So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby thomashouseman » Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:54 am
Great idea for the farm etc, but don't get caught on the road with one.... The police get you for everything they can think up: riding an uncompliant, unregistered, uninsured vehicle, quite possibly without a motorcycle licence or motorcycle helmet etc. >$1000 easily.
T.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby zero » Mon Mar 18, 2013 11:27 am
The list has 1 entry. That entry isMydget wrote:
To be honest, I didn't expect too much from it, but it's mainly a project bicycle, as I'm planning to put a petrol engine kit on it. The kit actually seems easier to install than correctly (and safely) assembling a bicycle (shaped object? ) from Big W. Still, I'm a uni student on a tiny budget, so as long as the bicycle frame doesn't snap in half and I end up with a pole through my body, it should be fine... or so I think.
As I have almost no experience regarding bicycle maintenance (I have trouble changing the tire on my bicycle, though I do blame bad design for that... hehe.), I have looked up some of the things to do, such as greasing ball bearings, but if someone doesn't mind, could they give me a quick, short list on how to make an at-first pretty crappy bicycle to roll safely? Thanks again.
1 - do not fit an engine to it.
Note the kit you are looking at is illegal to ride on the road in most states, may get you a uninsured, unlicenced, no motorcycle helmet combo fine worth about $2000. Typically the noise makes them very easy for police to identify, ie you won't ride past cops more than half a dozen times before one does something about you.
IMO the kit is not particularly safe, it has an exposed chain drive, the clutch is at the engine so the chain will keep turning until the wheel stops turning and the mount transmits power by a sprocket and collar that is bolted through the spokes, the actual transmission itself is achieved through the bolts pushing on the spokes, and the collar makes it hard to inspect the spokes of a very cheap wheel that are inclined to break anyway, and now have an extra side load on them that they weren't designed to carry.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Mydget » Mon Mar 18, 2013 4:32 pm
Now I'm thinking of getting another one as well, just the bicycle that is, not the engine. Since my old bike is getting small.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby ldrcycles » Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:21 pm
Obviously you're now aware of the issues with petrol engine kits so i won't carry on about that. As for getting a cheap bike safe to ride, IMO your first step is adjusting the brakes (assuming they are good enough quality that they CAN be adjusted, not always the case) which is just a matter of hitting up youtube/reading "Zinn and the art of mountain bike maintenance" and then practicing. Next you just want to go over every nut and bolt and make sure none of them are loose, especially the cranks. That doesn't guarantee your saafety, as it's not unheard of for the cranks to snap off on really cheap bikes (though it hasn't happened to me yet). Checking that the cranks are tightened properly is definitely important.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Mydget » Thu Mar 21, 2013 3:10 am
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby kukamunga » Thu Mar 21, 2013 10:05 am
And Big BUYS by Harvey Norman have $98 Kent adults MTB-shaped-objects
And $97 kids duallies!!! From my experience, those kids duallies often weigh over 50% of the average body-weight of the intended users, and offer no stand-over clearance - that'll toughen up those whimpy kids of today!!!
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Mydget » Fri Mar 22, 2013 3:54 pm
PS: Rode 47kms today on my bike, glad I didn't buy the Big W one, might have broken down some point and I wouldn't know how to fix it.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby evangelion » Fri Mar 22, 2013 6:03 pm
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Insolitus Somnium » Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:01 pm
Now before you read any further, I've already read all the stuff about how the parts are inferior and how heavy the bikes are and all of that and frankly if that's the case then I will have to deal with that because I am stuck on welfare because of the migraines and their unpredictable nature which makes finding work for me incredibly difficult so I can't afford to go out and buy a $400 budget bike...
I am currently looking at the Southern Star Kodiak for about $80 and there's another one up from that but I don't remember what it's called for $130, its some kind of weird mountain bike hybrid thing by the same brand and I'm not sure which would be the better option... As I've said all I'd be using the bike for is to zip around town and to maybe go out and ride a few kms just to get some exercise, any help and/or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby MattyK » Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:07 pm
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby FuzzyDropbear » Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:55 pm
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Giant-Iguana ... 460ddca686Insolitus Somnium wrote: I am currently looking at the Southern Star Kodiak for about $80 and there's another one up from that but I don't remember what it's called for $130,
If you're anywhere near these, I rekon they'd be a good buy. These things are very hard to break, custom butted 1990 technology but strong as an ox. Better components than the K-mart stuff.
I had a mate buy a BigW bike, within 2km the pedal fell off... it took me about an hour to tune the gears so they'd work, brakes were horrid. While the canilevers on the Iguana aren't much better, the overall bike is much better. Would have rathered my mate buy something like the Giant as it's trusty, good components (some of the Iguanas were $500 in 1990 so not bottom end stuff). I rekon, had he have done this, he would still be riding. But he had to have a 'new' bike, rather than a good 2nd hand bike.
Good luck with it mate, hope you get into cycling, the benefits pay for the initial startup cost over and over again.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby mitzikatzi » Tue Mar 26, 2013 1:47 pm
Insolitus Somnium wrote:Hey guys I'm new here,...snip... As I've said all I'd be using the bike for is to zip around town and to maybe go out and ride a few kms just to get some exercise, any help and/or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
read this thread Aldi Bike: Assembly or minimising self destruction Even with lots of love it didn't last.
this is a much better bike than a K mart bike but only in 23 inch. The GWABR Learsport Bike
Again limited sizes and twice your budget but a Much much better bike. probably cheaper in the long run.
Azzurri Roma 700
also maybe look at Reid cycles or Cell bikes
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby kukamunga » Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:01 pm
+1. Poor build and no back up service on cheap department store bikes = $trouble$. Unless you are skilled at fixing bikes, leave these cheap shitters alone (read from page 1 of this thread)MattyK wrote:Do you know how to repair bikes? When it breaks (and it most likely will), you're not likely to get help from the local bike shop.....
