BikerBegin Posted January 12, 2020 Posted January 12, 2020 Hi all Looking to get a decent new bicycle to take up cycling more often. I previously cycled very rarely, using a Raleigh from Makro. After reading a thread here on how terrible those bikes are, I am seeking advice on a suitable replacement.Currently planning on cycling a few hours daily for most part of the week, probably on a road-path. I've given a few of the websites a look, but I'm overwhelmed with the different types. My main need is something comfortable and durable. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. -Nick
ChrisF Posted January 12, 2020 Posted January 12, 2020 Hi Nick, WELCOME to the Hub. We might need a bit more information to provide you with relevant feedback. Are you generally a fit person, already in shape ? Would this be a road to recovery ? You say you will "mostly" ride on roads .... where will the rest of the riding be ? Gravel ? Trails ? Wanting to do downhill racing ? These all impact the decision of the type of bike. Which in turn impacts the components etc etc .... and then the nasty question .... your budget .... As an example - this Merida is on special at Bike Addict - https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/birthday-sale/products/merida-big-nine-xt-edition-2019 Decent enough for road riding ... though the typical MTB tires makes you work harder on tar .... so just maybe you want to consider a "gravel grinder" bike, which would rule out trail riding .... It is a "hard tail" bike, meaning it only has a shock in the front, no suspension for the rear wheel. PERFECT for most of our trails ! Certainly better for mostly road riding. Brakes and shocks are perfect for the budget. Getting into downhill and serious trail riding a "dropper seat post" would be nice. But not often found in this price point. Certainly not a requirement. (though I do enjoy mine) GEARING .... Ooooohhhhh..... now THIS is where the marketers will strangle your wallet given half a chance !! This bike has a 2x11 setup, ie 2 gears in front, and 11 at the back. PERFECT spread from climbing to top end !!! The marketers will tell you this is old school and you "must" buy 1x, ie single gear in the front and typically 12 speed at the back ... expensive !!! too many posts of issues with the cheaper options !! I have a SRAM 1x12 GX on my MTB, and enjoy the simplicity of only working one gearset on the trails. I have had a bit of fine tuning with my gearing, but no real issues. On my commuter I have an old school 3x10 setup .... and strangely, despite all the marketing, it WORKS. Yea sure, a 1x would be nice but certainly not a requirement, NOT when a decent 1x system costs almost as much as this bike !! PLEASE dont get suckered into buying a budget 1x system such as the SRAM NX. Gearing is also the reason I asked about your level of fitness. If you have strong legs and are fit and healthy, then a 1x works nicely. For people on a slow recovery curve the 1x is very limited, as it would either allow you to climb, OR it will give you top speed .... Now here is the BEST reason to go for a 2x11 - - - you want to do mostly road riding. The 2x simply provides the BEST spread of top end and climbing gears !!! Couple of extra things to consider : Tubeless - YES, you want to go tubeless as soon as possible ! Set of valves, tape, sludge and a bit of time in the garage .... Helmet and other riding gear ... hope you kept it from the previous bike .... these costs add way too quickly .... Last comment - IF you know what you are looking at, then a secondhand bike can be a very good option. (though I like this Merida ... then again, my commuter is a Merida, so I am hardly unbiased .. ) Nick, Wheelie87, piotter and 2 others 5
Jensie Posted January 13, 2020 Posted January 13, 2020 My first advice when buying whatsoever bike. Get a bike setup. or the correct bike size for you. My opinion on road bikes, carbon is comfort. Get 105 gearing best budget for money groupset.Decent shoes. You will then be able to ride for 2plus hours .
