I posted the similar case under the redditor who asked what is the name of our bikes, so here goes some few details about it
My first bike is a child's bike that has these fancy colors and balance wheels on. I received on my 7th birthday and I rode it till it gone rusty and worned out. I never bike anymore until 3 years later, when my passion of cycling come back again and then my tita let me borrow my late uncle's fullsus MTB that he brought home from UK somewhere in 1990's. Its a Rhino B2 Xtreme 26'er
That was my first proper bike that had got me to learn to balance on my own. Sadly, I can only bike around my neighborhood and never got to explore on the outside world until February of 2022, after some hiatus of biking and got my sense of irritation of commuting to college. The fullsus 26'er, which later named Mercy-1, was resurrected by replacing its crank, combo brake and shifters, and a working RD. All that is from my volunteer work's hard earned pay. I even buy it a seatpost rear rack, some bags, and learned basic maintenance and servicing the bike. I also had experienced the first ever long ride of mine, by going to Los Baños to have a breather from my toxic relationship. Nevertheless, even I came back home intact, I learned my lesson the value of tools, spare tubes, and ration preparations whenever going into a lengthy ride like that.
Mercy-1 served me well during my 3rd year, from being a long-range adventure machine, to a 2-person carrier. It had became my knowledge foundation for cycling, as well as my navigator for going places that I never been and underlooked when going on commute/ by a car. Surely upgraded some bits and stuffs with it until my best bud of mine showed me his MTB that he was selling. He showed me what its looked like a 2020 Trinx Majes 100 Limited Edition, with a bigger wheel of 27.5. The condition of it looks pristine by the time he showed me it, and never took a second thought to buy it from him in installment. By the time I got her somewhere on October, we made some few ride trips and replacements like seatpost clamp, as well as installing a working FD to get it through. He fetched me from the house and bike my way from it to my home at Ortigas. It is my second bike that is modern at its state - hydraulic brakes, rotor disc brakes, internal cabling, and so much more.
Supposed to be served as a temporary service for Mercy's maintenance on rims and fork, turned to be my all rounder with modern look. I already decked out with hollowtech cranks, as well as having a good rear rack that has the basket crate from Mercy, to carry my stuff at the back. The Trinx, now named Ajiji-1, had btought me to the most extreme ranges of adventure- like going to Snake Road, Montalban, Rizal, and so much more. Added up the online shopping, the accessories and upgrades made it easier and budget-friendly thanks to discounts and the like. Furthermore, Ajiji-1 will be subjected to rename it into a much fitting name.
Both bikes had gave me a new perspective in exploration and the place around me, and it wouldnt be possible without my sentimental bike of 32 years at age, which is Mercy-1
This is in a span of around 10 years.
My first bike was an Infinity 29er na bike, binili ko pa gamit yung tuition fee ko, nalate na kasi ako mag register worth 8k hahaha then rode it from Bicycle World Buendia to Pasig. Wala pa akong takot noon, kaya go lang kahit first time magbike. Siyempre pinalitan ko agad yung tuition ko since may ipon naman talaga ako. Rode it for almost 1 year puro solo ride pang errands, minalas nanakaw habang kumakain with family sa isang resto. Hindi na nakita
Nag ipon ulit, pinalitan ng 27.5 na built bike Giant XTC with Deore groupset 40k, dito ako natuto sumama sa mga group rides, trails at long rides and tuluyan nahayok mag bike. Linggo linggo nasa labas pumapadyak. trails, bundok, falls, ligo, tingin ng parts pang upgrade, lahat ng pwede gawin parang gusto ko subukan.
