end up on the garage wall after two or three outings J

I have owned some GT’s in the past – no specific reason and I do like the brand.

 

The choices for brands have gotten more and there are so many choices. But it seems 29’rs are the way to go? I am based in Bellville and have visited some of the nearby shops - CWC, Gecko, Cape Town Cycles and Giant Durbanville.

 

But oh my, have bikes gotten expensive. I have a top budget of around 10K. I would prefer to buy new, but I will look at a nice low km bike in good condition as well.

 

I have been shown one or two bikes that I really like. Giant makes a nice Fathom, but I am not really sure that I am going to use the drop-out post.

With Black Friday looming, it seems some bikes hops have some really nice specials lined up. What I have seen so far:

 

- Momsen AL129 – unfamiliar but seems good.

- Momsen AL229 - unfamiliar but seems good.

- Giant Fathom – my favourite so far, especially in orange. Bit pricey though.

- Giant Talon – no air fork.

- Silverback Spectra – no air fork but very nicely priced.

- GT - GT Karakoram Elite 29r – nice bike, nice parts.

- Any other suggestions?

 

Will a good coil fork suffice for weekend warrior type riding or should I look at a bike with an air fork? Upgrading seems costly so it makes more sense to buy the right bike from the start?

I have the Fathom as my commuter bike and love it - well spec'd for the price and the lifetime warranty on the frame is a win.

[NeelsBasson]

Thanks for all the advice. Went to CWC early this morning and looked around. I could not resist the deal they had on the GT Karakoram Elite 29r - R8600. The Momsen AL229's could be had for R8700 if anyone is interested.

I took the GT simply because of the Deore parts and alumiun flat pedals already fitted and the fact that I like GT's.

[Karman de Lange]

Thanks for all the advice. Went to CWC early this morning and looked around. I could not resist the deal they had on the GT Karakoram Elite 29r - R8600. The Momsen AL229's could be had for R8700 if anyone is interested.

I took the GT simply because of the Deore parts and alumiun flat pedals already fitted and the fact that I like GT's.

 

Off topic tip  .. go out for 15 min ride first time , then 20 min .. then 25 etc.  don't go do 3 hr ride first time out and die and then  hate cycling forever