Tristan6 Posted July 5, 2019 Share Good day everyone. My name is Tristan and this is the first topic that I've posted. I've been very interested in mountain biking for quite some time now but have never really had the opportunity to give it a try, well except for riding the occasional footpath or two. I've recently moved to Joburg and discovered a multitude of trails in the surrounding area. So I decided to start looking for a decent mtb to start riding trails with. I'm 21 and started working a few months ago so money is a bit of an issue. At first I was dead set on a full sus bike, but after spending every waking moment online, I decided that a hardcore hardtail would most likely be my best option. Something aggressive with 130mm or more of travel in the front. I looked at bikes like the Silverback Slade and the Diamondback Sync'r, but these might be too expensive and hard to come by. One of the better budget hardcore hardtails I've come across is the Vitus Nucleus, but im not sure where I would find one of those. Im probably looking at a budget of about 12k , slightly neg. I have this idea that as long as the frame is decent, the bikes components could always be upgraded. Does anyone have a better idea of what bike I can afford and where I can find one? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks, and have a good day. Oufy MTB (Roadie) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertWhitehead Posted July 5, 2019 Share Welcome to the Hub Tristan You're on the right path with your thinking but to give you an educated answer I would like to ask you some additional questions: Why a 130mm or more travel? Are you bothered with wheel size? Have you considered building one up?Do you know what size you will need? Your budget is not bad and you can get sorted for that, does this include stuff like kit as well? Good day everyone. My name is Tristan and this is the first topic that I've posted. I've been very interested in mountain biking for quite some time now but have never really had the opportunity to give it a try, well except for riding the occasional footpath or two. I've recently moved to Joburg and discovered a multitude of trails in the surrounding area. So I decided to start looking for a decent mtb to start riding trails with. I'm 21 and started working a few months ago so money is a bit of an issue. At first I was dead set on a full sus bike, but after spending every waking moment online, I decided that a hardcore hardtail would most likely be my best option. Something aggressive with 130mm or more of travel in the front. I looked at bikes like the Silverback Slade and the Diamondback Sync'r, but these might be too expensive and hard to come by. One of the better budget hardcore hardtails I've come across is the Vitus Nucleus, but im not sure where I would find one of those. Im probably looking at a budget of about 12k , slightly neg. I have this idea that as long as the frame is decent, the bikes components could always be upgraded. Does anyone have a better idea of what bike I can afford and where I can find one? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks, and have a good day. Tristan6 and Vetplant 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocknRolla Posted July 5, 2019 Share Welcome to The Hub Tristan. You have to establish what size bike would fit you, then you can look at some pre-loved bikes in the classifieds section. Like this one, steel frame 130mm suspenson and bulletproof. It's a medium. have a look at this ad:https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/370112-cotic-soul/ It's a bit above your price range, but one hell of a lot of value for very little money. gerhardmschafer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertWhitehead Posted July 5, 2019 Share That is a proper bike - love the color Welcome to The Hub Tristan. You have to establish what size bike would fit you, then you can look at some pre-loved bikes in the classifieds section. Like this one, steel frame 130mm suspenson and bulletproof. It's a medium. have a look at this ad:https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/370112-cotic-soul/ It's a bit above your price range, but one hell of a lot of value for very little money. RocknRolla 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbarn Killer Posted July 5, 2019 Share 2 of the bikes mentioned are not available in SA (the Vitus and Diamondback) unless you buy online, which is not a good idea price wise. Good value for money brands to look at in SA are: Silverback, Mongoose, Momsen, Titan, Axis and a few others. You'll find used options right here and new from bike shops. Personally, as a new rider, I would go new. It will be set up properly for your size and you get a warranty. If not, there are a couple of used bike shops too. They are all here in the classified. I would google all of the above brands. Their websites will list dealers in your area and go and check them out. You'll get a good bike for your budget, that will suit your needs. People will throw stones at me for saying this, but don't get hung up on 130mm travel up front. 90% of us don't need it. Also, this is the best time to buy new. Most shops offer discounts to clear stock for the impending release of next years models (2020 models start coming in late July) Edited July 5, 2019 by Longbarn Killer Sepia and Vetplant 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristan6 Posted July 5, 2019 Share The reason I decided on 130mm or more is because I am more interested in riding the rough and tecky as opposed to XC. Wheel size is not that much of a concern for me but because of what I want to ride, I believe 27.5 might be best. I also have a set of 27.5 Crankbrother Cobalt 3's that are just waiting to be used. I have definitely thought of building a bike. What concerns me is that I have no experience with building a bike from scratch. I'm also worried that it will take me too long as I would like to get on the trails in the near future. I am 186cm tall and have quite long arms and legs. I have done some research and think an XL bike will be best for the riding I intend to do. Up until now I haven't really thought of kit, I have sort of been obsessed with finding a bike that could get me on the trail. I have a helmet but that is about that. I'm looking for an aggressive hardtail with a low, slack and long geometry. Something with a reasonable slack head tube angle and low top tube. Do you have any suggestions as to wich bike would suite me best for the amount that