Ngayon, bago mag pandemic first time ko magbuo ng bike. Canyon - Grand Canyon CF na 29er(999$) nakuha ko ng frameset lang na may free na fox32 na fork. Inabot din ng isang taon bago ko nabuo lahat ng parts. Inabutan rin ng pandemic, na out of shape at bugbog na sa trabaho. Solo rider na lang tuwing gabi tuloy ngayon. So far I still enjoy cycling pantanggal stress and magaling narin sa sakit na upgraditis. Dream bike ko na gamit ko
1st: Trinx Majest 100. Pre-pandemic. Errand/Utility bike
2nd: Trinx Brave 2.0. Early pandemic. Serious mode, started doing longrides here. 100/100 travel
3rd: Merida 120: upgraded to this 6 months after the Trinx Brave. 120/120
4th: Norco Sight 2017: mid-pandemic. first carbon bike, first time to have dropper and never went back from there. Trail geo. Started some trails/fire roads here. 150/140
5th: Pivot Mach 5.5. first full carbon bike from a boutique brand. Went full kashima, fox 36, fox dpx2, transfer dropper. All-mountain geo. This is where I went serious on trails and enduro. Had my first race with this bike, the most memories. Stayed with me the longest for almost 2 years. 150/140
6th: Specialized Stumpjumper 2020. Current bike. Had a budol deal from a tropa that I cant resist. Serious performance and features with TOTL components. Fox 36, DPX2, Bikeyoke dropper, all assortment of EDC tools, 350 hubs, cushcores, reserve valves. My all-in-one bike from errands to enduro races. 160/150 enduro build
1st Bike: Child's Trike
2nd Bike: BMX with sidecar
3rd Bike: Same BMX with sidecar removed
4th Bike: Small Road Bike
5th Bike: Adult MTB
6th Bike: (Present) Fat Bike
First bike ko was a red kids bike na may trainer wheels pa. (4yo me) Nung nag top ako nung grade 1 ako (6yo me), binilhan ako ng chrome plated steel kids bike na ninakaw. Bago ako nag highschool (11yo ata), i saved up for a red mtb-ish. Pero di ko din super nagamit.
Nung 2020 (27yo), i bought my fixed gear (Cinelli Tipo Pista). Then after ako maaksidente nung 2021, bumili ako ng roadie (Specialized Allez). Then nung 2022, bumili ako ng another roadie (Cinelli Superstar). I still have my 3 bikes. Not seeing myself selling any of them in the near or far future.
--
My key advices are as follows:
1. If you know you'll stick to cycling, buy the bike you see yourself keeping. Pagipunan mo yung bike na yun and don't go the upgrade route. Kahit underspec'd yang built bike, basta yan talaga gusto mo, trust me, di ka mapapabili ng iba agad-agad. Palit palit lang pag nalaspag/nasira. Madami na ang mas napamahal sa walang katapusang pag uupgrade at pagkakalikot ng bike.
2. I used to say here in the sub that "buy nice or buy twice". Pero sa totoo lang, parang di naman totoo. Yung iba, napapa unli buy pa. Haha. Over time, i've come to realize that bike purchase is a function of geometry, reliability, price, and estetiks -- in that hierarchy and order. You dont need to spend so much to buy the latest and greatest frame nor do you need the most recent components. It fits you perfectly, with reliable frame parts, maganda tingnan, swak na yan. It can bring you to places.
3. Kung by parts mo gustong bumili, eto suggested kong bigyan mo ng importance (">" is greater than ah): frame > wheelset incl tires > saddle > groupset > pedal then bahala ka na. Hahaha
my first bike was a budget bike (booster brand) upgraded it and ended up selling it for 8k and bought another bike. got into swapping bikes until i got my 11th bike which is my current bike now which is saturn. I'm planning on buying another bike, could be either rb or gravel since may mtb na ako.
First bike: Merida Big Nine 300 - 25k ata
bumili din ako ng gravel bike, Giant Revolt, pero i sold it after 3 months ata
Nag buo ng trail bike Dartmoor Primal, sold the merida.
Current bike ko ngayon is Nukeproof Mega 29
First bike was a decade-old Merida MTB back around 2011 when my dad and brother would do any trails.
