Arcep Posted April 17, 2018 Share Hi guys, To give a quick preface, it's probably been a decade if not two since I've last been on a bike. I'm in Musina for the next five months and just need a way to get to the gym or town and back again in the afternoons. The trip to and from town is on a tarred road, and the road is about 5km long. The purpose of the bike is to use it for the next five months only. After that, I will probably shelve it. Would one of the Makro bikes be adequate for that? Looking reviews from this site, they are very shoddy and fall apart when you give them a funny look. But I only need it to work for 5 months, and as far as I can tell Makro delivers to this area. I am looking at getting the Totem 29" XC100. Would that function? Also, how much of a difference do the wheel sizes make? I see they range from 24" to 29". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyrax Posted April 17, 2018 Share What I would do in your situation: Buy the Makro bike, the 29er, ONLY commute with it and NO off-road riding. When the 5 months are over give the bike to someone there who can not afford a new bike. And when the MTB bug has bitten again, look for a better non Makro bike. Just IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalahari Vegmot Posted April 17, 2018 Share Just take that budget and buy a secondhand 26" bike on here. Trust me. The makro thingie won't last 3 weeks-even on tar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grease_Monkey Posted April 17, 2018 Share It's not a bad idea at all, IF you don't take it offroad at all! Check that it has been out together propperly once you get it though. 24" - Kids bike. Whether you get a 26, 27.5, or 29" bike, won't make any difference on tar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaGearA Posted April 17, 2018 Share What I would do in your situation: Buy the Makro bike, the 29er, ONLY commute with it and NO off-road riding. When the 5 months are over give the bike to someone there who can not afford a new bike. And when the MTB bug has bitten again, look for a better non Makro bike. Just IMHO.this ^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcep Posted April 17, 2018 Share Thanks all! I appreciate the advice a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABrooks Posted April 17, 2018 Share Secondhand road bike? They are not nearly as expensive as mountain bikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoKnight Posted April 17, 2018 Share Secondhand road bike? They are not nearly as expensive as mountain bikes.Think it also have to do with the delivery that Makro will do there. I agree that for what you thinking it would work, and you getting some extra exercise as the bike is a bit heavier. Just make sure it is setup correctly and no loose spokes or stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisF Posted April 17, 2018 Share Option ONE - buy a better secondhand bike ... Option TWO - buy a Makro bike, then start by giving it a MAJOR service. Make SURE everything is alligned and tightened to spec. I think half the problems with these bikes originate from poor assembly .... Our 6 year old started out on a TOTEM from Makro. I serviced it and kept my hand on it. He did a good many MTB trails with it ! It is still used as his town bike. He now has a Momsen with shocks for the trails. Still, nothing bad to say about his TOTEM, even though it took some servicing to correct the poor shop assembly ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcep Posted April 17, 2018 Share I'll look for a few articles and read up on assembly and maintenance. Think it also have to do with the delivery that Makro will do there. I agree that for what you thinking it would work, and you getting some extra exercise as the bike is a bit heavier. Just make sure it is setup correctly and no loose spokes or stuff The delivery that Makro will do does plays a heavy role. And extra exercise helps, I've been getting fat. If the cycling bug hits me, I'll buy a better bike when I'm back in Pretoria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Stewart Posted April 17, 2018 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahleu Posted April 17, 2018 Share Postnet will get a bike to Musina without breaking the bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirkitech Posted April 18, 2018 Share i once bought pedals from makro/pick n pay as a temporary fix... 15km into their first ride the right pedal bearing ceased entirely. it was a very long hike back to PE.avoid them like the plague, you don't want to get that one that'll break on you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skubarra Posted April 18, 2018 Share Surely there must be bike shops in Limpopo that can help you? Louis Trichardt & Polokwane? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Buttox Posted April 18, 2018 Share https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_8oX6knfo0Shew, this just proves guys on cheap bikes are much harder, fitter and talented than okes on the proper stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bateleur1 Posted April 18, 2018 Share Surely there must be bike shops in Limpopo that can help you? Louis Trichardt & Polokwane? Louis Trichardt has a shop I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.