Any mountain bikers?

Remember to get a shorts with the best (most expensive) chamois for a improved comfort. Also sunglasses are a must with the warmer days coming up.
 
ClintZA said:
...and even more who just think they are pros and above answering questions of those new to the sport.

I mentioned on the other MTB advice thread that now is a great time to be looking as many shops will be clearing out their 2012 models to make way for the 2013 models so you could well pick up some bargains. Ask about these.

On the Hub they usually recommend budgeting a large amount for shoes, kit and a fancy helmet and the like too. I say screw that. Get on a bike with takkies, a t-shirt and a cheapo helmet (studies have shown that cheap is just as good at protecting you - expensive usually adds more vents and is therefore cooler) and enjoy yourself. If the bug catches and you feel the need to keep up with the Joneses then you can start spending the money. If it does not then you have not "wasted" money on all these peripherals.

I will also caution against the upgrade of components route as more often than not you will find that the sum of the parts is far greater than the price of a new higher spec bike. In all likelihood you'll see a new frame in a few years that takes your fancy anyway.
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Called a couple of stores re 2012 models but they say they only have 2013. Might be bullsh****ng me just to get that extra cash though.
 
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I would probably say the Merida, but the group on that bike is not great. 2nd hand on the hub would get you by far the best deal.
It would cost quite a lot more new but shimano LX would be the lowest I would go for.
 
MOwrt said:
Called a couple of stored re 2012 models but they say they only have 2013. Might be bullsh****ng me just to get that extra cash though.
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Look out for specific shops that clear the older models. Most of the bigger name shops will return those and sell the new models (or so it appears to be the case from what I have seen). Some seem to trade in those older models. I spotted a brand new 2011 Silverback model being cleared by a shop in Jhb on the Hub (yeah, it can be useful) in November 2011. They were selling it for R4,5k whereas the normal price was R7k. In the 2nd hand section someone was trying to sell their old Silverback of the same model for R5k....

I often wonder to myself whether those on the Hub punt the second hand bikes so much as many of them are sellers of the said 2nd hand bikes.
 
ClintZA said:
I will also caution against the upgrade of components route as more often than not you will find that the sum of the parts is far greater than the price of a new higher spec bike. In all likelihood you'll see a new frame in a few years that takes your fancy anyway.
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I was warned about this as well, generally speaking the upgrading only comes into play when talking about higher-end bikes.
 
Breaker187 said:
I was warned about this as well, generally speaking the upgrading only comes into play when talking about higher-end bikes.
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All I'm looking for is something to get me started and that wont break after one fall. What makes a groupset good anyway?
 
MOwrt said:
All I'm looking for is something to get me started and that wont break after one fall. What makes a groupset good anyway?
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Basically you get (and I am talking Shimano here as it is the brand I am more familiar with, the other is SRAM) your real entry level components that are made to go on bikes that sell at Game and Makro and are meant for those who wish to cruise along the beachfront or ride to the park. They are not meant to take a beating and weight is not an issue. I stand to be corrected as things move on quick but the real entry level is Tourney components. Others used are Altus and Acera. I have always regarded Alivio as belonging in the entry level group too but many place it one level up. You may get by with Alivio though if you are really just looking for a starting point.

My recommendation is to try and get Deore components if you wish to do some trail riding and might be at risk from roots, branches and rocks etc. It is unlikely you will need anything above this in the hierarchy but if you can get a bike with them on for cheap then so be it. I tend to feel (and I have not studied it as I do not dabble in that area) that with the top end components you end up sacrificing durability for weight savings as those guys look to save every possible gram.

So what you are looking for is durability and of course the spin off of smoother shifting. Nothing worse than not finding that gear when you need it. As a reference point my bike, that I mentioned cost me R4.5k has a Deore front derailleur and an SLX shadow rear derailleur.
 
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ClintZA said:
Basically you get (and I am talking Shimano here as it is the brand I am more familiar with, the other is SRAM) your real entry level components that are made to go on bikes that sell at Game and Makro and are meant for those who wish to cruise along the beachfront or ride to the park. They are not meant to take a beating and weight is not an issue. I stand to be corrected as things move on quick but the real entry level is Tourney components. Others used are Altus and Acera. I have always regarded Alivio as belonging in the entry level group too but many place it one level up. You may get by with Alivio though if you are really just looking for a starting point.

My recommendation is to try and get Deore components if you wish to do some trail riding and might be at risk from roots, branches and rocks etc. It is unlikely you will need anything above this in the hierarchy but if you can get a bike with them on for cheap then so be it. I tend to feel (and I have not studied it as I do not dabble in that area) that with the top end components you end up sacrificing durability for weight savings as those guys look to save every possible gram.

So what you are looking for is durability and of course the spin off of smoother shifting. Nothing worse than not finding that gear when you need it. As a reference point my bike, that I mentioned cost me R4.5k has a Deore front derailleur and an SLX shadow rear derailleur.
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Thanks will keep this in mind
 
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Just to throw a spanner in the works a number of the sites you referenced do not refer to the components by their names but rather model numbers (and they tend to do this more with the lower end components - possibly to fool the unweary ;). A quick search will often reveal the actual name. For instance the Silverback you showed has a Deore rear with a Shimano M311 front. A search reveals that the Shimano M311 is an Altus component.

The rear is far more important though and you can get away with the entry level front derailleur.

EDIT : Oops, also just picked up that you linked to the wrong stride. The 20 has Altus rear and Tourney front... not great.


