Wanting to start out. Where and what to buy?

[PandaAttack1]

Hi all!

My GF and myself want to start mountain biking. To be completely honest, I've been completely overwhelmed with the amount of info and options available to us. There are a few questions that we are not even sure of ourselves that are constantly asked when I am searching for good beginner bikes etc.

Lets start with the basics. The main objective is to spend much more of our free time in nature being somewhat active. My GF don't intend to do any 'rough' or 'hectic' trails, however I'm not sure about myself. I know if the bug bites I will try and do the more tricksy stuff. I've been racing dirtbikes for near 15years so I definitely have the 'itch'. We live in Pretoria East, so there are quite a few popular trails and mountain biking locations around us. We also have family in George so travel quite often to other areas of the country where the cycling will be fantastic...

I'm about 1.81cm and weigh 105kg. My gf is about 1.74cm. 

I'm looking to buy end of November. Budget is around 10-15k for my gf and 20-25k for my bike. Then helmets, shoes and a bikerack... The rest we will buy as time goes on.

I've been looking at one of the Specialized Rockhoppers for my GF, and a Titan Cypher Sport RS for myself.  Both of these are on sale at the moment and hopefully won't be much more expensive when I am ready to buy.  I have zero knowledge on bicycles and therefore not comfortable buying used.

 I'm still in two minds if the full suspension is necessary for me. Maybe the Rockerhopper will be good enough for me as well and I can upgrade same time next year if the bug bites? I'm really not sure how this game goes...

Any thoughts, recommendations or general insight is more than welcome.!!

[Mook]

11 hours ago, PandaAttack1 said:

Hi all!

My GF and myself want to start mountain biking. To be completely honest, I've been completely overwhelmed with the amount of info and options available to us. There are a few questions that we are not even sure of ourselves that are constantly asked when I am searching for good beginner bikes etc.

Lets start with the basics. The main objective is to spend much more of our free time in nature being somewhat active. My GF don't intend to do any 'rough' or 'hectic' trails, however I'm not sure about myself. I know if the bug bites I will try and do the more tricksy stuff. I've been racing dirtbikes for near 15years so I definitely have the 'itch'. We live in Pretoria East, so there are quite a few popular trails and mountain biking locations around us. We also have family in George so travel quite often to other areas of the country where the cycling will be fantastic...

I'm about 1.81cm and weigh 105kg. My gf is about 1.74cm. 

I'm looking to buy end of November. Budget is around 10-15k for my gf and 20-25k for my bike. Then helmets, shoes and a bikerack... The rest we will buy as time goes on.

I've been looking at one of the Specialized Rockhoppers for my GF, and a Titan Cypher Sport RS for myself.  Both of these are on sale at the moment and hopefully won't be much more expensive when I am ready to buy.  I have zero knowledge on bicycles and therefore not comfortable buying used.

 I'm still in two minds if the full suspension is necessary for me. Maybe the Rockerhopper will be good enough for me as well and I can upgrade same time next year if the bug bites? I'm really not sure how this game goes...

Any thoughts, recommendations or general insight is more than welcome.!!

Only wise men refrain from posting their GF's weight on a "public" forum. You might just grow to a ripe old age 😝

There are a number of threads here that deal with your query. 

My advice would be to 1)Go for a hardtail 29'er; 2)Go for the best possible frame you can buy and upgrade components as you get into the sport. The market for 2nd-hand components is alive and well as people upgrade. As you probably have learnt, many different brand models utilize the same frame with the components, ie. wheels & groupset determining the price. Get a good frame with low- to mid tier components, and upgrade the components as time passes.

Enjoy the journey. It's not about the bike (LA)

[madmarc]

Look at the TITAN range - For me they are the best bang for your buck in terms of brand new

[RobertWhitehead]

Welcome to BH and I wish you many happy miles: 

1) You're a L frame 
2) The lady friend a M

I'm also based in PTA East and will be able to guide you through the process and or even be able to sell you a bike or two. I actually have a very decent M build which will be ready around the end of Nov

[Bike Dewing]

27 minutes ago, RobertWhitehead said:

Welcome to BH and I wish you many happy miles: 

1) You're a L frame 
2) The lady friend a M

I'm also based in PTA East and will be able to guide you through the process and or even be able to sell you a bike or two. I actually have a very decent M build which will be ready around the end of Nov

I would say shes almost a medium.. those numbers are close.. could ride a small.. 

but yeah welcome to the hub.. and if you thought you were overwhelmed with info before.. just watch this space to make things even worse.. 🤣🤣🤣

First bikes are dictated by budget.. let us know what those are and we can advise properly according to whats on the classifieds.. otherwise this debate will just go on and on and on..

