Newbie Advice (Again...)

[Mockingjay1]

Hi all, I am a 5ft2 very lightweight female who likes biking. I have a very old (about 18yr) Game special Raleigh that is still running and I enjoy riding it around my suburban area. I used it when I was much younger and definitely abused it a bit, but it is still going strong. I want to do a 35km road fun ride with an interest in going a bit further into the road riding scene eventually. I don't have the budget now to buy something fancy - bottomline. Since I have always used the Game special mtb I am used to riding that type of bike. Advice that I have read is common to stay away from the new Game and Makro special types and buy secondhand. But will there be a decent bike (that looks pretty too... ) for what I want? For about R2000. I will eventually buy a nice and expensive one but right now - any thoughts? Please note that I am not into MTB racing....I just prefer that style of bike for now.

[Vetseun]

Take your R2k, keep monitoring the classifieds and when you find something, negoiate hard. I bought a lovely Silverback roadbike for an employee of mine a while ago here in the classifieds. For R2k.

I would never buy a Game / Makro bike.

[dasilvarsa]

Hi,

 

If you are prepared to spend a little more say 4.5K you can get a new bike from the bike shops.

It will be assembled properly and you can get some good support.

Here is one I found by random search.

http://cyclelab.com/fuji-nevada-1.9-29-mountian-bike-2017/

This is just an example not a recommendation.

[TyronLab]

I'm in agreement with @dasilvarsa, unless you or an easily accessible/blackmail-able relative are mechanically inclined and have some basic tools buying a second hand bike for R2k may imply that you'll be spending R3,5 - R4k on it anyway.  A R650 fork service, R700 major service without parts will most likely be required, and that's assuming none of the consumable parts are at end-of-life.

 

I recently bought my wife a Trek Skye 26" mtb for R2k, and its in perfect mechanical order, so it is possible to do. I can wrench and have tools though, so should something be amiss I can fix it relatively inexpensively on my own.

[Fast-er]

I also agree with dasilvarsa. Maybe spending a bit more is going to save you alot of effort to service a 2nd hand bike. BUT i normally wait for the Cycle Lab Clearance sale end of August. I got my girlfriend a Scott Aspect 970 for R3000 and it included a bike setup as well. 

[Ispeed_V]

Not sure where you are based but something like the below would be a perfect start:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/311752-scott-roadster-s3/

[Dirkitech]

I would also avoid any franchise store like pnp, game, makro. Personally I believe it comes down to product quality. The mass produces bikes are to be built quickly and uses the lowest spec groupset parts. From own experience, these cheap parts are only good for recreational riding and seldom worth using on longer rides as they can fail any moment. I've had cheap pedals cease on my 10km outside PE, cheap rim breaks that refuse to stay true and pull towards the side, cheap wheels that won't stay true for long etc.
I'd definitely advise looking for a better quality bike 2nd hand. I bought my s-works epic that way and replaced a lot of parts over time, but the frame, wheels and brakes were perfect and worth the work.

I'm around JHB if you decide to buy a 2nd hand bike and would like everything checked for safety (like tight pedals, tight headset, wheels and headset bearings, etc.)
Goodluck on your decision and search 

[shaper]

Welcome to the hub

 

If as you say you prefer road cycling, then consider a road bike over a mountain bike.  It will be cheaper to maintain in the long run if finances are tight.

 

As others have said, save a little more, it will be worth it in the long run and carry on riding your current bike until you have saved more.  

 

Keep an eye on the classifieds and also the major bike shops who will be shipping old stock soon to replace with 2019 stock.

[Kranswurm]

Here is a Raleigh RC 2000 in the classifieds that might even be your size

Looks a bargain

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/316023-raleigh-rc2000/

[Allrounder]

If you are not going to MTB get a road bike. much cheaper to maintain. You can always put straight bars on your road bike. 

[Eugene]

Get a road bike. Plenty of used ones at that price, so you can be picky.

 

If you are used to a mtb, the road bike will feel funny for you and first time out you will hate it and probably wish you were back on the mtb.

 

Just persevere. It will feel better after a few rides and in no time you will be wondering why you had never bought a road before. They are so much better on the road and your speed will increase exponentially.