How much have you been quoted for that bike? A mate picked up the Silverback Vida 5 29er 2012 model for R5.5k at a shop here in Durbs. Told him to go for it.
 
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ClintZA said:
Just to throw a spanner in the works a number of the sites you referenced do not refer to the components by their names but rather model numbers (and they tend to do this more with the lower end components - possibly to fool the unweary ;). A quick search will often reveal the actual name. For instance the Silverback you showed has a Deore rear with a Shimano M311 front. A search reveals that the Shimano M311 is an Altus component.

The rear is far more important though and you can get away with the entry level front derailleur.

EDIT : Oops, also just picked up that you linked to the wrong stride. The 20 has Altus rear and Tourney front... not great.


How much have you been quoted for that bike? A mate picked up the Silverback Vida 5 29er 2012 model for R5.5k at a shop here in Durbs. Told him to go for it.
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The one I linked is the correct one. Should be Stride 10 not 20.
 
Go & ride them if you can.

Whichever bike you choose, just go out & have fun.

One word of warning: If the bug bites, watch out. It can consume you! :twisted:
 
Budza said:
:eek: Mad Hatter indeed! You'll boil your brain, even with a downhill full-face helmet. For cross-country, or almost all cycling, a standard helmet should be sufficient.


Time in the saddle is key. Enjoy!

PS: Tokai has a entry fee, payable at the camping area before you get to the Arboretum.
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the debate between an MX helmet and a full face DH helmet has been going on for quite a while now in the industry and each to their own there i guess. Yes your standard helmets will do but honestly I have seen too many ugly crashes with the normal helmets compared to the full face helmets. Ok if you going to ride slow and not plan on falling much then OP should go ahead and get a normal one but to me I will not ride without a full face helmet, whether I boil or not. In my opinion safety over heat, not that i get really hot with my MX helmet anyway, maybe im just used to it and also for me personally it didn't make sense to go buy other helmets as i ride MX bikes so might as well use the MX helmet I already own and not waste more cash.

Just to also put it out there, I have had plenty crashes on the downhill runs but never once with an MX helmet have I had a head/face injury.
 
MOwrt said:
Called a couple of stores re 2012 models but they say they only have 2013. Might be bullsh****ng me just to get that extra cash though.
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2012 models will not be cheaper than 2013 as they get phased out middle of the year. As for price, well I've seen no difference. You will find that a 2013 model will have a better component and as such the price will increase, or they might downgrade a model to make room for a new range and then price decreases.

There are some wonderful bike shops (we call them LBS - Local Bike Sore) in Cape Town:
* Olympic Cycles, Lansdowne Road
* CWC, Bellville
* Action Cycles, Cape Town CBD

These are all great stores to shop around ad. My wife is currently saving up for her MTB and we have had the best prices and service at these mentioned stores.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
2012 models will not be cheaper than 2013 as they get phased out middle of the year. As for price, well I've seen no difference. You will find that a 2013 model will have a better component and as such the price will increase, or they might downgrade a model to make room for a new range and then price decreases.

There are some wonderful bike shops (we call them LBS - Local Bike Sore) in Cape Town:
* Olympic Cycles, Lansdowne Road
* CWC, Bellville
* Action Cycles, Cape Town CBD

These are all great stores to shop around ad. My wife is currently saving up for her MTB and we have had the best prices and service at these mentioned stores.
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Does anyone recommend Cycle Trader in Woodstock and maybe getting a second hand bike. I've quite a bit about them.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
2012 models will not be cheaper than 2013 as they get phased out middle of the year. As for price, well I've seen no difference. You will find that a 2013 model will have a better component and as such the price will increase, or they might downgrade a model to make room for a new range and then price decreases.
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With all due respect, you talk rubbish. Sorry a little rude but I sat trying to work out how else to put it :)

As mentioned, I personally bought a Silverback Phoenix 2011 model in November 2011 from Leewees Cycles in JHB for R4,500. At the time new ones were STILL selling elsewhere for R7k and a second hand one was on the Hub for R4.5k. And to back this argument up even more a mate of mine bought himself a 2012 Silverback Vida 5 for R5.5k from a shop in Durban a few weeks back. I cannot vouch for the usual price as most places online now show them as being out of stock. Of course, there is unlikely to be a proliferation of these old models as most shops to not keep vast quantities of stock but they are around.

Secondly, the middle of the year is not the norm to get the new 2013 range. I just spoke to a chap at Specialized, not a name drop but to check my facts, and he said this year was abnormal for them as there was a stock shortage of 2012 models due to change of importers into SA so they ran out and started getting the 2013 models in August on the low end bikes but the top end are still only arriving in now. I asked about the sale of 2012 models and he said with the stock shortages there is very little this year but it is usual to clear towards the end of the year. Remember he is just talking about Specialized but at the lower end this is probably even more relevant as more stock is held.

Finally, you will often find that it is not merely an upgrade of the old bike but a range may be discontinued, so the newer model might be totally different. This is particularly relevant with the proliferation of 29ers. The same chap just confirmed that they do still have some 2012 26" Specialized bikes in the warehouse that they are selling at R13k, normal price R17k. The same thing happened with my Phoenix. It is no longer part of the Silverback range so it is not as easy as saying the 2012 model was an improvement on mine. No doubt they would have had a replacement of some sort but not my same bike.


Apologies for being argumentative but when someone corrects something I say when I know it to be true I need to point it out :)
 
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So it looks like I am going to get myself a Schwinn Moab Elite. Anyone have any thoughts on this bike?
 
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