BOOM! First bike since 1999!!!

[springmielie]

39 minutes ago, Jensie said:

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. 

Ditto that! Very well specced older bike - 10 years ago almost everyone would've been happy riding that 3x XT groupset - in fact mine from that era is still happily in use on my wife's bike (a cheap Silverback Stride that I've upgraded for her over the years) nowadays. At a glance one can't fault it for your needs. In my books it's a much better buy than either the Reflex or Talon and it's cheaper. 

If it was a Medium I'd already have told my brother-in-law to snatch it up... 😉

[Duane_Bosch]

On 10/3/2022 at 1:19 PM, Fillipe said:

 

Nostalgia plays a role in my wanting a MTB and because I can't fathom sitting on a bike cycling my a$$ off and not going anywhere while staring at the girls doing weights....

 

My 2c from the left of the field.

If you're looking at losing your boep and gaining some fitness I'd not buy a bike. At your budget it's going to be *** and you'll hate every second of it. Rather join a gym and do spinning classes. 4 of those a week will make you VERY strong very fast. Most gyms now have structured workouts where you can "race" against yourself and others to keep things entertaining.

My step daughters gym uses an app called spivi which works on your ftp so you can do proper structure. It's not like the old days where you measure how welll you did based on the pool of sweat on the floor.

You most certainly don't want to be riding a stationary bike in a gym. That's a waste of time and will do nothing for you.

 

 

Edited October 4, 2022 by Duane_Bosch

[Headshot]

18 hours ago, Duane_Bosch said:

My 2c from the left of the field.

If you're looking at losing your boep and gaining some fitness I'd not buy a bike. At your budget it's going to be *** and you'll hate every second of it. Rather join a gym and do spinning classes. 4 of those a week will make you VERY strong very fast. Most gyms now have structured workouts where you can "race" against yourself and others to keep things entertaining.

My step daughters gym uses an app called spivi which works on your ftp so you can do proper structure. It's not like the old days where you measure how welll you did based on the pool of sweat on the floor.

You most certainly don't want to be riding a stationary bike in a gym. That's a waste of time and will do nothing for you.

 

 

What's the point of being "very strong and very fast" if you don't have a bike to ride? Sitting in a gym on a lekker summer day is k@k IMO. 

[Duane_Bosch]

5 minutes ago, Headshot said:

What's the point of being "very strong and very fast" if you don't have a bike to ride? Sitting in a gym on a lekker summer day is k@k IMO. 

I didn't say very strong and very fast. I said very strong very fast. I meant in a short amount of time.

The OP says he wants a bike to do cardio and get the heart rate up. I think doing spinning is better for that than buying a 3k bike that's going to fall apart.

[RobertWhitehead]

My offer still stands: I do have quite a bit of stock and can build something 😄

[Dexter-morgan]

@Fillipeplease report back with pics of the new bike on your couch, as expected by Bikehub.

And then port on Boast about your latest purchases as well - Welcome to the Hub.

Edited October 5, 2022 by Dexter-morgan

[Underachiever]

22 hours ago, Fillipe said:

It indeed is a L. 

I started on a 26er Talon with an oil fork in 2008.  Build like a tank!!  

You'll be happy!!

[Fillipe]

Olraait olraait ol righty then!

Still looking at bikes. The more I look, the more confused I'm getting.

Spoke with a gent here at work that cycles a lot. He told me what to look for (like hydro brakes instead of cable) yadda yadda yadda.

Went through some second hand bikes and he put me onto a website he buys parts from and we came across this Silverback.

https://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/2022-stride-hd-alu-ht-29er-mtb-teal

Any comments? Hydros. Tubeless ready wheels. Seems like a decent fiets?

[NeverNotRolling]

4 minutes ago, Fillipe said:

Olraait olraait ol righty then!

Still looking at bikes. The more I look, the more confused I'm getting.

Spoke with a gent here at work that cycles a lot. He told me what to look for (like hydro brakes instead of cable) yadda yadda yadda.

Went through some second hand bikes and he put me onto a website he buys parts from and we came across this Silverback.

https://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/2022-stride-hd-alu-ht-29er-mtb-teal

Any comments? Hydros. Tubeless ready wheels. Seems like a decent fiets?

No.

Microshift...

[Fillipe]

1 minute ago, NeverNotRolling said:

No.

Microshift...

Care to expand on that?

Is microshift just not the best or is it ****? LOL

 

[ChrisF]

51 minutes ago, Fillipe said:

Care to expand on that?

Is microshift just not the best or is it ****? LOL

 

Re-read my very long post at the start of this thread .... it details each aspect of this very entry level bike, and why you will want to upgrade after the second ride ....

[Plentipotential]

Lot's of very good advice posted here. Now go and buy a bike, as per the recommendations, and ride up and down the road, see where that takes you. Either you will like/love it, or you will hate it, by which time you will know what you really need in your next bike. Enjoy.

[dasilvarsa]

Visit a Major Bicycle Shop, Credit Card in Hand !

[Mongoose!]

29er JAMIS Exile for sale | Bike Hub

 

[Mtbiker404]

Get a Rook

[Fillipe]

I settled on a Avalanche Reflex 3 29er. Large frame for 5.5k at the LBS.

My nuts just just clears the crossbar. 😂 

Took a quick shakedown ride. 2km. Shees. One does not forget how to ride a bike but I could feel I havent ridden a bike in ages. Already got a puncture. 🤣 Took it back and they put some slime tubes and tire liners. 

Lets see how that holds up. 

Bike is not heavy. I can pick it up pretty easily. Gear changes are smooth. "Shitty" mechanical disc brakes works well. Overall, for someone with no recent experience with a bicycle I am happy. Wanted to do a 20km ride this morning but its raining cats and dogs. 

Bike is still new so everything works lekker. Will give feedback after a couple serious rides about quality and how the components holds up. 

The regular spot where the guys ride is a bit dodgy at the moment. Cyclist got killed in the plantations. 🤨

See ya!