Best buy under R3000?

[Joss]

Have a look at the Silverback Alpinr or Phoenix.

[slowpoke]

1hill, if i lived on that side of town then TdF would be my shop of choice. Frans is a fabulous person whose passion for cycling is more than abundantly clear to all who meet him.

 

(dr, s'a pleasure re the d'arcs... at least now they are being used instead of sitting collecting dust!)

slowpoke2007-03-22 05:14:49

[EdoardoBianchi]

Whichever shop you choose: Good luck with the hunt/selection/purchase and happy cycling. I'm sure the bug will bite in no time...

[Charvel]

Thanks for the help guys! I will go and check it out!

 

Joss - I had a look at the Silverback Alpine and Phoenix online now, and they look sweet!

 

SP - TdF should be my closest LBS (hehehe) when moving to Heidelberg. I would like to see what Schwinn, Giant and GT have to offer in this price range.

 

Any specific models I need to keep an eye out for?

[slowpoke]

Charvel, look at everything in your price range. test ride them all. sleep on it. and only then make your decision (back it up with some research on internet). enjoy!

[Canaris]

Silverback, Raleigh, Mongoose, all populate the bottom of the pile.  Check out the group sets, some come with deore.

 

Buyers tip.  The vintage of the bike is often betrayed by the groupo, as shimano have changed the finish of their top end in 2007, so a 2006 model bike is now considerable cheaper.  (push the point).

[EdoardoBianchi]

You might be able to find a 5k bike for 3k if you go 2nd hand? There normally seems to come quite a number onto the market after the "Awgus".

 

Since you're planning on upgrading later in anyway, this might be a good option since someone else has alreay absorbed the 25% value loss...(refer to Trevor's post on Schwinn purchase...9k -> 6.5k)

 

Not that I want to take the business away from the LBS in anyway.

[Charvel]

Also quite true EB. I will give it some consideration.

On a different note, I popped into Linden Cycles yesterday and saw the Raleigh Nomad as well as the Silverback Alpine. Is Raleigh a bike worth considering? I only know the Dions / Pick 'n Pay versions of these bikes and those were as heavy as lead! This one does seem a lot better, but is it a worthy entry level bike?

 

[scotty]

Mate of mine picked up a new 2005 model Giant Yukon with disk brakes for R2800.

[dirtrider]

Yes in my humble opinion it is the best entry level and top of the range bike . Read it somewhere on the net .

[EdoardoBianchi]

Raleigh have gone some way at changing their image in SA, spearheaded by Probike (I think?). They have been sponsoring some of the pro road teams with v-sexy machines at helluva reasonable prices. This seems to have trickled down to the lesser bikes and is definitely worth a look. 

Anyone any comments on reliability of the frames especially in the MTB context?

[dirtrider]

They use to have issues with the DS frames , not to sure if they have solved it . Frames cracked at rear swing-arm . Don't know of any issues with the HT's

[Charvel]

Herewith the link to the Raleigh Nomad page with complete specifications and geometry

 

http://www.raleigh.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=212&Itemid=70

 

I saw last night that it comes standard with disc brakes

[dirtrider]

Just remember it is mechanical disk brakes . I got no problem with them (got it on two of my bikes) but the rest of the Hub seems to think they are absolute sh##t .

[EdoardoBianchi]

Looks nice & aggro for a 3k bike.

 

If its cable discs don't expect anything too spectacular, especially not in adverse conditions.

 

I assume you'll use your negotiation powers to swap the pedals for some clipless ones?

 

[Charvel]

Right, so what different types of discs brakes do you get and what are the differences between them? Is there maybe a site that I could go to to read up on different bike components and what to look out for?