Take one to a LBS to get fixed, and you'll get charged at least for a general service ($70 - $100), plus parts and extra labour if needed - if they'll service it at all
Buy a bike from a LBS, and you'll get a properly built bike, a good Warranty, and one or two free services in the first year
If you must buy a 'cheapy', avoid suspension: Cheap suspension = dead weight & knocking & clunking & flexing & poor handling
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby HLC » Tue Mar 26, 2013 5:19 pm
Stay away.
For an extra $70 pick up a Cell Fixie. Infinitely better.
The Kmart was heavy, parts were of a substandard finish and most importantly it looks bad
[Mod edit: language]
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Insolitus Somnium » Tue Mar 26, 2013 5:52 pm
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Paddles » Wed Mar 27, 2013 10:07 am
If you know your way around bikes and have the right tools then even a bike shop quality second hand machine is worth looking at for around the same price as a new k-mart bike, just be prepared to strip it and fully clean/service it for best results and maybe have a bit of a budget for some consumables like tyres, brake pads, chain, grips etc.
Some of the cheaper new bikes available online aren't too bad of a deal either, for example reid cycles here in brissie have a ripper entry point mountain bike for $251, I build/service bikes for friends and i'd struggle to put a second hand bike together of a similar quality, with new consumables, for the same price.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Insolitus Somnium » Wed Mar 27, 2013 11:28 am
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby zero » Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:53 pm
If its d-locked to a solid object on your private property overnight it will be fine, even outdoors - though the finish and saddle will eventually deteriorate. Some places it may suffer vandalism if locked in a public space (where drunks walk past at night), and it may suffer component theft if it appears to be left unnattended for months on end in a public space.Insolitus Somnium wrote:Thanks guys, I think I'll see if I can pick up some odd jobs around (I do a bit of mystery shopping here and there) to see if I can scrape up enough for a lower end bike from a bike shop around town somewhere and if not then I'll see if any of them offer lay-by services... My biggest concern is that I can't go and drop $400 all at once and a more expensive bike is more likely to be stolen.
Note they have a tendency to go missing from garages with unlocked side doors or unlocked roller doors.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby ldrcycles » Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:18 pm
That's what I would recommend for your needs, I've looked at the Southern Star Kodiak and while I reckon it wouldn't be TOO bad I wouldn't expect it to last all that long. The flat bar road bike they have (I forget the brand but it's a white and blue thing) would actually be pretty good IMO, but I think you could get a better quality bike 2nd hand for the same or less.Insolitus Somnium wrote:I've actually decided to begin looking in the classifieds around here for second hand bikes
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby HLC » Sun Mar 31, 2013 8:57 pm
Had another look at this thing as I found myself at Kmart again...HLC wrote:Checked out the $130 Kmart Fixie today....
Stay away.
For an extra $70 pick up a Cell Fixie. Infinitely better.
The Kmart was heavy, parts were of a substandard finish and most importantly it looks bad
[Mod edit: language]
The cranks are PLASTIC. WT.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Insolitus Somnium » Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:33 pm
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby TTar » Mon Apr 01, 2013 1:40 pm
That K Mart bike would be a Southern Star "Citi", and yes, it's not too bad.ldrcycles wrote:Insolitus Somnium wrote:The flat bar road bike they have (I forget the brand but it's a white and blue thing) would actually be pretty good IMO, but I think you could get a better quality bike 2nd hand for the same or less.
In my defence let me say I bought one second hand for $30 (from a guy who didn't need it anymore because 'he'd just got his licence back') to serve as interim transport during a planned major service of my main bike. Two days after I bought the K Mart bike' I broke my regular bike and had to scramble to make the citi serviceable in an afternoon.
The seller said he used it for a daily 40k work commute so I was filled with fear. The headset was knocking, a couple of gears wouldn't engage and the brakes... were installed. Despite all that, routine adjustments and new brake pads from my junk box set everything right and since then I've treated it with all the disrespect it deserves, but it's defiantly held up.
The biggest and most important task was removing the stickers and painting the frame with two $2.30 flat black spray cans
from Bunnings. A small price to pay to hide the shame of that distinctive white and blue paint job and transforming it into a cool Ninja Bike -- almost all the components were already black.
So far this bike has cost me $35 and my aim is to not ever spend more than a total of $50 on it, apart from expendables. So remaining; it's lifetime maintenance/upgrade budget is $15. I do have the tools, enough experience and a big enough junk box to achieve that, but anyone could study the online tutorials and tune and maintain such a bike for next to nothing.
ldrcycles is quite right, you could get a better quality 2nd hand bike for the same price, but this particular K Mart bike (can't speak for the others) is 80~90% the quality of a bike that costs two or three times as much.
Meantime, if you see one for $30; snap it up. Mine came with mudguards, computer, gel seat, saddle bag, metered pump, cable lock, lights, second set of tyres... I could probably sell all that for more than $30.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby russellgarrard » Sat Apr 06, 2013 12:58 am
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby TTar » Sun Apr 07, 2013 8:44 am
bendertiger wrote: Everything on the bike has started falling apart in the past week.
"Everything"? All in the same week?
I'm not singing the praises of this bike; it is after all a K Mart bike, but it's a step above the BSO's they typically stock.
Generic or low quality components would certainly be a big negative, but if your frame and wheels are sound, upgrading with say cannibalised parts, might still be a worthwhile exercise.
Even at a mere $150 for the brand new bike, I wouldn't recommend it, but if you're capable and willing to service and maintain it yourself, a second-hand purchase would make an okay standby.
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Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby HappyHumber » Sun Apr 07, 2013 11:33 am
Is The Walmart Fatbike Really That Bad?
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