Choices Choices Choices

[Dirkitech]

650m elevetaion in 50km is flat.

Here we do that in 20km, easily.

 

Not wanting to get dragged into a 26" vs 29" debate, I steadfastly clung to my 26" hardtail, also saying I can go anywhere a 29" can go, until a friend convinced me to take his 29" for a ride over our regular training route. I was amazed at how much easier it was to climb Dorstberg, I just rolled over the loose rocks I normally had to avoid on my 26". And going down was even better.

Not long after that I upgraded to a 29" and never looked back. 

It took me a few years (and a J2C) to actually make the decision to go dual suspension, and the above scenario repeated itself, in that most trails are just that easier on a ds (I'ts not even a downhill bomber, but a modest enduro bike with 100mm of travel front and back.)

 

So OP, go for a fairly decent spec hardtail 29'er off the bat, and if you can, get a 2nd wheelset you fit out with slicks, for road use. Much easier and quicker to just swop over wheels, than having to swop tires everytime you want to go road riding, it can become a schlep.

I'm both jealous and relieved of the bolded part!

 

My response to 26'er initially mentioned technical descents and technical climbs specifically. I did actually say that 29'ers generally are easier on the rocks, but if your wheel is slightly too big to turn on a rocky technical climb or descent (whether you're too fast, small physique, whatever), you're gonna kiss a tree. I think DemiCat should find what works for their riding style and sharing our personal accounts for the various experiences we have are invaluable - it sure was for me when starting out!

 

I definitely agree with your advice on a 2nd set of wheels. Fitting my slicks to the mtb wheels have never been easy and it can become a nuisance to cycle when you feel you need to struggle with tyres every weekend.

[DemiCat]

Right now I’m just looking around for what’s available at what price. Living in the middle of nowhere means I’d have to travel 250km plus,I’d rather spend that money on a new one ... but I’m going to emails nearest store to hear if they don’t have any 2nd hand ones. But thank you ! I would still appreciate any advice

[DemiCat]

Thank you all for the advice ! I have never had a proper bike of my own,it’s always been hand-me-downs or fixer uppers. I will need a few lessons from a good friend when it comes to gears.

 

With the “ladies specific” bikes,except for the obvious,is there any other difference ?

 

**edit**

The bike shop that’s close to me doesn’t only have the newest models. They have previous year’s models,and it makes a difference with price.

 

As I have a few cycling friends I’ll be sure to ask for their opinions,and what would be the best fit for the routes.

[Schnavel]

Gravel bike? 

 

Decent on and off road with the right tyres.

[Johan A Marais]

You'll hear a lot of this going round, 29ers having better rolling performance over rocks. Its true to a limited extent. The biggest benefit I see to a 29er is a 2nd hand market resale value.

 

Go for what suits your riding style and is the most comfortable with the right mix of fun. I'm 6'1 and ride a large 26er and speed is only a problem when I run out of gears, otherwise my 26er outperforms most 29ers, especially on technical descents and climbs.

 

Whaaaaaahahahaha 

[DemiCat]

Gravel bike?

 

Decent on and off road with the right tyres.

Does the drop handlebars work well with off-road ?

[Jehosefat]

With the “ladies specific” bikes,except for the obvious,is there any other difference ?

 

On a lot of new bikes the difference is literally the paint job and sometimes the price.

[keithbe]

26er? Never heard of them.

[ChrisF]

Thank you,I’m 161 cm,so a small frame will probably work. I’ll definitely ask the bike shop to check my fit

 

PLEASE do your homework carefully on the bikefit ...  Sadly way too many cycle shops are just "good sales staff" .... I just paid the school fees of buying a bike that is too small for me - from a reputable cycle shops, and sold to me by the owner !!

 

MOST brands have tables showing frame size vs your length.

 

 

I have now bought the correct size bike, and simply can not over emphasize the importance of a PROPER fit !!

 

 

and YES, a hard tail MTB will do the job perfectly for you !

