Newb bought bicycles from Makro, how bad is it?

[droo]

1 hour ago, Spaffy said:

At this point in time my neighbor's 6yr old will probably give me a hard time and she has training wheels.
But we'll get there. Currently I can't wait to go cycle.

Your last line is the important bit, As other have said it will break, probably before you'd like it to, but in the meantime you have something to ride, and as a side effect you may well learn quite a lot about bike maintenance in the process.

While you're riding, learn as much as you can about what's out there - it's a pretty technical pastime as you've probably gathered, but ride with a few of the right people and you'll get some good advice along the way. One of the most important things will be to work out what size frame you need, so when you're ready to upgrade ride as many bikes as you can get your hands on.

We were all noobs once, even if there are some who have forgotten it...

[madmarc]

Nothing wrong with your purchase from Makro based on your level of cycling and budget.

Nothing wrong with these bikes sold through big brand stores other than the assembly - Most are not assembled properly and the main reason they start breaking an falling apart.

I bought my sons first MTB from a local Indian shop for cheap compared to the other bike shops - But i completly stripped it and rebuilt it - He put the thing through the ringer for 3 years and i sold it for more than i paid.

Any parts i needed the sam eshop had them - chains, cables, RD's, shifters, brakes, tyres, tubes they had alles and they were cheap

But thats the thing they are cheap and the quality of the bike confines you to a certain entry level in cycling and dont expect the shop to have any knowledge of cycling or repairs when something happens. But its a good place to learn to service and fix your own bike - with the help of the university of youtube.

Its also a good choice if you messing about at entry level to see if you really enjoy the sport without massive investment in kit - I know many who spent 1000's on kit, rode once or twice and then decided naaa not for me only to have all this expensive kit hanging in the garage.

So ride the damn bike, enjoy it and enjoy fixing it, but don't waste your money upgrading it.

Once the bug bites you can rebond your house and get into it proper with a proper MTB from a proper bikeshop. 

But remember bike shops are only interested in taking your money, so buy the bike at the best price between the shops but learn to do all your own maintenance, service and upgrades - Always shop around for components as well as online.

[Mamil]

2 hours ago, Spaffy said:

Thanks. Should I be looking for a stem though, or should I rather replace the the bar with a high rise?

I wouldnt invest more money in that bike to be frank. If it's one size for all and you are 1.9m you won't get a good position. Far better to visit a small bike shop and get them to size a proper bike for you.

[Barry]

I have plenty new Specialized multi stems you are welcome to have one. Let me know what size you need and if i don't have your size i will get it for you. Send me a DM if interested. 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/stems/749229/specialized-multi-stems

[tinmug]

Firstly: a big fat welcome (to both the forum and, more importantly, the next exciting phase of your life).

You bought some bikes. How bad can it be? Those Raleighs will get you out there and give you a huge smile while doing so. So in most ways objective met.

You live near hills? You'll probably want something lighter. Want to ride technical trails? You'd want better components. Come to think of it you're probably going to want new bikes sooner or later anyway (we all do).

Expensive? While, everything is imported, so there is that. Go ride motorcycles for a few years and you'd be amazed how cheap bicycles and bicycle parts (and maintenance) are! As a general rule the price of a bike is fairly representative of a) components, b) frame material and to a lesser extent perceived brand value (showy offy index).

Read a little, speak to some honest shop owners (and mechanics), there are many out there and you will develop a feel for good value for money and what to look at without going over the top. Buying used – if you have an idea what you are looking at – is a great way to step up.

The good news is those Raleighs wouldn't have cost all that much, so you can't lose all that much on them either. 😅👍 But first just enjoy the simple act of being out there on your current bike. Life is short, enjoy the present.

[The Ouzo]

1 hour ago, madmarc said:

But remember bike shops are only interested in taking your money, so buy the bike at the best price between the shops

I wan to ad a caveat to this.

How does a shop stay in business ? It needs profit to pay overheads and keep the doors open. 

