best quality bike for my budget?
01-30-16, 05:01 PM
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best quality bike for my budget?
Hi, I am new to cycling. I want to get a bike to be my primary form of transport but my budget is only about $700 Aus, could perhaps push it up to $1000 if there is a massive leap in quality going into that price bracket
I want something fast and light, with decent gears because there are some hills on my daily commute.
I probably don't want a full on road bike though because I don't want the aggressive cycling position or the thin tires because its for riding to and from uni and to the shops where there is a bit of traffic, stopping and starting and some curbs and the roads aren't fully sealed. So was thinking either a flat bar road bike like an alight 2 I looked at ($650) or a trek fx 7.1 (also $650). The 7.2 is $750. the bike store recommended a hybrid to me, but I actually think I would rather put the money into a lighter frame and better gears over the suspension you get in a hybrid. So are there any suggestions out there for a good bike in this price range.. and what extra would I get if I were to go up to spending $1000?
I was thinking I should buy it from a store because the bike stores include servicing and can help you out if you have any issues. But also, if I put some time into learning about bikes, I am wondering if I would be better off getting a better quality second hand bike for my budget and learning to do the servicing myself. In which case what are peoples thoughts on buying used bikes.. what kind of depreciation to the value should I expect? If I spend 700$ on a second hand bike.. how much would that bike be new? I'm not sure that the convenience of buying a new bike is worth the extra money? But also, I know i am not going to get into cycling seriously.. I have other hobbies that take up most of my spare time, so I really do just want something that will do the job and not give me too many headaches.
Any thoughts/suggestions much appreciated thanks!
Lena
I want something fast and light, with decent gears because there are some hills on my daily commute.
I probably don't want a full on road bike though because I don't want the aggressive cycling position or the thin tires because its for riding to and from uni and to the shops where there is a bit of traffic, stopping and starting and some curbs and the roads aren't fully sealed. So was thinking either a flat bar road bike like an alight 2 I looked at ($650) or a trek fx 7.1 (also $650). The 7.2 is $750. the bike store recommended a hybrid to me, but I actually think I would rather put the money into a lighter frame and better gears over the suspension you get in a hybrid. So are there any suggestions out there for a good bike in this price range.. and what extra would I get if I were to go up to spending $1000?
I was thinking I should buy it from a store because the bike stores include servicing and can help you out if you have any issues. But also, if I put some time into learning about bikes, I am wondering if I would be better off getting a better quality second hand bike for my budget and learning to do the servicing myself. In which case what are peoples thoughts on buying used bikes.. what kind of depreciation to the value should I expect? If I spend 700$ on a second hand bike.. how much would that bike be new? I'm not sure that the convenience of buying a new bike is worth the extra money? But also, I know i am not going to get into cycling seriously.. I have other hobbies that take up most of my spare time, so I really do just want something that will do the job and not give me too many headaches.
Any thoughts/suggestions much appreciated thanks!
Lena
Last edited by unistudent; 01-30-16 at 05:05 PM.
01-30-16, 05:27 PM
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The real biggie is how you fit on the bike. That's more important than the frame material or the components. The biggest single benefit you can get from an average or better bike shop are size and fitting services.
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01-31-16, 02:27 PM
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A basic sizing simply means: 'you look better on a 54 than a 56.'
01-31-16, 02:30 PM
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Hi, I am new to cycling. I want to get a bike to be my primary form of transport but my budget is only about $700 Aus, could perhaps push it up to $1000 if there is a massive leap in quality going into that price bracket
I want something fast and light, with decent gears because there are some hills on my daily commute.
I probably don't want a full on road bike though because I don't want the aggressive cycling position or the thin tires because its for riding to and from uni and to the shops where there is a bit of traffic, stopping and starting and some curbs and the roads aren't fully sealed. So was thinking either a flat bar road bike like an alight 2 I looked at ($650) or a trek fx 7.1 (also $650). The 7.2 is $750. the bike store recommended a hybrid to me, but I actually think I would rather put the money into a lighter frame and better gears over the suspension you get in a hybrid. So are there any suggestions out there for a good bike in this price range.. and what extra would I get if I were to go up to spending $1000?
I was thinking I should buy it from a store because the bike stores include servicing and can help you out if you have any issues. But also, if I put some time into learning about bikes, I am wondering if I would be better off getting a better quality second hand bike for my budget and learning to do the servicing myself. In which case what are peoples thoughts on buying used bikes.. what kind of depreciation to the value should I expect? If I spend 700$ on a second hand bike.. how much would that bike be new? I'm not sure that the convenience of buying a new bike is worth the extra money? But also, I know i am not going to get into cycling seriously.. I have other hobbies that take up most of my spare time, so I really do just want something that will do the job and not give me too many headaches.
Any thoughts/suggestions much appreciated thanks!
Lena
I want something fast and light, with decent gears because there are some hills on my daily commute.
I probably don't want a full on road bike though because I don't want the aggressive cycling position or the thin tires because its for riding to and from uni and to the shops where there is a bit of traffic, stopping and starting and some curbs and the roads aren't fully sealed. So was thinking either a flat bar road bike like an alight 2 I looked at ($650) or a trek fx 7.1 (also $650). The 7.2 is $750. the bike store recommended a hybrid to me, but I actually think I would rather put the money into a lighter frame and better gears over the suspension you get in a hybrid. So are there any suggestions out there for a good bike in this price range.. and what extra would I get if I were to go up to spending $1000?
I was thinking I should buy it from a store because the bike stores include servicing and can help you out if you have any issues. But also, if I put some time into learning about bikes, I am wondering if I would be better off getting a better quality second hand bike for my budget and learning to do the servicing myself. In which case what are peoples thoughts on buying used bikes.. what kind of depreciation to the value should I expect? If I spend 700$ on a second hand bike.. how much would that bike be new? I'm not sure that the convenience of buying a new bike is worth the extra money? But also, I know i am not going to get into cycling seriously.. I have other hobbies that take up most of my spare time, so I really do just want something that will do the job and not give me too many headaches.
Any thoughts/suggestions much appreciated thanks!
Lena
I agree that you should stay away from suspension.
You are best off with a quality bike shop rather than a used or internet purchase for the first one.
What is your height and inseam? We should be able to recommend a couple of frame sizes for each brand based upon this info.
01-31-16, 04:00 PM
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Thanks, that is useful to know when I am shopping around. I should find out what services are offered or included in the cost of the bike e.g. fitting, maintenance, etc.
01-31-16, 05:23 PM
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Why don't you NOT do it backwards? Go to the shop and determine what the price is of the minimum bike you'd want. It's a sure way to get a bike you're not fully happy with if you set a price first and try to find a bike that's priced under that.
01-31-16, 06:54 PM
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Don't know about down under prices, but figure another $100 for basic accessories. Student using bike for transport - lock, rack, basic flat repair tools, etc.
01-31-16, 07:44 PM
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Sizing Charts
Have you considered a nashbar flat bar road bike?
Nashbar Flat Bar Road Bike
The specs are extremely similar to the 7.2fx, yet costs several hundreds of dollars less.
01-31-16, 07:54 PM
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Will you be locking it up at uni while in class ? Assume that if it's out of your sight more than 5 minutes it will get stolen.
Therefore, get a non-suspension used hybrid for $75, put 35mm road tires on it, and ride the heck out of it.
Get a nice bike too if you want, but save it for safe, weekend rides.
Therefore, get a non-suspension used hybrid for $75, put 35mm road tires on it, and ride the heck out of it.
Get a nice bike too if you want, but save it for safe, weekend rides.
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