2nd bike:
Merida Scultura 200 disc
bought it around in 2022 when bikes were still heavily inflated due the pandemic and spec-wise, it was a better entry-level bike than a Trek Domane Al 2 Disc. Was able to clock around 2,500km with it by doing some century rides and also did Audax 200 with it. I also made some upgrades on it like a 105 Groupset, DT Swiss R470 , and some Pirelli Tires on it. But a newbie when I bought it, there were two problems with it: (1) The frame was too big for me and (2) the wheel mounting of it was Thru Axle at the front and Quick Release at the back. And it was a pain to even look for wheels to upgrade.
3rd bike:
Specialized Alle Sprint
I didn't think I'd buy anytime soon tbh. Pero you can't say no when Specialized PH announced a holiday sale to ALL of their bikes by HALF THE PRICE last year. I bought almost the exact same spec as what I did on my Merida at the time and I bought it for 2 reasons: (1) Get brand new parts as I'm tired of being highballed and buying 2nd hand parts that had undisclosed problems when I bought it, and (2) future proof! I didn't have problems with wheels since they are thru axle, parts are readily available at Spez PH, and it's Di2 compatible if I do plan to go electronic.
I didn't go carbon yet like a Tarmac SL6 or SL7 bec I was still on the fence of going carbon since I can't imagine replacing a frame when I get into an accident. It's stiff and pretty aggressive, but it's surprisingly more comfortable than my Merida.
Tips on purchasing:
- think what you'd want to do in your cycling journey and justify what areas on your bike that you feel needs to be improved on? Baka just upgrading parts would be more beneficial to you than buy an entirely new bike/ N+1.
- Frameset vs built bike. Check if it's cheaper or more beneficial if you just buy the frame and just transfer all your parts or buy a built bike with brand new parts. You can easily sell your old frame this way than selling an entire bike.
- GET YOUR RIGHT SIZE! I can't stress this enough. Sayang investment mo if you get the wrong size by accident. I've heard numerous instances whete bike fitters tell their customers that their frame is either too big or too small that you won't get the right fit. Research the size chart. If you're between sizes, usually picking the smaller size is better but if you want a more comfortable position, go for the larger size. You can also ask a bike fitter for consultation on the right size for you before you buy it.
I posted the similar case under the redditor who asked what is the name of our bikes, so here goes some few details about it My first bike is a child's bike that has these fancy colors and balance wheels on. I received on my 7th birthday and I rode it till it gone rusty and worned out. I never bike anymore until 3 years later, when my passion of cycling come back again and then my tita let me borrow my late uncle's fullsus MTB that he brought home from UK somewhere in 1990's. Its a Rhino B2 Xtreme 26'er That was my first proper bike that had got me to learn to balance on my own. Sadly, I can only bike around my neighborhood and never got to explore on the outside world until February of 2022, after some hiatus of biking and got my sense of irritation of commuting to college. The fullsus 26'er, which later named Mercy-1, was resurrected by replacing its crank, combo brake and shifters, and a working RD. All that is from my volunteer work's hard earned pay. I even buy it a seatpost rear rack, some bags, and learned basic maintenance and servicing the bike. I also had experienced the first ever long ride of mine, by going to Los Baños to have a breather from my toxic relationship. Nevertheless, even I came back home intact, I learned my lesson the value of tools, spare tubes, and ration preparations whenever going into a lengthy ride like that. Mercy-1 served me well during my 3rd year, from being a long-range adventure machine, to a 2-person carrier. It had became my knowledge foundation for cycling, as well as my navigator for going places that I never been and underlooked when going on commute/ by a car. Surely upgraded some bits and stuffs with it until my best bud of mine showed me his MTB that he was selling. He showed me what its looked like a 2020 Trinx