What MTB for +-11k?

[Edwin Watson]

Hey hubbers

 

I am wanting to buy a new bike in February, I currently have a really old frame thats like 10 years old and only has a one disk brake because of the upgraded front shock. I have been looking online for the last 4 months and been trying to get myself acquainted with all the specs of these bikes and whats a good deal and whats not but its still a bit confusing.

 

When I ride I love flying downhills which makes me want to get a dual sus but I struggle on the uphills which makes me think hard tail. Its really a difficult one for me,and when you look at the specs of the hard tail vs the Dual specs the hard tails always are much better speced. I also realise that my price rang does not really cater for the Dual sus range.

 

If you had R12k what would you buy?

 

Currently this is what I have been looking at new:

Hard tail

Scott Scale 60=R10800

Silverback spectra=R11000

Merida MATTS Lite 1000-D= R12500

Silverback Shift2=R13k

Scott Scale 50=R13500

 

 

Dual sus

Silverback slider= R11200

merida ONE-TWENTY 500-D=R12100

Scott spark 60=R13500

Nomad FS twenty=R13600 I know what you thinking and I am thinking it too

Silverback murcury 3(2011)=R13700

 

This is just a rough look at a few bikes in the price range,I have been eyeing out the Silverbacks because of the really good prices for the components but the Scott bikes really look nice. Is there any bike I should add to the list or even remove? I have added links for all the bikes so you can look at the specs.

 

Its really frustrating,I was only going to spend 8k max on a bike 4 months ago but the more I learn the specs the more the price goes up due to the better components which turns out to be worth it and from there the price has slowly climbed.

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated as always

[George Nel]

You can buy my GT Force 2 with sram x9 group for R10k?(full sus)

[Balsie]

It all depends on what kind of riding you are going to do. The mistake I made is that I also spent about 12k on a bike not knowing that in 6 months I was going to be totally obsessed with MTB!!I have now spent a small fortune on upgrades when it would have ben easier and cheaper to buy a decent spec bike first time out. What is decent? Well it depends how obsessed you become and what you can sell to feed the obsession...

 

If you can afford it I would look in the 20k dual suspension range. The extra 8k is definitly worth it and will save money in the long run. If you are just going to be a social once a week rider then the dual suspension silverback is good value for money. What I have said does not make sense now but if the bug bites you will understand.....

[Balsie]

Oh I meant the Silverback for 13.7k

[Edwin Watson]

You can buy my GT Force 2 with sram x9 group for R10k?(full sus)

Do you have a link to a fale page or anything and where do you stay? It says your location is Madagascar!

 

It all depends on what kind of riding you are going to do. The mistake I made is that I also spent about 12k on a bike not knowing that in 6 months I was going to be totally obsessed with MTB!!I have now spent a small fortune on upgrades when it would have ben easier and cheaper to buy a decent spec bike first time out. What is decent? Well it depends how obsessed you become and what you can sell to feed the obsession...

 

If you can afford it I would look in the 20k dual suspension range. The extra 8k is definitly worth it and will save money in the long run. If you are just going to be a social once a week rider then the dual suspension silverback is good value for money. What I have said does not make sense now but if the bug bites you will understand.....

Thanks Balsie for the reply,that is a worry and that is why my price has gone up by 5k in the last 4 months,I do however think I wont ride more than twice a week max though because I don't ride that much at the moment. So I take it you suggest me buying the dual sus? I really like the look of the Scott spark,is it not worth buying it over the Silverback?

 

I bought a silverback Alpine a few years ago and really couldn't get into it so have been riding a old diamondback,at the end of the day as everyone mentioned on this forum going and test driving these things is the best.

[Edwin Watson]

does anyone know the price of the Scott spark 50?

 

Edit: Found it,according to this site they 18k! Only if

Edited January 6, 2011 by Edwin Watson

[covie]

this is also a really good deal https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/93960-giant-anthem-x1-size-m/page__gopid__1274998

well on face value. But remember if you buy a dual sus put 1k aside to have the front / rear shock and the pivot's serviced immediatly regardless if the seller says its been done.

[Balsie]

Edwin,if you are not going to ride that often then yes any one of these bikes have a reasonable spec. I liked the Silverback because of the higher spec on the deraillers and the drivetrain.

 

On face value I think that Giant Anthem advertised is an awesome deal!! But as advised check it out properly... I ride giant so am a little biased. Have you looked at the price of the entry level giant anthem?

[rudi-h]

If I were you, I'd go dual sus, even if that means you have to eat baked beans for another month or two.

