So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
-
- Posts: 10330
- Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:10 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Nobody » Mon Oct 01, 2012 8:29 am
http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... much+power" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
-
- Posts: 2842
- Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:44 pm
- Location: Middle East, Melbourne
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby ironhanglider » Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:21 am
I'd put money on the nut (or bolt) that holds the crank on being too loose and the crank simply working itself loose. Once the process starts it gets worse very quickly and is not limited to cheap bikes. A great many expensive aluminium cranks have been reduced to scrap metal in the space of 10km or so. This is one of the biggest advantages of the more modern systems which are less prone to this.
If you have square taper cranks check your fastenings today!
Cheers,
Cameron
(sorry ldr I will post that other item to you tomorrow )
- ldrcycles
- Posts: 9594
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:19 pm
- Location: Kin Kin, Queensland
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby ldrcycles » Mon Oct 01, 2012 5:14 pm
(and all good hangglider , many thanks again)
- bychosis
- Posts: 7271
- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:10 pm
- Location: Lake Macquarie
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby bychosis » Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:40 pm
-
- Moderator
- Posts: 1265
- Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:07 am
- Location: Toongabbie NSW
- Contact:
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby thomashouseman » Tue Oct 02, 2012 5:29 am
bychosis wrote:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Motorized-Mo ... 2c689a4c62
now that I highly doubt.Up for sale is this brand new 80cc Repco Motorized bike which is road legal.
- Comedian
- Posts: 9166
- Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:35 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Comedian » Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:03 am
You just presumed he meangt road legal in Australia.thomashouseman wrote:bychosis wrote:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Motorized-Mo ... 2c689a4c62now that I highly doubt.Up for sale is this brand new 80cc Repco Motorized bike which is road legal.
-
- Moderator
- Posts: 1265
- Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:07 am
- Location: Toongabbie NSW
- Contact:
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby thomashouseman » Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:25 am
Very true! I did.Comedian wrote: You just presumed he meangt road legal in Australia.
- ldrcycles
- Posts: 9594
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:19 pm
- Location: Kin Kin, Queensland
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby ldrcycles » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:16 am
- bychosis
- Posts: 7271
- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:10 pm
- Location: Lake Macquarie
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby bychosis » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:28 am
Google tells me that an 80cc engine will produce around 1500W, had no idea it would be that much.Motor assisted pedal cycles with electric or petrol engines are exempt from registration, provided the maximum engine output power does not exceed 200 watts. These vehicles must have been designed as a bicycle - that is, to be propelled by human power, with the motor attached as a supplementary aid only. Riders must follow the same road rules as for pedal cycles without motors, including wearing a helmet.
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Mulger bill » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:32 am
I doubt even Robin Hood could draw a bow THAT longldrcycles wrote:Assuming he's telling the truth...
London Boy 29/12/2011
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:59 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby slimbolik » Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:22 pm
So far ive changed:
Brake callipers: Tektro R539
Handbars: Drop bars and levers
Wheels: Quando Deep "v" they crap but do the trick for now
Crankset: Shun cheap ebay and BB
Seat post: 28.6mm BBB
Seat: Velo
Seat clamp:BBB
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:59 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby slimbolik » Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:23 pm
- ldrcycles
- Posts: 9594
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:19 pm
- Location: Kin Kin, Queensland
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby ldrcycles » Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:39 pm
And the conclusion to the motorised Preset story, i contacted the seller and pointed out the issue, he seemed genuinely surprised and insisted that the plod had given him the ok but accepted the info i gave him and modified the listing.
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Mulger bill » Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:49 pm
Not a post count thing, the system doesn't regognise the syntax. There's a primer on image posting in the info section.slimbolik wrote:sorry it wouldnt put up my pic. once i have enough posts ill put up another pic of it.
