Where 2 Buy

[dean_za]

Having spent a few weeks watching bikes come and a few go I am still torn as to whether I should buy a new bike or wait for a really good deal on a not entry level road bike to come up here.

 

Assuming I go for a new bike are there any recommendations for bike shops , I have tried the one in my small town (Harrismith) and its no good , I tried Jowetts in PMB and was better but I am not sold.  So hopefully JHB is better , I did here people mention Linden Cycles .. any others ? My budget is R3000 - R8500 but I dont want to buy the cheapest. I have always considered Silverback to be good value for money.

 

It is so strange just how little info , prices etc is available online in SA .Its also difficult to find specs on older models online so you never really now what your getting size wise with second hands. Some brands have a ton of info others none.

 

Hoping NOT to start a flame war.

 

Dean

 

 

[FanieFiets]

buy 2nd hand for R 8500-00, should give you a great bike.  punt

[Sammajoor]

MTB or road

[bustthesickness]

he said road bike in his post

[vaulter1]

Dean,

  My 2c for bike shops is Northcliff Cycles - Great service very knowledgable  but I haven't bought a full bike from them so I don't know what their prices are like. 

 

As for finding specs on older bikes, unless the owner has swapped out original parts, go to www.bikepedia.com - they've got most bikes back to 1993 with full specs down to what spokes the wheels were laced with.  The only caveat is, if there is a different model spec outside of the US, I think that's where the database references but give it a shot.

 

[intern]

Dude I'd take that R8500 and you will find a pro-spec bike for that 2nd hand, much better than an entry level clunker. Good parts like Ultegra or DA, or Campfag Chorus are made to last and even with 5 years of beating will perform just fine....

[Evan Andreou]

Wait for after the 94.7, you should be able to pick up a decent 2nd hand bike with good spec

[ASTANA]

 

Wait for after the 94.7' date=' you should be able to pick up a decent 2nd hand bike with good spec[/quote']

 

This is funny - alway after big events some ppl sell there bikes and stuff... mmm why??

 

What size frame do you need ??

 

[dean_za]

 

Wait for after the 94.7' date=' you should be able to pick up a decent 2nd hand bike with good spec[/quote']

 

I have actually been considering that option.

 

[Dirtbreath]

I can recomend bikebay. It is like an online used bike shop. I do think that there are btter used bargains around but if you are looking for a bit of sales advice you will get it there. www.bikebay.co.za

[intern]

I'd second Dirtbreath on that one...take a look there, for EG there is a FElt F4 full carbon with DA and Ultegra for R10k. That's a carbon bike for a little more than your budget.... 

[TYGA]

Living in Harrismith I'd rather be mountainbiking! Buy one of each, used, for R8500....

[Daxiet]

Agree with the previous post, Harrismith does make for excellent MTB'ing. Back on the topic, I bought new and would have done much better going 2nd hand. You get a lot more for your buck.

If you want a recommendation on a good bike shop, Linden has my vote, good pricing, knowledgeable staff and a decent range of bikes, they also don't suffer the typical cocky bike shop syndrome (arrogance).