Budget Bikes
Text: Steve Shapiro. Photos: Jazz Kuschke. Article from the May 2012 issue of Ride Magazine.
Good entry-level mountainbikes can handle climbing, jeep tracks and even some dicing. We are on a mission to find the best ones.
Ride has assembled three class-act entry-level bikes below R10 500 that can take on a challenge. With only a top-price ceiling, the category is very broad and the price can (but doesn’t always) reflect the intended function. An R8 500 bike will probably be heavier than one for R10 500 and, while it might be ideal for uncomplicated trail riding, it’s unlikely to function as well as the pricier options on singletrack or to be as fast on long climbs.
Putting them to the test
The bikes were put through their paces for at least six to eight hours. After two or three short, sharp, technical rides we tackled the more complex singletrack in Tokai Forest and, finally, a ride of up to four hours – usually highlighted by Die Ou Wapad or Noordhoek Peak in the Silvermine Reserve. These are steep jeep track climbs with very loose, gravely surfaces and numerous water bars.
What we look for
Comfort and reliability were definitely top criteria, but a bike’s capacity for dicing and the marathon-type endurance races, which form the basis of recreational riding, required consideration. We also had to look at all the components and tyres to complete the picture.
Bits and pieces
At these prices, manufacturers are almost certain to compromise on components to fit budget constraints. A bike with a 10-speed cluster (including a 36-tooth option) may have a more limited front suspension fork and/ or heavier wheels, although that last factor will, to some extent, be compensated for by the generous gear option. Entry-level air forks are sure to be lighter than the less expensive, more reliable coil-spring options, but this plays less of a role in downhill functionality (particularly on 29ers).
The bikes to which they are attached may have more limited gearing – like a nine-speed cluster with a 34-cog in place of the 36. Entry-level hydraulic disc brakes are all pretty similar and mostly adequate. The same applies to most of the remaining componentry, except wheels. Here lighter is better but they must be strong.
The right rubber
Tyres vary considerably and choices can be both personal and functional. Your preferred terrain and its climate are cardinal, as most of the tyres in this range are good for everything except mud.
South African conditions make a tubeless conversion almost essential, at any level, for a pleasurable riding experience. This usually requires foldable tyres rather than wire beads and if possible, you should trade your wire bead tyres for foldables at the point of purchase. You won’t regret it.
Where we test
Tokai Forest
S34°03’70” EI8°24’84”
Silvermine
S 34° 05’89” E18°2576″
Giant Talon 29-ER
The more I rode the Giant in the functional area for which it was designed, the more I liked it. This Talon is a bike for most applications but not for racing. It descends with conviction on bumpy jeep track – even when you forget that you’ve locked out the RockShox, coil-spring XC 28 fork. With the fork engaged, technical singletrack descents are accommodated without panic, although the XC 30 and 32 coil forks by RS are noticeably more plush. Climbing loose, steep jeep track the bike feels slow, but no more than one would expect from something this solid – 13,2 kilograms without pedals.
The biggest challenge was to lift the front end from flat to slightly uphill, technical single-track, but it’s not meant for that.
What it’s got
Frame: A handsome and sleek frame with a sweetly tapered top tube is becoming a Giant hallmark.
Wheels: These are heavy but sure. The rims seem to be a new design from Giant and are to be seen up the range. Apart from the visible strength, it’s obvious that some innovation has gone into the rims, with function in mind. The wire bead tyres seat very easily when you do a tubeless conversion (normally, the wire bead is almost impossible to convert). These tyres were Kenda Small Block 8s, which are pretty much all-purpose if you don’t hit mud. They’re relatively light and roll well on all terrain, even refraining from the hysterical screeching associated with more aggressive tyres on the road (some tar riding was likely a design consideration).
Brakes: Avid Elixirs bring impressive name-brand kudos for the Giant brand and, while they work more than adequately, they follow my previous experience with entry-level Avid discs by making an inordinate and eventually irritating racket.
Saddle and seatpost: Most of the non-drivetrain components are Giant house brand and the bike is comfortable enough for the first couple of hours (after which most bikes begin to hurt).
Drivetrain: This bike has a mix of solid SRAM X5 and related bits and bobs but, given the weight, the nine-speed cluster would be well served with a 36-tooth option (that is the way things are going). Some bikes in this price and weight range are 10-speed XT and it makes a difference with 22/32-36 where they’re needed.
The verdict
For less than R8 500, you’re getting a lot of reliable bike to tour and skim down jeep track. Very technical singletrack riding is not an option though and, even on better-behaved surfaces, climbing momentum has to be maintained.
The S-XC wheelset was a pleasant surprise. Also seen further up in the Giant range, these wheels converted to tubeless with minimal fuss.
Merida Matts 500 TFS
If you don’t know much about mountainbike groupsets (the gear cogs, pedals and chainrings with all their attached thinga-mabobs) you’ll have to trust me when I say that one glance at what this modestly priced Merida had to offer made my heart go dippity-clop – especially the Shimano Deore XT rear derailleur and 10-speed cluster-gear option at the back. Although a bit weighty for racing, this is obviously not the intention of the manufacturers, even if the 26-inch wheels allow for tighter turning than on a 29er in the same price range. The only problem I had was with the tyres and there is a simple solution.