I am able to spend? <p> Welcome to the Hub Tristan You're on the right path with your thinking but to give you an educated answer I would like to ask you some additional questions: Why a 130mm or more travel?Are you bothered with wheel size?Have you considered building one up?Do you know what size you will need?Your budget is not bad and you can get sorted for that, does this include stuff like kit as well? Edited July 5, 2019 by Tristan6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisF Posted July 5, 2019 Share Welcome to the Hub. As mentioned above - PLEASE make sure you get the CORRECT frame size !! Cost me R30k in school fees for trusting a shop ..... Once you KNOW your frame size you will find your available options reduce significantly ... which may well be a good thing ! In this price range the frames are much of a muchness .... your biggest differences will be in the quality of the gears and front shock. Gears are easy enough to upgrade later, but you want a decent shock (as good as your budget allows) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chadvdw67 Posted July 5, 2019 Share Hey Tristan, I have been in the same predicament as you recently, similar budget as well, the Silverback Slade Comp was the bike I wanted, but there are none in SA, next inline was the Slade Trail, but thats a smidge over R20k, and only Medium and XLarges are available, so I was really stuck, no "hardcore" hardtails are really in that price bracket, so I got a Silverback Stride SX, its not a "hardcore" hardtail, but it is a damn nice bike, I took it out today for its first ride, comes standard with 100mm travel, but can be upped to 120mm travel, has 1x12 drivetrain, tubeless ready wheels and tyres etc, maybe consider something like that, all you need to add is a dropper post, for R13.5k (including dropper) its a really great bike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porqui Posted July 6, 2019 Share Welcome !! You need to seriously consider 2nd hand. You can get really good deals for your budget. What's nice about 2nd hand is that if looked after they tend not to loose much of their value so if you want to upgrade later that would be a plus. You often get better specs too and you should be able to get a dual suspension. It's not difficult to set up a bike properly - lots of good info on the www. I am also sure there would be a Hubber in your area who would physically go and check up on a bike before you purchase it. Don't get too hung up on wheel size I enjoy my 26er yes a 29er would be nice but I still give them stick. (I am also 1.86m - large frame) Remember your height does NOT determine wheel size but frame size. Wheel size is more determined by terrain ridden. There have been a good number of Giant Trances advertised recently - an amazing bike any one from 2011 on. Size - size - Size. If you have no more than 2 thumbs maintenance should not be a problem. Riding gear is costly but do not fall into the brand trap and expensive does not mean the best far from it. GiantTjop 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bj horn Posted July 6, 2019 Share The new Titans have nice lines.Good looking bikes and good prices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vetseun Posted July 6, 2019 Share The new Titans have nice lines.Good looking bikes and good pricesGotta agree. Their bikes are and have always been very attractive bikesto me.I had a carbon hardtail Titan at one stage beautiful to look at but not the best handling bike that I ever had. Had two ugly crashes on it . I blamed the handling, not my lack of skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverInTheRoad Posted July 6, 2019 Share The Silverback Slade range is Legit! Great geometry and spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristan6 Posted July 6, 2019 Share Is the Merida Big Trail range available in South Africa? I have had a look at them and that also seems to be a very nice bike. I will keep looking around and I will keep an eye on the classifieds as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristan6 Posted July 6, 2019 Share I went and had a look at the stride range. Very nice bike. The frame is actually closer to what I'm looking for than most other bikes. The 110mm travel is all that concerns me, but like you said, it can be taken to 120mm. How would adding a fork with more travel effect the bike's geometry and riding capability? Hey Tristan, I have been in the same predicament as you recently, similar budget as well, the Silverback Slade Comp was the bike I wanted, but there are none in SA, next inline was the Slade Trail, but thats a smidge over R20k, and only Medium and XLarges are available, so I was really stuck, no "hardcore" hardtails are really in that price bracket, so I got a Silverback Stride SX, its not a "hardcore" hardtail, but it is a damn nice bike, I took it out today for its first ride, comes standard with 100mm travel, but can be upped to 120mm travel, has 1x12 drivetrain, tubeless ready wheels and tyres etc, maybe consider something like that, all you need to add is a dropper post, for R13.5k (including dropper) its a really great bike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisF Posted July 6, 2019 Share Different thought ..... As per post 9 - YES, do consider a 2nd hand HARDTAIL. Easy enough to check that it is in good nick. But if you are set on new ..... the 2020 stock gets launched in the next couple of months. Expect some serious sales from August as they need to move "old stock" (brand new 2019 models), just to clear up space for the 2020 models .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chadvdw67 Posted July 7, 2019 Share I went and had a look at the stride range. Very nice bike. The frame is actually closer to what I'm looking for than most other bikes. The 110mm travel is all that concerns me, but like you said, it can be taken to 120mm. How would adding a fork with more travel effect the bike's geometry and riding capability? Not 100% sure what would happen, I would think it would slacken the head angle slightly. If you have cash, and are patient, I am sure you could find a used hardtail, I searched for about 2 weeks, but couldnt find anything I liked, and I am impatient, so but the bullet on the SX, and as I said, I am very happy with it so far. Also, on Scumtree there is a Trek Roscoe 8 selling for R17000, also not to bad a choice, maybe look at that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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