[Butterbean]

Thank you all for the advice ! I have never had a proper bike of my own,it’s always been hand-me-downs or fixer uppers. I will need a few lessons from a good friend when it comes to gears.

 

With the “ladies specific” bikes,except for the obvious,is there any other difference ?

 

**edit**

The bike shop that’s close to me doesn’t only have the newest models. They have previous year’s models,and it makes a difference with price.

 

As I have a few cycling friends I’ll be sure to ask for their opinions,and what would be the best fit for the routes.

So to answer your question, ladies specific models are usually slightly undersized than normal, and have a worse spec list on the gears and bits for the same money. Frankly, in the cheaper market, it's a bad way to spend your money. You'll fit perfectly fine on a unisex bike that is the correct size.

 

Secondly, ignore the debate going on here. I suggested a 29 inch wheels size as the spares and new tyres are cheap and abundant, the wheels will fit a normal road bike tyre too, which fits your original needs, and the wheels size will put you much closer to riding like your road bike friends... The difference is quite immense and you'll ride well offroad, and well on the road.

 

As said previously, unless you plan on winning money by racing, the 29er will suit all your needs well enough, and you can ride with all of your friends until you buy a road bike... Cause everyone knows road riding is just the best out there anyway.

 

Good luck with your choice! The makro deal for Cannondale trail 5 and 7 seems to be a brilliant deal and I know they can deliver too! Just make sure they send the right bike and the right size.

 

Enjoy riding! Don't let yourself get too bogged down in the details, just get something you can pedal and enjoy yourself. The rest of the lessons will teach themselves, for the most part.

[Butterbean]

Gravel bike?

 

Decent on and off road with the right tyres.

To. Be honest I've found them the worst of both worlds... Not as fast on the road and not nearly as capable, particularly in a beginners hands, as a mtb...

[DemiCat]

To. Be honest I've found them the worst of both worlds... Not as fast on the road and not nearly as capable, particularly in a beginners hands, as a mtb...

Thank you for your advice,it is really appreciated.

[DemiCat]

So to answer your question, ladies specific models are usually slightly undersized than normal, and have a worse spec list on the gears and bits for the same money. Frankly, in the cheaper market, it's a bad way to spend your money. You'll fit perfectly fine on a unisex bike that is the correct size.

 

Secondly, ignore the debate going on here. I suggested a 29 inch wheels size as the spares and new tyres are cheap and abundant, the wheels will fit a normal road bike tyre too, which fits your original needs, and the wheels size will put you much closer to riding like your road bike friends... The difference is quite immense and you'll ride well offroad, and well on the road.

 

As said previously, unless you plan on winning money by racing, the 29er will suit all your needs well enough, and you can ride with all of your friends until you buy a road bike... Cause everyone knows road riding is just the best out there anyway.

 

Good luck with your choice! The makro deal for Cannondale trail 5 and 7 seems to be a brilliant deal and I know they can deliver too! Just make sure they send the right bike and the right size.

 

Enjoy riding! Don't let yourself get too bogged down in the details, just get something you can pedal and enjoy yourself. The rest of the lessons will teach themselves, for the most part.

Thank you for mentioning this ! The charts on the websites seems to be the same size. I’ll ask a friend who is my size if I can try her mtb. Her height is mostly in her legs,that should only really effect the saddle height,if I’m not mistaken.

[DemiCat]

Found this in the classifieds. Liv is a division of Giant,any opinion ? My brother might be able to help with transport if it’s not too far from midrand.

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/329392-liv-tempt-2018-small/

[Me rida my bicycle]

Found this in the classifieds. Liv is a division of Giant,any opinion ? My brother might be able to help with transport if it’s not too far from midrand.

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/329392-liv-tempt-2018-small/

if you are looking around that budget maybe have a look at the Cannondale trail 5 Makro bought all the old stock and selling for only R4500 brand new and for a beginner there's nothing even gonna come close. Have a look on the forums there's a whole discussion on it.

[Me rida my bicycle]

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/178571-makro-cannondale/

Here's the link to the Cannondale's at Makro really worth a look.