$350 Reid MTB with discs any good?

[b0ngripper]

Hi everyone,
I want to get a bike that I can use for doing uber eats deliveries.
I have a single speed 42x16 but even a little ratio like that is too much of a ceebs when riding around hilly brissy in the hot sun.
I have been looking for a cheap but reliable MTB and this one meets all the requirements: https://www.reidcycles.com.au/mtb-pro-27-5-disc.html
However, for $350 is this too good to be true?
Thanks

[Tamiya]

yeah, Reids are decent value... $350 buys you alloy frame & cable discs.
(plus you'll get $50 worth of extras currently. Other times $50 off etc etc)

Down this way there's also iamfree
http://iamfree.com/bicycles/city-bicycl ... moly-frame

If you're not really MTBing, I'd rather lose the suspension fork & get better "faster" tyres, hydro discs

[MichaelB]

Agree with Tamiya (about the better bike rather than the lower spec suspension fork).

Reid's focus is on quality for good value. See my review on the Granite 3 - different budget, but I've beaten this bike pretty hard and it's come up trumps.

Their after sales service (at their Adelaide store) is great too from what I have experienced.

[Mububban]

Hi everyone,
I want to get a bike that I can use for doing uber eats deliveries.
I have a single speed 42x16 but even a little ratio like that is too much of a ceebs when riding around hilly brissy in the hot sun.
I have been looking for a cheap but reliable MTB and this one meets all the requirements: https://www.reidcycles.com.au/mtb-pro-27-5-disc.html
However, for $350 is this too good to be true?
Thanks

If you can live with rim brakes, this is a good option for $379:
https://www.reidcycles.com.au/reid-city-1-0-bike.html

38c tyres, rear rack, mud guards. Rim brakes will be fine unless you're riding in rain regularly.

Either would be good bikes.

[10speedsemiracer]

One of the rigid steel-framed MTBs from the late 80s-early 90s would be ideal. Am sure there's something on Gumtree or even the fleabay, spend $100-$150 on a bike in good condition, maybe spend another $100 on road-friendly tyres and a rack, job done.

Example :

Shogun Metro (this one is quite small) :

which has a cr-mo steel frame, indexed 3x7 (or maybe 3x8) Shimano gearing and V-brakes. Is tough, simple and easily serviced. https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sunnyba ... 1201025013

Or this Apollo :

which appears to be in very good condition. A pair of Schwalbe Marathon Racers, maybe some cables and lube, all in for less than $200.
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/chermsi ... 1201020255
I would totally buy this if I was in Brisbane, and tune it up for someone.

These are just examples, I don't know your size, but you get the idea. Even using an LBS to tune/service the Apollo would see you stay well under your $350 budget, and I know which I'd rather ride (hint:the Apollo).

[10speedsemiracer]

Or this Trek :


with 3x7 indexed Shimano, $60 for the bike, $70 for Schwalbes + $40 for cables and lube, all done for $170.

These were all on the first page and would be much better options than spending $350 on anything new

[Tamiya]

I'd personally side with you classic/rebirth affionados but I suspect OP is less of a DIYer than the norm around this forum

If one has to pay for labour (AT) shop rates, just a proper overhaul service with new rubber & cables would make the exercise uneconomic

Plus it's a tool of trade... not something to bomb about with for leisure.

[10speedsemiracer]

I'd personally side with you classic/rebirth affionados but I suspect OP is less of a DIYer than the norm around this forum

If one has to pay for labour (AT) shop rates, just a proper overhaul service with new rubber & cables would make the exercise uneconomic

Plus it's a tool of trade... not something to bomb about with for leisure.

If anything, a cr-mo steel 90s rigid MTB is more suited to the intended usage than something like the iamfree or Reid. Steel frame, simple brakes which Stevie Wonder could adjust (as opposed to cheapie discs), quality drivetrain components, albeit only 7/8sp.
$60 for the Apollo, $at worst $200 doing a freshen up and he's still $90 ahead. The best tools are those that perform their intended function and don't break.

[bychosis]

It’s probably ok, but you’d get a great second hand bike for the same number of coins. I’ve been looking for a bike for my son and there seem to be quite a lot around $350.

[Eug1]

Go second hand for sure. Resale value alone.

[b0ngripper]

One of the rigid steel-framed MTBs from the late 80s-early 90s would be ideal. Am sure there's something on Gumtree or even the fleabay, spend $100-$150 on a bike in good condition, maybe spend another $100 on road-friendly tyres and a rack, job done.

Example :

Shogun Metro (this one is quite small) :

which has a cr-mo steel frame, indexed 3x7 (or maybe 3x8) Shimano gearing and V-brakes. Is tough, simple and easily serviced. https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sunnyba ... 1201025013

Or this Apollo :

which appears to be in very good condition. A pair of Schwalbe Marathon Racers, maybe some cables and lube, all in for less than $200.
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/chermsi ... 1201020255
I would totally buy this if I was in Brisbane, and tune it up for someone.

