c/what-bike-to-buy · Posted by u/BikeBuy Admin · 8d Question

First proper MTB — R20k budget, hardtail or dual-sus?

Coming off a bafana-bafana special and ready to upgrade. Budget is around R20,000. I mostly ride flowy trails at Northern Farm and the odd Cape Epic-wannabe weekend.

Is a good hardtail (Silverback / Titan / Giant Talon) smarter than an entry dual-sus at this price? Worried a cheap full-sus means cheap everything.

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u/BikeBuy Admin·8d ago

At R20k a quality hardtail beats a budget dual-sus every time — you get a better fork, brakes and drivetrain instead of paying for a heavy rear shock. Ride it a season, then you'll know what you actually want.

u/BikeBuy Admin·8d ago

This. The dropper post you can add later will change your life more than rear suspension on flowy stuff.

u/BikeBuy Admin·8d ago

Check the BikeBuy marketplace pre-owned section too — loads of lightly-used 29ers come up around that price.