So shop around by all means, but do so within reason. I HATE chain stores as they tend to put the one man shows out of business because they can offer better pricing through bulk buying etc. The consumers pocket wins, but not the consumers long term overall experience.

If you find a local bike shop that you feel you can trust and you get good vibes from, some place you see yourself purchasing from long term, then give them the opportunity to get as close to the best price you've seen, but if they can match, and the difference is small, buy from the little guy.

[ChrisF]

16 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

I wan to ad a caveat to this.

How does a shop stay in business ? It needs profit to pay overheads and keep the doors open. 

So shop around by all means, but do so within reason. I HATE chain stores as they tend to put the one man shows out of business because they can offer better pricing through bulk buying etc. The consumers pocket wins, but not the consumers long term overall experience.

If you find a local bike shop that you feel you can trust and you get good vibes from, some place you see yourself purchasing from long term, then give them the opportunity to get as close to the best price you've seen, but if they can match, and the difference is small, buy from the little guy.

 

Taking this one step further ....

 

There is a major national sports shop that is now selling some decent brand bikes .... with a casual putting the bikes together.  NO pre-delivery inspection !!!  NO free service after a few hundred kilometer.

 

Within reason, support the LBS - Local Bike Shop. ..... within reason ....sadly some do earn their bad reputations.  But there are some good ones !!

 

 

As @The Ouzo said, learn as much about bike maintenance as possible.  A "cheap" bike that is assembled properly and then maintained regularly will last longer than a neglected "fancy" bike.

[Ozzie NL]

2 hours ago, madmarc said:

Nothing wrong with your purchase from Makro based on your level of cycling and budget.

Nothing wrong with these bikes sold through big brand stores other than the assembly - Most are not assembled properly and the main reason they start breaking an falling apart.

I bought my sons first MTB from a local Indian shop for cheap compared to the other bike shops - But i completly stripped it and rebuilt it - He put the thing through the ringer for 3 years and i sold it for more than i paid.

Any parts i needed the sam eshop had them - chains, cables, RD's, shifters, brakes, tyres, tubes they had alles and they were cheap

But thats the thing they are cheap and the quality of the bike confines you to a certain entry level in cycling and dont expect the shop to have any knowledge of cycling or repairs when something happens. But its a good place to learn to service and fix your own bike - with the help of the university of youtube.

Its also a good choice if you messing about at entry level to see if you really enjoy the sport without massive investment in kit - I know many who spent 1000's on kit, rode once or twice and then decided naaa not for me only to have all this expensive kit hanging in the garage.

So ride the damn bike, enjoy it and enjoy fixing it, but don't waste your money upgrading it.

Once the bug bites you can rebond your house and get into it proper with a proper MTB from a proper bikeshop. 

But remember bike shops are only interested in taking your money, so buy the bike at the best price between the shops but learn to do all your own maintenance, service and upgrades - Always shop around for components as well as online.

Spot on ...... this rig does the job and you are happy.... bugger the rest

You will know when the time comes to upgrade

[madmarc]

36 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

I wan to ad a caveat to this.

How does a shop stay in business ? It needs profit to pay overheads and keep the doors open. 

So shop around by all means, but do so within reason. I HATE chain stores as they tend to put the one man shows out of business because they can offer better pricing through bulk buying etc. The consumers pocket wins, but not the consumers long term overall experience.

If you find a local bike shop that you feel you can trust and you get good vibes from, some place you see yourself purchasing from long term, then give them the opportunity to get as close to the best price you've seen, but if they can match, and the difference is small, buy from the little guy.

Don't get me wrong i'm not knockng the small guy - LBS have their place and most do a good job, all i'm saying is dont get married to one. 

OP is a very new beginner with a very small budget - I doubt the kind of client a LBS would want or be able to satisfy - Makro fills that space but he needs to understand he will not get the same support - So be ready to do a lot of the fixing and servicing himself. Once he gets with the program he'll realise he neds a bigger budget and a different supplier.

Too many people on here telling the OP that MAKRO / Game / SW bikes are crap, which is understandible on this forum. But they are not crap only the assembly and after sales service is crap - the bike is fit for purpose and represents the value he paid for it, ride it, maintain it and it will give him many miles of happiness.

