W@nna-BE Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 (edited) hi All, I am a newbie to the forum and too cycling!i have taken the challenge and i am going to try my best to complete the 94.7 Cycle Challenge..... i am looking to buy my first MT Bikei have got the list down to 2....Merida MATTS TFS 100 or the Giant Terrago Discplease could i have some info/advise etc on my decision, unfortunately i am not experienced enough to compare components specs. each bike is at a different shop so obviously both places will punt their product as the best.... please help thanks!! Edited February 9, 2011 by W@nna-BE
gravel_fodder Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 hey bro, welcome to the sport! thanks for the tip on the bikes - i've been looking for a bike for a friend and the spec on the giant looks pretty good for a starter. I think i saw that merida yesterday for about R4,5k but if the giant is the same price i'd say go for the giant. what prices are they asking and where? thanks, Mark ps, if you're already thinking about the 94.7 you shouldnt have any worries about finishing it!
Choppie Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 When I bought my wife a bike I was looking at the same bikes but also a Silverback. All 3 with more or less the same specs. When I took her to choose between those 3 bikes, the last one we viewed was the Merida Matts TFS 100, she just made up her mind right there and then. But that was just her personal preference although nothing wrong with the Giant. The only thing I can find wrong with the Merida is the saddle. Not made for long distances, but that's easy to change.
W@nna-BE Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 thanks guys!pricing is around the following: Giant - R 5800 including helmet,gloves,shorts Merida is about R 5200 at cycle lab...... i love the look of the merida, i have been told the Giant Terrado has better spec'd components overall? showeee..... tough tough decisions!!
Nivatus Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 A mate of mine just started riding and he bought the Merida TFS-100. He reckons it was a great buy and he seems happy with it. I also ride a Merida, so Merida all the way. Just change the seat.
andretraut Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Can't go wrong with the Merida...awesome bikes and they are also tops in the 'looks' department. Just remember that CycleLab will throw in a free service plan, which could come in handy. Welcome to the Hub and to the addictive sport of cycling. If you get hooked, you will soon be cruising on a top-end full suspension carbon baby...maybe a Merida 96 3000D or something similar, but until then, enjoy your new purchase, which ever you choose!
Stray Cat Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 I vote for the Merida....Ive got a 96 3000D and two of my mates have the TFS 100 and they have had no complaints so far....the TFS 100 also seems to be pretty bulletproof which is a good thing for your first buy Enjoy the riding dude and I hope to see you at the 94.7 later in the year
W@nna-BE Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 wow seems merida is the way too go, i really thought the giant terrago would have been the recommended bike - then again i have not seen the meriva in real life so maybe thats why thanks again guys!
W@nna-BE Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 now to throw a spanner in the works, should i buy the merida mountain bike or look at a road bike - i know the road bikes are alot more limited then the road bikes and our roads are really not safe at all. i have been told the 94.7 will be a hell of alot easier on a road bike +\-60 min difference in completion time ??
Bennie Dikwiel Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 now to throw a spanner in the works, should i buy the merida mountain bike or look at a road bike - i know the road bikes are alot more limited then the road bikes and our roads are really not safe at all. i have been told the 94.7 will be a hell of alot easier on a road bike +\-60 min difference in completion time ??Think of a MTB as a 4x4. Although it is intended for off-road, you can still use it on the road. If you are only buying one, buy the MTB.
W@nna-BE Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 thanks Bennie,unfortunately i can only buy one, not even that at the moment anyways hahah - still saying! i have been told if i put a set of slicks on it will improve the road riding
Breezer Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Ek het n Schwinn , Merida tfs 100 en n Titan toetsbestuur. Die Merida is baie stadig van die merk af. Dit voel regtig of die fiets nie wegkom nie. Dit is die mooiste 1 van almal, maar ek stel voor jy ry eers n draai met 1. Ek belowe jou jy sal die verskil voel as jy sit en hard trap.
Bennie Dikwiel Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 i have been told if i put a set of slicks on it will improve the road riding MAJOR improvement. I recently did the Herald 105KM road (after doing the MTB 65 the previous day) in 3H28 on MTB slicks. On regular XC tyres you could add 20-30 min on that time. Just don't stay on the road, the view is so much better off-road! BTW I have the TFS400.
Zerin Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 I have a MTB and I ride on the roads and off road. And I enter road races on it... do not want a road bike right now. I have two sets of wheels (one set slick, one set for off road) which makes it easy to switch over depending on where I go and ride on that given day. I also enter MTB rides often too, so it gives me the freedom of both. I am a casual recreational rider and if you are aiming for the casual thing, then you cannot go wrong on a MTB.
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