Newbie looking for advice regarding best buy within budget

[Mel_5]

18 hours ago, RobertWhitehead said:

Thank you very much for the vote of confidence everyone. Mel, the high end of your budget will allow an entry level 29er or 27.5' but there's sooooo many arguments about entry level 29er vs. a well specced 26er. Personally I will go for the well specced machine but that's just me. As mentioned above, kit can easily take your whole budget 😁. 

Thanks so much for the response @RobertWhitehead, much appreciated. Thank you for your input. If you say 29er and 26er, is that a reference to the wheel size or something else? Lol, so I believe. I probably won't worry too much about the kit for now besides the pump and helmet as I'll only be riding for about and hour or two on the weekend. Maybe a bit more in the beginning to build my confidence and skills a bit.

[Mel_5]

18 hours ago, Bike Dewing said:

Ive never been more broke.. but ive also never been happier about it..🤣🤣

Good one @Bike Dewing - I feel your pain! 😂 

[Mel_5]

19 hours ago, Spinnekop said:

Welcome to the Hub Melissa.
And welcome to the addictive world of cycling.  Prepare yourself for bankruptcy and the insane joy that accompanies that.  🤩🤣

My suggestions would be 27.5 inch or 29.
Small or XS frame
Whatever you get, go tubeless from the get-go
Your seat will be the first thing that you will have to get buy/change/get used to

That said, go to any good bike shop in your area and let them help you with regards to size.  

Start with the local brand Titan Racing.  Good price in general.
Something like the titan racing rogue.
You WILL work your way up from there as you get more and more into the sport.

My 2c

Remember.........the thrill is in the chase.  So enjoy the journey.  
 

Thank you @Spinnekop!

Lol, so I've been made aware! 😂 

 

Awesome, thanks so much for the suggestions.

Okay cool, will do.

Yeah, haha, I borrowed my BF's Stepmom's bike and the first two cycles sitting was quite painful.

 

Perfect, I'll do that, thank you.

 

Thanks so much for your input, I really appreciate it.

 

I'm sure I will, thanks so much!

[Mel_5]

16 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

Hi Mel,

welcome to mtbA.

that’s mountain bikers anonymous.

firstly find a reputable guy / shop to deal with. See posts above.

secondly, as a newb I would er toward well specced 26er or 27.5. These machines tend to be lighter , easier to turn and the smaller wheels allow for a lower overall gearing which will make your beninging much easier. There are very stable bikes available in these categories hence , have an unbiased expert on your side.

next get yourself good comfortable shoes and pedals. I’d say clip in from the start when your learning curve is steepest and you’re absorbing the learnings like a sponge.

if your monthly budget allows, get yourself a skills coach to teach you the ins and outs, techniques and some basic bike maintenance and care to aid you in keeping your bike running smoothly and avoid getting “advised “ by wallet vacuums and the 10000 Mtb pH D’s 

It’s always a good idea to write some goals you want to achieve e.g. buy a bike, get lessons, trails you want to ride and tick them off 1by1. It’s easy to get caught up in the new hobby and get lost along the way. Simple goals lead to achievable ambitions , success and enjoyment 

Hi @DieselnDust.

Thanks so much. 

Haha.

Noted, thank you.

Great, thank you. @RobertWhitehead also recommended something similar, much appreciated.

Oh, really? I had the opposite take but will get shoes to clip in soon then as I didn't think about that.

Okay, awesome. I'll keep that in mind once I have a bike as I didn't even think of that.

Thanks so much for your valuable input, really appreciate it!

[Mel_5]

23 minutes ago, RobertWhitehead said:

Bike fitting is the process of adjusting a bike for a cyclist to optimize their comfort, performance and efficiency. Cyclists often experience overuse injuries such as cyclist's palsy, cyclist back, and Anterior Knee Pain. and this is often due to an incorrectly set up bicycle.

Thanks so much @RobertWhitehead. That sounds like a nightmare - I wasn't aware that cyclists could have all these issues. I'll do my best to get the best bike for my height, size, etc.

[ChrisF]

19 minutes ago, Mel_5 said:

Thanks so much @RobertWhitehead. That sounds like a nightmare - I wasn't aware that cyclists could have all these issues. I'll do my best to get the best bike for my height, size, etc.

 

It can actually be very easy.

 

For most people the manufacturer's size charts are good enough to get the correct size bike.  IF you fall on the grey area between two sizes ... get an experienced person to help you before putting money down.

 

26", 27,5" and 29" are tyre sizes.  29" is the buzz today ... thus good specials on the former two.

 

Bike size is typically noted as XS, S, M, L, etc.  As already noted, you will probably use XS or S.

 

 

Bike fit then starts by looking at the seat height for YOU, noting your clothing and shoes.

 

Next the saddle set-back ....

 

Saddle angle for a bit of fine tuning

 

PS - checking the correct saddle size for your sit-bone width is done first.

 

Now the process starts to tune the bar reach, width, height, etc ....

 

 

This is very much an ongoing process as you get fitter and body adjusts too cycling.

 

 

The important take away this ... if you get a niggle in the knee or lower back or shoulders, etc .... time to check that bike setup

 

 

@RobertWhitehead is on your side of the world (from a Capie). He can help you througb the journey.

[Breezy92]

Hey Mel,

Check this bike out 

[Mel_5]

4 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

It can actually be very easy.

 

For most people the manufacturer's size charts are good enough to get the correct size bike.  IF you fall on the grey area between two sizes ... get an experienced person to help you before putting money down.

 

26", 27,5" and 29" are tyre sizes.  29" is the buzz today ... thus good specials on the former two.

 

Bike size is typically noted as XS, S, M, L, etc.  As already noted, you will probably use XS or S.