These are just examples, I don't know your size, but you get the idea. Even using an LBS to tune/service the Apollo would see you stay well under your $350 budget, and I know which I'd rather ride (hint:the Apollo).

I was thinking about getting an old school rigid MTB and ill look into it more because it would be easier to fix an old school bike with rim breaks rather than something with discs and suspension, its just that it can be hard to find a decent used bike that fits. Thanks for your help

[b0ngripper]

I'd personally side with you classic/rebirth affionados but I suspect OP is less of a DIYer than the norm around this forum

If one has to pay for labour (AT) shop rates, just a proper overhaul service with new rubber & cables would make the exercise uneconomic

Plus it's a tool of trade... not something to bomb about with for leisure.

What makes you think that im less of a DIYer than anyone else?
But yeah im gonna see if I can find something oldskool and get it done up

[10speedsemiracer]

....

But yeah im gonna see if I can find something oldskool and get it done up

How tall are you ? That Trek would be a good option for maybe up to 5'10 or so, however is hard to tell from a Gumtree pic.


Here's the link (which I didn't paste earlier, sorry).
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/fairfie ... 1200901921
If it fits, $60 for the bike, $50 for a set of Maxxis Overdrive 26x1.75

https://www.pushys.com.au/maxxis-overdr ... -tyre.html
throw some fresh cables and brake pads on there, bit of lube, all done for around $160-ish. I've built up lots of commuters from older rigid MTBs for people, usually Shogun Trailbreakers if I can get them, and they always come up nicely. Just need road-friendly rubber and good brake pads. Never going to win any crits, but perfectly suited to zipping around the city.

Good luck with it, hope it works out.

[Tamiya]

What makes you think that im less of a DIYer than anyone else?
But yeah im gonna see if I can find something oldskool and get it done up

hey great! Welcome to the fold!
DIYer comment wasn't intended as a slight against your abilities, more a reminder that even though bikes are pretty simple machinery - to fix/service/rebuild them properly they do need a surprisingly many specialised TOOLS... if you're starting from scratch without any friend who has bike tools to borrow, it ain't cheap.

Don't know what's the old-bike scene up in brissy... down here in Melb we've got volunteer community bike sheds like Ceres. They get oldies donated, public can go there joinup and fix/build a bike from the donor bits using the Ceres workshop & tools, volunteer staff will advise if you're inexperienced. Great place to spend a weekend when the weather is good.

[TeVoRo]

Point to note, if doing an Uber eats delivery, you probs want to get pannier racks installed too.
Or if going 2nd hand, you might find some with racks already there.

[Bunged Knee]

Point to note, if doing an Uber eats delivery, you probs want to get pannier racks installed too.

He will probably use the Uber Eats supplied backpack from the company.

[b0ngripper]

What makes you think that im less of a DIYer than anyone else?
But yeah im gonna see if I can find something oldskool and get it done up

hey great! Welcome to the fold!
DIYer comment wasn't intended as a slight against your abilities, more a reminder that even though bikes are pretty simple machinery - to fix/service/rebuild them properly they do need a surprisingly many specialised TOOLS... if you're starting from scratch without any friend who has bike tools to borrow, it ain't cheap.

Don't know what's the old-bike scene up in brissy... down here in Melb we've got volunteer community bike sheds like Ceres. They get oldies donated, public can go there joinup and fix/build a bike from the donor bits using the Ceres workshop & tools, volunteer staff will advise if you're inexperienced. Great place to spend a weekend when the weather is good.

Hahaha yeah all good I didn't think you were dissing me or anything. I think theres a used/refurbished bike shop in Brissy, so that will be worth checking out. Thanks for all the help you have given me I really appreciate it.

[b0ngripper]

....

But yeah im gonna see if I can find something oldskool and get it done up

How tall are you ? That Trek would be a good option for maybe up to 5'10 or so, however is hard to tell from a Gumtree pic.


Here's the link (which I didn't paste earlier, sorry).
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/fairfie ... 1200901921
If it fits, $60 for the bike, $50 for a set of Maxxis Overdrive 26x1.75

https://www.pushys.com.au/maxxis-overdr ... -tyre.html
throw some fresh cables and brake pads on there, bit of lube, all done for around $160-ish. I've built up lots of commuters from older rigid MTBs for people, usually Shogun Trailbreakers if I can get them, and they always come up nicely. Just need road-friendly rubber and good brake pads. Never going to win any crits, but perfectly suited to zipping around the city.

Good luck with it, hope it works out.

Thank you that Trek on gummie looks great. Im 6 foot so I need a large or xl frame. I appreciate all the help you have given me you have gone above and beyond