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benxxx
03-02-09, 04:23 PM
Hey yall,

I need some opinions, I want to get into some riding, my budget is a modest $350 and I was suggested this bike.

http://thebikebarn.com.au/product.php?productid=16600&cat=259&page=1

Is there anything that is good or bad about this bike in your opinions ?

Also what size frame is suggested ? I'm 183cm and 75kgs

Thanks
benxxx
supertight
03-02-09, 04:41 PM
Hey yall,

I need some opinions, I want to get into some riding, my budget is a modest $350 and I was suggested this bike.

http://thebikebarn.com.au/product.php?productid=16600&cat=259&page=1

Is there anything that is good or bad about this bike in your opinions ?

Also what size frame is suggested ? I'm 183cm and 75kgs

Thanks
benxxx

Hi Ben,

I recommend you buy a second hand bike. you will get much better value for money. The components on a new $350 bike will not be able to cope with real off road riding assuming you are intending to take it off road.

You might be able to buy a bike which was originally $800-900 for $350 on Ebay that will be lighter and have much more durable components. I know new shiny things are nice but not always better!

On the height thing, you are borderline medium/large. 18-19inch frame
taibo
03-02-09, 04:46 PM
what super tight said...at that price point you could pick up a 2nd Giant STP, they are a dime a dozen and you can do almost anything on them
benxxx
03-02-09, 05:57 PM
ok thanks for the heads up, any suggestions on places to look ? and types of bikes I should look at ? thanks
ADAM7935
03-02-09, 06:06 PM
ebay.com.au
www.BikeExchange.com.au
bikesmoveus.com.au
farkin.net
taibo
03-02-09, 09:04 PM
ok thanks for the heads up, any suggestions on places to look ? and types of bikes I should look at ? thanks

http://www.farkin.net/forums/showthread.php?t=155083
http://www.farkin.net/forums/showthread.php?t=156899

heaps more...
benxxx
03-02-09, 09:08 PM
http://www.farkin.net/forums/showthread.php?t=155083
http://www.farkin.net/forums/showthread.php?t=156899

heaps more...

They are both double my budget.

I've looked on farkin for over an hour and found nothing in my range, same with ebay, tradingpost, etc etc.
taibo
03-02-09, 09:21 PM
throw them offers! u never know! but id say 500 would be a fair buy...350 would be an absolute bargain...maybe save a few more $$$, will be worth it
rhys
03-02-09, 10:17 PM
In all honesty, you will end up spending more in the long run. Say you buy a bike now for $350, then in two or three months time you either break this bike, or you get totally hooked on mountain biking. You're going to want to spend at least 800-1500 dollars on something decent, adding to the $350 you've already spent.
It would be better for you then to just keep saving or take out a loan to get something great first time around. Even if you get a credit card and pay it off or something, it will be worth it as you've got to get a helmet etc too.
whelmed
04-02-09, 12:19 AM
I second the comments about avoiding new bikes that are too much in the bottom end of the market.

I've owned a couple (http://www.bikesmoveus.com.au/showthread.php?t=457) over the years and ended up regretting it. It is not a pleasant experience to feel your forks bottoming out repeatedly! Recreational bikes are great for riding around streets or gentle rides around places like Sydney Olympic Park, but not so good on anything but the smoothest trails (and if that's the case, you might as well buy a hybrid instead).

However! My more philosophical friend would say that it's good to experience the cheap stuff so you learn to appreciate the expensive stuff more later down the track. Which in my experience is quite true. :p

Urm... Conversely... Buying a more expensive bike can provide a greater incentive to ride it more. ;)
beenee98
04-02-09, 08:05 AM
Why not try your LBS? I know some get rid of their ex-hire bikes pretty cheap and they're generally pretty good quality hard-tails
benxxx
04-02-09, 09:34 AM
Thanks all, I'll keep an eye out for some bargains and see what comes of it, I will be leaning towards something a few years old but will still last :)
benxxx
04-02-09, 12:42 PM
Looking at some GT Chuckers at the moment

One on ebay on the central coast is $325 with no bids, and a modded 06 model 3.0 is going for $300 but it is in Victoria
rhys
08-02-09, 08:52 PM
A mate of mine at work bought a Chucker, brand new for about $800. It has cable discs. I would rather ride V brakes than cable discs, they are for want of a more technical term, 'poo'.
I know you are looking at limited funds but something with decent running gear and some hydraulic discs will make you happy to be alive after a good ride, rather than cursing for the next two days.