Bike recommendation please

[noobcyc]

Hi,

Noob here. Had a bike stolen a couple of years ago and looking to replace it now. Mostly just be used for commuting to work (<5km) and do simple trails at wine farms etc.  

Budget preferably under 3k (2nd hand) but can push it up to about 7k for brand new.  
 

I know 2nd hand are generally recommended but I don’t know enough about bikes to know whether it will be a good deal.  Had a friend recently buy a 2nd hand bike and it’s ended up costing him much more than expected to repair undisclosed defects  

What’s the general opinion on a Silverback stride (basic model) ? Or any other recommendations? Perhaps something from Apex or Titan rather? Is Avalanche any good in comparison?

 

Thank you. 

Edited Saturday at 07:19 PM by noobcyc

[leibbrandtoliver26@gmail.com]

id recommend if you could stay with a big box brand ( giant, silverback, titan racing etc) because if it is not mainstream you will likeley have issues when servicing because of a lack of parts and this will make it more expensive in the long run. Don't be afraid of a 10+ year old bike as long as the parts are good and it has been regularly maintained ( shimano is the safest bet with an in house brand set of wheels or dtswiss wheels ) . expect to pay a bit more than 3k on a second bike but in the long run it will definitely pay off but you also dont want to spend too much on a commuter bike due to the nature of the bike it may be stolen , other than that happy riding

[noobcyc]

Thanks. I’ve decided to up my budget to around R10k (new). 
Considering these and would appreciate input:

 

Giant Talon 3:

https://solomonscycles.co.za/product/giant-talon-3-29-aluxx-aluminium-frame-mountain-bike-2024/

Silverback Stride HD:

https://cwcycles.co.za/product/1018391-bike-mtb-ht-alu-slvback-stride-hd-my24?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABtbJ9NPFBehWfw4XyigO-Di4iyXK&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3bGbwcWIiwMVoo9QBh2WCh2_EAQYASABEgKZb_D_BwE

Zini:

https://solomonscycles.co.za/product/zini-z29-sport-29-6061-alloy-frame-mountain-bike-2022/

Titan Rogue SE 2:

https://solomonscycles.co.za/product/titan-rogue-se-2-29-6061-aluminum-frame-mountain-bike-2023/

Would appreciate input or something similar. Thanks. 

[Dusty]

The SB Stride is a good solid option.

[noobcyc]

16 minutes ago, Dusty said:

The SB Stride is a good solid option.

Thanks. Leaning towards it too but then I also get some intrusive thoughts telling me to just push up my budget to R15k because “when am I going to buy another bike again”. 😅

[ChrisF]

10k MTB new ....

 

A friend is looking for similar.  Best we have found thus far is at Cycle Lab.

 

Marvel Prime hard tail, for R9k.

 

1x9

airshock (Marvel stickers on, not sure what brand it is)

Shimano Altus derailure

Quick release

Shimano breaks

 

 

For the price bracket ... better spec than the other bikes we saw.

 

 

NOTE .... most bikes in the price range comes with tyres that are NOT tubeless ready .... now here is the interesting bit, not all CL branches have the same specials on tyres to assist you with this.  Some do better deals on this to sweeten the deal.

[Mike Dewing]

1 hour ago, noobcyc said:

Thanks. Leaning towards it too but then I also get some intrusive thoughts telling me to just push up my budget to R15k because “when am I going to buy another bike again”. 😅

Much sooner than you would think☠️🤣🤣.. the bug bites hard.. and there’s no stopping it🤣🤣

[noobcyc]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

10k MTB new ....

 

A friend is looking for similar.  Best we have found thus far is at Cycle Lab.

 

Marvel Prime hard tail, for R9k.

 

1x9

airshock (Marvel stickers on, not sure what brand it is)

Shimano Altus derailure

Quick release

Shimano breaks

 

 

For the price bracket ... better spec than the other bikes we saw.

 

 

NOTE .... most bikes in the price range comes with tyres that are NOT tubeless ready .... now here is the interesting bit, not all CL branches have the same specials on tyres to assist you with this.  Some do better deals on this to sweeten the deal.

Thanks. So that’s superior to the Silverback Stride and Giant Talon 3?

 

Does anyone know what the local warranties are for Silverback and Giant?

Titan mention a 5 year warranty and I’ve seen something about Giant having a lifetime warranty on certain frames?

[ChrisF]

35 minutes ago, noobcyc said:

Thanks. So that’s superior to the Silverback Stride and Giant Talon 3?

 

Does anyone know what the local warranties are for Silverback and Giant?

Titan mention a 5 year warranty and I’ve seen something about Giant having a lifetime warranty on certain frames?

 

Interesting question ....

 

@Titan Racing Bikes has one of the best warrantees, especially in this price range.  5 years, AND transferrable to the next owner.

 

Giant supposedly has a good one as well.  But not transferable.  I have yet to get a clear and straight answer from Giant as to WHAT is covered on my two Giants .... I did say this is an interesting question ...  

 

Silverback ... their distribution has shifted hands, and claims are now done via Cycle Lab.  A friend has had two frames replaced.... with MONTHS in between where he was bikeless .... better than nothing, but hardly a perfect system.

 

 

Marvel vs Silverback .... until last week I would have said Silverback (and we currently have a Silverback Stride).  But in THIS PRICE CLASS, with what we saw on the floor now ..... "1x" (one by gearing, i.e. just one ring in the front) is very handy for my friend.  The airfork on the Marvel is (hopefully) better than the coil-spring-damper on the Silverback.  Some might agree, many will disagree ..... frankly it is much of a muchness.  The ease of use of the 1x clinched the deal for us.