I Need a Bike! Please Help!

iamapineapple on 13/09/2015 - 12:53
Last edited 13/09/2015 - 13:45

Hey guys,

I am completely new to bikes, but I have been riding a Southern Star bike (from Kmart maybe?) for a while but it is rapidly nearing the end of its life. The tyre has a stab wound and the brakes could be more aptly termed relaxers (i.e. they don't work).

I had a look on bike exchange and gumtree and did not realise how expensive bikes were (most of them were $1k!).
I am looking for a bike just to ride 1-3 km (one way) each day to University (or possibly hospital for placement next year) and will be riding mainly on the footpath. My only intention is travel.

Could you please recommend a bike for me? I really feel out of my depth. If it helps, I am 171cm tall and lean.
I had a look at this bike and it seemed promising: http://www.momentumbikes.com.au/road/momentum-r120.html
My budget is ideally $200 or less.

Regards.

EDIT: The Momentum-R120 is in stock on bike exchange I believe.
This one looks really good as well! http://www.reidcycles.com.au/condor-road-bike.html#product-t… - I hope to buy a bike within 1 or 2 days (+ free shipping!)

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

        • tyler.durden on 15/09/2015 - 19:29

          @iamapineapple:

          The only tool you really need is a hex tool which would come with a lot of these assemble yourself bike.

          If you want a service then get it from a bike shop.

        • tyler.durden on 15/09/2015 - 19:30

          don't buy fold up bike

          I read the review and it not so good.

          Still better to get a new bike than a second hand one.

        • systema on 15/09/2015 - 19:33

          @iamapineapple:

          • I am not sure what you are referring to servicing as I am not aware that Momentum offers any free servicing for their bikes.
          • Most of these bikes only require you to attach the handle bar, pedals and saddle, which are reasonably easy to do with a set of hex keys. Having it adjusted and tuned well is another story, and that is the same for most of these big box bikes.
          • I have my doubt that Momentum is a proper brand. I think they are just a badge used by HyperExtension (http://www.hyper-extension.com/), which also happens to be the importer of the Kmart bike (Southern Star Citi).

          It is exactly why I was suggesting you to have your bike built / serviced (for second hand bikes) by a mechanic after purchase if you are not too mechanically minded and is concerned about safety. Most local bike shops (not those larger bicycle shop chains) employ a mechanic who does the build and maintenance of customer's bike. Having a well adjusted bike is much better than an expensive bike that is not working properly.

          If you are really looking at Momentum, may I suggest the F120, it has better (more usable) shifters than the drop bar R120 that you are looking at and is cheaper - http://www.momentumbikes.com.au/flatbar/momentum-f120-shiman…
          Whether you are looking at the F120 or the R120, you WILL want to replace the brake calipers down the track as the single pivot brakes that they come with are a pain in the back to adjust.

    • iamapineapple on 15/09/2015 - 19:12

      What do you guys think of this?
      http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/clayton/bicycles/fluid-sprint…

    • Mobe1969 on 16/09/2015 - 07:52

      Honestly can't say I'd go for a second hand bike, just for cost. I'm on my third commuter bike. The prior two I'd end up dumping after I was done with them purely as it was costing more to repair and maintain worn/ damaged parts with equivalent quality replacements than just buying a new one. Even on a mid priced hybrid, a decent set of equivalent replacement rims if the rims are damaged was over half the cost of buying new, drive train like cassette, gear mechanism etc, at least another half. Pedals etc. Adds up pretty quickly.

  • anonymous8 on 15/09/2015 - 19:18
    +1

    Dude I have a Giant Yukon hard tail bike sitting around doing nothing. The frame would suit your size. Its an oldy but I used to cycle 40km a day on it. All it really needs is a bit of oil on the chain and tires pumped out. The bike is great for road and cycle trail use and has road tires on it. Its your for free pick up sunshine west or $30 dollars for delivery within 15 km of where I live.

    Bike is similar to this. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/Nippon1Taiwan1/Bike/D…

    • iamapineapple on 15/09/2015 - 20:17

      Wow, that sounds great! I'll have to see what I can do because I live in Clayton, the other side D:

    • Franconian on 15/09/2015 - 23:48

      In case 'iamapineapple' does not take it I would be very interested and can pickup. Please send me a PM

  • pitiek on 15/09/2015 - 20:15

    Find Bicycle Market page on Facebook… Plenty of bargains in Melbourne..

  • rapoot6 on 15/09/2015 - 22:04

    Also look at samson cycles. The owner of the bike shop is a mechanic so he provides great deals not just on his bikes but also a lot of free servicing. Something to keep in mind is that a medium spec well maintained bike is going to be better than a high spec poorly maintained one.

  • jnewau on 16/09/2015 - 10:09

    I know this seems an odd concept in today's throwaway society, but have you thought about fixing your current bike?

    It's very easy to get a new tyre and fix it yourself. Plus you'll be teaching yourself how to repair the bike if you ever get stuck somewhere with a flat.

    Likewise the brakes might just need adjusting. If not, they too are very easy to fix. There are guides everywhere on the net to show you how to do this.

    Also much cheaper than buying a new bike.

    • iamapineapple on 16/09/2015 - 11:18
      +1

      It is not an odd concept, and I would be happy to do it, but the bike was old when I got it, and it has lots of problems. The gears do not shift, the brakes do not work, the tyres and tread are gone, the chain is rusted, the brake handles are pointing in the opposite direction, the kick stand rubs on the tire, the spinning thing that the chain lies on has no guard and has cut holes in 3 of my pants. I need a new, safer, bike

  • xyron on 16/09/2015 - 10:45
    +1

    I recently bought a few road bicycles off gumtree - and got far better value for money than I would have had I bought new.

