Bike suggestions

[stev0]

Ive recently sold my dirtbike and im looking to keep the legs busy if you know what I mean. I bought my fiance a bike about 2 years ago and its got about 15km on it. The whole idea was for me to get a bike, but I just never got around to it.

 

Now here's the thing. Im looking for a d/suspension bike. Im thinking of going the downhill/freeride/cross country route, but one thing is needed and that it has to be tough. No point in landing a 2meter drop off and the forks snap off. I can see me riding around bainskloof and du toits kloof, mainly Forrest and mountain trails. I wont be doing downhill per se, but Ill be riding similar terrain.

 

 

Ive popped into City cycles and all they want to sell me are bikes, just regular bikes with flimsy suspension (can I call it that?)Mind you, I did say I did not want to pay more than about R10k. As we all know how quickly bikes de-valuate, I though about buying a kitted out bike that's a couple of years older with better and stronger parts on it.

 

My questions

 

Im tall. 1.95

Im heavy , 110kg but moving down to the 100kg mark wont be that hard. (who am I kidding)

im guessing I would need a L/ XL?

 

Are downhill bikes sized like regular bikes? Would a downhill bike do for regular XC riding with the fiance (slow, smell the flowers stuff?)

 

I see some fully specced GT chuckers for little money. They are heavy though... Would they do?

 

 

Ideas and suggestions please.

[MXkid77]

If i were you, i would look at a freeride rather than a all mountain. My suggestion would be the Mongoose Khyber. It's got about 6 or 7 inches of travel and is a great all rounder. Dual chain ring up front with bash guard and chain tensioner.

 

You can get a new 2008 model here for a rediculous price, and it's decently spec'd.

 

http://www.obike.co.za/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=120&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

[stev0]

great bike, what about something like the GT IT-1? Had great reviews as a Freeride / DH bike?

 

Even though that gear setup looks a little weird!

 

http://bmxmuseum.com/image/gtit1_lg.jpg

[stev0]

While not a downhill or a XC bike,

 

a guy called me this morning about his TREK Y-Carbon after I sent him a mail about it asking for more info.

 

The add reads:

 

Mens Large Size TREK Carbon Y- Frame Dual Suspension Mountain Bike with handlebar-mounted rear suspension lock-out. Deore XT components SPINERGY Super Lite Wheels

 

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/110123/979r1/0901bm4_20.jpeg

 

He wants 4.5k.

[Ceres]

Get a giant trance, bit over your budget but its a good all rounder. You don't want to get a down hill bike then struggle cross country. I think you won't have a problem with rough stuff on a trance it has good travel.

[Nikolais]

I would say you should go for a strong All-mountain bike like a Giant Trance or Mongoose Khyber (As Ceres and MXKid recommended).

There are also a few Giant AC's for sale on Gumtree.

 

What you are looking for is a bike with 5-6" of rear travel and 5-6" of front travel - preferably with disc Brakes.

 

Full suspension bikes are excellent for all-round riding, but you start to feel it when putting in long hours in the saddle. But.... technical advancements have been made and All-Mountain bikes have become lighter and more efficient when pedaling. (Some suspension designs tend to sap all your energy while pedaling, so test ride a bike before making any decisions)

 

You could also look at a strong Hardtail Trail bike (No rear suspension), this will suit trailriding perfectly

See below for a suggestion

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/98013-jumper-160mm-travel/page__p__1324101__hl__dmr__fromsearch__1#entry1324101

 

But I do think that because you come from MX a full suspension bike would be better suited to you.

 

If you do find a deal on a bike that you are considering, then post it here and get some more opinions before making a purchase. The people on The Hub are extremely helpful.

Remember that sellers may try to talk you into the purchase when they find out that you are new to MTB - so dont make any rash decisions.

 

Nothing against the person selling the Trek, but that is quite an old bike and the parts are rather dated.

The Trek will also only have 4" travel front and rear - but this may suit you fine.... It all depends on how far you want to go with MTB.

[Nikolais]

The GT IT-1 is a really nice DH/Freeride bike but will be pretty much useless for Cross Country (XC).

[The Drongo]

SteveO

 

For that budget look at Mongoose, or GT.

They are strong frames, usually come with decent spec components.