What it’s got
Derailleur: Gear changes with that XT, 10-speed option were the highlight, closely chased by the generous 36-tooth option at the back. To stay competitive, all bikes over R8 000, and especially those weighing more than 13 kilograms, are going to have to give this seminal upgrade very serious consideration. No one, particularly a beginner wants to expire from exhaustion when the trail points up. Thanks to this generosity and good tyre grip, my standard Ou Wapad test climb was slow but sure.
Tyres: Yes, the Schwalbe Racing Ralph tyres were very impressive in their tenacious grip of loose gravel, although to get that response I was obliged to ride at the sort of tyre pressure I employ in riding tyres that have been converted to tubeless. This meant that I either had to pump them hard for the descents or risk the almost inevitable snake-bite pinch flats lurking in the aggressive trail substrate. Unfortunately, the tyres on this model were of the wire-bead persuasion and conversion to tubeless was (after many hours of trying) unsuccessful. I would advise new mountainbikers taking advantage of the rest of this great Merida package to trade the tyres in at the point of purchase. Go for the same tyre, but in the foldable version. The extra cost involved in dispensing with tubes is the best upgrade available for any mountainbike in South African conditions.
Fork: RockShox have made great economies available in the entry level market with its XC coil fork range and the suspension on this XC 30 TK version, when I set it at its softest, was surprisingly (almost delightfully) efficient, aided by the luxury of a handlebar-mounted lockout lever. Had I been able to ride with slightly softer tyres, I don’t doubt that the singletrack handling would have been well within the adequate zone. The only negative with the fork was the squelchy soundtrack from the seals – but that is not uncommon, even with more expensive and sophisticated options.
Components: Entry-level Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes have never let me down and, with the 180-millimetre rotor up front, they make an emphatic stopping statement – better than some grander, brand-name systems I have tried. Shimano SPD pedals come with the bike (also a must for the future in this price range) and the rest of the kit – Shimano hubs, Hollowtech crankset and Alex rims – all contribute to a well-considered specification package.
The verdict
My usual mission ride test was slower than on other bikes. While the Merida is an impressive entry-level bike and would be most suitable for beginners and commuting, it is a little shy of the necessary zip for sociable dicing and, until the tyre issues are resolved, a little uncomfortable on longer off-road rides.
Momsen LA329
This still-experimental bike is so revolutionary that, one way or the other, it will make waves. It’s a women-specific (WS), extra-small 29er … and it works. I don’t know how the usual 29er naysayers, especially those who begrudgingly allow tall people to ride the big wheels, will deal with this little (but not mini) bike – but it has superb handling. I was a little uncomfortable with some of the female-directed physiological highlights and I could have used the next size up – which is small – but, unlike all the other entry-level 29ers I have ridden, this little lady chewed up the tight singletrack like a racing 26er. The secret, apparently, is in the 51-millimetre offset that comes with this particular variation of the RockShoxXC 32, 100-millimetre coil fork, but there must be more to it than that; it turned on the proverbial tickey and, although at first I thought it too soft it absorbed all the tricky rutted stuff that Tokai’s end of summer had to offer.
It’s good value too at just under R10 000 and, on the basis of my experience riding it, the prospect of a more men-specific version has me salivating in anticipation.
What it’s got
Fork: The geometric nuances of the G2 fork are a little post-graduate but, according to Andrew Kummer, Momsen’s bike rep in the Western Cape, subtle as it is that offset (which used to be a Trek/Fisher-only option) is just the ticket for small people to engage in fluent riding on big wheels. Kummer says it allows more clearance between toe and front wheel. It sweetens up handling and is important for smaller riders with less leverage and strength.
Whatever it does, it works.
Women-specific: Some of the women-specific attributes must be seen as a little less specific because not all women are created equal and there are outstanding women MTBers who have never had problems with men-specific mountainbikes. The classy Fizik Vitesse (lady-specific) saddle was uncomfortable enough for me to not feel too threatened by my own gender identity. When our editor Adele rode it, she was quite content – although, interestingly, she had the saddle considerably lower than the height which suited me. (This hasn’t been the case in other bikes we have shared.) The Tektro Draco WS caused no panic in my little hands and, although they’re pretty low down in the entry-level hydraulic-disc-brake pecking order, their performance didn’t justify such status.
Tyres: I don’t know if the Kenda Karma (1.95) tyres are seen as women-specific, but they rolled well and converted easily to tubeless on the exemplary Stan’s No Tubes ZTR Crest rims – a high spec on an entry-level bike. I changed to a more aggressive front tyre for the technical riding, but I doubt if that was necessary.
Components: The Shimano Deore external BB and crankset and the standard SPD pedals are the way upper-end entry-level bikes are going to have to go to stay competitive. The Alivio and SLX Shadow derailleurs and shifters (1 1/34 and 44-32-22) were adequate, although I would have loved an XT derailleur and 10-speed cluster with a 36-tooth option at the back, this wasn’t strictly necessary and would have pushed the price into another bracket.
The FSA (42 for taper) headset is very trendy but needed tightening after about six hours of riding and is sophisticated enough to require careful wrenching.
The verdict
This bike is about performance and explodes another myth about the limitations of 29-er wheels. Although the bike feels a bit heavy, at 12,5 kilograms, it rides light and is within the average weight for bikes of this price bracket. The way the front comes up when you need it to considerably lessens the weight consideration. I would be very surprised if this bike and its future family don’t see a lot of action when they go into full production.
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