[Mockingjay1]

Hmmm:) Okay wow. General consensus is persistent! I'll answer each one individually in a bit but what do your professional opinions say about the Avalanche Bikes? Like the mint green Diva model...? #ladybike Sportmans Warehouse has a pretty neat deal on it there, esp helpful if you are on Discovery.

[Allrounder]

Hmmm:) Okay wow. General consensus is persistent! I'll answer each one individually in a bit but what do your professional opinions say about the Avalanche Bikes? Like the mint green Diva model...? #ladybike Sportmans Warehouse has a pretty neat deal on it there, esp helpful if you are on Discovery.

For me personally, sportmans bikes are just a tad better than makro. still not worth it

 

the avalanche range that is not branded GT is the same as the entry level axis bikes, which is specked for "slightly of road use" But as you said you are on the tar most of the time. 

 

Keep in mind that a suspension fork needs to be serviced every 150 hours and that ads to your maintenance bill. 

[shaper]

Hmmm:) Okay wow. General consensus is persistent! I'll answer each one individually in a bit but what do your professional opinions say about the Avalanche Bikes? Like the mint green Diva model...? #ladybike Sportmans Warehouse has a pretty neat deal on it there, esp helpful if you are on Discovery.

The Diva is a 26' woman specific mountain bike with very low spec components, old technology v-brakes.

 

Based on just the specification, it is not much of a step up from your Game Special Raleigh in both specification and bike weight and in all honesty you will be wasting your money.

 

If you really want to be using a mountain bike on the road and are only considering a mountain bike and not as recommended by most of us to get a road bike, then look in the "Classifieds" here for a suitable mountain bike.  Something with decent specification components and hydraulic disc brakes.

 

Reconsider the general consensus of getting a road bike if you are only riding on the road.

[JacBrand]

Hmmm:) Okay wow. General consensus is persistent! I'll answer each one individually in a bit but what do your professional opinions say about the Avalanche Bikes? Like the mint green Diva model...? #ladybike Sportmans Warehouse has a pretty neat deal on it there, esp helpful if you are on Discovery.

For me the biggest issue with Game / Macro bikes, are that the people assembling them are not bike mechanics. I always see at least one incorrectly assembled bicycle when at these stores. There are a few youtube videos on this (Wallmart)

The Sportsmans near me do have a mechanic assembling the bike, so may be safer.

Personally, looking at your budget, I would go for a secondhand bike.

[gogo@]

I'm still riding a 26" Trek 4300 admittedly with some new bits on it but v-brakes and coil shock which are (almost bomb-proof).  The bike is going on 17 years now, and I ride a lot of trail on it.  I also have an entry-level road bike about the same age as the MTB which is 8-speed (good for making the legs strong  ).  Having the MTB means I can ride everywhere.  Having the roadie means I have a bike that allows me to keep up with other roadies (well, in my head, anyway) and it's definitely MUCH less expensive to maintain.  I also bought it 2nd hand, cheap as chips and in good condition.

Some things to consider:

"Makro" bikes were never very good, but they are a helluva lot worse now due to sub-standard materials and parts that cannot be fixed or replaced (pedals, BBs especially).  But I think the entry-level Raleigh you have may be better than that?

Road bikes are less tricky to assess for wear if you buy second-hand, and can be very comfortable to ride if you get the right size.

MTBs are worth spending money on in the long-term but you don't absolutely have to have the most expensive one out there.  Get the best frame and fork you can afford.  The rest needs to be replaced at some stage anyway.  If it doesn't, you aren't enjoying it!

Whatever you get, if you do enjoy riding (and why not??) you will be looking to expand what you do, and that does mean spending money, but that is in the future, so don't think you have to get the one-and-only bike now that you will ever have!

SO, given what you have and what you say you like to ride, for now, I'd suggest spending R2000-R3000 on the best 2nd hand road bike you can get, that fits, is comfortable to ride and is reliable.  Have someone who knows about bikes to check it out if you need.  Besides services, you shouldn't have to spend much on it.  You still have your Raleigh, so use that for some MTB rides and see how that goes.  Be careful buying a 2nd hand MTB but don't rule it out completely... And start saving for your next bike - there will be one