 

You don't want to spend 12k on a bike, and then think: "Man, those dual-sus bikes look so nice, wish I had one"

 

IMHO, in terms of components, I don't think there's much (except maybe for a bit of weight) of an advantage to go higher than LX / SLS / SRAM X7 on components, so I wouldn't pay an extra 2k for a bike with an XT rear deraileur and better shifters for instance.

[Starry nights]

I see (latest Bicycling mag) Morewood is bring out a ca R10 000 hardtail soon - the Yebo I think its called. Same sort of spects as the spectra by the looks of it?

[ZOINCS]

:thumbup:Scott scale 29er

my wish list but no budget!

[Balsie]

I am going to humbly disagree.....

 

The weight of XT is not why you buy XT in my opinion. XT is strong and very durable. After having LX DEORE before hand and breaking two RD,s and a couple of break levers I have benen riding XT for over a year and have not had a problem since so I believe it is worth the extra 2k.Maybe I should stop riding like a monkey Now XT to XTR is another argumenet all together....

[Chubba]

If I were you, I'd go dual sus, even if that means you have to eat baked beans for another month or two.

 

You don't want to spend 12k on a bike, and then think: "Man, those dual-sus bikes look so nice, wish I had one"

 

I agree. Go dual with a lock out shock (similar feel to a hardtail up hills) and spend your max budget. I went through 2 hardtails and 3 dual sus bikes in no time to get what i really wanted and felt good to me.

 

Buy used, like cars bikes have shocking resale value and you will be able to pick up a great deal on a used bike. Just ask someone in the know to check the bike out for you.

 

Finally ride everything, to find the feel your looking for, although you can post a list of bikes and get a good honest opinion, you will have to find the one that fits you perfectly, like a good pair of jocks!

Edited January 6, 2011 by Chubba

[covie]

I see (latest Bicycling mag) Morewood is bring out a ca R10 000 hardtail soon - the Yebo I think its called. Same sort of spects as the spectra by the looks of it?

 

Thats weird since morewood basically only does frames and then you can specify what components you would like in the build. Basically making each bike custom. The yebo is pretty much last year's kwela, they used the kwela name on the new HT 29'er.

 

Consdiering the kwela frame was between 5-7k last year its difficult to see how they will produce a spec'd bike for 10k.

[KiNgL]

mOST DEFINATELY A SOFT TAIL and out of the selection the merida 120 or the scot spark ...

both of those are awesome bikes... i have ridden both and that would be my choice..

the 120 in that white and red option looks verry sweet!

[Edwin Watson]

this is also a really good deal https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/93960-giant-anthem-x1-size-m/page__gopid__1274998

well on face value. But remember if you buy a dual sus put 1k aside to have the front / rear shock and the pivot's serviced immediatly regardless if the seller says its been done.

Thanks Covie,I am currently in Pretoria though so going and having a look at the bike is a bit difficult since its in CPT,I have been looking at the second hand bikes and you do seem to find good deals often but since I am a large most of the time the bargins are with the Smalls and Mediums...It must be horrible riding a XL and trying to find a 2nd hand bike as the almost none existent and when they do come up they snaped up fast from the look of things.

 

Edwin,if you are not going to ride that often then yes any one of these bikes have a reasonable spec. I liked the Silverback because of the higher spec on the deraillers and the drivetrain.

 

Have you looked at the price of the entry level giant anthem?

Agreed the SB really have superior specs compared to the others. I have looked at the price of the anthem x3 its the cheapest anthem and comes in at R22,800 which is just no where near what I can afford at this time or any time soon

 

I agree. Go dual with a lock out shock (similar feel to a hardtail up hills) and spend your max budget. I went through 2 hardtails and 3 dual sus bikes in no time to get what i really wanted and felt good to me.

 

Buy used, like cars bikes have shocking resale value and you will be able to pick up a great deal on a used bike. Just ask someone in the know to check the bike out for you.

 

Finally ride everything, to find the feel your looking for, although you can post a list of bikes and get a good honest opinion, you will have to find the one that fits you perfectly, like a good pair of jocks!

Thanks Chubba if a bike in my area and my size is listed in classieds I will check it out,currently watching the for sale section every few times a day in a feed so I am not missing to much

 

mOST DEFINATELY A SOFT TAIL and out of the selection the merida 120 or the scot spark ...

both of those are awesome bikes... i have ridden both and that would be my choice..

the 120 in that white and red option looks verry sweet!

The Scott I think looks the nicest,if I buy new I will take both for a ride including the Silverback. Hopefully there will be another Ride before you buy at fountains some time soon