Seeking MTB advice

[Zach]

Hello friends.

 

I am Zachary, I am 20 years old and I am about 189cm tall.

I am rather new to this forum, just registered this morning.

 

I am going to be purchasing a MTB pretty soon. But this is why I post;

I need you guys to help me decide what would be best for me.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am going to be cycling to work and back daily, it's about 5 KM there and 5 KM back.. What would you recommend?

 

I've been to the local cycle shop here in Fish Hoek, just about the only one I can find in these parts and I saw a Silverback Oakland for R2495..

 

What do you guys think?

I was thinking about not over extending myself TOO much, at first I didn't wanna spend more than R1500 but I've since realized that maybe I really SHOULD invest quite a bit because this is going to be my daily transport to work and exercise.

 

Every single word of advice would be greatly thanked for.

Thanking you in advance.

Zachary

 

[Marius]

I bought my first bike for the same reasons, just to get to work and back. Ended up buying a Avalanche Reflex 24speed Hybrit for about R1500 so I think you got the right idea. Only used it for a couple of months thou - then a year or so after my Boss got me into cyling, I started training for about 3months and did my first road race with it, I raced the same bike for another year or so before I bought myself a Specialized S-Works Tarmac Road bike.

 

So, yes, don't spend to much money on a new bike, you either going to use it for a few months or going to stop using it.

[Zach]

Yeah, that's how I feel about it. I am prepared to spend roughly R1500 maybe at a push R2000 but going over that for now is a bit much for me.

 

But then the thought comes to mind that I really SHOULD get something solid seeing that it's going to be what I will rely on to get to and from work. I will be sure to have a look at the Avalanche Reflex, what do they go for nowadays? Was it a pretty stable and solid nice bike?

 

Thanks again!

 

[Marius]

The Alalanche, yeah, was pretty Solid, weigted like 14.8kg's - I upgraded it as I saw fit the more I got into cycling. Was a good learning curve, got to research all the parts ect to get it lighter when I got into racing.

 

Any old bike should be fine for what you looking at using it for.

[Zach]

Yeah most definitely. Once you start racing then that is an entirely different ball game. I'm sure the weight matters immensely then.

 

Right now I look at the specs of all these bikes and it's like woah to me because I don't really know the difference between the chains, breaks etc etc.

 

Where could I find a shop that retails Avalanche bikes? Think I wanna have a look at some because they seem like they'll do the trick yet they aren't as expensive as the Silverback range, correct?

 

[Marius]

I bought the Avalanche about 4years back so not sure if shops still stock them, but I bought it at City Cycling - there is one in CanalWalk, they have a wide variety of bikes, just tell the sales guy you have R1500 to spend - and then let him show you what they have in that range.

The Silverbacks might be cheaper? Go have a look. You could always go 2^nd hand as well, you?ll get a better bike for the same price that way.

[Zach]

Yeah, I must go look around here more because I went into Regel Cycles in Fish Hoek yesterday and asked what they have, they only had about 2 bikes for me to chose from, one which was the Silverback Oakland and that's R2500...

 

I think I ought to spend some more time looking and maybe go up the line a bit to a bigger bike store =)

 

[knersis]

You can also try Avron at Cycletraders in Woodstock for a 2nd hand bike.

0214480812

 

[Zach]

Thank you so much

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Olympic cycles (kenilworth) stock Avalanche. Also try Cycle Factory in Milnerton...