Bike Buyer's

Recommendations

Info

MTB Sports Hardtail 86 january 2011 Bike Buyer’s guide For knocking around the backroads, hitting the trails, or even aiming for a solid result at your local MTB race, an investment in one of these will be rewarded with big smiles. One from your accountant and one on your own face as you head off into the mountains. morewooD yebo Furthering their expansion into the bike market, Pat’s bike-mad team have persuaded him to make an affordable but raceable hardtail so that anyone can own a Proudly South African ride. This is achieved by clever sourcing of components, resulting in a fast, good-looking package (available February / March 2011). Key spec: Shimano XT/SLX, RockShox Recon fork, DT X1900 wheels r9 995 estimated meriDa mats tfs 300-D Few manufacturers can match Merida’s race pedigree and Team Multivan Merida’s athletes are a demanding bunch, as you expect from world-class athletes, so the design team is pushed hard to deliver the goods. As we always say, this filters down the range, resulting in this value-packed, rave-worthy bike. Key spec: Suntour remote lockout fork, Shimano 9-speed, hydraulic discs r6 895 nomaD by raleiGh 80 29er We picked this as one of our best bikes under 5K and we really believe it’s going to get value seekers onto the kind of bike they really should be riding. With larger hoops, fire roads and trails will fly by quicker and more smoothly. Now you don’t need big money to enjoy the benefits of the plus-sized wheeler. Key spec: Disc brakes, 29” wheels r4 396 silverback alpine femme Every year Silverback bikes get better. 2011 sees a very accomplished range, with a great bike at every price point. This includes models that are designed specifically for women, featuring all the details to accommodate the fairer sex, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride. Key spec: Lockout fork, 8-speed Shimano, hydraulic discs, women-specific design r4 395 specializeD myka ht expert If you’re a hulking great 95kg, an extra few hundred grams makes little difference to your well-being on a bike. But if you’re a svelte 60kg, it has a great effect on your enjoyment. Let’s face it, for this price you’re not going to get a superlight bike, but Specialized pride themselves on making the lightest of the bunch. Key spec: Shimano SLX, Specialized tyres, women-specific design r9 995
Bike Buyer’s Guide Best Value schwinn moab comp Schwinn is to the US what Raleigh is to us. The brand has been around for generations and every American has had one. The Moab comes from Schwinn’s racier range, but with a clever parts selection. This mix will be hard to beat for a value race bike (and your mates will find it hard to beat too). Key spec: 27-speed, lockout Tora fork r4 995 trek cobia fisher harDtail No list is complete without the bike that bears the name of one of the forefathers of the sport. Not only that, Gary is the inventor of the 29er and over the years he’s been honing the geometry while others scoffed at the idea. A robust frame and durable parts combine to make up a surprisingly light bike that’s upgradeable when you’re ready. Key spec: SRAM drivetrain, lockout fork, 29” wheels r9 999 Giant talon 3w So often women-specific bikes consist of merely a pretty paint job and a couple of part changes. Not the Talon 3W. Their passionate all-woman design team has ensured that the frame is a complete departure from the men’s. Of course all the suitable parts are present too, with a broader saddle and lighter springs in the shock. Key spec: Lockout fork, 27-speed drivetrain, hydraulic discs r6 900 Gt karakoram 1.0 With the interest this bike has generated so far, it’s likely to be GT’s best-selling model for years, even more so than their bread-and-butter Avalanche model. It’s the best-looking bike in its price range (in our opinion) and decent specs match a frame that’ll last for years. Key spec: RockShox Recon Air with lockout fork, SRAM X5/7 parts mix r7 995 serfas xc1D As seen in our Best Bikes Under 5K (Nov 2010), the XC1D deserves another mention. Although it’s new to the market, Sefas’ parts have always been faultless when it comes to the price/ quality ratio. If you don’t mind riding something a little different, you won’t be disappointed. With the warranty covered by an established distributor, there’s nothing to fault it. Key spec: Hydraulic disc brakes, lockout fork, hydroformed frame r4 500 january 2011 87
Page 1 and 2: p h o t o gr a p h ja m e s g a r a
Page 3: New Industry Standards bb30, bb90,
Page 7 and 8: Bike Buyer’s Guide Best Design si
Page 9 and 10: Competition Dualie Bike Buyer’s G
Page 11 and 12: All Mountain/Trail Bike Buyer’s G
Page 13 and 14: Gtr 3 There may not be a GT-riding
Page 15 and 16: silverback space 3 Swoopy stays alm
Page 17 and 18: Dream This is how you justify a pur

Bike Buyer's

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?