    I would avoid the base model momentum and reid road cycles as they have heavy pig-iron frames and crappy cheap basic derailleurs and gearing.

    I would also avoid any 'mountain' bike like the Cell Rockdale as they are also heavy, have big tyres (more rolling resistance) and suspension which leads to more pedalling action being 'wasted' through frame/suspension flex.

    my best pickup recently (off gumtree) was probably a shogun samurai with mavic rims, shimano tiagra gearing (with a new rear cassette) and near-new tektro brakes for $150 :)

    • systema on 17/09/2015 - 13:03

      I would disagree with your opinion regarding the base model reid and momentum as I am pretty sure that they still have aluminium alloy frames. While Shimano Tourney may not be flash, they are perfectly usable for a commuter like OP.

      I think used bikes are good value, but if OP is not as mechanically minded , it may be challenging to find a good bike among all that are on sale on Gumtree. OP also need to know what size he needs as well, as evidence from OP's gumtree finds previously (one in XS, one in small and one in large (if not XL)).

      BicycleMarket on facebook is great, but they tend to be on the (somewhat) higher end of the market than OP's budget.

      • xyron on 17/09/2015 - 15:19

        Even in little old Adelaide there is a plethora of choice on Gumtree for a wide range of road bikes, in all sorts of sizes. Some serious bargains too (some idiot sold a Giant OCR2 for $140 the other day).

        these bargain-basement road cycles not only have cheap crappy gearing (Shimano Tourney) but crappy frames, wheels, hubs, tyres, brakes…

  • ilikeradiohead on 16/09/2015 - 11:36

    I'd def go for a second hand bike on gumtree. I got a 2008 Ridley Eos last year for $400 which is lightweight and has Shimano Tiagra components. I ride it about 14kms/day to work, low maintenance. I occasionally ride it 20-30 kms on a weekend and it is much much smoother than my old hybrid bike.

    I'd steer clear of kmart/big W bikes, they weigh 18 million kilos and it just means more work for you. I'd also avoid reid too, my mate has got a reid condor and it is a terrible bike to ride, and the handlebars have warped.
    If you stretch your budget to around $500 you'll have a solid road bike that will last for years.

  • ghoulie1 on 16/09/2015 - 11:53

    It has really surprised me that the comments here are worthwhile and for once the bike snobs have stayed out of it.
    Trying to get back into cycling a year ago, I was shocked and disappointed by bike shops and especially their staff insisting that you needed to speed $800 for a pushie. Most forums are the same with the lycra snobs sniffing and mocking disdainfully at anyone only wanting a bike to ride to work and the shops and not need to spend a fortune.

    Way to go Ozbargainers!

    • xyron on 16/09/2015 - 15:52
      +3

      Bicycles are the ultimate transport option for an OzBargainer. No fuel costs, bugger-all maintenance costs, cheap to buy, free to park…what's not to like? :)

      • Mobe1969 on 16/09/2015 - 15:59

        I ride to commute, and I wear cloths, not my undies. But getting a bike under $800 I probably wouldn't be able to do, given I do about 100km per week, and have a reasonable amount of basic requirements garnered over time (hybrid, hydraulic disc brakes, aoluminium frame, geared, decent rims (eg not those rims on the kmart jobs that are seamed, not a continuous round rim…)). I think my current one was about 1k for a hybrid.

        But I must save a fortune in transport costs each year so a definite Ozbargained plus! I'd be spending about $2k a year for public transport, plus all the other costs for simple regular things I use my bike for like shopping.

        • xyron on 16/09/2015 - 16:24
          +1

          even if you've spent $1,000 on a bicycle, its still a bargain compared to the cost of a year's public transport, or the upfront cost and maintenance/insurance/rego/fuel/parking costs for a car or motorcycle. only question is - can you bear it when the weather is hot (for me: no, absolutely not).

        • Mobe1969 on 16/09/2015 - 16:40

          @xyron: Hehheh. I ride rain, hail or shine. So definitely a bargain for me. Plus I get "free" exercise…

  • snook on 16/09/2015 - 13:49

    Agree with every poster that says get a second hand bike from gumtree or ebay.

    In a lot of cases, a chainguard is an optional extra.

  • gekiyasu on 16/09/2015 - 17:32

    Get a new tyre/tube and adjust the brakes. Get a friend or youtube to help you. All bikes get punctures and need adjustments from time to time.

    • systema on 17/09/2015 - 13:06
      +2

      I think OP probably only have a basic Souther Star MTB, in that case, the cost of replacing the tyres, brakes, chains is likely to cost close to the original cost of the bike.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/09/2015 - 14:54
    +1

    check out the 22Laps at www.22Laps.com.au. you may find some good deals there

    • pitiek on 17/09/2015 - 16:02
      +1

      Wasn't expecting to see someone that I know here… CT..

  • Wibbleman on 17/09/2015 - 21:29

    So OP did you get a bike? 99 bikes have a clearance sale on now plus a range of bikes @$199
    http://www.99bikes.com.au/all/sale-clearance?cat=1124&utm_so…

    • iamapineapple on 17/09/2015 - 23:10
      +1

      one of the commenters here has kindly offered to pass on one of their old (but good) bikes to me! So many thanks to them.

  • iamapineapple on 18/09/2015 - 09:53

    Hey guys, case closed!
    Anonymous8 very kindly donated (and delivered!!!) his Giant Yukon to me! It rides really well, so a hugeeeee thank you to him. Hopefully, in the next few days, I will take it to the Bikery in Monash University and have it serviced. Any suggestions for anything specific I should ask them to look at? Thanks!

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join