Buying a road/gravel bicycle

[Eugene]

9 hours ago, MongooseMan said:

Slight hijack: how is that Bolany 60mm fork?

I’ve got my eye on it for a gravel build later this year for Trans

I watch a guy on YouTube with a channel called Berm Peak.... He swears by Bolany forks and uses them extensively on his builds. 

Having said that, I've seen some, not so good reviews on the 100mm Bolany. Mostly where the crown and steerer separate. At best, the steerer just rotates and at worst, it snaps

[Mook]

10 hours ago, Eugene said:

I watch a guy on YouTube with a channel called Berm Peak.... He swears by Bolany forks and uses them extensively on his builds. 

Having said that, I've seen some, not so good reviews on the 100mm Bolany. Mostly where the crown and steerer separate. At best, the steerer just rotates and at worst, it snaps

If it comes apart completely you're forked for sure 💥

[Daniel R]

18 hours ago, Graham Matthews said:

Thanks for all the information and advice, just an FYI I am based in Cape Town.

I have looked at a few bikes and shortlisted the below ones, has anyone got any advice on which is best? Thanks 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/782304/scott-foil

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/778642/road-bike

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/733044/scott-speedster-20

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/776639/specialized-roubaix-sl4-sport

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/777369/road-bike

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/778540/specialized-tarmac

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/769793/liv-langma-sl2

 

Thanks

Graham

 

Hi Graham

Just my humble opinion 😂

Maybe give that Fondriest a test ride, correct size and it has R7000 105 11 Speed. From what I can see others are all 10 speed 105(exluding the roubaix but i think that might be too big).

With a more modern groupset, there's a greater likelihood that there will be less wear and tear, alternatively try negotiate on one of the 10 speed models and use the extra cash to upgrade cassette ratio/Chain and possibly a full service.

[Shebeen]

2 hours ago, Daniel R said:

Hi Graham

Just my humble opinion 😂

Maybe give that Fondriest a test ride, correct size and it has R7000 105 11 Speed. From what I can see others are all 10 speed 105(exluding the roubaix but i think that might be too big).

With a more modern groupset, there's a greater likelihood that there will be less wear and tear, alternatively try negotiate on one of the 10 speed models and use the extra cash to upgrade cassette ratio/Chain and possibly a full service.

for a sub R20k bike is 11 spd really an upgrade over 10spd? I know it costs more, which means it will cost more to keep running too.

For context I have 9spd road bike, 10spd mtb and 11 spd gravel bike. They all work just fine (well the singlespeed mtb works best, but that's another story).

 

[Baracuda]

There is also this perla, perfect size, ....

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/775799/kinesis-tripster-gravel-bike-for-sale

[Mamil]

7 hours ago, Baracuda said:

There is also this perla, perfect size, ....

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/775799/kinesis-tripster-gravel-bike-for-sale

That looks like very good value ... 

[Graham Matthews]

I did message him he says there is someone coming to look at the bike if they don't take it he'll let me know.

Usually thats when things get sold so I'll keep looking. Thanks for all the help form everyone, I really appriciate it.

[Bike Dewing]

12 hours ago, Mamil said:

That looks like very good value ... 

not mad about the color but who cares that does look awesome.! 

 

11 hours ago, Graham Matthews said:

I did message him he says there is someone coming to look at the bike if they don't take it he'll let me know.

Usually thats when things get sold so I'll keep looking. Thanks for all the help form everyone, I really appriciate it.

Holding thumbs for you.. that’s a winner.!

[Mamil]

28 minutes ago, Bike Dewing said:

not mad about the color but who cares that does look awesome.! 

 

Holding thumbs for you.. that’s a winner.!

If I owned that bike it would be called the highlighter in my strava profile. 

I quite like it actually, it's retro. 

[Bike Dewing]

40 minutes ago, Mamil said:

If I owned that bike it would be called the highlighter in my strava profile. 

I quite like it actually, it's retro. 

Buy it NOW.!!🤣🤣🤣