If i was him i would

Strip it and reassemble - everything tight and lubed

Spend money on a bike fit - get my ass measured and make sure the saddle is the correct size.

Get the basic tools for maintenance - watch lots of Utube videos.

Ride it like he stole it 

His baptism of fire into the sport will be a lot more enjoyable until he hs the budget for an upgrade  

 

 

[NotSoBigBen]

Maybe just me but never underestimate a good relationship with a 'local bike shop' .... When cycling gets remotely serious it's not just about buying stuff and getting things fixed, they can give invaluable advice and assistance beyond what you might expect

I'm probably just lucky but my LBS is the best, for me, Grumpy ( @GrahamW) from The Workshop in Alberhoughton  has helped me with stuff that goes way beyond what I'd ever expect!

Shameless plug I know 😎

[ChrisF]

31 minutes ago, NotSoBigBen said:

Maybe just me but never underestimate a good relationship with a 'local bike shop' .... When cycling gets remotely serious it's not just about buying stuff and getting things fixed, they can give invaluable advice and assistance beyond what you might expect

I'm probably just lucky but my LBS is the best, for me, Grumpy ( @GrahamW) from The Workshop in Alberhoughton  has helped me with stuff that goes way beyond what I'd ever expect!

Shameless plug I know 😎

 

I met Mark in the mid 90's.  At the time he worked back of shop for Peter Allen.

 

When I got back on bikes in 2016 Mark was the owner of Mark's Workshop, in the old Peter Allen premises.

 

He remains my go to bike mechanic.

 

He has chosen to specialise in bike workshop, and does not sell bikes.  So I get to shop around when buying. 😁

 

 

Sadly ... once you have dealt with a specialist mechanic, the average minimum wage spanner swinger at the typical bike shop does not inspire confidence ....

 

Just did a once over on a brand new bike .... two loose bolts ... rear brake might need to alligned, will bed in the brakes then check again.   And this after the bike shop did their pre-inspection today ..... sadly, from Makro to high end bike shops .... a good once over is time well spent.

 

 

I do the minor services myself.  Bikes get booked in with Mark for major services (Shocks).

 

It really helps to build this type of relationship.

 

From needing parts to fix entry level bikes for kids, to parts and advise with higher end bikes, Mark is always ready to help.

[mrcg]

Spaffy, welcome to the sport. 

Nothing wrong with your entry choice. As described above, there are limitations to your current choice. BUT it suits the current conditions. Ride as much and as frequently as possible and try riding over sidewalks, grass verges etc to get a feel for more technical input.

You might get away with some decent gravel riding for a while (after full bike rebuild). This will further improve your feel for off-tar riding. Some riders can progress quicker, others take longer.

However, as soon as you hit proper MTB trails, you will notice the restrictions of your current bike immediately. You might not understand why, but the components are not made for serious mtb riding. But you will not know this initially, as you lack the experience. The bike will handle very badly and awkwardly and cause you to be unsure or afraid. But those serious trails are still a ways off for you and your wife (depending on your natural skill levels).

So enjoy the ride for now, knowing that somewhere along the road you can and will do the upgrade we have all done. And you have a great resource on tap with the Bike Hub, where EVERYONE is the best expert. Ever. Lol

Edited December 5 by mrcg
spelling

[mazambaan]

Welcome to cycling and the Hub; but there are cheaper and less painful addictions 👺.

Excellent comments made already and I have walked your road with a Makro bike;  cheap chain broke early on and I had to walk home so that could be on your list to replace. And so it begins, drive train (mine then swallowed its derailleur), tyres, saddle, grips etc. Learn how to get the thing adjusted as regards gears etc, that is a YT topic I think.

One lesson I learnt hard was sizing. Get the right size (yours sounds too small), an experienced friend or LBS is best, otherwise Googly and YT. Many spend more than the cost of a Makro bike getting fitted properly. Then I would say comes kit; padded shorts and helmet.

