I'm looking for a budget bike to go riding with my kid on public bike paths around the northern suburbs of Perth. This is just weekends so its easy riding for a few kilometers 2 to 4 times a month. Budget is around $250. I've checked out a few online and would like to get some advice on them.
1. Diamondback Bronco $160 from BigW:
http://www.bigw.com.au/sports-leisure/b ... ntain-bike" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2. Malvern Star Hurricane 0 $250 from Bike Force:
http://bikeforcewoodvale.com.au/bicycle ... /102150812" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
3. Reid X126 $280 (includes free bottle w cage, pump, front & rear blinkers) from Reid Cycles:
http://www.reidcycles.com.au/bicycles/m ... -bike.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
As I've read some comments that department store bikes should be avoided if possible, should I pony up the extra cash for the Malvern Star or Reid given I'm only doing very light recreational riding? If yes, which would be better?
Thanks.
Budget Bike Advice
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 12:09 am
- clackers
- Posts: 2065
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:48 am
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Budget Bike Advice
Postby clackers » Tue Apr 09, 2013 8:27 am
Can't believe I'm recommending a Reid, but from the scenario you've described there's every chance you won't really get into more cycling.
The City 2 has a great price and has a rack as well.
The City 2 has a great price and has a rack as well.
- bychosis
- Posts: 7271
- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:10 pm
- Location: Lake Macquarie
Re: Budget Bike Advice
Postby bychosis » Tue Apr 09, 2013 9:25 am
If you are handy with spanners why not go for a second hand bike, that will help stop the dept store bikes from being made in the first place.
bychosis (bahy-koh-sis): A mental disorder of delusions indicating impaired contact with a reality of no bicycles.
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 12:09 am
Re: Budget Bike Advice
Postby terencewklau » Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:03 am
Any particular reason you're hesitant on Reid bikes? And why the City 2 instead of the X126? I don't need the extra rack and mud flaps plus the X126 is about 3 kg lighter.
I'm handy with the spanner but may not be handy enough to spot any issues with second hand bikes. Its been a long time since I messed with brakes and derailleurs etc, something like 30 years since I've touched a bike - as in self maintenance.
Hence I thought I'll go to a LBS so they can make sure everything is good to go.
Thanks.
I'm handy with the spanner but may not be handy enough to spot any issues with second hand bikes. Its been a long time since I messed with brakes and derailleurs etc, something like 30 years since I've touched a bike - as in self maintenance.
Hence I thought I'll go to a LBS so they can make sure everything is good to go.
Thanks.
- Paddles
- Posts: 430
- Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:40 pm
Re: Budget Bike Advice
Postby Paddles » Tue Apr 09, 2013 12:40 pm
I reckon that the Reid X126 is a bargain for what you get and as a budget run around bike cannot be beaten even by second hand machines of similar quality/fitout.
- HappyHumber
- Posts: 5072
- Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:48 pm
- Location: Perth, (S.o.R.) W.A.
Re: Budget Bike Advice
Postby HappyHumber » Tue Apr 09, 2013 2:17 pm
At least options 2 & 3 present a better chance of the bikes being assembled & set up properly and safely, if you'd not mechanically inclined yourself. Beware of the false economies of Big W, KMart et al.
--
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 12:09 am
Re: Budget Bike Advice
Postby terencewklau » Tue Apr 09, 2013 3:06 pm
I too am inclined towards option 3 - Reid 126 - as it should be set up properly at the LBS when I purchase it.
I could get my own hands dirty with the Diamondback on an initial service (like what ldrcycles did with his BigW Repco):
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=51119" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Perhaps swap out a few parts like crankset, derailleurs etc to try and bring it up the spec with option 2 & 3. But that will probably bring the price point on par with the 2 dearer options, plus a whole heap of labour thrown in as well.
Might be better off getting it done right the first time by an expert.
I could get my own hands dirty with the Diamondback on an initial service (like what ldrcycles did with his BigW Repco):
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=51119" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Perhaps swap out a few parts like crankset, derailleurs etc to try and bring it up the spec with option 2 & 3. But that will probably bring the price point on par with the 2 dearer options, plus a whole heap of labour thrown in as well.
Might be better off getting it done right the first time by an expert.
- clackers
- Posts: 2065
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:48 am
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Budget Bike Advice
Postby clackers » Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:04 pm
$20 gets you the guards and racks that help keep the spray off your components, away from your son following and a trunk bag that stops you having to use a backpack. You can't buy them separately for less.terencewklau wrote:Any particular reason you're hesitant on Reid bikes? And why the City 2 instead of the X126? I don't need the extra rack and mud flaps plus the X126 is about 3 kg lighter.
Your bike paths won't need 26", the 700c will roll better.
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 12:09 am
Re: Budget Bike Advice
Postby terencewklau » Thu Apr 11, 2013 11:33 am
Thanks for the tip regarding the wheels clackers.
Return to “Buying a bike / parts”
Jump to
- 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
Brought to you by Bicycles Network Australia | © 1999 - 2024 | Powered by phpBB ®
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.