Newbie need light in the tunnel

[OldTrekker]

Send a message to these guys and see if they have any clearance stock in your size - https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/178298-end-of-range-clearance-sale/

 

I just bought my second Giant Reign from them and they have been great. Getting it delivered to you in Gauteng shouldn't be a problem I would guess (I could be wrong - can't speak for them).

Thanks will definitely have a look and find out

[OldTrekker]

If you want new, this deal can't really be beat at the moment. Don't think there are many left though. Lot of bike for your money and nothing to upgrade.

 

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/scott-29er-dual-suspension/products/scott-spark-950-2018?variant=13703609450580

 

Shimano drive train and brakes, decent Fox suspension and even a dropper. If you can squeeze your budget, don't even think twice

Thanks also looks like a really good one. Budget out of the window and an unhappy wife 

Choices, choices but I suppose you only live once

[JohanDiv]

This is your bike.. It's in Gauteng, so ask the guy if you can take it to a LBS close to him for a service and let them check if everything is good on the bike. The can sommer do a bikefit for you to make sure if a large will work.

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/331416-price-drop-scott-spark-930-2018/

 

This is a fair price if the bike is in the condition the seller claims. From the photos it looks quite neat. They were around R50k a few months back, but with the 2019 stock arriving they go new for around R40k now.

[Alouette3]

Thanks also looks like a really good one. Budget out of the window and an unhappy wife 

Choices, choices but I suppose you only live once

What's your budget? Let lets us know what we looking at and we can find something for you from there.

 

Going to definitely be second hand if you looking second hand then.

[OldTrekker]

This is your bike.. It's in Gauteng, so ask the guy if you can take it to a LBS close to him for a service and let them check if everything is good on the bike. The can sommer do a bikefit for you to make sure if a large will work.

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/331416-price-drop-scott-spark-930-2018/

 

This is a fair price if the bike is in the condition the seller claims. From the photos it looks quite neat. They were around R50k a few months back, but with the 2019 stock arriving they go new for around R40k now.

Thanks this looked really good although pushing the budget completely in the red. Unfortunately had something on tonight so by the time I got back and phoned the guy said somebody already put debs on it. Missed it by a couple of hours.   Maybe the deal still fall through so will hear tmr.

[OldTrekker]

What's your budget? Let lets us know what we looking at and we can find something for you from there. 

 

One thing that I have discovered now is that a bike budget seems to be a moving target -upwards only.  Was at 20k, then 25k and now at 28k, but that is it. Cannot go any higher. Still got all the other expenses around it as well that I do not even want to think about now. Ouch.

[BigDL]

One thing that I have discovered now is that a bike budget seems to be a moving target -upwards only. Was at 20k, then 25k and now at 28k, but that is it. Cannot go any higher. Still got all the other expenses around it as well that I do not even want to think about now. Ouch.

Any reason that you need a full suss? I went from a hard tail to a giant anthem x. I absolutely love my anthem, but the maintenance costs went straight through the roof. I’m considering a hard tail again

[OldTrekker]

Any reason that you need a full suss? I went from a hard tail to a giant anthem x. I absolutely love my anthem, but the maintenance costs went straight through the roof. I’m considering a hard tail again

Now you are throwing a spanner in the works and a stone in the bush.  One thing is, I am on the wrong side of mid-age, even though I am probably a bit fitter and leaner than the average in that age. Also had a bit of a bad one this year with bladder cancer, one of the reasons why I am taking up mtb, as exercise is the best medicine (if you ever piss blood or its even a bit pink go and see a doctor!!!). But I am on the road to recovery (hold thumbs), and its probably not a major reason to justify full sus, but I guess I will find out the hard way.

Also thinking about it now having spoken to a friend earlier he mentioned he probably rides +90% of the time with rear locked out, but when he hits corrugated road or bit of a rough track it makes a difference. Also on multi stage events like sani2c over a couple of days it apparently helps. I have never experienced full suspension. Apparently it's more fun, don't know. But you got me thinking now. I will probably never do radical downhills/tracks, but I will do things like sani2c, trans baviaans, etc. (eventually :-)

[OldTrekker]

Now you are throwing a spanner in the works and a stone in the bush.  One thing is, I am on the wrong side of mid-age, even though I am probably a bit fitter and leaner than the average in that age. Also had a bit of a bad one this year with bladder cancer, one of the reasons why I am taking up mtb, as exercise is the best medicine (if you ever piss blood or its even a bit pink go and see a doctor!!!). But I am on the road to recovery (hold thumbs), and its probably not a major reason to justify full sus, but I guess I will find out the hard way.

Also thinking about it now having spoken to a friend earlier he mentioned he probably rides +90% of the time with rear locked out, but when he hits corrugated road or bit of a rough track it makes a difference. Also on multi stage events like sani2c over a couple of days it apparently helps. I have never experienced full suspension. Apparently it's more fun, don't know. But you got me thinking now. I will probably never do radical downhills/tracks, but I will do things like sani2c, trans baviaans, etc. (eventually :-)

On this my googling started with if I should go full sus or hard tail. Feeling I got was overwhelming leaning to full sus side, so budget jumped immediately from 10k to 20k. And now I am up to 28k. I also know I probably have to budget an additional 2-4k ?   a year for service. Is the difference in maintenance really that great if you go hardtail?

[Alouette3]

If you are at all handy or like to tinker, most of the services can be done yourself. I've even learned to do most of my own suspension servicing, pivot bearing etc. A full sus is going to be more expensive to own though. Saying that I won't be going back to hard tail for the general riding I do.

[ChrisF]

I still have a hardtail commuter.  Okay for the mostly tar route.

 

 

Did a few trails on a hardtail .... nope !!  That aint fun !!  Full suspension is worth it, when you want to enjoy trails !! 

[OldTrekker]

Thanks for all the input guys. Full sus it is for me.

Learned a couple of things. One is on used not to go much older than a year or two unless you can really see the bike was not used that much. Bikehub needs a filter for that 

And another is to stretch the budget right from day one to it's limit and pull the trigger when your gut feel tells you to. Missed two great deals by not acting soon enough. Back to square one, will just have to be patient and hope a good deal comes along soon.

Still got the option to go new via bike-addict but makes it more difficult when you missed a good used bike deal that would have been so much better.

Hate it when people do not update to sold, but I suppose they just happy they got the sale 

[ChrisF]

Be patient, and awake for the good deals ....

 

 

MOST brands are releasing their 2019 stock, with brilliant deals on 2018 stock ....

 

 

And those buying the 2018 stock puts their old bikes up for sale ....  My 2016 was picked up yesterday afternoon ...