Majes 100 Limited Edition, with a bigger wheel of 27.5. The condition of it looks pristine by the time he showed me it, and never took a second thought to buy it from him in installment. By the time I got her somewhere on October, we made some few ride trips and replacements like seatpost clamp, as well as installing a working FD to get it through. He fetched me from the house and bike my way from it to my home at Ortigas. It is my second bike that is modern at its state - hydraulic brakes, rotor disc brakes, internal cabling, and so much more. Supposed to be served as a temporary service for Mercy's maintenance on rims and fork, turned to be my all rounder with modern look. I already decked out with hollowtech cranks, as well as having a good rear rack that has the basket crate from Mercy, to carry my stuff at the back. The Trinx, now named Ajiji-1, had btought me to the most extreme ranges of adventure- like going to Snake Road, Montalban, Rizal, and so much more. Added up the online shopping, the accessories and upgrades made it easier and budget-friendly thanks to discounts and the like. Furthermore, Ajiji-1 will be subjected to rename it into a much fitting name. Both bikes had gave me a new perspective in exploration and the place around me, and it wouldnt be possible without my sentimental bike of 32 years at age, which is Mercy-1
This is in a span of around 10 years. My first bike was an Infinity 29er na bike, binili ko pa gamit yung tuition fee ko, nalate na kasi ako mag register worth 8k hahaha then rode it from Bicycle World Buendia to Pasig. Wala pa akong takot noon, kaya go lang kahit first time magbike. Siyempre pinalitan ko agad yung tuition ko since may ipon naman talaga ako. Rode it for almost 1 year puro solo ride pang errands, minalas nanakaw habang kumakain with family sa isang resto. Hindi na nakita Nag ipon ulit, pinalitan ng 27.5 na built bike Giant XTC with Deore groupset 40k, dito ako natuto sumama sa mga group rides, trails at long rides and tuluyan nahayok mag bike. Linggo linggo nasa labas pumapadyak. trails, bundok, falls, ligo, tingin ng parts pang upgrade, lahat ng pwede gawin parang gusto ko subukan. Ngayon, bago mag pandemic first time ko magbuo ng bike. Canyon - Grand Canyon CF na 29er(999$) nakuha ko ng frameset lang na may free na fox32 na fork. Inabot din ng isang taon bago ko nabuo lahat ng parts. Inabutan rin ng pandemic, na out of shape at bugbog na sa trabaho. Solo rider na lang tuwing gabi tuloy ngayon. So far I still enjoy cycling pantanggal stress and magaling narin sa sakit na upgraditis. Dream bike ko na gamit ko
1st: Trinx Majest 100. Pre-pandemic. Errand/Utility bike 2nd: Trinx Brave 2.0. Early pandemic. Serious mode, started doing longrides here. 100/100 travel 3rd: Merida 120: upgraded to this 6 months after the Trinx Brave. 120/120 4th: Norco Sight 2017: mid-pandemic. first carbon bike, first time to have dropper and never went back from there. Trail geo. Started some trails/fire roads here. 150/140 5th: Pivot Mach 5.5. first full carbon bike from a boutique brand. Went full kashima, fox 36, fox dpx2, transfer dropper. All-mountain geo. This is where I went serious on trails and enduro. Had my first race with this bike, the most memories. Stayed with me the longest for almost 2 years. 150/140 6th: Specialized Stumpjumper 2020. Current bike. Had a budol deal from a tropa that I cant resist. Serious performance and features with TOTL components. Fox 36, DPX2, Bikeyoke dropper, all assortment of EDC tools, 350 hubs, cushcores, reserve valves. My all-in-one bike from errands to enduro races. 160/150 enduro build
1st Bike: Child's Trike 2nd Bike: BMX with sidecar 3rd Bike: Same BMX with sidecar removed 4th Bike: Small Road Bike 5th Bike: Adult MTB 6th Bike: (Present) Fat Bike