[PandaAttack1]

Thank you for the welcome and input guys!

@Mook What would you look at in my budget range? I've seen many of the upgrades, but to be honest I'm not too sure what I'm looking at. 🙈 I'm sure with time and guidance we will figure it out.

Thanks @madmarc! Been eyeballing their bikes on Solomons website. I've only read great things about them. Hopefully near the end of the month there will a bunch of great specials again for us to consider.

@RobertWhitehead Thanks for the welcome! I will take you up on your offer. It would be great to have a coffee sometime to discuss some of my, erm, concerns. Will definitely take a look at what you have end of Nov. Suits my buying time perfectly. 

@Bike Dewing I have a budget of around 30 - 40k for both bikes. GF is not too sure where she wants to go for this, therefore don't want me to over invest on a cycle for her. I was eyeballing dome of the entry level dual suspension bikes... Their mechanical parts are pretty. And I do like pretty mechanical things. Since I am as green as they come when in mountain biking, I'm quite hesitant with buying used. I have no idea what to look out for and the options are simply overwhelming...

[Mook]

18 minutes ago, PandaAttack1 said:

What would you look at in my budget range? I've seen many of the upgrades, but to be honest I'm not too sure what I'm looking at. 🙈 I'm sure with time and guidance we will figure it out.

I am not going to stick my noggen into this hive 🤐

You have access to >50 Phd's in cycling on this forum. @RobertWhitehead should be able to give you everything you need in terms of brand options. You want to deal with a local bikeshop for obvious reasons.

I can say that Titan has been doing good work on their frames. Components are generic across all brands.

Enjoy

[117]

Coming from the MX world, and you're already getting the itch to do some tech trails, you'll quickly learn to hate a hard tail. if you're only going to do the open road and basic trails type stuff then you'll enjoy the HT with an added dropper

In your budget you can get a good 2nd hand 29" dual suspension bike with mid range components on it. You can upgrade as you go along but one of the first investments you'll be making is a dropper post. 

If mrs isnt going to do anything tech, then a hard tail will be fine. You can always put wider tyres to run a lower pressure which will help on the corrgated and bumpy roads, albeit at a harder grind to move the bike along at a nice pace. Swings and round abouts

 

 

 

[Bike Dewing]

42 minutes ago, PandaAttack1 said:

Thank you for the welcome and input guys!

@Mook What would you look at in my budget range? I've seen many of the upgrades, but to be honest I'm not too sure what I'm looking at. 🙈 I'm sure with time and guidance we will figure it out.

Thanks @madmarc! Been eyeballing their bikes on Solomons website. I've only read great things about them. Hopefully near the end of the month there will a bunch of great specials again for us to consider.

@RobertWhitehead Thanks for the welcome! I will take you up on your offer. It would be great to have a coffee sometime to discuss some of my, erm, concerns. Will definitely take a look at what you have end of Nov. Suits my buying time perfectly. 

@Bike Dewing I have a budget of around 30 - 40k for both bikes. GF is not too sure where she wants to go for this, therefore don't want me to over invest on a cycle for her. I was eyeballing dome of the entry level dual suspension bikes... Their mechanical parts are pretty. And I do like pretty mechanical things. Since I am as green as they come when in mountain biking, I'm quite hesitant with buying used. I have no idea what to look out for and the options are simply overwhelming...

Consider hard tail over dual sus.. easier and cheaper to maintain.. like you say, you not sure where the wife wants to go with this.. dual sus is a serious upgrade when you are certain this is what you want to do..

im a big fan of the second hand market.. some stonking deals and you end up getting much more bike for your money.. okes buy bikes, ride them for a couple months and then have to sell essentially new bikes for second hand money..

ill link some good looking options here soon 👍🏻 my opinion of good looking options🤣🤣

[Bike Dewing]

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/764694/trek-martin-8-2024#fullscreen
 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/763621/scott-scale-935-carbon-l-29

that scott is nice and the deore groupset is good.. i had a gt avalanche with deore.. and thats got the XT deraileur. i love scott, i ride scott.. if i didnt i would ride trek i think.. scott is an older bike though so take a chain wear tool with you to view.. says excellent but thats according to who.?

never riden sram though but also good groupsets🤷🏼‍♂️.. 