RobertWhitehead Posted January 14, 2020 Posted January 14, 2020 Knowledge is power, yes the kit available out there is overwhelming and it does seem like there's just too much information to digest but, watch videos, do some reading, ask people's advise on both social platforms as well as in person. Once you have a basic understanding of what you want to get out of your bike then you can start looking around for your new steed. Good luck
Ozzie NL Posted January 14, 2020 Posted January 14, 2020 Hi Nick, WELCOME to the Hub. We might need a bit more information to provide you with relevant feedback. Are you generally a fit person, already in shape ? Would this be a road to recovery ? You say you will "mostly" ride on roads .... where will the rest of the riding be ? Gravel ? Trails ? Wanting to do downhill racing ? These all impact the decision of the type of bike. Which in turn impacts the components etc etc .... and then the nasty question .... your budget .... As an example - this Merida is on special at Bike Addict - https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/birthday-sale/products/merida-big-nine-xt-edition-2019 Decent enough for road riding ... though the typical MTB tires makes you work harder on tar .... so just maybe you want to consider a "gravel grinder" bike, which would rule out trail riding .... It is a "hard tail" bike, meaning it only has a shock in the front, no suspension for the rear wheel. PERFECT for most of our trails ! Certainly better for mostly road riding. Brakes and shocks are perfect for the budget. Getting into downhill and serious trail riding a "dropper seat post" would be nice. But not often found in this price point. Certainly not a requirement. (though I do enjoy mine) GEARING .... Ooooohhhhh..... now THIS is where the marketers will strangle your wallet given half a chance !! This bike has a 2x11 setup, ie 2 gears in front, and 11 at the back. PERFECT spread from climbing to top end !!! The marketers will tell you this is old school and you "must" buy 1x, ie single gear in the front and typically 12 speed at the back ... expensive !!! too many posts of issues with the cheaper options !! I have a SRAM 1x12 GX on my MTB, and enjoy the simplicity of only working one gearset on the trails. I have had a bit of fine tuning with my gearing, but no real issues. On my commuter I have an old school 3x10 setup .... and strangely, despite all the marketing, it WORKS. Yea sure, a 1x would be nice but certainly not a requirement, NOT when a decent 1x system costs almost as much as this bike !! PLEASE dont get suckered into buying a budget 1x system such as the SRAM NX. Gearing is also the reason I asked about your level of fitness. If you have strong legs and are fit and healthy, then a 1x works nicely. For people on a slow recovery curve the 1x is very limited, as it would either allow you to climb, OR it will give you top speed .... Now here is the BEST reason to go for a 2x11 - - - you want to do mostly road riding. The 2x simply provides the BEST spread of top end and climbing gears !!! Couple of extra things to consider : Tubeless - YES, you want to go tubeless as soon as possible ! Set of valves, tape, sludge and a bit of time in the garage .... Helmet and other riding gear ... hope you kept it from the previous bike .... these costs add way too quickly .... Last comment - IF you know what you are looking at, then a secondhand bike can be a very good option. (though I like this Merida ... then again, my commuter is a Merida, so I am hardly unbiased .. )You seem to assume MTB is the best option. Depending on what the minority of riding is (as opposed to road) a gravel bike might be better?
ChrisF Posted January 14, 2020 Posted January 14, 2020 You seem to assume MTB is the best option. Depending on what the minority of riding is (as opposed to road) a gravel bike might be better? NO assumptions made ... I asked questions, so as to avoid assumptions. The Merida was purely used as an example. Until the OP provides some more input it is VERY difficult to provide any real feedback ....
The Ouzo Posted January 14, 2020 Posted January 14, 2020 My first advice when buying whatsoever bike. Get a bike setup. or the correct bike size for you. My opinion on road bikes, carbon is comfort. Get 105 gearing best budget for money groupset.Decent shoes. You will then be able to ride for 2plus hours . Bike Fit - Yes, very very good idea to get comfort levels right and avoid injuryCarbon - if the budget extends then why not, but if not dont fret, a modern ali frame is still very comfy and could possibly have better components over a cheaper carbon frame. Budget for a good saddle, bib/shorts, shoes and helmet.
Mamil Posted January 14, 2020 Posted January 14, 2020 All this talk of budget makes me smile -- I bought a 7k hardtail 5 years ago and thought I'd spent a lot of money. I can't even bring myself to look at the budget creep on my cycling project Bike maintenanceRace entriesTrail permitsLycraShoesLightsN+1NutritionHelmet(s) If the bug bites ..... Riaan H and ChrisF 2
Ashchest Posted January 14, 2020 Posted January 14, 2020 2019 Momsen GP 300 now going for R13 490 on Bike Addict. https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/gravel-bikes/products/momsen-gp300-2019 What is your height? Thank me later ChrisF and MDJ 2
Mamil Posted January 14, 2020 Posted January 14, 2020 Nice looking bike and even nicer looking price - those mechanical discs may let it down in terms of riding experience though? 2019 Momsen GP 300 now going for R13 490 on Bike Addict. https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/gravel-bikes/products/momsen-gp300-2019 What is your height? Thank me later Ashchest 1
Ashchest Posted January 14, 2020 Posted January 14, 2020 those mechanical discs may let it down in terms of riding experience though? No
BikerBegin Posted January 18, 2020 Author Posted January 18, 2020 Wow! Really amazed and appreciative of the responses. Thank you! I'm going in to a bike shop soon and will hopefully take some of these pearls of wisdom with me.
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