We take a look at some of the top Mountain Bike offerings on the South African market in the sub R60 000 price category.
We have taken a look at our top recommendations for mountain bikes in the sub R30 000 and R45 000 categories and now we are stepping up another notch to the R60 000 to R46 000 spec bikes. What are the big differences here? Still not all that much carbon fibre but suspension and drivetrain quality is increasing.
It often goes that you can find a bike of higher spec for the same value on the second hand market but the penalty you pay is typically an ageing design / less cutting edge geometry. If that doesn’t bother you, find our second hand mountain bike buyer’s guide here. Here are our top 5 mountain bike finds in the R60K to R45K price range.
Orbea Oiz H30
Price: R52 999
Hardtail or Full Sus: Full Sus
Material: Alloy
Description: Designed around a 120mm suspension platform the Oiz is a highly capable XC / Marathon bike. Regarded as one of the lightest XC bikes on the market, if you’re seeking speed. This is where you can find it.
Trek Fuel EX 7 Gen 6
Price: R55 000
Hardtail or Full Sus: Full Sus
Material: Alloy
Description: The newly released Trek Fuel EX Gen 6 is arguably the most well rounded trail bike on the market at the moment. With in-frame storage, 150/140mm of travel front/rear, and perfectly refined geometry, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better all rounder. The Fuel EX 7 comes with bombproof shimano parts in a wide range of sizes with long travel dropper posts. Suitable for local enduro races? 100%.
Cannondale Topstone Carbon 5
Price: R49 995
Hardtail or Full Sus: Softail (hardtail with compliance)
Material: Carbon
Description: If it’s open gravel roads that you are searching for, the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 5 is the vehicle to take you there and beyond. The Kingpin frame suspension / compliance takes the edge off of harsh terrain and various mounting options on the frame for bags and other storage mean this bike can adapt to any adventure it’s thrown at. The 2×11 drivetrain offers a wide range of ratios for climbing and cruising, what more could you need from a gravel bike?
Wondering if you should go a for a mountain bike or a gravel bike? We way up the pros and cons here.
Focus Jam 6.9
Price: R 50 000 (est)
Hardtail or Full Sus: Full Sus
Material: Alloy
Description: The Focus Jam 6.9 is a playful trail bike with 150mm of travel front and rear. The Fox Performance suspension and Shimano XT build kit is high quality. Ordering online isn’t for everyone but if it’s a bike that suits your needs and you’re familiar with the process, you can land some great deals even with the import duties.
Giant Talon E+ 2
Price: R55 790
Hardtail or Full Sus: Hardtail
Material: Aluminium
Description: So you’re in the market for an Ebike to explore the local trails and maybe some afar but your budget is in the sub 60k range? This is where the Talon E+ steps in. “Lightweight aluminium frame with trail-friendly geometry, 100mm of front suspension travel, and stable 29-inch wheels with tubeless tires puts you in control on off-road terrain.” The 400wh battery should get you up to 100 km of range in reasonable conditions. Throw on an affordable dropper seatpost and you’re ready for adventure!
Once you’ve got your new mountain bike, you can check out where to spend on component upgrades and where to save your cash!
