BOOM! First bike since 1999!!!

[ChrisF]

3 minutes ago, Fillipe said:

Yeah. 😁

So is there a comparison chart with inch vs M, L, XL ect ect?

 

ja .... neeeee ....

 

There are comparison charts, but each manufacturer deviates from this.  Even within a manufacturer they differ from this between year models of the same bike !!!

 

At 176cm I am firmly between M and L ....

 

You may well be between L and XL depending on the specific manufacturer and model.

[droo]

50 minutes ago, Fillipe said:

Jirre...then the quality must have dropped since I last rode a Raleigh in '99. 

I abused my bicycle in school and I only had to change wheels because of balding tires... 😆

Raleigh from 25 years ago was a completely different animal, they used to have pro teams and all.

The new ones are basically scrap metal from new.

[Fillipe]

How about this one?

https://www.olympiccycles.co.za/product/aval-reflex-29er-3-soot-blue-2020/

[Dusty]

18 hours ago, Fillipe said:

Yeah. 😁

So is there a comparison chart with inch vs M, L, XL ect ect?

I'm 1.83 and large frames work for me in virtually all brands.

[Scary Rider]

20 hours ago, Fillipe said:

My bike journey will not evolve into me entering comps. Ever. 😁

Ja, right, famous last words. Said so myself 13 years ago, and look at me now: 10 CTCTours later, lots of road and Mtb races. Your just kidding yourself. Once the bug has bitten... and believe me, it will!

[Fillipe]

4 minutes ago, Scary Rider said:

Ja, right, famous last words. Said so myself 13 years ago, and look at me now: 10 CTCTours later, lots of road and Mtb races. Your just kidding yourself. Once the bug has bitten... and believe me, it will!

LOL!

Lemme first find a bike and let's see how it goes. 

I am a self proclaimed lazy bastard. So yeah...😆

[dasilvarsa]

4 minutes ago, Fillipe said:

LOL!

Lemme first find a bike and let's see how it goes. 

I am a self proclaimed lazy bastard. So yeah...😆

Best Place to Start is a Major Bicycle Shop.

[Fillipe]

Ok. I can get a brand new Avalanche Reflex 3 29er for R5500 at my local cycling shop. 

Is that at least a decent bike for a new beginner?

[RobertWhitehead]

Fillipe, welcome dude. I see that you're not "a one hit wonder" or a "smash and grab" poser. You're actually replying to the advise given. That's grand. 

So with that being said: 

• At 1.83m you're a L. There's nothing wrong with 26ers and you'll be more than happy with it when considering the riding you're planning to do.  
• What do you want to spend? 

As mentioned numerous times in this thread as well: Do not buy a bike through a retailer, the reason for this is quite simple: 

• They use below average parts to make it as cheap as possible 
• Because of the first point the bike will weigh in excess of 15kg 

This will just mean that your biking journey will be fairly short lived. 

You're more than welcome to send me a pm and I will assist in getting you on the right bike for the right money. 

Just note: it is addictive and you will most likely want to go and get some dust on the tires if and when the bug finally bites.

PS: I actually do have a L Merida 26er frame in the Wendy that has your name on it 

Edit: Come to think of it, my one friend dropped off his GT 29er with me the other day, the fork started losing air and I had it serviced. This is an entry level bike but it is at least a 29er as well 

Edited October 4, 2022 by RobertWhitehead
Added more

[Fillipe]

15 minutes ago, RobertWhitehead said:

Fillipe, welcome dude. I see that you're not "a one hit wonder" or a "smash and grab" poser. You're actually replying to the advise given. That's grand. 

So with that being said: 

• At 1.83m you're a L. There's nothing wrong with 26ers and you'll be more than happy with it when considering the riding you're planning to do.  
• What do you want to spend? 

As mentioned numerous times in this thread as well: Do not buy a bike through a retailer, the reason for this is quite simple: 

• They use below average parts to make it as cheap as possible 
• Because of the first point the bike will weigh in excess of 15kg 

This will just mean that your biking journey will be fairly short lived. 