Finally; do not trust LBS easily; I was sold a too small bike and a woman's saddle respectively by two of the most "reputable" bike shops in my area. Have a friend or do research then check and double check, ask the Hub.

Too late to quit now.

[Spaffy]

Oh boy, you guys are amazing. Sorry for only replying now but I see I'm limited to three posts a day.

Thanks everyone that commented, I've received great tips, advise and opinions.

Thanks @ChrisFfor mentioning Mark, I looked him up, saw he's a town over and got into contact. He's going to give both cycles a once over and make sure all is as it should be.

Thanks @Barry for sending me some stems to try out. He was going to give them for free so we settled on a chocolate or two.

We'll see where I am in a year but I feel much better having asked you guys for advise and having been lead down to correct path.

Soon I'll be looking for group rides to join, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

[eddy]

On 12/5/2024 at 12:50 PM, RobertWhitehead said:

You will also notice that a rider with even a well specced 26er will give you a hard time if you were to cycle against him / her

 

This is not likely to be a popular post, but hear me out.

 

There is no doubt that if money was no object we would all have a R250 000, carbon fiber,  Di2 XTR equipped, dual suspension, carbon hooped super 29" bike as one of the bikes in our stable. But that is not your situation. 

 

However, you can still have what was once such a dream bike, albeit not a new one.

 

As you will have seen on the Hub, nobody wants to ride a 26er anymore which is why secondhand ones can't be given away, and they thus provide absolute bargains for someone willing to pocket his pride and wait for one in the classifieds.

 

I bought, for my daughter who wanted to get into cycling, a professional level 26" bike (SID, XTR all around, Mavic rims, DT-Swiss spokes on Tune hubs, Thomson cockpit and seat-post, etc.)  for not much more that you are likely to have paid at Makro.  The bike was 10 years old at the time and had hardly been ridden since the owner bought the first of her 29ers shortly thereafter. Everything on my bike is serviceable, I fitted new tyres, spares are available, the bike fits her perfectly, probably weighs 50% less than yours, and is likely to outlast me.  She enjoys riding it and when the time comes to move up, she will probably buy a secondhand 29er with a lower level of components which will likely cost 10 times as much and we'll sell the bike for about the same as we paid for it.

 

Until about 2010-2012 every mountain-biker rode a 26" bicycle, and guess what, they managed. So unless you can do a sub 7-hour Attakwas it is unlikely that it is the wheel size that is holding you back, as people did that back in the day.

 

What I always find amusing is when people say: "you are tall and must therefore ride a 29er". 26 refers to the wheel size not to the frame/bike size, and frames came in a wide enough range that even very tall people could be fitted to an appropriate frame (just as very short people can now ride a 29er). Jaroslav Kulhavy is 1.87 and won the CX at the Olympics on a 26er. Nobody said he was too tall to do so. 

 

So think about it, a champagne bike for beer money that won't let you down. 

[Robbie Stewart]

I got gifted a Makro B.S.O. (Bicycle Shaped Object) back in 2013 by a family member who then dragged me up to the top at Hillcrest. I was threatening to shove that bike up his tiniest youknowwhat all the way up that hill. Then I reached the top and had my first experience of descending single track. I was completely new to the sport with zero skill and even less idea, but I went as fast as that BSO allowed me. I was waiting for my family member for nearly 5 minutes to catch up. The bike was dead. I killed the crank and the brakes had failed. But I had the biggest smile on my face. I got home later and immediately started googling new mountain bike options and settled on a end of life new hardtail being sold at a massive discount. I ride that bike for three years before upgrading to a new full suspension bike, which I still have and it currently has around 13000km on the clock on everything from tar to downhill lines and everything in between. Last year I bought a third bike, again a proper enduro spec beast that lets me have even more fun out on the trails. I gifted the hardtail to my nephew who has now taken to the sport with enthusiasm. The point I guess I'm making is that a Makro bike is sufficient to get the bug to bite, but once you're sold on mountain biking you're going to want to get the best you can afford. There are many good used options available at great prices here on the Bike hub.