Yet Another new bike advice thread

[Longbarn Killer]

Please never buy a bike based on the rear derailleur.

 

Firstly, most manufacturers put an XT derailleur on to fool you into thinking the rest of the parts are good...........secondly, most derailleurs do the same thing. You don't need an XT to change gears. SLX, Deore and even Alivio will do the job just fine.

 

You are on the right track with Silverback. They are well known for their value for money and brilliant after sales service.

[rudi-h]

Another VERY WISE bit of advice.

 

Have Medical Insurance, for both you and the GF.

 

This is WAY more important than what bike you ride. Have that...!!!

 

Trust me on this. seriously. I have visited the ER 4 times in the last 36 months already.

 

just to be clear on this, for a MTB'er to frequent ER every 9 months is not exactly par for the course and perhaps a bit of an unnecessary "scare" for any newbie getting into the sport.

 

Not saying you shouldn't have medical insurance (this is always sound advice), but serious injury due to MTBing is probably not much more risky than living a normal life IMO.  If you're riding enduro, DH or generally a adrenaline junkie its a different story, but for leisurely riding on your local trail or gravel roads with the GF... it's kinda safe

[Alouette3]

Kinda had the same thought... x4 in the ER in 36 months, this might not be the sport for you    

[Robbie Stewart]

"If you're not falling, you're not doing it right"

I was given that piece of advice when I started out. I may have taken it too literally, methinks...

On a more serious note, my trips to ER were as follows:

 

1. Car not stopping at stop, me OTB and concussion + elbow hairline crack (I was touching 40 km/h at the time.) - I was not expected to stop, as I was on the road that had no stop. underwent CT scan to rule out concussion injury
2. OTB - Broken arm, concussion again (the only bit due to MTB'ing) CT scans and Op

3. remove internal prosthetic because of broken arm

4. Dog bite while on my way to Simonsberg - Sutures in ER

 

As much as I really try my darndest to avoid having to go to ER, it is an unfortunate reality of riding a bike. And to say that only riding gnar MTB justifies medical cover is reckless at the least in my experience. With so many people getting knocked over by cars in this country tells me that you need medical cover just for that possibility, if nothing else.

 

use it, don't use it

[popcorn_skollie]

You will get tons of advice. Some better than others. Its hard to sift through all the information provided here. And how much of it is even relevant. Considering your position.

 

If I object to any of the advice offered here. The thread would just turn into a pissing contest. Making it even more difficult for you to gain a clearer understanding. 

 

You will learn far more about bikes after you've bought one and actually started riding.

There is a learning curve. One that would inevitably cost you money. 

Dropping a stack of cash into a bike isn't the end of your purchase.

Its just the beginning.

 

Right now. You should prioritize value over performance. To be frank. 

You're only just starting. So chances are using a plethora of advice on what to get when you really have no measuring stick to begin with can often be hit or miss.

 

With regards to value. In order of importance. Frame, fork, then wheels. 

Focus of getting a bike where the good value favours these components above the rest.

I say this because they determine the quality of your ride far more than any groupset.

To put it simply. Your wheels are always turning and your fork is always damping. You don't change gears with every passing moment. And since you're just beginning. Chances are you probably wont even be able to tell the difference between XT and Deore. Hell I've been riding for years and I'm still not sure how much of a difference I can actually feel. 

 

Your frame, fork and wheels are also the components which are far more expensive to repair, maintain or replace. Changing everything else is both easier and cheaper. And also, these parts you can upgrade incrementally, bit by bit. So upgrading them over time would be easier on your pocket.

[Robbie Stewart]

You will get tons of advice. Some better than others.

 

You will learn far more about bikes after you've bought one and actually started riding.

There is a learning curve. One that would inevitably cost you money. 

Dropping a stack of cash into a bike isn't the end of your purchase.

Its just the beginning.

 

 

 

^^ this

 

the rest is part of the adventure called cycling.

 

enjoy the ride, however that looks.

[Dirkitech]

Welcome goatman.
I'm a bit late to the party, but this to chime in and hope to assist.
 

Where are you based?

Do you have an idea of what type of riding you will do most - more or less.

At R8,5k I would definitely look at 2nd hand as you could pick up a better specced bike.

And as for the girlfriend make sure she does not have a lesser bike in fact she should have the better bike so as to make it easier.

The Makro Cannondale Trail 5 would be great for both of you - if you decided to upgrade later you would be able to get your money back.

I purchased my first proper mountain bike at around this mentioned price, second hand of course. I've since replaced several maintenance parts, but otherwise, its been the best buy of my life.

I would however advise you, from experience, if you buy second hand, make 100% sure everything is mechanically sound, else you may also have the stem twist sideways on you from the impact of a huge downhill drop. If you like your scars, like me, ignore what I said and enjoy the skin art  

 

@Porqui - I am based in PTA at the moment. At first, just casual riding on any terrain we can find, for a couple of days/weeks, but I really want to do trail and/or XC. I have no intentions on getting her a lesser bike, but I figure she should go and try out a few and get what she feels most comfortable with, she won't care about this derrailleur over that one etc. I think I will go to my nearest makro to check out the cannondales also.

 

@Robbie Stewart, good advice thanks, we have medical insurance that should cover it, but I will double check the fine print.

 

Its great that you have medical aid and good for you on checking the fine print!
Just to add to this- I've believe a hospital plan specifically is the most important, because if something happens and you need an op, that's where the massive invoices come from. it can happen entirely unexpected, like severely spraining a ligament while shifting on rough terrain.
While I have thankfully never had to use the hospital plan, I've been really close and all thanks to uncontrollable events like cars reversing out of street driveways without checking, a bloody pitbull jumping a wall and some kids playing in the road (think my saints pedals saved me from a broken knee here).

Hope you and your partner fall in love with cycling and share the cycling joy

[Robbie Stewart]

 a hospital plan specifically is the most important, because if something happens and you need an op, that's where the massive invoices come from.

 

 R174 000.00 later...(in my instance)

[g04tm4n]

Good evening everyone.

 

@popcorn_skollie, I really like the way you put it, and it makes perfect sense to me, I will certainly be taking your advice.

 

@Dirkitech, as much as I might like the odd scar or two, I will certainly take that advice if I do go 2nd hand, no need to get them simply because I made an uninformed purchase.

 

As for the medical aid, we are sorted with a hospital plan, I have played some sports that might be considered quite dangerous, so this was a requirement previously as well. I also see how people drive in general, and that is enough to get medical insurance, even if you are not riding a bicycle down the street.

 

Thank you all very much for the advice, it has really been very helpful.

[OldBull]

When considering a bike for your GF look at the Liv range of bikes. Specifically cater for the female riders. Good quality and value for money.

 

What Popcorn Scollie said - "You will learn far more about bikes after you've bought one and actually started riding." I support this point.

 

Just get one that seems good and start riding. If you don't like it you did not loose too much. If you love cycling like most of us do and the terrible insect called cycling bites you, you will want a new and better bike anyway. Then the N+1 rule will start kicking in.

[g04tm4n]

When considering a bike for your GF look at the Liv range of bikes. Specifically cater for the female riders. Good quality and value for money.

 

What Popcorn Scollie said - "You will learn far more about bikes after you've bought one and actually started riding." I support this point.

 

Just get one that seems good and start riding. If you don't like it you did not loose too much. If you love cycling like most of us do and the terrible insect called cycling bites you, you will want a new and better bike anyway. Then the N+1 rule will start kicking in.

 

Thank you for the suggestion on the Liv range. I was not aware of them. I fear the day when N+1 rule starts kicking in, but it seems inevitable.