Edited November 1 by Bike Dewing

[PandaAttack1]

6 minutes ago, Bike Dewing said:

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/764694/trek-martin-8-2024#fullscreen
 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/763621/scott-scale-935-carbon-l-29

that scott is nice and the deore groupset is good.. i had a gt avalanche with deore.. and thats got the XT deraileur. i love scott, i ride scott.. if i didnt i would ride trek i think.. scott is an older bike though so take a chain wear tool with you to view.. says excellent but thats according to who.?

never riden sram though but also good groupsets🤷🏼‍♂️.. 

Thanks for your inputs!

I've been told to be somewhat weary of carbon frames used? Although it would be sick to say I or the SO have a 'carbon bike'. 

I'm sure I will learn a lot in the coming month. I might just go the used route if I feel comfortable enough. Having local people willing to give their time to help out is also a massive bonus!

[Bike Dewing]

6 minutes ago, PandaAttack1 said:

Thanks for your inputs!

I've been told to be somewhat weary of carbon frames used? Although it would be sick to say I or the SO have a 'carbon bike'. 

I'm sure I will learn a lot in the coming month. I might just go the used route if I feel comfortable enough. Having local people willing to give their time to help out is also a massive bonus!

Second hand market is fine as long as you know what to look for.. 

carbon can be scary but again if you know what to look for youll be fine.. 

this is what i would do if i was you guys..

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/764694/trek-martin-8-2024
 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/754801/trek-marlin-8-s-2023-12spd
 

that puts you just under 30k.. then what you are going to do is take the +- 10k balance and book yourselves a fitting and if you need to change out saddle, cleats, anything else to make you guys comfy on the bikes, you got some cash for it.. thats gonna make the biggest difference when deciding if this is something you want to pursue.. its uncomfortable and sore in the beginning but doesnt stay like that.. it is enjoyable.. fittings are so underated..

[RobertWhitehead]

Marlins are straight steerer frames, good luck in upgrading the fork

[NC_lurker]

@PandaAttack1 if you really want your partner to get into cycling then best you save some budget for decent bib shorts & the right saddle for her. Nothing quite kills enthusiasm like discomfort down south...

Likewise forget about a carbon frame for yourself, rather get a decent Alu frame bike but if at all possible find the lightest bike available for your partner. Light bikes are fun, heavy bikes not so much. Of course I'm making some serious gender stereotypical remarks, if your partner does a lot of strength training then perhaps a heavy bike won't phase her!

I'm going to get slated for this, but I'd even consider a 2nd hand carbon 26er hard tail for your partner....light, fancy & relatively cheap...

Good luck!

Edited November 1 by NC_lurker
Clarity

[NC_lurker]

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/675352/gt-zaskar-pro-carbon-26-medium

Example of what's available in 26er... might get it for R6k..

[PandaAttack1]

2 minutes ago, NC_lurker said:

@PandaAttack1 if you really want your partner to get into cycling then best you save some budget for decent bib shorts & the right saddle for her. Nothing quite kills enthusiasm like discomfort down south...

Likewise forget about a carbon frame for yourself, rather get a decent Alu frame bike but if at all possible find the lightest bike available for your partner. Light bikes are fun, heavy bikes not so much. Of course I'm making some serious gender stereotypical remarks, if your partner does a lot of strength training then perhaps a heavy bike won't phase her!

I'm going to get slated for this, but I'd even consider a 2nd hand carbon 26er for your partner....light, fancy & relatively cheap...

Good luck!

Thanks for this, we appreciate the differences between the sexes.

She is stronger than most... When I started crossfit a year ago she deadlifted more than I do. She did a half marathon at Meiringspoort a couple weeks ago, so either way I think she will 'tough it out'. That said, I don't want her to. I want this to be something we actually look forward to doing.

Thanks for the tip on the bib and saddle. We definitely have budget for gear and comfort items. She is specific in what she exercises with, so I'm sure she will be specific to what is required for her mountain biking needs.

My biggest ick at the moment is buying something and then a week later we see something 'better' because we did not do our homework well enough.