While we all dream of riding and racing range-topping, feather-light mountain bikes, dripping in the latest bling, our budgets and household commitments often force us to scale down our dreams to a more affordable reality. But you don’t have to settle for a mediocre bike – Gear Ed Oli Munnik runs through a comprehensive range of performance hardtails that will still suit your budget. Keep an eye on the magazine for reviews on the 2016 models starting to arrive on our shores.
1/6
Giant Revel 29er 2
Though Giant are best known in South Africa for their marathon-specific Anthem dual-suspensions, the biggest bike manufacturers in the world also cater for the entry-level market. Their Revel range, available with 29er wheels, aims to entice riders off-road by offering a no-nonsense package that delivers where it matters. V-brakes and a seven-speed transmission keep costs down, but riders are rewarded with a lightweight ALUXX-grade frame with butted aluminium tubeset and 29er-optimised geometry, for a stable and comfortable experience.
PRICE: R4 595*
*Prices correct at time of publishing (April ’15). Prices may fluctuate depending on the current exchange rates. Prices in stores may vary.
[hr] RELATED: Best MTB Budget Buys – 5-10K | Best MTB Budget Buys – 10-15K
While we all dream of riding and racing range-topping, feather-light mountain bikes, dripping in the latest bling, our budgets and household commitments often force us to scale down our dreams to a more affordable reality. But you don’t have to settle for a mediocre bike – Gear Ed Oli Munnik runs through a comprehensive range of performance hardtails that will still suit your budget.
2/6
Raleigh Cyclone
The Raleigh Cyclone 27.5 fits snugly into this price bracket, despite its 80mm SR Suntour XCT air-sprung fork with lockout, Shimano drivetrain, and mechanical brakeset sporting 160mm discs front and rear. Whether you want to explore on the mountain or take your Cyclone cruising on the road, it’ll be more than up to the task. While this model features a 27.5” wheelset, the Cyclone is also available with 29er wheels, with the same spec and at the same price. So depending on your needs, you can chose which wheelsize best suits your riding.
PRICE: R4 770*
*Prices correct at time of publishing (April ’15). Prices may fluctuate depending on the current exchange rates. Prices in stores may vary.
[hr] RELATED: Best MTB Budget Buys – 5-10K | Best MTB Budget Buys – 10-15K
While we all dream of riding and racing range-topping, feather-light mountain bikes, dripping in the latest bling, our budgets and household commitments often force us to scale down our dreams to a more affordable reality. But you don’t have to settle for a mediocre bike – Gear Ed Oli Munnik runs through a comprehensive range of performance hardtails that will still suit your budget.
3/6
Axis A90 Ladies
Like the Avalanche, the ladies-specific Axis A90 features a kinked top tube for lower stand-over height, which designers have found suits the average woman’s leg-height better. The lower top tube also makes mounting and dismounting safer, as you can get your leg over it more easily. With a 21-speed Shimano drivetrain (i.e. ‘the gears’) and a Zoom suspension fork, the A90 is an ideal bike to get you started on gentle off-road paths – you’ll pedal in confidence. Men’s version also available.
PRICE: R3 300*
*Prices correct at time of publishing (April ’15). Prices may fluctuate depending on the current exchange rates. Prices in stores may vary.
[hr] RELATED: Best MTB Budget Buys – 5-10K | Best MTB Budget Buys – 10-15K
While we all dream of riding and racing range-topping, feather-light mountain bikes, dripping in the latest bling, our budgets and household commitments often force us to scale down our dreams to a more affordable reality. But you don’t have to settle for a mediocre bike – Gear Ed Oli Munnik runs through a comprehensive range of performance hardtails that will still suit your budget.
4/6
Schwinn Voyageur 2
For those not quite ready to head off-road in earnest, the Voyageur 2 is a great choice to get your confidence up on smooth gravel and/or the roads and bike paths in your neighbourhood. Thanks to an adjustable stem, you’ll enjoy an upright riding position that won’t put strain on your back. In addition, a suspension seatpost coupled with a Selle Royale elastomer saddle keeps your derrière comfy. A set of 700x38C Kenda Kourier tyres is fast-rolling, but also tough enough to handle the occasional dirt road.
PRICE: R4 770*
[hr] RELATED: Best MTB Budget Buys – 5-10K | Best MTB Budget Buys – 10-15K
While we all dream of riding and racing range-topping, feather-light mountain bikes, dripping in the latest bling, our budgets and household commitments often force us to scale down our dreams to a more affordable reality. But you don’t have to settle for a mediocre bike – Gear Ed Oli Munnik runs through a comprehensive range of performance hardtails that will still suit your budget.
5/6
Avalanche Prima Donna 27.5
The women-specific Prima Donna features 27.5” wheels (commonly known as 650b), which fit between the more common 26” and 29” wheel sizes. Neither one nor the other, they offer the benefits of both: 29er wheels, though cheaper, require more effort to get up to speed, so the (relatively) smaller 27.5” wheel is easier to accelerate. On the other hand, 26” wheels don’t roll over obstacles like roots and rocks as easily as bigger wheels do; 27.5” wheels do it better. From either point of view, the rider benefits.
PRICE: R3 140*
*Prices correct at time of publishing (April ’15). Prices may fluctuate depending on the current exchange rates. Prices in stores may vary.
[hr] RELATED: Best MTB Budget Buys – 5-10K | Best MTB Budget Buys – 10-15K
While we all dream of riding and racing range-topping, feather-light mountain bikes, dripping in the latest bling, our budgets and household commitments often force us to scale down our dreams to a more affordable reality. But you don’t have to settle for a mediocre bike – Gear Ed Oli Munnik runs through a comprehensive range of performance hardtails that will still suit your budget.
6/6
Raleigh Duke
The first Raleigh arrived in SA an incredible 78 years ago. In the late 90s the company shifted their attention to the mass market, but they’ve recently been working hard to design and spec bikes more at home on independent shop floors. The Duke is another Raleigh finger on the pulse. This fatbike with 4.0” tyres features an aluminium frame with steel fork, seven-speed transmission, and super-wide rims with cut-outs, to keep weight to the minimum. At R4 999, Raleigh have made fatbikes considerably more affordable.
PRICE: R4 999*
*Prices correct at time of publishing (April ’15). Prices may fluctuate depending on the current exchange rates. Prices in stores may vary.
[hr] RELATED: Best MTB Budget Buys – 5-10K | Best MTB Budget Buys – 10-15K