Cycling

Is there a specific brand of bicycle to avoid? I am looking at 2nd hand marketplace and the prices are whack. R40,000 for a "titan" seems like a waste what is that even never heard of them. I want to take part in offroad events if that makes any difference in the bicycle choice. I have not owned a bicycle other than my racing bike than was stolen 25 years ago.
 
Din Viesel said:
Is there a specific brand of bicycle to avoid? I am looking at 2nd hand marketplace and the prices are whack. R40,000 for a "titan" seems like a waste what is that even never heard of them. I want to take part in offroad events if that makes any difference in the bicycle choice. I have not owned a bicycle other than my racing bike than was stolen 25 years ago.
Click to expand...

Titan are actually great, my BIL has a full carbon Cypher with Shimano XT gear and for the R30k he paid, it is absolutely brilliant. You can always stick with the better known brands like Trek, Scott, GT, Colnago, Pinarello, Giant, etc. but there is a premium attached which I don't believe is always worth it.
 
Neuk_ said:
Titan are actually great, my BIL has a full carbon Cypher with Shimano XT gear and for the R30k he paid, it is absolutely brilliant. You can always stick with the better known brands like Trek, Scott, GT, Colnago, Pinarello, Giant, etc. but there is a premium attached which I don't believe is always worth it.
Click to expand...
No Cannondale on your list? :mad:

*spits*
 
Din Viesel said:
Is there a specific brand of bicycle to avoid? I am looking at 2nd hand marketplace and the prices are whack. R40,000 for a "titan" seems like a waste what is that even never heard of them. I want to take part in offroad events if that makes any difference in the bicycle choice. I have not owned a bicycle other than my racing bike than was stolen 25 years ago.
Click to expand...
Titan are punching above their weight. It’s great value for money. They have a large range of bikes from cheaper to really expensive so it’s hard to draw the line on it being unworthy.

As you probably know, bicycles are all about components and the funny thing is most bike companies come with Fox, Shimano, Sram components and some proprietary stuff like saddles, wheels, pedals, etc. Most people change out the proprietary stuff for “better” anyway so you should focus more on the fork, shifters, derailleur, etc. Rand for Rand Titan should win.
 
Neuk_ said:
Post a picture of your Cannondale and I'll add it to my list...
Click to expand...
Here’s my Cannondale. Was in almost daily use as my commute bike to work and back. Only chain and brake disks replacement was needed for about 7 years.

Not being used much since retirement, I now mainly ride my Pinarello road bike.IMG_0709.jpeg
 
Neuk_ said:
better known brands like Trek, Scott, GT, Colnago, Pinarello, Giant, etc
Click to expand...

How is Raleigh ? It's R5000 vs R50000 what am I missing other than being completely under a rock. Do I need "shemanno" shocks and boostmaster pedals? Just starting out to I am clueless here. Is it ok to wear jorts I don't like skipants it makes me feel uneasy.
 
Din Viesel said:
How is Raleigh ? It's R5000 vs R50000 what am I missing other than being completely under a rock. Do I need "shemanno" shocks and boostmaster pedals? Just starting out to I am clueless here. Is it ok to wear jorts I don't like skipants it makes me feel uneasy.
Click to expand...
As Neuk said, look at well-known brands rather. If you are budget-oriented, you can look at Titan, Momsen or Giant as they have some pretty affordable entry-level bikes. I ride an entry-level Merida Big Nine.500, but these seem a bit more scarce to get a hold of in SA. I paid R6500 for mine, second hand.

Stay away from Supermarket brands like Raleigh, Totem, Trioblade, Volcan, Axis, etc.

Since you want to ride not just recreationally, you need to look at a bike as 'the sum of all parts'.

I'd also recommend that you register on Bikehub and ask there, you will get plenty of recommendations and advice there as well (and they have a thriving bike marketplace).
 
Din Viesel said:
How is Raleigh ? It's R5000 vs R50000 what am I missing other than being completely under a rock. Do I need "shemanno" shocks and boostmaster pedals? Just starting out to I am clueless here. Is it ok to wear jorts I don't like skipants it makes me feel uneasy.
Click to expand...

