Buying a bicycle

[badtrev]

Hey guys I'm looking for some advice on buying a bicycle.

The details:
I need a bike just for messing around with as my son wants me to ride with him, so not for super long rides or anything like that. I'm 1.84m tall so would a 26" or 29" be better?

Then onto brands - is it better to buy a brand new Raleigh or similar brand from Makro/Game for about a R1000 or get a bigger brand second hand bike?

Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[IzZzy]

You would need a large frame to begin with. 26er vs 29er is personal preference. I had a cheapy makro 26er to begin with. It was horrible. Moved to a Spez 29er, and the rolling difference between 26 inch and 29 inch means I will never go back.

Watch out for the makro brands. My "totem" appeared as if it had a front shock when in reality it doesn't work at all. The tube is actually pinched midway such that there is no scope for the shock to depress. (Now that I think about it, could actually constitute fraud).

Get a better, second hand bike. You will get better components and more bang for buck.

 

[ITCynic]

I have a second hand bike available ... I think it is a leJeune Frame and shimano gearing.

Not sure of your location but if you are in Cape Town PM your email address and I can send you some pictures

 

[TofuMofu]

Hey guys I'm looking for some advice on buying a bicycle.

The details:
I need a bike just for messing around with as my son wants me to ride with him, so not for super long rides or anything like that. I'm 1.84m tall so would a 26" or 29" be better?

Then onto brands - is it better to buy a brand new Raleigh or similar brand from Makro/Game for about a R1000 or get a bigger brand second hand bike?

Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I'm also 1.84m and I have a 29er.

I wouldn't go for a cheap Makro bike as those are quite heavy and not really ideal for mountain biking (not sure if this is what you want to do).

Get a secondhand bike (http://www.thehubsa.co.za/).

MTBing is a lot of fun though! You will enjoy it and won't regret the purchase

 

[Dubes]

Totally dependent on your needs. For "pavement cruises" anything with wheels will suffice but if the bug bites you will feel the need to upgrade VERY quickly!

29ers are the current "fad" (I put fad in inverted commas as we are getting to the point where you may soon not have a choice as many name brands are no longer producing 26" bikes and are now looking at 27.5" or 650B) but you may well pay a premium for them as a result of this. The 29ers have some advantages in certain conditions but, again, whether you will actually benefit from these is dependent on your usage.

R1000 is really not going to get you very much. You are talking total entry level components there with v-brakes and heavy wheels.

 

[Chicken Boo]

Increase your budget, R1000 is going to buy you more headaches than bicycle. As noted, stay away from Makro-type specials.
26 v 29 - go try some on at a bike ship and see what you prefer.

 

[badtrev]

Thanks guys for the info. From what I've seen R1000 is definitely a bit low for something decent. I have seen a used Trek 4300 alpha for R1600. I don't know its exact condition. Also what would one check on a used bike?

 

[TofuMofu]

Thanks guys for the info. From what I've seen R1000 is definitely a bit low for something decent. I have seen a used Trek 4300 alpha for R1600. I don't know its exact condition. Also what would one check on a used bike?

Take it for a ride. Make sure it doesn't make any funny sounds.

Also check for cracks in the frame and push down on the shocks to make sure they work fine.

Make sure you can use both brakes and that all the gears work.

Bikes will have scratches...if it doesn't then it wasn't used

 

[badtrev]

Thanks. Another question about brands I see that Avalanche bikes are in the price range of about 2.5K brand new. Are they any good? Or is still better to go for a brand such as Giant, Trek, etc. secondhand?

 

[HeftyCrab]

look for a nice second hand giant boulder or the like. Silverback also make some good value bikes. Keep an eye out and youll get a nice one in the R1000-R1500 range. Only problem could be finding one that fits you.