You're more than welcome to send me a pm and I will assist in getting you on the right bike for the right money. 

Just note: it is addictive and you will most likely want to go and get some dust on the tires if and when the bug finally bites.

PS: I actually do have a L Merida 26er frame in the Wendy that has your name on it 

Edit: Come to think of it, my one friend dropped off his GT 29er with me the other day, the fork started losing air and I had it serviced. This is an entry level bike but it is at least a 29er as well 

Thanks for the info.

Yeah well look, my budget caps out at 5K. Maybe a smidge more. I know that is not a lot to fork out on a bike by ya'll standards 🙃, but for the riding I'll be doing, I should get a bike in that price range? But I also don't want to spend money on something that is going to cost me money short into the ownership journey. 😃

I've been speaking with Clive Berry on here forum that has a Giant Talon for sale for 5K. Looks like a awesome bike. So it's between the second hand Talon and the new Avalanche Reflex....Which one, I don't know. Opinions?

I've read some more about the tire sizes and 29er might not be best suited for technical stuff, but I'll just be eating up tar with it, so I don't need a bike that will need to do tight turns ect. It's mostly to ride with my kids. 

IF I do decide to pursue this whole MTB thing (I have a friend that was big into it, now in the UK) I could pass my old bike onto the wife to ride.

Edited October 4, 2022 by Fillipe

[RobertWhitehead]

25 minutes ago, Fillipe said:

Thanks for the info.

Yeah well look, my budget caps out at 5K. Maybe a smidge more. I know that is not a lot to fork out on a bike by ya'll standards 🙃, but for the riding I'll be doing, I should get a bike in that price range? But I also don't want to spend money on something that is going to cost me money short into the ownership journey. 😃

I've been speaking with Clive Berry on here forum that has a Giant Talon for sale for 5K. Looks like a awesome bike. So it's between the second hand Talon and the new Avalanche Reflex....Which one, I don't know. Opinions?

I've read some more about the tire sizes and 29er might not be best suited for technical stuff, but I'll just be eating up tar with it, so I don't need a bike that will need to do tight turns ect. It's mostly to ride with my kids. 

IF I do decide to pursue this whole MTB thing (I have a friend that was big into it, now in the UK) I could pass my old bike onto the wife to ride.

Go for the Talon if it is a L

[Fillipe]

1 minute ago, RobertWhitehead said:

Go for the Talon if it is a L

It indeed is a L. 

[RobertWhitehead]

Then that's the one for you 👍

[Jensie]

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/586615/merida-matts-lite-3000-large-full-xt#fullscreen

 

This looks like a decent cheapie. you wont need to do any upgrades and you will enjoy your riding. 

[springmielie]

I'll second RobertWhitehead. Definitely rather go with the Talon than the Reflex if those are the only options on your shortlist. 

I've been scouting the the classifieds for a while to help my brother-in-law get his first bike in 20 years too. You can absolutely get something rock solid for your needs between R5000 and R7000 if you're prepared to spend some time searching and wait for the right deal - it'll come. From what I've seen listed, for less than R5k you're more than likely going to end up forking out cash fairly soon on replacement parts or you'll be riding something that's going to buckle under you after a few rides. 

I'd steer away from buying a cheap new bike. You're just paying for something that'll depreciate far too much as soon as you walk out of the door. Comparatively there's no shortage of good options with acceptable specs on Bikehub in the same price range. And if you do want to buy from someone out of your locale, please do yourself a favour and use Bikehub Pay for your own safety just in case something goes wrong with the deal. 

[Paul Ruinaard]

6 hours ago, Scary Rider said:

Ja, right, famous last words. Said so myself 13 years ago, and look at me now: 10 CTCTours later, lots of road and Mtb races. Your just kidding yourself. Once the bug has bitten... and believe me, it will!

listen to this man he speaks with great wisdom