Plentipotential Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 Hi. New to the forum, new to bike racing Have had a Trek no name shimano components bike in the garage for a few years and decided that it would be a good idea to enter the Epic in 2009. I had a sneaky suspicion that the bike was made for more than just a place to hang work clothes and rags from. Luckily Kevin Vermaak relegated me to lottery loser status but I decided to try my hand at racing anyway. In no time at all the landing gear sent a message to the brain that at 47 years of age a dual suspension bike might make life in the saddle more bearable! So shopping I went. And came home more confused than ever. Fixed a budget at 20 - 25K (never thought I would pay that much for a push bike!!) Anyhoo there are two bikes that stand out as reasonable value for money. Giant Anthem 1 and a Silverback Mercury 1. 20 and 25k resp. My question is aimed at those in the know and with some experience of either bike, what are the good and bad points of these two bikes? Any other that I should consider? The one other that caught my eye was a Giant Trance X. Less racy but looks good, if looks count. Appreciate any input. Thanks. Plentipotential.
BMCfan Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 hey all your freaks, why dont you welcome PP onto the hub and help him with his questions, i want to but i'm clueless when it comes to bikes, so i will welcome the man and you help him on his questions! HI PP, A warm welcome to a close knit family of bikers. Buckle up and enjoy the ride(pun intended!) Hope you get sorted and many many happy miles on the bike!
Overlord Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 Welcome to the hub pp. A good dual suspension bike with a good gruppo is the way to go. If you are going to race hardcore then make sure the bike has a racing type of set-up regarding geometry. The true pro's on the hub would be able to help more with your problem regarding which bike to buy. Just a warning-Buy the one you want to race and not what others want you to race.
Mudsimus Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 In that price range definately the Rocky Mountain Element 50....or the Opus Stakh 1.
dirtrider Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 Welcome to the hub pp. A good dual suspension bike with a good gruppo is the way to go. If you are going to race hardcore then make sure the bike has a racing type of set-up regarding geometry. ? The true pro's on the hub would be able to help more with your problem regarding which bike to buy. Just a warning-Buy the one you want to race and not what others want you to race. I think a good DS is the one with the good shock setup (front and rear ) Groupsets are cheap and easy to replace .
AndreZA Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 I'm with DR on the shock setup. My SC was brilliant with the good Fox shocks and cheappie parts. Now ist's just better with the better parts.
Rider Rob Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 Was in the same boat over the last month. Ended up with a Commencial and they have BIG discounts at the moment. Is Bike of the Year in UK.Go look at some stuff under Chit Chat, Commencial vs Orbea.
GoLefty!! Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 Ok since you asked for advice on the Giant Anthem 1 and the Silverback. Of the two, I'd go for theAnthem. It's the conservative choice, is well proven but it's heavy for what you get. the Mercury is little more radical, less well known and seems well built. You also get a very decent spec on the Mercury. Anthem would get my vote in that price rangeGoLefty!!2008-07-31 04:43:57
Rider Rob Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 I'm told (not sure its true) that 1kg bike weight = 5kg around the tummy!Light is GOOD. Ialmost bought the Silverback but it was a few K over my budget. Commencial 4.1 for me!
Dirtbreath Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 20 -25 is a nice budget. You can get a decent bike for that. What area are you in so we can send you to some bike shops, or have you been to a few and you have come down to your final 2?
Plentipotential Posted July 31, 2008 Author Posted July 31, 2008 20 -25 is a nice budget. You can get a decent bike for that. What area are you in so we can send you to some bike shops' date=' or have you been to a few and you have come down to your final 2?[/quote'] Thanks for the welcome everyone. I am in the Jo'Burg area, east side, travel to Emmerentia 4-5 times a week. I have over the years had occasion to repair various bikes for kids and Mrs Plentipotential as well as my own. I must say that some have been good and others have given me a serious shafting. Have found a happy home at one in the Linden area, great staff and good service. They sell both of the bikes mentioned. I am 6'5" and weigh 94kg's, if one bike is a kg more than the next it won't sway the choice. I guess if I try hard enough I could shed 5 - 10 kg's myself for free.
AndreZA Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 Plenti, seeing that you are in JHB, contact JLDAM here on the hub and let him organise you a test ride on a Commencal. He brings them in. You can get a REALLY nice one for your budget.
Dirtbreath Posted July 31, 2008 Posted July 31, 2008 Good deals on Mongoose at Mike's Bike (Greenside) and some nice Merida's and Specialized's at Dunkeld Cycles. I would definitely give these 2 shops a visit in this area before spending that amount of money.
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