Want to start MTB - need some advice from the veterans

[cudstu]

Lekker bike, 2015 model and 11.8kg (carbon frame).

Just be weary buying a second hand carbon frame give it a thorough inspection for hidden damage as most of the lifetime warranties do not pass to the second owner. I have had carbon and aluminum bikes for the type of riding you are considering aluminum would be my recommendation as it can take a beating.

 

[Andrew_Smith]

Just be weary buying a second hand carbon frame give it a thorough inspection for hidden damage as most of the lifetime warranties do not pass to the second owner. I have had carbon and aluminum bikes for the type of riding you are considering aluminum would be recommendation as it can take a beating.

Of course but that's why one should have insurance in case you damage your frame by smashing your favourite downhill section (which is unlikely to happen anyway). The insurance is more for when you are involved in a crash or if your bike gets stolen.

Carbon is stronger than your aluminium counterpart. Provides a much better riding experience as well. Definitely worth the upgrade going to a carbon frame.

 

[cudstu]

Also don't stress to much about bike weight getting into MTB the heavier the bike the stronger your legs get , when you do upgrade and you will if you get into the sport you will then appreciate the lighter bike.

But hey I only ride steel bikes so I don't mind the extra weight and I could loose more KG's then the savings in grams would be #steelisreal

 

[heinreich]

Hahaha. Well played. Ngl, day drinking for the past 3-4 months have added some extra unnecessary weight. But that's a good consideration 👌

 

[cudstu]

Of course but that's why one should have insurance in case you damage your frame by smashing your favourite downhill section (which is unlikely to happen anyway). The insurance is more for when you are involved in a crash or if your bike gets stolen.

Carbon is stronger than your aluminium counterpart. Provides a much better riding experience as well. Definitely worth the upgrade going to a carbon frame.

That is until you move to the darkside on a hardtail steel is a much better riding experience, if I was getting in to the sport and had bike budget of around R25K I would spec a Rapide tigre steel hardtail (relaxed geometry and can support a 140mm fork).

Like this one

Rapide Tigre | Bike Hub

 

[cudstu]

Pre-Owned GT Zaskar Elite (L) BM7155 - BikeMarket.co.za

Not a bad option

 

[cudstu]

If you could stretch the budget

Pre-Owned Pyga One-Forty 650 Pascoe (L) BM7493 - BikeMarket.co.za

This would be more for the riding you are looking at, built in KZN by Patrick Morewood ex downhiller

 

[heinreich]

If you could stretch the budget

Pre-Owned Pyga One-Forty 650 Pascoe (L) BM7493 - BikeMarket.co.za

This would be more for the riding you are looking at, built in KZN by Patrick Morewood ex downhiller

Lol no. Baby steps

 

[cudstu]

Lol no. Baby steps

Yeah you have to start somewhere and the CUD is worse when you get into MTB.

 

[PJtheKILL3R]

I can't really add more to what has already been said.
I started cycling about a year ago, things I have learned that are very valuable on a bike:
- Having a single gear in the front is a major plus, I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a bike but I made sure I got a 1 x 12 which is awesome.
- Air forks are great, you can change the suspension feel on the fly.
- I bought new, but if I could do it over again I would have bought secondhand, if I went secondhand and maybe added 20% more to my budget I could have had a significantly better bike, you will fall anyway especially when you move over to cleats, and ding your beautiful new bike anyway.
- Tubless is a must, I always have a repair kit with me with Co2 canisters I have only had to fix a tire once and I was very glad I had all the tools.
- Get yourself a multi tool
- Clean your bike often and don't forger to lube your chain, I use dry lube primarily and its been going great, protect your gears and chain since they are VERY expensive to replace.

Have fun!

 

[Techfox]

If you could stretch the budget

Pre-Owned Pyga One-Forty 650 Pascoe (L) BM7493 - BikeMarket.co.za

This would be more for the riding you are looking at, built in KZN by Patrick Morewood ex downhiller

I've had quite a few bikes, but nothing quite feels like the Pascoe

I got lucky with a YT Capra, but still... mid-way through the trail I start wondering why I ever sold the Pyga. There's no one thing that stood out. It just felt, right?