 

 

Bike fit then starts by looking at the seat height for YOU, noting your clothing and shoes.

 

Next the saddle set-back ....

 

Saddle angle for a bit of fine tuning

 

PS - checking the correct saddle size for your sit-bone width is done first.

 

Now the process starts to tune the bar reach, width, height, etc ....

 

 

This is very much an ongoing process as you get fitter and body adjusts too cycling.

 

 

The important take away this ... if you get a niggle in the knee or lower back or shoulders, etc .... time to check that bike setup

 

 

@RobertWhitehead is on your side of the world (from a Capie). He can help you througb the journey.

Hi @ChrisF,

 

Thanks so much for all the valuable information. Much appreciated.

Ahh, I see. I've done a bit of googling, and based on the one website it seems that according to my height and inseam height, a size small and 27,5" wheels will probably be the best fit for me. If you say an experienced person - are you referring to someone in say a bike shop? Am I correct in assuming bike shops only sell new? If that is the case would they be willing to assist me with a proper fit if I'm not going to buy from them?

 

Lovely, thanks so much. I'm going to make notes on all these points and reference them when buying a bike.

 

Awesome, thanks you - Cape Town is pretty awesome I believe.

Is @RobertWhitehead a seller of bikes?

[Mel_5]

4 hours ago, Breezy92 said:

Hey Mel,

Check this bike out 

Hey @Breezy92.

 

Thanks so much for the suggestion. Is it possible for you to send me the link please? For the life of me I can't find it on bikehub. 🫣

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Mel_5 said:

Hi @ChrisF,

 

Thanks so much for all the valuable information. Much appreciated.

Ahh, I see. I've done a bit of googling, and based on the one website it seems that according to my height and inseam height, a size small and 27,5" wheels will probably be the best fit for me. If you say an experienced person - are you referring to someone in say a bike shop? Am I correct in assuming bike shops only sell new? If that is the case would they be willing to assist me with a proper fit if I'm not going to buy from them?

 

Lovely, thanks so much. I'm going to make notes on all these points and reference them when buying a bike.

 

Awesome, thanks you - Cape Town is pretty awesome I believe.

Is @RobertWhitehead a seller of bikes?

 

Shops ... sadly some shops dont play nicely ....  I learnt this the expensive way when the owner of a shop in Paarl sold me a new bike that was too small for me .....

 

Pretty sure some of the upcountry Hubbers will be around quickly to direct you to GOOD shops in your area.  I do know that Potchefstroom has an excellent shop - but probably a long drive for you - @SilverRider

 

 

 

Robert is a gem of this sport.  He actually has a full time job away from cycling, but he is forever building bikes and helping out people.  

[Breezy92]

2 hours ago, Mel_5 said:

Hey @Breezy92.

 

Thanks so much for the suggestion. Is it possible for you to send me the link please? For the life of me I can't find it on bikehub. 🫣

I think it's sold Mel but there are a few options just use your filters to select 26-27.5

What type of riding are u looking at doing ??

[MORNE]

On 10/2/2024 at 4:29 PM, Bike Dewing said:

Ive never been more broke.. but ive also never been happier about it..🤣🤣

 

[Chadvdw67]

Guys, while I think your advice on getting a bike fit, skills coaching, cleats etc all means well, consider what the OP has asked for right from the beginning, she has a budget of max R5k, where on earth is she going to find pedals, cleats, helmet, bikefit etc etc for R5k? I really think you are all missing the point of her request, she is looking for a bike within a specific budget, all your other suggestions before she even looks at a bike are going to cost her well over R5k

[Spinnekop]

39 minutes ago, Chadvdw67 said:

Guys, while I think your advice on getting a bike fit, skills coaching, cleats etc all means well, consider what the OP has asked for right from the beginning, she has a budget of max R5k, where on earth is she going to find pedals, cleats, helmet, bikefit etc etc for R5k? I really think you are all missing the point of her request, she is looking for a bike within a specific budget, all your other suggestions before she even looks at a bike are going to cost her well over R5k

To clarify then.
Bike fit = let the bikeshop size you up.  For free.  To figure out before hand what the correct size is.
At 1.6m Mel will either be small or XS depending on inseam. 
Helmet you can organise somewhere something.  By law you'll have to ride with one.
I wont bother with cleats at this stage.  First try to figure out if you are going to stick with the sport and if this will become your passion.  For now, just go ride.  Flat pedals.  Whatever is on the bike.
So no.  You can get away cheap if you want.

But get the size right and then go buy a bike.  I think that was the advice.

[MORNE]

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/756972/sliverback-29inch-small
 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/757174/giant-talon-one-275-650b-good-condition
 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/755594/29-titan-racing-rogue-nova
 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/758446/29er-small-silverback-sola-3-mtb-air-fork

[Alouette3]

Just been through the search for a Small frame MTB for my wife recently.

I'd suggest if looking at a Small frame, look at 27.5 over 29 inch wheel, make sure you test ride it first. We had a small frame 29 before and the wheel size was too large design of the bike, if you turned too tightly the front wheel would touch the tip of your toes! Just something to keep in mind. It wasn't serious, or a problem most of the the time, but did irritate my wife and affect confidence. (Nothing wrong with a 26 inch bike)

Bonus things to look for:

• Air fork (smoother action and lighter weight)
• 10 Speed or more on the rear cassette (makes upgrading easier and cheaper long term if you want to go with 1 ring up front one day, Shimano make nice cheap 11-46T cassettes)

(I actually considered the Giant that MORNE posted above. The Silverback also looks nice if you can stretch the budget, or get a discount, but do check the front wheel clearance on the 29 Silverback)