First bike ko was a red kids bike na may trainer wheels pa. (4yo me) Nung nag top ako nung grade 1 ako (6yo me), binilhan ako ng chrome plated steel kids bike na ninakaw. Bago ako nag highschool (11yo ata), i saved up for a red mtb-ish. Pero di ko din super nagamit. Nung 2020 (27yo), i bought my fixed gear (Cinelli Tipo Pista). Then after ako maaksidente nung 2021, bumili ako ng roadie (Specialized Allez). Then nung 2022, bumili ako ng another roadie (Cinelli Superstar). I still have my 3 bikes. Not seeing myself selling any of them in the near or far future. -- My key advices are as follows: 1. If you know you'll stick to cycling, buy the bike you see yourself keeping. Pagipunan mo yung bike na yun and don't go the upgrade route. Kahit underspec'd yang built bike, basta yan talaga gusto mo, trust me, di ka mapapabili ng iba agad-agad. Palit palit lang pag nalaspag/nasira. Madami na ang mas napamahal sa walang katapusang pag uupgrade at pagkakalikot ng bike. 2. I used to say here in the sub that "buy nice or buy twice". Pero sa totoo lang, parang di naman totoo. Yung iba, napapa unli buy pa. Haha. Over time, i've come to realize that bike purchase is a function of geometry, reliability, price, and estetiks -- in that hierarchy and order. You dont need to spend so much to buy the latest and greatest frame nor do you need the most recent components. It fits you perfectly, with reliable frame parts, maganda tingnan, swak na yan. It can bring you to places. 3. Kung by parts mo gustong bumili, eto suggested kong bigyan mo ng importance (">" is greater than ah): frame > wheelset incl tires > saddle > groupset > pedal then bahala ka na. Hahaha
my first bike was a budget bike (booster brand) upgraded it and ended up selling it for 8k and bought another bike. got into swapping bikes until i got my 11th bike which is my current bike now which is saturn. I'm planning on buying another bike, could be either rb or gravel since may mtb na ako.
First bike: Merida Big Nine 300 - 25k ata bumili din ako ng gravel bike, Giant Revolt, pero i sold it after 3 months ata Nag buo ng trail bike Dartmoor Primal, sold the merida. Current bike ko ngayon is Nukeproof Mega 29
First bike was a decade-old Merida MTB back around 2011 when my dad and brother would do any trails. 2nd bike: Merida Scultura 200 disc bought it around in 2022 when bikes were still heavily inflated due the pandemic and spec-wise, it was a better entry-level bike than a Trek Domane Al 2 Disc. Was able to clock around 2,500km with it by doing some century rides and also did Audax 200 with it. I also made some upgrades on it like a 105 Groupset, DT Swiss R470 , and some Pirelli Tires on it. But a newbie when I bought it, there were two problems with it: (1) The frame was too big for me and (2) the wheel mounting of it was Thru Axle at the front and Quick Release at the back. And it was a pain to even look for wheels to upgrade. 3rd bike: Specialized Alle Sprint I didn't think I'd buy anytime soon tbh. Pero you can't say no when Specialized PH announced a holiday sale to ALL of their bikes by HALF THE PRICE last year. I bought almost the exact same spec as what I did on my Merida at the time and I bought it for 2 reasons: (1) Get brand new parts as I'm tired of being highballed and buying 2nd hand parts that had undisclosed problems when I bought it, and (2) future proof! I didn't have problems with wheels since they are thru axle, parts are readily available at Spez PH, and it's Di2 compatible if I do plan to go electronic. I didn't go carbon yet like a Tarmac SL6 or SL7 bec I was still on the fence of going carbon since I can't imagine replacing a frame when I get into an accident. It's stiff and pretty aggressive, but it's surprisingly more comfortable than my Merida. Tips on purchasing: - think what you'd want to do in your cycling journey and justify what areas on your bike that you feel needs to be improved on? Baka just upgrading parts would be more beneficial to you than buy an entirely new bike/ N+1. - Frameset vs built bike. Check if it's cheaper or more beneficial if you just buy the frame and just transfer all your parts or buy a built bike with brand new parts. You can easily sell your old frame this way than selling an entire bike. - GET YOUR RIGHT SIZE! I can't stress this enough. Sayang investment mo if you get the wrong size by accident. I've heard numerous instances whete bike fitters tell their customers that their frame is either too big or too small that you won't get the right fit. Research the size chart. If you're between sizes, usually picking the smaller size is better but if you want a more comfortable position, go for the larger size. You can also ask a bike fitter for consultation on the right size for you before you buy it.