The 2009 and 2010 Khyber is a good buy.

 

Look for a frame with about 140mm adjustable travel fork, and if possible a rear shock travel adjust setting. Then get a gas adjustable seatpost.

 

You can then huck the dropoffs and go smell the daisys all in the same day.

 

 

(and loose the 10!!)

 

Enjoy.

Edited February 18, 2011 by The Drongo

[stev0]

Thanks for the reply guys. There is a guy selling his Reign on here with upgrades for 13k and then without for about R8k Would it be that much better spending the extra 4k now than upgrading it piece by piece?

 

Anybody know much about the KOna Coiler bikes? They look like they can take some abuse?

[stev0]

There is a "like new" 21inch Avalanche GT2.0 forsale for like R4500-00. Should I put in an offer of R3k?

 

 

Perhaps its could be a nice little starter bike with money available for longer travel forks.?

[The Drongo]

There is a "like new" 21inch Avalanche GT2.0 forsale for like R4500-00. Should I put in an offer of R3k?

 

 

Perhaps its could be a nice little starter bike with money available for longer travel forks.?

 

If its like for sale on the Hub like, then you have already like put in the offer for 3K then like, haven't ya like?

 

Put it in dude. NICE BIKES.

 

Then go have some FUN.

 

(**Leaves for lunch**)

[Edge_Design]

That's a very big array of bikes you're asking about as well as price range... Rather pick a type of bike and a price range and then wait for something to come along that suits you rather than rushing off to buy something you won't enjoy. The Trek Y-frame is from far too many years ago and probably worth about R2,5k IMO and wouldn't handle much abuse. The GT looks expensive and looks like a full DH rig (I may be wrong here) and the Avalanche is a normal entry level XC bike. Completely different bikes...

 

If you can afford R10k or so and want to ride hard then rather use that to get a 140mm+ dual susser with decent components that will handle the abuse (replacing parts adds up very quickly so don't buy something which has already been abused and not maintained properly!). You don't want a full DH bike if you want to do normal riding comfortably so long travel XC or a lightweight freeride bike is the best option. Not many bikes are going to break if you hammer them around, they're just not going to be as much fun to do it on - we used to do Tokai's single track with no suspension at all and managed pretty well (not advisable for 2 metre drop-offs though!).

 

That Mongoose looks like a very good deal for your purposes... Otherwise maybe post a wanted ad for one of the Giant's mentioned.

[Edge_Design]

Oh, and putting longer travel forks on a bike not designed for them is probably not a good option, will just mess up the geometry and make it unpleasant to ride...

[stev0]

That's a very big array of bikes you're asking about as well as price range... Rather pick a type of bike and a price range and then wait for something to come along that suits you rather than rushing off to buy something you won't enjoy. The Trek Y-frame is from far too many years ago and probably worth about R2,5k IMO and wouldn't handle much abuse. The GT looks expensive and looks like a full DH rig (I may be wrong here) and the Avalanche is a normal entry level XC bike. Completely different bikes...

 

If you can afford R10k or so and want to ride hard then rather use that to get a 140mm+ dual susser with decent components that will handle the abuse (replacing parts adds up very quickly so don't buy something which has already been abused and not maintained properly!). You don't want a full DH bike if you want to do normal riding comfortably so long travel XC or a lightweight freeride bike is the best option. Not many bikes are going to break if you hammer them around, they're just not going to be as much fun to do it on - we used to do Tokai's single track with no suspension at all and managed pretty well (not advisable for 2 metre drop-offs though!).

 

That Mongoose looks like a very good deal for your purposes... Otherwise maybe post a wanted ad for one of the Giant's mentioned.

 

 

Thanks for the info!

 

on a used bike budget of about 4.5k ( dropped it down as Ive suddenly gotten some sense :)Right now there is no need for me to spend 10k + on a weekend bike... yEt.)

 

Ive come across the following

 

Mongoose tyax comp T6061 T6

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/101122/543r9/7761h8h_19.jpeg

 

Avelanche GT2

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/110215/642r5/2952inm_19.jpeg

 

Silverback Phoenix

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/110216/481r1/8068hh4_19.jpeg

[stev0]

Never mind, I was just told that with even moderate XC riding the above bikes wont last and those Dart 2 front shocks are horrible.