Best budget option for daily commute

[Frans M]

I'm looking for a bike for someone who helped in my garden in the past. So to use for daily commute from township to suburbs. I want something that will last longer than the previous Raleigh I bought from Makro - tyres lasted only 2 weeks, other components less than a year. But I also can't spend more than +- R4000, including getting it to Bloem. 26er ok, ideally size M.

Avalanche AX175 from sportmans warehouse (R5k) doesn't look like it will last. Other than that I found a Biko (also R5k) in local shop. But both more expensive than what I'm willing to pay. Found a secondhand Raleigh Platinum Eldorado for R3000, but it's a very old Raleigh..

Some nice looking options for sale here. The Trek and Silverbacks look nice, but I have no idea what would be best, so any advice will be appreciated.

Trek 4400 (R2950) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/581031/trek-4400-hydraulic-discs-shimano-deore

Silverback Spectra 3.0 (R3000) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/579177/ladys-mountain-bike-for-sale

Silverback Alpine (R3700) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/581249/mountain-bikes-for-sale?referrer=top

Axis A90 (R3000) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/582144/axis-a90

Schwin moab (R2700) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/578759/schwinn-moarb-26inch

Giant revel 3 (R1950) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/580724/giant-revel-3

Giant revel 3 (R2500) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/575996/selling-bike-not-in-use

 

[RobertWhitehead]

34 minutes ago, Frans M said:

I'm looking for a bike for someone who helped in my garden in the past. So to use for daily commute from township to suburbs. I want something that will last longer than the previous Raleigh I bought from Makro - tyres lasted only 2 weeks, other components less than a year. But I also can't spend more than +- R4000, including getting it to Bloem. 26er ok, ideally size M.

Avalanche AX175 from sportmans warehouse (R5k) doesn't look like it will last. Other than that I found a Biko (also R5k) in local shop. But both more expensive than what I'm willing to pay. Found a secondhand Raleigh Platinum Eldorado for R3000, but it's a very old Raleigh..

Some nice looking options for sale here. The Trek and Silverbacks look nice, but I have no idea what would be best, so any advice will be appreciated.

Trek 4400 (R2950) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/581031/trek-4400-hydraulic-discs-shimano-deore

Silverback Spectra 3.0 (R3000) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/579177/ladys-mountain-bike-for-sale

Silverback Alpine (R3700) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/581249/mountain-bikes-for-sale?referrer=top

Axis A90 (R3000) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/582144/axis-a90

Schwin moab (R2700) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/578759/schwinn-moarb-26inch

Giant revel 3 (R1950) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/580724/giant-revel-3

Giant revel 3 (R2500) - https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/575996/selling-bike-not-in-use

 

Of the options given the Trek is best. I can also build you a bike. I do have all the parts needed. 

[ChrisF]

Frans the Makro bikes are assembled VERY poorly ....

 

A complete strip down and rebuild and they last so much longer.

 

 

Buying a properly built bike from Robert makes a lot more sense 👍

[MORNE]

2 hours ago, ChrisF said:

Frans the Makro bikes are assembled VERY poorly ....

 

A complete strip down and rebuild and they last so much longer.

 

 

Buying a properly built bike from Robert makes a lot more sense 👍

This.
First hand experience with a makrodale. It came with decent everything, so not a bad bike at its core for what it was….just seemingly assembled by the same person who packs nappies in the shelves. No clue. 
 

the fork and handlebars were individually the wrong way around ala manitou style, so had to take the whole cockpit off and refit the components the right way around.  the headset way too tight(common issue even on R100k bikes lol), the cassette was so loose on the freebody i thought the hanger was bent (bad shifting). And then the cables are uncut so waaaaaaay to long. Sounds dumb but that then means taking out and chopping 2 gear cables usually and if the thing comes with entry level hydro’s…they probably might need a bleed after a crop.

After a complete rebuild it was perfect though….and with a few upgrades and setup ride just as well as most things.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

By him an old 26er with a rigid fork and convert it to a single speed... bomb proof right there 🤙

[Johan A Marais]

BEN – Bicycling Empowerment Network What we do - BEN - Bicycling Empowerment Network (benbikes.org.za)

[RiverInTheRoad]

Any full rigid singlespeed with rim brakes, any wheel size. The only reliable long term option.

Don't bother with gears.

[EddieV]

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/vintage-bikes/564290/vintage-bridgestone-mb-5-mtb

This looks like an awesome bike. And once the rear derailleur fails convert it to a single. But dont remove front derialleur else you will need N/W chainring too?

 

[The Ouzo]

I have this, minus the kiddy seat at the back. 
circa 1999 Giant boulder SE, will need new Tyres though. 
make an offer if you’re interested 

 

[Frans M]

On 9/1/2022 at 11:04 PM, RobertWhitehead said:

Of the options given the Trek is best. I can also build you a bike. I do have all the parts needed. 

Thanks Robert. Might take you up on this offer if / when I have to go through this process again!

[Frans M]

I went with the Trek in the end - let's see how long it will be until I regret not going with a rigid single speed..

Thank you all for your input!