I think Raleigh is OK, haven't followed them much recently, like has already been said the main difference between most manufacturers is the frame and ancillary components like wheels, seat, handlebars, etc. There is zero difference in buying a bike using Shimano XT or Sram Red, Shimano XT is Shimano XT and Sram Red is Sram Red. Most major manufacturers have their own inhouse ancillary component brand like Scott has Syncros and Trek has Bontrager so the main difference is in the frame, mainly from a deign point of view but also manufacturer as most build their own frames these days.

Starting out, look at semi decent used bikes to get you started, if you get seriously in to it then look at the more expensive options with fancy carbon or 100g lighter wheels. Getting the bike is more important than the bike, just don't go for cheap Pick n' Pay type bikes. As for clothing, decent padded shorts are a must if you don't want to look at bibs, your arse will thank you later.
 
I also gave inputs a while ago on a similar question on MBB. A work colleague approached me for advice seeing that I have been cycling to work and back for more than 30 years.

He went against my advice NOT to buy a retail store’s house brand bicycle. After less than a year the bike was so dilapidated because of inferior quality components, it would have cost him about double what he initially paid to get it back on the road.

He then gave up on commuting to work to save on fuel costs and wear-and-tear on his car from standing hours on end exposed to the elements.

As suggested, rather register on TheBikeHub for advice and browse their classified section for a decent 2nd hand bike.
 
Here is a good video on the topic - it touches on whether you can take a cheap bike and turn it into a decent one with upgrading components.

TL;DR - no, there was custom fabrication and hacks needed to make it work. You would be better off buying a decent 2nd hand bike, and upgrading if the hobby sticks. You will also be able to sell a well-known brand easier than a supermarket bike, and recoup more of your initial investment.

 
New toys arrived from Temu. Early birthday gift from the inlaws, amongst other things:

1755021224594.jpeg
 
Tman* said:
lets see some bike pics!

I buy bike tools and accessories from AliExpress all the time. They have some good value items
Click to expand...
My cart is chock full of bike parts as well, but so far I've managed to stay away from the 'Checkout' button :)

I don't have anything special, just a 2020 Merida Big Nine.500, mostly stock aside from the grips, a carbon seat post, an 11-50 cassette and a mismatched Momsen seat. I'll throw on the new grips and pedals during the week.

1755022669245.png

If ever I win the lotto to the tune of five or six digits, I'd love to find myself on one of these (although, I just do local trails so it would be a total waste as my skills are decidedly amateur):

1755022567683.png
 
Last edited:
The Temu grips and pedals are on. I still need to get a decent chainstay protector that may or may not currently be a cut-up piece of old innertube attached with some cable ties.

1755080320822.jpeg
 
This year's Vuelta is particularly bad and super annoying. Hundreds, if not thousands of Palestine flags every single day, protests etc. No stage winner today because of these protests. And the organizers seem to support the protesters. Terrible stuff.
 
Last edited:
wbot said:
This year's Vuelta is particularly bad and super annoying. Hundreds, if not thousands of Palestine flags every single day, protests etc. No stage winner today because of these protests. And the organizers seem to support the protesters. Terrible stuff.
Click to expand...
Interesting your take that the organisers are supporting the protesters? Not too sure what the organisers can do. For me the police need to grow a pair and throw a few of them in a cell for the night.

Impressive ride by João today, this race is definitely not over yet.
 
Daveogg said:
Interesting your take that the organisers are supporting the protesters? Not too sure what the organisers can do. For me the police need to grow a pair and throw a few of them in a cell for the night.

Impressive ride by João today, this race is definitely not over yet.
Click to expand...
Because i've noticed the cameras zoom in on protesters, plus there are very nice aerial shots making sure to showcase those large Palestine flags like they do with land art etc.

In races like the TDF cameras tend to quickly look the other way when there are protesters. They tend to not give protesters any airtime. Not so with the Vuelta.

Anyway, terrible race. Not watching this crap anymore. Nasty people. Some of them really want to cause serious harm to all riders.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1963286185746334199

https://twitter.com/x/status/1963486464601399657
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X