Newbie Advice (Again...)

[popcorn_skollie]

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/

 

Just buy this. Its like the stars aligned just for you. Its the right tool for the intended purpose.

Its the right size. And you have a decent starter bike for around the proposed budget. 

You could always slap on a short flat bar and mech brake levers and shifters if you really felt like you have to. Probably for around the same price as the inevitable suspension service that comes with owning a mountain bike. At least this way you won't be spending on a feature you don't need. At which point you would probably be use to the drop bars anyways. Wondering why you wanted a mountain bike for the road to begin with.

[Fruity]

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/

 

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. 

 

This

[Fruity]

Just buy this. Its like the stars aligned just for you. Its the right tool for the intended purpose.

Its the right size. And you have a decent starter bike for around the proposed budget. 

You could always slap on a short flat bar and mech brake levers and shifters if you really felt like you have to. Probably for around the same price as the inevitable suspension service that comes with owning a mountain bike. At least this way you won't be spending on a feature you don't need. At which point you would probably be use to the drop bars anyways. Wondering why you wanted a mountain bike for the road to begin with.

 

And this

[Fruity]

OP, you mentioned Avalanche. From my experience there's nothing wrong with Avalanche bicycles. My first mtb was an Avalanche, before upgrading to a GT. The bike wasn't all that well specced but it was perfect as a starter bike.

 

As others have mentioned though, why not go the road bike route? It will end up more cost effective and you could always slap a straight bar on the bike. I had a riser bar put on my road bike purely for comfort, although I'll be taking my bike back to the LBS to have my drop bars put back on.