Beginners buying advice R10k-R14k budget

[Vleisie_ZA]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at getting a bike for my wife. The intended use is mostly some light, not too technical trails, but then also the occasional 94.7 road race. The current thinking is a hardtail mountain bike in the R10k-R14k range.

It's been a while since I've ridden myself, so I'm a bit out of date with the new tech. Are there any components that would be really important to aim for? For example, air vs coil spring suspension, or a specific amount of gears (especially considering the aim to work up towards road races like the 94.7).

We've looked at the following bikes so far. Any recommendations on which one looks like a good deal would be greatly appreciated? Also happy to take consider bikes not in this list:

• 2021 Silverback Stride Sport - R10 999
• 2021 Silverback Stride Eilte - R13 999
• Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29 - R 14 000
• 2022 Zini Z29 Elite - R 13 290
• Signal Skye S910 - R11 000

We're unsure which bikes are the best value for money. For example, we've heard great things about the Specialized's frame, but the components seem to be cheaper or lesser known brands.

Lastly, is it worth considering second hand bikes in this price range, or safer to go for a new bike?

[Ruben101]

If you are going for a new bike, do not buy a bike with a Sram 12speed SX derraileur and shifter. Those things break very soon.

Coil fork will be heavier but not necessary for an air fork. In my opinion the new zini bikes comes specced very good for the price. I would go either for the elite, but I have not ridden the bike so I can't tell you if the air fork is decent or not 

[Super Sywurm]

8 hours ago, Vleisie_ZA said:

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at getting a bike for my wife. The intended use is mostly some light, not too technical trails, but then also the occasional 94.7 road race. The current thinking is a hardtail mountain bike in the R10k-R14k range.

It's been a while since I've ridden myself, so I'm a bit out of date with the new tech. Are there any components that would be really important to aim for? For example, air vs coil spring suspension, or a specific amount of gears (especially considering the aim to work up towards road races like the 94.7).

We've looked at the following bikes so far. Any recommendations on which one looks like a good deal would be greatly appreciated? Also happy to take consider bikes not in this list:

• 2021 Silverback Stride Sport - R10 999
• 2021 Silverback Stride Eilte - R13 999
• Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29 - R 14 000
• 2022 Zini Z29 Elite - R 13 290
• Signal Skye S910 - R11 000

We're unsure which bikes are the best value for money. For example, we've heard great things about the Specialized's frame, but the components seem to be cheaper or lesser known brands.

Lastly, is it worth considering second hand bikes in this price range, or safer to go for a new bike?

What size bike does your wife need?

[Vleisie_ZA]

6 minutes ago, Super Sywurm said:

What size bike does your wife need?

She is 1.7m, so most likely a medium size frame.

[Vleisie_ZA]

30 minutes ago, Ruben Hechter said:

If you are going for a new bike, do not buy a bike with a Sram 12speed SX derraileur and shifter. Those things break very soon.

Coil fork will be heavier but not necessary for an air fork. In my opinion the new zini bikes comes specced very good for the price. I would go either for the elite, but I have not ridden the bike so I can't tell you if the air fork is decent or not 

I see that the Zini has a Shimano RD-6100 12 speed, 11-50T. I believe Shimano to be one of the best brands when it comes to the drivetrain and shifters, but I don't know for example whether the specific RD-6100 model is one of their entry level offerings and whether the microSHIFT Advent, 9-speed, 11-42t on the Specialized Rockhopper will actually be better?

The Zini is only 12 speed out of the bikes I listed. Some of the other 9-11 speed bikes only go up to 42T. Will the 50T make a big difference for the hills on the 947?

Agreed with the Air fork. The only brand I've heard of is RockShox, but hopefully the Zini offering is still better than a coil spring fork.

I've also just noted the ZINI Z29 Comp for R12 350. Seems to have the exact same specs as the Z29 Elite, except for a Shimano 11 Speed Rear Derailleur, RD-5120 (11-50T). So probably just slightly bigger gaps between the gears on that one.

[Ruben101]

1 hour ago, Vleisie_ZA said:

I see that the Zini has a Shimano RD-6100 12 speed, 11-50T. I believe Shimano to be one of the best brands when it comes to the drivetrain and shifters, but I don't know for example whether the specific RD-6100 model is one of their entry level offerings and whether the microSHIFT Advent, 9-speed, 11-42t on the Specialized Rockhopper will actually be better?

The Zini is only 12 speed out of the bikes I listed. Some of the other 9-11 speed bikes only go up to 42T. Will the 50T make a big difference for the hills on the 947?

Agreed with the Air fork. The only brand I've heard of is RockShox, but hopefully the Zini offering is still better than a coil spring fork.

I've also just noted the ZINI Z29 Comp for R12 350. Seems to have the exact same specs as the Z29 Elite, except for a Shimano 11 Speed Rear Derailleur, RD-5120 (11-50T). So probably just slightly bigger gaps between the gears on that one.

Yes on the model under the flagship in the zini range you get mostly the same parts except for the drivetrain. It has a 11speed shimano 11 50 cassette . Which is still way better than sram sx or nx. The 1X makes shifting easier and you won't have to struggle with cross chainging and stuff like that. Go for a test ride on all of the bikes.

[BikeisLife]

10 hours ago, Vleisie_ZA said:

I see that the Zini has a Shimano RD-6100 12 speed, 11-50T. I believe Shimano to be one of the best brands when it comes to the drivetrain and shifters, but I don't know for example whether the specific RD-6100 model is one of their entry level offerings and whether the microSHIFT Advent, 9-speed, 11-42t on the Specialized Rockhopper will actually be better?

The Zini is only 12 speed out of the bikes I listed. Some of the other 9-11 speed bikes only go up to 42T. Will the 50T make a big difference for the hills on the 947?

Agreed with the Air fork. The only brand I've heard of is RockShox, but hopefully the Zini offering is still better than a coil spring fork.

I've also just noted the ZINI Z29 Comp for R12 350. Seems to have the exact same specs as the Z29 Elite, except for a Shimano 11 Speed Rear Derailleur, RD-5120 (11-50T). So probably just slightly bigger gaps between the gears on that one.

It is a Deore level derailleur and shifter on that bike. 
 

air fork is decent, obviously not at a big brand level but does its job. Also has a remote lockout which is nice. 
 

Bikes come with a 28mm internal rim too which means a little lower pressures and more comfort. 
 

Bang for buck, you can’t beat them.