 

[heinreich]

Yeah you have to start somewhere and the CUD is worse when you get into MTB.

That's what I'm afraid of. So, start small (but decent), and see where it takes me.

Appreciate all the info chaps.

 

[cudstu]

I've had quite a few bikes, but nothing quite feels like the Pascoe

I got lucky with a YT Capra, but still... mid-way through the trail I start wondering why I ever sold the Pyga. There's no one thing that stood out. It just felt, right?

Both stunning bikes and you at least have the trails to use them properly.

I have far to many bikes to remember them all and only 1 was not used, but nothing beats a bike you just jell with.

I unfortunately frequently ran out of skills before my 140mm trail bike did, and Saturday afternoons visits to the ER did not go down with the wife and the medical aid.

So I stuck to stage racing before going full hipster and now ride my Cotic hardtail and Cotic gravel bike.

 

[Some_Guy21]

Only stumbled across this thread now. Great
advice given so far.

Just going to once again say 2nd hand is definitely the way to go. Often times you’ll find a bike with the basic upgrades like tubeless and a 1x gearset already done.
Get basic gear, no need to splurge on expensive clothing unless you are going pro. Just make sure you have shoes with a nice flat sole. Thats the most versatile and comfortable for riding.

On the bike purchase side:
I’ve been riding a Merida Big nine 500 for 3/4 years now, so I can say the Manitou forks are decent. With the correct maintenance the only thing I’ve needed to replace are tyres and brake pads.

Similar to mine, this price is just a bit too much IMO, bought mine new 3 years ago for not too much more

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/548612/pre-owned-merida-big-nine-500-xl-bm7345

 

[Techfox]

Not sure if mentioned already, but a couple things to add

1. Look for a skills course. It's usually hosted by some of the guys competing abroad. I'd been riding for about 5 years before I went to one, and you learn A LOT. Starting out, some bad technique can often become muscle memory or habit, and nice when someone can help you correct them. It's not about getting faster or better, but helping you enjoy the ride more

2. Get the bike setup for you. You can spend all the money in the world and it can never feel right. Not just suspension, but seat height, seat angle, handlebar angle, size of grips, brake position, front and rear pressure. A local bike shop will normally do this for free, or a few hundred. It's worth more than gold though

3. Pick a tire size and be a dick about it

 

[Techfox]

Both stunning bikes and you at least have the trails to use them properly.

I have far to many bikes to remember them all and only 1 was not used, but nothing beats a bike you just jell with.

I unfortunately frequently ran out of skills before my 140mm trail bike did, and Saturday afternoons visits to the ER did not go down with the wife and the medical aid.

So I stuck to stage racing before going full hipster and now ride my Cotic hardtail and Cotic gravel bike.

Definitely. But ye, I felt more confident on the Pyga running 160mm / 140mm than I did on the Capra running 180mm / 165mm. It's not that either bike is "better", but that the Pyga just seemed in tune with me

I got the Capra at a 1/10th of the price (bit of a tragic story) but once finances settle I'll probably look at a Pyga Hyrax

 

[Miz3r]

Bumpty on this thread

I have bitten the bug myself getting into watching far to many trail rides on youtube , and looking at getting my first bike,

I have found quite a few new and second hand, below is what i can get locally, and looking at a hardtail to start with as full suspension is very expensive it seems,

1. Found a second hand Trek Roscoe 8 for 7k locally nearby, i presume its the 2018 model as it is in orange color which from what i found on the newer models you dont get it in orange, but its is in good cond it looks like but its a 2018 model.
2. Next is a 2022 Silverback Stride XS also in good cond for 11k,
3 . Marlin 7 from Trek currently on special for 13k new

Torn between above, as from what i have read all are great bikes, the roscoe more for being thrown around a track, but the Silverback is just newer model and tech, and the Marlin 7 brand new

If any of the wise MTB members would like to assist my decision here, or point me in the right way it would be appreciated.

Cheers