Mundabiddi, how good a bike do you need.

[thepeddler]

Hi All,

Some friends and I are planning to have a crack at the mundabiddi.

As I have to buy a mountain bike to do this I was wondering if you could do it on a $500 Malvern Star or do you have to lash out for something more expensive.

Don't want to go with something cheap and then have it break apart after the first km.

The other option would be to hire a bike. Does anyone no if this is possible anywhere in Perth?

Thanks

[Kalgrm]

G'day mate,

How much of the Munda Biddi are you planning to do?

It's a very easy track except for the pea-gravel on some sections. Essentially, any half decent MTB could do sections of it - I've taken my 10 and 12 year old kids on parts of it without drama. Their bikes are not much chop (ever tried to get a decent kids MTB?).

However, if you are planning a multi-day tour, you'll need to factor in the extra weight you'll be carrying (and braking with) and the extended distances involved.

As for hiring bikes, I don't know of any places in Perth to hire a good MTB.

Cheers,
Graeme

[twowheels]

(ever tried to get a decent kids MTB?).

check out the Kona 20" & 24" bikes, wicked !
http://www.konaworld.com/09_shred20_u.cfm

[Kalgrm]

They do look good! Thanks for that.

Cheers,
Graeme

[Z1]

Hi All,

Some friends and I are planning to have a crack at the mundabiddi.

As I have to buy a mountain bike to do this I was wondering if you could do it on a $500 Malvern Star or do you have to lash out for something more expensive.

Don't want to go with something cheap and then have it break apart after the first km.

The other option would be to hire a bike. Does anyone no if this is possible anywhere in Perth?

Thanks

hey try "About Bike hire" located down by the river in perth its that shed and sea container sort of thing as you head out towards belmont/vic park.
i would seriouly consider getting a half decent hard tail around the 800 dollar mark.
and take a few spares. depending on the weather some of the sections can be a little tough on rider and stead. fun but rough.

[thepeddler]

Thanks for the replies.

We were thinking of hitting the whole length of the trail,not sure how long this would take.

As I understand it it is not as long as the bibbulmun?

Are you allowed to cycle on the Bibbulmun were the Mundabiddi finishes or is that a no no?

Found this Malvern Star site. XCS 5.0 looks good.

http://www.thelegendisback.com.au/

Want do you think?

Cheers,

Geoff

[Kalgrm]

The Malvern Star is certainly a good entry level bike, but that's a very long ride you're contemplating (assuming you can even find one - most stock sold out long ago and won't be replaced). The forks on the bike are not great, but the other components are "serviceable" (they'll work for a while, but they are not what you'd be choosing to put on a bike you intend to ride hard for long periods).

I assume you're on a budget, and that's fair enough. You can only get a bike that matches that budget. However, to do the whole Munda Biddi, your budget might mean you will delay the ride, or it might mean you take the risk and hope the bike doesn't let you down.

Have you considered how you're going to carry your gear? (I'm assuming you plan to do it unsupported). A rack designed for off road use and a set of panniers to match might set you back $200 to $300, and we haven't talked about sleeping bags, tents, mats, cooking gear, etc yet.

You can't ride on the Bibbleman track except where the two tracks co-exist, and that's only in the Kalamunda/Mundaring area.

Cheers,
Graeme

[twowheels]

I'm a fan of the Giant range, seem to fit me well, but in recent times their prices have skyrocketed. Apollo bikes might now give better bang for buck and be of similar dollar/quality as Malvern Star.

[thepeddler]

Hi Z1,

checked out the "About bike hire" website. They actually have a Mundabiddi bike hire package.

They also hire Bob trailers, panniers etc.

It is not to pricey so it looks like the way to go.

thanks for the tip,

Geoff

[bennysthe1]

Hi Pedler

I am doing bits of the Munda Biddi atm. Is a bit soft and boggy in a lot of sections and a bit washed out in others but nothing major. First time I did it was on a cheap bike. I did Kep track a couple weeks ago and there was 2 $500 bikes with us, a no-name and a Malvern Star.

I would just suggest a good bike service and new cables if its getting old.

A quick google search found this. I have no idea on reputation, price etc tho.

Bike hire outlets in Western Australia
About Bike Hire
Cnr Plain Street and Riverside Drive, Perth
Tel: 9221 2665
Also hires bike carrier racks for cars.
Cycle Centre
282 Hay Street, Perth
Tel: 9325 1176
Bikeforce South Perth
87 Canning Highway, South Perth
Tel: 9470 1990
Scarborough Beach Cycles
10-12 Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough
Tel: 9245 3887
Carine Cycles
6 Davalia Road, Duncraig
Tel: 9246 7533
Bikeforce Fremantle
1 Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle
Tel: 9433 6877
Carilley Estate Winery
Lot 23 Hyem Road, Herne Hill
Tel: 9296 6190
Mandurah Boat and Bike Hire
Ormsby Terrace, Mandurah
Tel: 9535 5877

[Z1]

i'd go to 'about bike hire' personally its what they do. if your reasonably fit you could aim for around 60 kms a day and it would take about two weeks as it ends just past pemberton last i heard total lenght 700kms approx, plz feel free to correct me if i'm wrong....

[ColinOldnCranky]

I'm pretty sure that the About Bike Hire has moved along the cycle path towards The Causeway a bit. Either that or I am stoned when ride down Plain Street most days.