Budget mountain bike

[Pitbull]

Thanks. I'll certainly look there as well over time.

Just know from the Weekend and Photography threads that there are quite a few cyclists on here who can share their knowledge.

Just putting my toes in the water for now.

Sure [MENTION=42842]Rouxenator[/MENTION] will be here soon, I tagged him. I can't help but he seems to know cycling

 

[APoc184]

Sure [MENTION=42842]Rouxenator[/MENTION] will be here soon, I tagged him. I can't help but he seems to know cycling

Thanks yeah. He is one of the ones mentioned in the Weekend and Photo threads.

I know LancelotSA aka ClintZA was an avid cyclist too. I still see him regularly on Twitter. Might even reach out there if push comes to shove.

 

[Rouxenator]

At the moment I am riding the best bike I ever had, and the first one I bought used. As suggested earlier check out the classifieds on Bikehub, however some folks over there want way to much so you might want to offset that with a Gumtree search. My cousin recently got back into cycling and got a awesome deal on Gumtree. I will gladly give you my opinion on a bike if you have on in mind.

Make sure you know what size of frame you will need, I rode L for quite some time before realising I am actually too tall and need to be on a XL. So for the last two years I have clocked up more than 18,000km on a used 2014 Silverback Sola 1.

Keep future upgrades in mind, many people are switching to x1 (one by) or single chain ring cranks so you want at least a 9 speed at the back. Having a tapered headset / steerer also improves ride quality.

Thanks for the tag [MENTION=71274]Pitbull[/MENTION]

 

[APoc184]

Thanks Roux.

Interest sake. How tall are you?

I'm 186cm so what sizes would I be looking at?

 

[Rouxenator]

Same here, go for XL.

What's your budget?

 

[Adenoid Hynkel]

Thanks Roux.

Interest sake. How tall are you?

I'm 186cm so what sizes would I be looking at?

XL.

However, I know a few peeps that are 185-189 and they ride a L. I'm 192 and ride a XL where sales people told me to go XXL.

Go into a shop and sit on a few etc. Pretend you want to buy one etc, then go shopping on gumtree or bikehub.

 

[APoc184]

Same here, go for XL.

What's your budget?

Nice guide. Thanks.

That's the type of stuff and advice I was looking to have a look at to begin with.

Budget is not set really. I usually find that my initial budget grows as I learn more about the variety of products, benefits etc.

But lets say I wouldn't mind to spend less than R5k if I decide on a slightly better than basic setup. If I keep in mind that weightlifting and HIIT cardio will remain my main fitness program. Cycling more for enjoyment with the kids and perhaps eventually some halfass training and a race or two for the hell of it.

XL.

However, I know a few peeps that are 185-189 and they ride a L. I'm 192 and ride a XL where sales people told me to go XXL.

Go into a shop and sit on a few etc. Pretend you want to buy one etc, then go shopping on gumtree or bikehub.

Thanks. Will certainly be "test driving" in shops before I buy to double check size and stuff like that.

But at this stage I am still slowly trying to wrap my head around everything from sizes, front and back gears thingies, shocks or not... and... and... and.

Back in my school days (when I last too to the pedals) only the rich kids had bikes with shocks and thingies and they actually felt like a gimmick back then to be honest.

 

[Rouxenator]

XL.

However, I know a few peeps that are 185-189 and they ride a L. I'm 192 and ride a XL where sales people told me to go XXL.

Go into a shop and sit on a few etc. Pretend you want to buy one etc, then go shopping on gumtree or bikehub.

LMAO, LBS knows they make more on service than on sales. Last week I paid R1800 for a full service, ok they did replace the free hub. But the work I could do by myself on a Sunday morning, strip, clean, lube, assemble.. BB, headset, Seat post, Axles.... You know.

XXL - good luck - thus far the one I know if is Santa Cruz which one of my in laws rides. Stuff it, I love my cheapie XL. Most of the work I do myself anyway. These are the cheapest modes of transport to take you to amazing places.

Edit : All bikes have front shocks. I ride hard tails which means there is no shock at the back, you also get full suspension bikes with a rear shock too. These are way more pricey and the maintenance is also higher.

 

[Jehosefat]

In terms of frame size it really depends on the manufacturer as well. I have 3 bikes from different manufacturers and they all have different frame sizes (L, XL and XXL). For reference I'm 1.9m tall.

Honestly, you're unlikely to get much for R5k unless you get very lucky. Cycling is very expensive unfortunately.

 

[APoc184]

Will certainly be hopping on a few different brands and frames as I pass by the shops to get a better gauge and feel of the size I will need.

Like I said. Budget is not really set. I barely have a clue what bikes cost these days and as I learn more I will also start to get a better idea of pricing.

But I'm sure I will find something cheapish for my purposes. I am not looking to go pro or do races/courses every weekend. Purely for fun and something else and extra.

 

[Rouxenator]

Used you could get something not too bad. I sold a Scott aspect earlier this year for R5k : https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/290143-scott-aspect-940-large/

My Silverback was R9k used and it is way better than the new R15k Giant Talon I had before.

