newbie Posted July 12, 2006 Share Hi,Any suggestions on a entry level mtb for a lady rider wanting to get into the sport? I don't want to spend more than R3500 and am thinking to upgrade as I get the hang of it.I started looking about a week ago and boy am I confused . Never knew mtb is so technicalI am looking at the Trek 4300 wsd (Acera), Schwinn Mesa (sram sx-4), Schwinn Mesa GSD (Deore), Mongoose Tyax (Acera), Giant Rinkon (Alivio), Gary Fisher Wahoo (Acera), GT Avalanche 3.0 (Deore i think) and GT Avalanche 2.0 (Acera).I will also consider a second hand women specific bike, but can not find any on the web. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtrider Posted July 12, 2006 Share Most people will tell you to look for this groupset and that one . At the price range you looking at look very closely at the shock you get . This is the most expensive part to upgrade and if you get a decent shock at the start it will take u a long way . Of the list you supplied the GT's must go to the top . Gaint Rinkon is not a bad buy either . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 12, 2006 Share Hi Newbie dirt Rider gives some good advice regarding the front suspension. However one cannot say that GT must go to the top of the list without knowing and seeing what your specific needs are! Don't get me wrong Gt is a excellent bike. You have to go to your local bike dealer and ride each and everyone of these bikes on your shortlist. Even if it is in the parking area. I have found that the GT have a longer top tube relative to the other makes of bikes and thus does not suit me because I have a short torso! For you it may be completely different. So go and ride the bikes to make up your own mind on which one you are comfortable. Keep in mind the advice about the front suspension.After all the advice colour will then influence the final choice!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudsimus Posted July 12, 2006 Share I'll go the second hand way. Go to the shops, somewhere you'll get a decent bike. Dont get a bike thats specced below Deore, it just wont last and you wont get any pleasure out of the bike. Dont worry if you cant get a lockout fork you'll never use it anyway! The best bike I can recommend is the TREK 4500. Its got a Deore 9sp Group with a decent fork. They go for about R4000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomerSimpson Posted July 12, 2006 Share Hi Newbie,Also have a look at the Scott Reflex range, the geometry is very similar to the "women specific" Schwinns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted July 12, 2006 Share OK OK OK I still have that Merida Matts Sport 500 (18inch) available, so lets see:-1) It has Deore shifters and front der (tick)2) It has an XTR rear der (double tick?)3) It has a Manitou Axel Elite fork with rebound and lockout (double tick?)4) It has Shimano cable operated disc brakes (half a tick?)5) Has Shimano M525 SPD pedals (nice extra!)6) Has brand new gear and brake cables (also nice I guess!)All that for a mere 3000 ZAR's!!!!!PM me your e-mail for some photos if interested! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted July 12, 2006 Share That is a good price BB taking into the components, the rear derailer s/b a triple tick. Is the frame HFS or TFS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted July 12, 2006 Share HFS or TFS - huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbie Posted July 12, 2006 Share Thanks BB, with my limited knowledge it does look like a good price, but I think I will have to go for a smaller frame size (17" or smaller) as I am 1.68m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted July 12, 2006 Share newbie - cool it was an option and I hope if I'm lucky I'll get other queries from this postmud dee - must agree on the lockout, I have lockout on both my MTB's, if I do use it (very rare!) I often forget to unlock it and find myself with a rigid fork at the next major technical section and can't let go the bar to unlock it! I think for the bit of advantage it gives it is probably more hassle than it's worth for most recreational / semi-serious racers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big H Posted July 12, 2006 Share Newbie"Upgrading later" is a pipe dream fraught with disappointment. Most cyclists never ever get there. If you do your old and used framed bike costs you much more than the newer models with all the newer groupsets and techno bits. The frame will also be in the older fad colours of a few years back. My advice (maybe not the best) would be to stretch your buying abilities to the utmost and get the BEST bike you can. This means it may be more expensive than you can really afford but in the end it will be cheaper than upgrading over three years form now. I have seen to many cyclists fall into the trap of UPGRADE LATER!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now