keith Posted June 4, 2008 Author Posted June 4, 2008 Slowbee I've been checking out all the pics in the Bicycling mag and Ride and lots of the pros ride hardtails when they could be riding softtails, so like Fan says I think it is personal choice. Personally though I couldn't afford one and wouldn't want to look out of place with handling on a spanking new fancy full suspension bike!
Overlord Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 But fand does a better bike not make for a smoother ride? I wouldnt know.. i dont have a better bike I think it boils down to personal choice. lots of "soft" riders did the epic on soft tails' date=' and hardcore guys did it on hardtails... [/quote'] Tell you what.Go for a ride with stringbean and then tell me he is a "soft" rider.Does that make Sauser a soft rider?
Slowbee Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Keith, just to add my thoughts. Buy something you will enjoy !! Even if that means its about colour. Something you will want to ride and want to keep clean. If you are like me I enter rides to enjoy the ride, to just be out there. Doesnt matter if I come last. (ok usually lower 3rd, aint no way I even come close to the top 50%). But I enjoy it. Getting a 60K carbon dual, with all the latest garmins polar powertap, fancy pedals, shoes and all that other stuff aint going to change where I come. So ENJOYMENT on the ride is the critical factor for me. So get something you will enjoy riding on.
keith Posted June 4, 2008 Author Posted June 4, 2008 True Slowbee at the end of the day it is all about having a shizz of a time- whether it is on a R4000 bike or a R40000 bike!
Tumbleweed Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Get the best "used" hardtail you can afford. Bikes are like cars and if you shop right you can find a great bike where some other sucker has lost the value rolling off the showroom floor. You also wont be too miffed when you have your first spill and scratch your frame. A hardtail will also help you develop your skills which will aid you better if the bug bites and you decide to upgrade. When you do you will be better informed and will know exactly what you are shopping for. now now dirtbreath... I am also just comming to terms with this little debate on hard vs softtail.surely a softail is more forgiving on handling skills for a weekend hacker social rider? imho, a full-sus is too much bike for a social hacker. you most probably wouldn't be doing anything so hectic that it requires a lot of bounce. and, yes, a full-sus bike is more forgiving, but rather learn the skills on a hardtail, then use them to their fullest on the susser. keith, remember as well, that the frame material on most bikes throughout a brand's range is the same. you can use any bike as a platform to upgrade on later.
Slowbee Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 But fand does a better bike not make for a smoother ride? I wouldnt know.. i dont have a better bike I think it boils down to personal choice. lots of "soft" riders did the epic on soft tails' date=' and hardcore guys did it on hardtails... [/quote'] My ass is soft . I want comfortable. I want to enjoy what I do. All this harcore stuff, its over rated. Why do something that will cause you ALOT of pain, when you can do it with minimal pain and besides if you ride fast how you going to stop and enjoy the flowers and things (other than through faceplants ... pun intended)
schauff Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Just bougt myself the Merida Matts Sub 60 disk for R5500. XT back, ok RST shock with lockout, Deore Disk Brakes. Good value for money.
Slowbee Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 imho' date=' a full-sus is too much bike for a social hacker. you most probably wouldn't be doing anything so hectic that it requires a lot of bounce. and, yes, a full-sus bike is more forgiving, but rather learn the skills on a hardtail, then use them to their fullest on the susser. keith, remember as well, that the frame material on most bikes throughout a brand's range is the same. you can use any bike as a platform to upgrade on later. [/quote'] HR, would you give the same advice to a guy who is a weekend hacker with plans to (try) do sani2c and (try) do epic in 2010?
Fork-it Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 I'm gonna have a look at my LBS this weekend and see what they have. Cyclelab only has Trek though as I gave them a call and the cheapest they got is the 4500 at R5800. Wasn't planning on spending that much though. not sure what size you looking forhttp://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/7887229/Trek_4500_Mountain_Bike_2006_model.html
keith Posted June 4, 2008 Author Posted June 4, 2008 Hey Oliver I'm in Durbs- what do you think of the GT I posted under 'mtb review please!'?
Slowbee Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Keith, I have been through everything you are going through the best advice I got given was .... go to the LBS and ask them for a test ride !! Ride the bike and see what its like. Once you have ridden a few then you will know. This also gives you a chance to check out the local LBS and see if they are willing to do something extra for you as some LBS dont want to do test rides on lower speced bikes
Oliver Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 not bad - gt's are sturdy, strong bikes - the cable d. brakes don't really perform much better than v-brakes and are more expensive to maintain (especially when something goes wrong) - and the sus fork... suntour? good bike, entry level though.
linnega Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Or just go to Giba and hire some of the Mongoose el cheapo's they've got there, and see if entry-level is good enough.
linnega Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 BTW - this is what happens when you learn to ride MTB on a full sus:http://www.greytownmtb.co.za/gallery/2008/216%204.jpg
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