I am very temped to try a local brand for my next bike so Momsen is on my radar, this does not look too bad : https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-mountai...-29er-mountain-bike/1002655326980911180834309

There is also this entry level Vida 4, pity about the straight steerer, but having destroyed 2 French frames (Peugeot) 3 Americans (GT) and 2 Tiawanese (Giant) I am yet to crack the German (Silverback). https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-mountai...ess-conversion-done/1002590761230910003575409

 

[APoc184]

Used you could get something not too bad. I sold a Scott aspect earlier this year for R5k : https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/290143-scott-aspect-940-large/

My Silverback was R9k used and it is way better than the new R15k Giant Talon I had before.

I am very temped to try a local brand for my next bike so Momsen is on my radar, this does not look too bad : https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-mountai...-29er-mountain-bike/1002655326980911180834309

There is also this entry level Vida 4, pity about the straight steerer, but having destroyed 2 French frames (Peugeot) 3 Americans (GT) and 2 Tiawanese (Giant) I am yet to crack the German (Silverback). https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-mountai...ess-conversion-done/1002590761230910003575409

Those all look very nice and pretty. (lolz my current knowledge of bikes stretch to aesthetics)

Quick search on my side of the country for bikes also popped up a few in the R5k range. Luckily not in a hurry at all.

Did start reading up a bit about wheel sizes, brakes and pedals so slowly but surely starting to understand more about what the fancy descriptions in the ads mean and what it entails.

 

[Rouxenator]

I still ride normal flat pedals on my MTB, I do have cleats on my road bike but people are slowly but surely going back to flats off road. This is sure to start a flame war, but really, 29er is the only way to go. As for brakes any hydraulic disc brakes will do.

Took me two years before I understood most of the lingo, so don't feel stupid of you ask. That is the only way you will learn.

 

[schuits]

This thread sommer makes me want to upgrade. I'm riding a 18ish year old Giant Terrago that weight a tonne.
I rode a buddies cube fully once, flip weight makes a difference.

 

[Rouxenator]

Those old Terragos are pretty neat bikes, you might want to hold onto it. Interestingly that line is still going, or has been revived in the last few years : https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/terrago-29er-2-ge

 

[schuits]

Those old Terragos are pretty neat bikes, you might want to hold onto it. Interestingly that line is still going, or has been revived in the last few years : https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/terrago-29er-2-ge

Don't get me wrong. It's a bulletproof bike! It's been all over europe, and I think I serviced it once.

 

[APoc184]

I still ride normal flat pedals on my MTB, I do have cleats on my road bike but people are slowly but surely going back to flats off road. This is sure to start a flame war, but really, 29er is the only way to go. As for brakes any hydraulic disc brakes will do.

Took me two years before I understood most of the lingo, so don't feel stupid of you ask. That is the only way you will learn.

Thanks for putting up with the noob.

Yeah not looking to go the cleat route. Especially with the kids it will be lots of stop start cycling.

From the bits I've read up I understand that the 29er will be for a more comfortable ride and especially for easier obstacle clearance. I see some bikes on the classifieds are 27.5ers. Also okay I guess?

And last question before I venture off on my own for more reading here and there. Any specific component, bike or even brand to completely avoid?
How is Titan? Just noticed them on the Sportman's website while I was browsing for a new pull-up bar. So thought I would ask.

 

[NG21]

Hi, I have been reading this thread and just realized that my knee agony might have been caused by buying cheap bikes.

Started cycling now and then back in 2016 using a Raleigh bike, last year I bought a Cubix(very cheap) and wasn't happy about it after first ride since I had to return it back for minor fixes all the time. After doing +/-90kms on weekends I started to feel some pain on my knees that Drs are unable to heal. Still suffering from the pain for at least 5 months now, I want to return to cycling and change my bike.

Can anyone suggest a place where I can buy a reasonably priced mountain bike?

 

[Rouxenator]

Rather stick to 29er, the other sizes like 27.5 are just there to cash in on "rarer" or "we have to order stock" parts. Go with the standard and that is 29er right now. Actually it makes sense because the inner diameter is the same to a normal road bike. I have at some stage been able to replace broken spokes on my road bike and 29er MTB using the same spokes.


Titan is pretty good, with me wanting to buy local they are from SA so I would consider them as well. You might find the more up market crowd looking down at Sunrace or Suntour, but there is really nothing wrong with them.

Avoid bikes from Game and Makro though - they are of poor quality and poorly assembled. Sportsmans wharehouse bikes are OK but I would still take them to a local bike shop not long after purchase to have a proper bike mechanic give them a once over. Earlier this week I browsed the bikes on Sportsman's and some of those Titans look good to me if I had to buy a cheapie right now. Even then I would still try to buy it from a reputable bike shop instead just to get a better build.

 

[Username:]

At the moment you will get much more bike for your money getting a Secondhand 26” bike compared to 29”

But if you want to upgrade later on you will struggle to sell the 26” again