Looking at purchasing a Hardtail...

[Klappertjie]

Hi Guys,

 

I'm new to the forum and have spent many hours reading all sorts of interesting posts.

 

I'm interested in buying a hardtail and would like to keep my 'school fees' down to a minimum.

 

Would all those in the know and or those that have 'been there done that' guide me...

 

I currently have a budget of R5000 - R7000 and I'm open to suggestions. I would also consider second hand. (A! Size - Large)

 

Thanks!

 

[Mojoman]

I saw over the weekend there was a Mongoose dual suspension somewhere in your price budget (new)...

[Gregzilla]

Hi welcome to the hub, at your price range a hardtail is the best way to go and  agood second hand will be optimal, if I can give one peice of advice go for the best components you can get for your bucks, at the price range you are in all frames are pretty much equal so it is the components that will make the biggest diffrence to your ride, front suspension first and then drivetrain.

[Klappertjie]

 

Thanks for the welcome, great to finally be posting.

 

At this stage I'm inclined to think that one would get better value for money going second hand.

 

I have in the past also contemplated building something up from scratch. Maybe find a good frame and build it up, that way I can get my hands dirty. I would also need to do a fair amount of homework.

 

 

Klappertjie2010-06-07 07:24:46

[Giantrek]

Hi,

 

Have a second hand Raleigh RM7 Hardtail for sale

 

Charcoal colour

XT components

Large Frame

Rock Shock (Reba) with remote lockout

Maxis Tubeless tyres converted

Excellent condition

Slightly over budget but still a good deal at R8 500

[Klappertjie]

Giantrek, what year model is your bike?

 

[VincentBikes]

What size are you height and inseam?

[brad890]

well, i've also been looking for a bike lately and must say look at the silverbacks if you looking to go for new out of the box, their prices are what seem the be the best for what you are getting when looking at components. from cycle factory you can get a new 2009 DEKOTA for 7K, or in the 2010 range you could get a silverback phoenix for 6k, give the bikes a look at,

 

the cycle factory website is

 

www.cyclefactory.co.za

 

[Klappertjie]

Height - 177cm

Inseam - 84cm

Thanks

 

 

[Brian Fantana]

A medium might be correct for you as well as my inseam is 82cm and I ride medium in 26" and small in 29er.

A quick way to determine ball park bike size is to take your inseam and multiply it by 0.667 and the you have your size for a road bike.  Now take 10cm off that and convert to inches to get your mtb size.  This is just a very rough indicator.

The best way is to ride the different sizes and feel what is comfortable.  I always go for a smaller frame when I am in between sizes.

At my height of 1.73cm and inseam of 82cm I am always between sizes, and decided to go for small when I went 29er two and a half years ago.  I love the smaller frames, feel much more controllable.

 

Good luck with the bike search, you will definitely find something worthwhile if you go secondhand.

[Klappertjie]

Hi Stephan,

Thanks for that bit of very useful information.

Size is something I have been juggling with in the past. Have been riding a large but I guess a medium will be better especially in tricky sections.

Based on the calculation I should look for a 18" (and a half...) bike.

 

 

 

[Klappertjie]

Sorry Brad890, missed your post.  I have had a look at the Silverbacks, they look great! I have been scouting are for a second hand one but they seem to be few and far between. I guess the guys that have them want to hold onto them.

[Giantrek]

 Sept 2009

[covie]

Hi Guys' date='I'm new to the forum and have spent many hours reading all sorts of interesting posts.I'm interested in buying a hardtail and would like to keep my 'school fees' down to a minimum. Would all those in the know and or those that have 'been there done that' guide me...I currently have a budget of R5000 - R7000 and I'm open to suggestions. I would also consider second hand. (A! Size - Large)Thanks!

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

Silverback Dakota

 

But if you can fork out the extra for the nabraska.

[VincentBikes]

Hi Guys' date='

I'm new to the forum and have spent many hours reading all sorts of interesting posts.

I'm interested in buying a hardtail and would like to keep my 'school fees' down to a minimum.

Would all those in the know and or those that have 'been there done that' guide me...

I currently have a budget of R5000 - R7000 and I'm open to suggestions. I would also consider second hand. (A! Size - Large)

Thanks!
[/quote']

Klappertjie

 

I have this available https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=86777 and you welcome to come and take it for a test drive.

[KiNgL]

Hi Guys' date='I'm new to the forum and have spent many hours reading all sorts of interesting posts.I'm interested in buying a hardtail and would like to keep my 'school fees' down to a minimum. Would all those in the know and or those that have 'been there done that' guide me...I currently have a budget of R5000 - R7000 and I'm open to suggestions. I would also consider second hand. (A! Size - Large)Thanks!

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

I had a lengthy post but darn browser crashed , so here is a summary.

 

 

 

I have seen many friends/ people buy a bike and 6 months later are looking at upgrading.

 

so what i always say is buy best value and components you can first time round.

 

 

 

I recommend 1.. air shock 2.. hydraulic disc brakes .

 

Then you can look at components ,ie sx xt xtr etc .

 

I find that air shocks for a beginner often get overlooked, and they add a great deal to ride comfort and control same with hydraulic disks even lower entry hydraulic disks stop better than a cable one .

 

This is my opinion by the way..

 

 

 

Next , often you can buy last year or older model bikes for a lot lot less than current models so you can get a better specced bike for a lot less.

 

Some guys like having the latest and get a less specced current bike than an older higher specced .

 

 

 

Thirdly . 2nd hand .

 

You can score here so long as you do a bit of research etc

 

often guys really look after their stuff and you can get a lot of better components that are used .

 

 

 

Next , what kind of bike do you like setup wise ie cross country , race stance etc. the ride before you buy event helped me change my mind on a bike that i had my heart set on.

 

Try sit on a few different bikes to get a feel for their stances , and see what you like.

 

Try test ride if you can .. hope this may help a little bit

 

 

 

 

 

ps i have a hard tail (maybe )for sale . Has done a few races and has just clocked 1000km on it . good condition

 

 

 

LARGE 2008 raleigh rm7 carbon/alloy hybrid

 

 

 

Frame: HC Concept with Kinesis SuperlightAlloy and Carbon Tail / Fork: Rock Shox RebaRace 85mm / Shimano LX Groupset with XTRear Derailleur / DT Swiss X1800 Wheelset/ Shimano LX Disc Brake

 

new geax tires on her..

 

 

 

 

 

KiNgL2010-06-08 03:53:02