Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
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Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby tom22180 » Fri Feb 23, 2018 12:15 am
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby bychosis » Fri Feb 23, 2018 6:56 am
For what you describe using it for it will do the job but is a basic bike and the forks are a bit ordinary.
If you want to start tackling rougher single track stuff you might start finding the limits of the components. They should survive, but better stuff is worth it.
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby Mububban » Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:12 pm
It looks fine for the money and for beginning. Personally, I've found MTB to be enormous fun, I'm riding a 15 year old hardtail and having an absolute blast on the trails. So be prepared that, if the bug bites, you'll very quickly look to upgrade that biketom22180 wrote:Looking at buying my first "decent" MTB - mainly looking at doing suburban streets and the occasional trail nothing to hardcore. Have been looking for a few weeks now and have become interested in a bike - http://www.merida.com.au/en_au/bikes/mt ... -7258.html - have found a pretty good price $674 when retail is $749. Would love to hear any opinions on such bike or other options around the same $ mark. Thanks
But the Merida is a great way to have a go and see if you like it without breaking the bank. And if you upgrade, you can keep it as it'll still be a great everyday bike if you chuck some slicker tyres on it.
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby ValleyForge » Fri Feb 23, 2018 3:02 pm
I'd suggest given the turnover rate - a second hand one will be great value. Just my thoughts.
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby Calvin27 » Fri Feb 23, 2018 3:29 pm
The technology differences on mountain bikes are much greater than road cycling. You could move from tiagra to ultegra and not really notice, but the same cannot be said for things like mtb brakes, and forks for example.
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby bychosis » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:05 pm
It is the brakes and forks that have a lot of difference. The rest is much the same until you start including rear suspension. ie there isn't much difference in a functioning acera derailleur to an XT.Calvin27 wrote:Doesn't matter what you buy, pretty soon you will want to upgrade - especially on a mountain bike.
The technology differences on mountain bikes are much greater than road cycling. You could move from tiagra to ultegra and not really notice, but the same cannot be said for things like mtb brakes, and forks for example.
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby Calvin27 » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:28 pm
The major difference with gearsets, say acera vs xt is actually quite a bit. It gets you clutched RD and a cage that can hack pretty large cassettes. Compared to road, all it gets you is more gears in between.bychosis wrote: It is the brakes and forks that have a lot of difference. The rest is much the same until you start including rear suspension. ie there isn't much difference in a functioning acera derailleur to an XT.
But who cares, because gears are pretty much consumables in mtb world. Prioritise brakes first and then fork second imo.
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby ValleyForge » Fri Feb 23, 2018 6:36 pm
Yup. But a clutched RD is a big yes. And good rubber.Calvin27 wrote:But who cares, because gears are pretty much consumables in mtb world. Prioritise brakes first and then fork second imo.
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby Duck! » Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:29 pm
Fixed it. I'd also pick a better fork over brakes at supplied spec, because that's the most expensive single component to upgrade. Good brakes do make a hell of a difference, but are a lot cheaper to buy than a vaguely decent fork.Calvin27 wrote: The major difference with gearsets, say acera vs xt is actually quite a bit. It gets you clutched RD anda cagederailleur geometry that can hack pretty large cassettes. Compared to road, all it gets you is more gears in between.
But who cares, because gears are pretty much consumables in mtb world. Prioritise brakes first and then fork second imo.
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby NASHIE » Fri Feb 23, 2018 9:16 pm
Ignorance is bliss mate, so if this is your budget, don't go testing $1500-$2000 bikes. Yep they do things a little better and 'feel' better, but they still do exactly the same job.tom22180 wrote:Looking at buying my first "decent" MTB - mainly looking at doing suburban streets and the occasional trail nothing to hardcore. Have been looking for a few weeks now and have become interested in a bike - http://www.merida.com.au/en_au/bikes/mt ... -7258.html - have found a pretty good price $674 when retail is $749. Would love to hear any opinions on such bike or other options around the same $ mark. Thanks
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby foo on patrol » Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:44 am
Foo
Goal 6000km
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby KristianJ » Sun Feb 25, 2018 11:06 am
On the loose stuff: Merida MATTS TFS-300D
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby rokwiz » Sun Feb 25, 2018 4:03 pm
Used, I would look for a good quality well looked after frame and forks first and upgrade the components second.
If you start into more serious MTBiking later you can either sell on the quality frame or further upgrade to better quality tech stuff for it.
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby NASHIE » Sun Feb 25, 2018 4:32 pm
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby ValleyForge » Sun Feb 25, 2018 10:32 pm
I don't think buying a new bike is any easier!NASHIE wrote:... it can be a minefield looking at second hand gear with the vision of upgrading ie thru bolts, tappered steerers, gearing speeds, 1x, rim sizing etc etc.
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby ldrcycles » Sun Feb 25, 2018 11:19 pm
It rolls beautifully, the forks work just fine for a cheapy, the brakes are great (easily good enough for a 40% downhill this morning) and the gearchanging is excellent. Only one issue- weight. It's every bit of the 15.5kg Merida claim, and uphill that is really noticeable. I've already swapped the cranks for 25 odd year old STX RCs I had in the shed which saved about 250g, and swapped the Acera RD for an M952 XTR (can't remember off the top of my head what that saved). Problem is, having stripped it down and weighed everything, the only place for really significant weight savings is the wheels and forks, and that means $$. Sure it still goes uphill, just not as quickly or enjoyably as a lighter bike.
The number one reason I got mine was for riding rail trails, which it will be fantastic for. The difference in rolling speed between 29" and 26" is mind boggling, so if you have a significant proportion of flat riding I would take the weight penalty and stick with 29".
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Re: Looking to enter the MTB world..... :D
Postby Calvin27 » Tue Feb 27, 2018 10:56 am
he reason I prefer second hand MTB even for myself is because I will invariably crash them and it hurts when it's brand new and mint condition haha.
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