Beginner needing help choosing first ever mountain bike

[abid_malik]

Hi everyone,

First time poster and really glad to find this community
Firstly. A bit of background. I am a complete novice who started mountain biking literally a month by going to the  Cycle Lab bike park in Bryanston, Johannesburg and renting their bikes and hitting the trails there. I have mostly been only doing the beginner trails and last weekend I tried out one of the intermediate trails which was definitely a challenge, but I am absolutely loving it and so hooked and I am definitely ready to get my own bike so that I can explore more trails around Jhb

Choosing the right first bike especially as someone who has barely begun his journey has been one of the most stressful things ive done lately. Shimano, Suntour, groupset... All these terms make no sense to me and I am trying my best to slowly understand. While I make sense of it all. I need some help deciding my first bike.

I am a fairly short person at only 165cm tall. The bike I hire has 29 inch tyres and has 1 gear in the front and I think 12 gears in the back and feels comfortable but not sure what frame size it is. From my research, my understanding is a small to medium frame is recommended for my height. I will mostly be using it for doing dirt trails with some hills, berms and wooden bridges such as the cycle lab bike park beginner/intermediate level trials (for those that have been there) . I also intend to take it on some hiking/biking trails around JHB. Dont plan on doing anything too advanced or extreme. Hope this info helps give some context

My budget is around the R10k which I know is on the lower end but thats what I can afford for a first bike right now. From my research. I understand that a hardtail bike is the go to choice around this budget. I have made a shortlist of some bikes I think might be good options as a first bike and just needed some opinions to see if I am heading in the right direction.
 

• silverback stride comp se aluminium hardtail mountain bike 2023 - https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1017962-bike-mtb-ht-alu-slvback-stride-comp-se-my23 
  • This one was recommended to me by the cycle lab salesperson as something entry level but should be good enough to do what I need it to do
• https://www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/product/scott-aspect-960-29-mountain-bike/
• https://www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/product/titan-rogue-nova-29-mtb-2/
  • These 2 I am considering mainly because I get a discount with Vitality at sportmans warehouse

I have been looking a lot into the 2nd hand market but from what I have seen from previous posts is that it doesn't have the greatest value as you end up spending a lot to fix them especially as someone who doesn't know what to look for, but I am open to going 2nd hand if it makes more sense for my budget. Also happy for any other recommendations 

Thanks

[Mamil]

There are quite a number of threads on the forum discussing entry points into the market. Your sizing sounds right - maybe more towards the medium size than the small would be my sense but that might vary slightly from brand to brand.

I would be wary of buying from sportsman's as you run the risk of a less than stellar building up of the bike and you may find that you are going back to a bike shop to tighten it up or correct mistakes. Of course you might luck out and walk away with it superbly assembled.

I would look second hand and ask someone more knowledgeable to come with to look at it with you to check drive train and fork stanchion wear and cracks / breaks in frame.

It is definitely better value than the new bikes at this price point. 

Know that this sport is expensive and if the bug bites which it sounds as if it has, you are better off spending more money up front because buying cheap at the beginning definitely creates more expense later. 

At the entry level, the difference between 10k and 15 or 16k on a bike, particularly second hand is very significant so bear that in mind and if your budget can stretch, do it.

Also - form a relationship with a good bike shop. Their advice and support will be invaluable as you learn.

[117]

Dont forget to budget for a good lid. Google has good results if you search for different brands

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

In terms of your budget the Patriot at Solomon’s is about the best you’ll get. The frame is an “unknown” but the components are really good for a 10k new bike. 

[Headshot]

The problem is nobody here rides bike at that level so we have limited experience of durability or the cheaper components on them. Those bikes will be good for gentle riding or even the odd gravel road, but not much more than that. If that's your aim, any of them will work fine.

[JoeMerida]

Talking about Choosing a Helmet You must Budget for a good Helmet.

The Award-Winning Foldable Helmet That Could Save Millions of Cyclists | The Cycling Week

[abid_malik]

12 hours ago, 117 said:

Dont forget to budget for a good lid. Google has good results if you search for different brands

Ok. So I spent way too much time googling the terms bicycle and lid not finding anything thinking im not aware of some component called a lid and now I realise you meant helmet lol

Edited September 5, 2025 by abid_malik

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

5 hours ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

In terms of your budget the Patriot at Solomon’s is about the best you’ll get. The frame is an “unknown” but the components are really good for a 10k new bike. 

NB the Patriot has 1x12 Shimano Deore, albeit with a Sunrace cassette. The ones you linked to, have what appears to be SRAM SX and Shimano Tourney. The Patriot also has a SR Suntour fork and it’s better than the one on the Silverback. 

Again, this is good new *value*, but I’d still buy good second hand. 
 

[abid_malik]

18 minutes ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

NB the Patriot has 1x12 Shimano Deore, albeit with a Sunrace cassette. The ones you linked to, have what appears to be SRAM SX and Shimano Tourney. The Patriot also has a SR Suntour fork and it’s better than the one on the Silverback. 

Again, this is good new *value*, but I’d still buy good second hand. 
 

Thank you so much for the recommendation and explanation! This definitely looks like the best value in terms of new bikes. To add to the suggestions you made about the components. Would you say there are specific components that are a 'must have' ?