London Boy 29/12/2011
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:59 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby slimbolik » Mon Nov 12, 2012 8:07 am
They look good but they are heavy (im not too worried about the weight tho) its just the bearings in mine are crap and the freewheel is not running true. i hope to get a chance to take it into my LBS in the on coming weeks.ldrcycles wrote:I'm looking forward to it, keen to see how yours looks. Out of interest, what don't you like about the cheap v's? I have some on my favourite bike and while i know they are heavy and the bearings aren't very smooth i've honestly never noticed any issue with them while riding.
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:59 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby slimbolik » Mon Nov 12, 2012 8:49 am
The original stem looks aweful, hoping my new one will be here this wk.
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:59 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby slimbolik » Mon Nov 12, 2012 8:51 am
Thanx for that Mulger bill i figured it out finallyMulger bill wrote:slimbolik wrote:sorry it wouldnt put up my pic. once i have enough posts ill put up another pic of it.
- ldrcycles
- Posts: 9594
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:19 pm
- Location: Kin Kin, Queensland
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby ldrcycles » Mon Nov 12, 2012 3:58 pm
The bearings may be alright with decent grease and proper adjustment (though it didn't make a big difference with mine) but the freewheels are nothing special, not as bad as the stock Repco Preset one but still not great, i've replaced mine with a Shimano MF30, much better.slimbolik wrote: its just the bearings in mine are crap and the freewheel is not running true. i hope to get a chance to take it into my LBS in the on coming weeks.
I agree about the stem, but still looks good on the whole.
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:59 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby slimbolik » Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:16 pm
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:59 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby slimbolik » Tue Nov 13, 2012 3:50 pm
- ldrcycles
- Posts: 9594
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:19 pm
- Location: Kin Kin, Queensland
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby ldrcycles » Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:10 pm
The brakes needed a little tweaking but work well, and the gears to my amazement were working spot on out of the box . The 'suspension' forks are predictably clunky but i've seen worse. Has an aluminium frame with a replaceable hanger and half decent welds, but it weighs a LOT. More than my Preset for sure.
It has the most upright position i've ever experienced, it takes 'sit-up-and-beg' to another level. On the whole, it looks pretty good for the price (marked down to $132 from $150).
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 12:52 pm
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby gr8whitehuntr » Tue Mar 05, 2013 4:58 pm
I purchased a Repco Preset last year. I intend to use it more now because I am studying full time and I need to save every cent I can... my car tends to drink like a fish and my commute is only 5km over mostly flat terrain. I've always been a single speed fan since I was a kid. I love the simplicity and I personally prefer bikes that don't have cables everywhere cluttering up the handlebars. Plus it would be near impossible to flick gear levers in winter (most mornings are below freezing) when I'm wearing thickish gloves.
Anyway I see that a lot of these bikes have problems with insufficient grease from factory and that the freewheel is not exactly good quality. Well I've got the first problem sorted, I overhauled and repacked every bearing there is, apart from the pedals which I plan to upgrade as the standard ones look and feel a bit cheap and nasty. So all that's left is the troublesome freewheel. Can anyone who has upgraded theirs please tell me what kind of freewheel I should use? Is it a 1/8" chain or 3/32"? I plan on keeping the gearing the same so I would be looking at a 16 tooth. I am assuming a special tool would be needed to change the freewheel, is this the case?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.
- Paddles
- Posts: 430
- Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:40 pm
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Paddles » Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:49 pm
-
- Posts: 1494
- Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 8:10 pm
- Contact:
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby high_tea » Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:15 am
-
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 7:21 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: So how bad is a Big W bike, really?
Postby Mydget » Sun Mar 17, 2013 7:35 pm
I'm thinking of buying either a Dunlop Armour 26" MTB or Repco Torrent 26" MTB, and yes, from Big W.
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.
PS: Sorry if there's a thread for things to do to a new bike, but I basically came on the forum to read this thread, and I've typed so much already. Don't want to erase. Haha. -goes off in search of threads- A list specific to Big W's bicycles would be nice though.
Return to “Buying a bike / parts”
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+10:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.