Bike brand comparisons for newbie

[Hwasser]

Good day, 

Like many others, I have discovered this site as a valuable resource for newbie cyclists like myself. Thanks to everyone contributing to making this such a welcoming community!

I am in the process of finding my first bike, and I've done enough research to figure out I need a dual-suspension, 29", M bike. This would be fairly entry-level, and from what I gather new bikes at this price point is about R40k, which is a lot to spend, so I want to make sure I start looking in the right places. I have two questions in this regard:

1. At this price point, is there a big difference between brands, or is it much of a muchness? Looking at Trek, Merida, Scott at the moment.

2. Used bikes are of course much cheaper, but I fear that because I don't know anything, buying second-hand might be risky as I won't know what to look for, and might buy something that will end up giving me lots of problems (that I won't be able to sort out myself, because I don't know anything yet..) So is it worth paying a premium for a new bike in order to get the support, advice etc from experts in shop, or should I save the money and take a chance on a used one?

Grateful for any advice,

Herman

 

[BaGearA]

Between those its very equal and many are going to tell one is better than ther other but really at 40k the bikes are very similar.

 

50k is where big differences come more regularly

[TheoG]

Get hold of someone you trust and have some good experience with MTB's to help you search for a used bike.

You will get a lot more bang for your buck going used.

[100Tours]

3 minutes ago, TheoG said:

Get hold of someone you trust and have some good experience with MTB's to help you search for a used bike.

You will get a lot more bang for your buck going used.

I would second this. I've been very pleased with bikes I have found second hand. 

[RobertWhitehead]

Send me a DM and I will gladly provide you with some guidance. I do not want money for my advice, I merely want you to get the most bang for your buck. Unless you rope me in to build you a bike, then I will take your dead presidents 😁

[ChrisF]

7 hours ago, Hwasser said:

Good day, 

Like many others, I have discovered this site as a valuable resource for newbie cyclists like myself. Thanks to everyone contributing to making this such a welcoming community!

I am in the process of finding my first bike, and I've done enough research to figure out I need a dual-suspension, 29", M bike. This would be fairly entry-level, and from what I gather new bikes at this price point is about R40k, which is a lot to spend, so I want to make sure I start looking in the right places. I have two questions in this regard:

1. At this price point, is there a big difference between brands, or is it much of a muchness? Looking at Trek, Merida, Scott at the moment.

2. Used bikes are of course much cheaper, but I fear that because I don't know anything, buying second-hand might be risky as I won't know what to look for, and might buy something that will end up giving me lots of problems (that I won't be able to sort out myself, because I don't know anything yet..) So is it worth paying a premium for a new bike in order to get the support, advice etc from experts in shop, or should I save the money and take a chance on a used one?

Grateful for any advice,

Herman

 

 

Option 1 ... speak to Robert.  

 

 

Option 2 .... TITAN or Merida, these bikes typically provide better bang for the buck.   Scott Spark is a VERY nice bike !!!  But now a portion goes to the brand name .... I omitted that other brand due to school fees on the poor build quality of their entry level full suspension bikes ....

[tinmug]

… and learn what parts - drivetrain and brakes - the different bikes offer. Those bits are important.