Buying a new mtb

[garthzga]

I am a long  time road rider looking to buy a MTB bike and try some mtb'ing. I have had a look around but am a bit confused. Can anyone make a suggestion as to the best value bike available, budget is about R3500

[AndreZA]

For that price your not gonna get much new. Have a look at the Merida 100V. they go for about R3500. They have V-brakes and very cool paint scheme. Otherwise look for a second hand one. Just remember a second hand one will look second hand. They get bought to get ridden and not like their hoity-toity, arty-farty, namby-pamby road counterparts that gets locked up in temperature controlled rooms after each ride.

 

 

[Thug]

The new Bicycling magazine is out and gives a full list of all bikes available on the market. My suggestion would be to buy the mag, look at the bikes available within your price range and then go and vist the bike shops.

 

At that price level all the components are going to be pretty much the same.

 

 

[garthzga]

Apreciate the advise, I will definatley get hold of the magazine. Any Ideas were to look for second hand bikes for sale. There arent many posts on supercycling.co.za small section

[linnega]

www.mybike.co.za and here are good places.  Also try Chainwheel and some of the club websites.

[Brakkies Sport Fotos]

What about Mongoose? They also seems good qty for that amount of money.

[MintSauce]

Where are you from? You could have a look at Cycle Traders in CT if you're in the area, they specialise in 2nd hand bikes.

[garthzga]

I from JHB so not an option unless they have a website?. I did manage to find a website called bikebay.co.za but once again not much selection in my price range.

The only mongose bikes i have seen are in sportmans warehouse warehouse. Any idea who stocks mongoose in JHB area?

 

[MintSauce]

Don't think they have a website and you certainly don't wanna buy something over the phone

[1q2w3e]

This might be an unpopular recommendation but ... the best value for R3500 is a Trek 4300 or Mongoose from Sportsmens Warehouse. Nothing wrong with either of thos bikes. Avoid Avron at Cycle Traders - I watched him sell a MTB rookie a very used and tired Giant Rincon for R3000 when it was worth only R1000. Its a good idea to buy through this forum and gumtree.co.za, though.

[drumworx]

I am buying the Merida MATTS Sub 60-V next week after careful consideration and testing.

I will reccommend this bike to anybody starting out as it has the minimum specs that you can have fun with for quite a while before neccessary upgrades. Expect to pay around R4200 if you strike a deal with your LBS for accessories etc - well worth the extra R700 though.

 

The Merida range has pleasantly surprised me and I would reccommend either the MATTS TFS100 or TFS300 if you don't want to go that high.

[garthzga]

Anyone know of decent Fuji's in this price range?

[fourbar]

... and GT with Tektro Auriga comp discs...?

[1q2w3e]

Are you near Cape Town? Chris Willemse CYcles has some great clearance specials on: Mongoose meteor elite for R5500, and also GT idrive full suspension for R5500. Those are serious bargains!

[garthzga]

With specials like thoose , I wish I was in Capetown.

I managed to have a look at a Felt Q600 at Dunkeld cycles. Really good looking bike for the money.

[drumworx]

What are they charging for the Felt?