So, my very old MTB was stolen (yay, Romania!) and I'm looking to buy a new bike. My budget is around 500-550 €. Problem is I'm a noob when it comes to this and I only know that I need a hardtail model. Now, I've been looking at this model for a while. What do you think? Is there a better alternative for the same price?
Yep here in Canada we got 2 bikes stolen. The guy litterally cut through chain steel to take them. Then a few months later we spot one of our bikes on another chain in the same condo garage and it was all rusty.
Recently we got a bike from a friend and we had a nice lock on it. The next thief couldnt take it so he/she stole the gear switcher thing that is attached to the chain at the end. I suspect just to spite us.
So yeah.... don't leave for too long bikes in public areas even if it is in a condo basement garage.
As for the price.... you guys have something like Amazon over there that people would post online for their used bikes? Try that?
try comparing prices on different stores too and just doing a little research as well. You are in Romania so it is a bit difficult to recommend a model i'd guess.
You want something for the street more or a park? Paved or dirt road?
I've been dealing with bicycles for about 2 years now, buying, selling, repairing etc. I've come to know the ins and outs of the trade. So trust me when I say I know a thing or two about bicycles.
First of all. how serious are you about this? Do you just need a avarege/good bike to ride around town and occasionally cycle off road (like dirt roads and paths)? Or do you want a quality bike to really enjoy every minute on it and ride wherever you please.
I can write an article about how to buy a bike, but if you answer me this question you can space us both a few hours.
Also, really important, are you willing to buy a second hand bicycles? Given it's in good shape.
Reason why I ask is because you can find a bike far better than that Merida (not saying it's bad) for the same, even less, amount of money.
Getting the right bike can really make you love every second you spend cycling. I'll be more than happy to help you out as much as I can. So feel free to as me anything.
But first: the two questions please.
EDIT: cant help myself
The Merida Big.Nine 40 is good, but not so good. What I mean is that this is the kind of bike you get if you don't know anything about bicycles. Basic, low performance parts: basic fork, basic brakes, basic gear shifters etc. This is like getting a Sunrider instead of a Eagle or Sabre. Only because you saw the Sundrider at the convenient Erie ship dealer. It will more than do a job, but really, wouldn't you want a Eagle instead?
(06-21-2016, 09:23 PM)nOmnomnOm Wrote: Yep here in Canada we got 2 bikes stolen. The guy litterally cut through chain steel to take them. Then a few months later we spot one of our bikes on another chain in the same condo garage and it was all rusty.
Recently we got a bike from a friend and we had a nice lock on it. The next thief couldnt take it so he/she stole the gear switcher thing that is attached to the chain at the end. I suspect just to spite us.
So yeah.... don't leave for too long bikes in public areas even if it is in a condo basement garage.
As for the price.... you guys have something like Amazon over there that people would post online for their used bikes? Try that?
try comparing prices on different stores too and just doing a little research as well. You are in Romania so it is a bit difficult to recommend a model i'd guess.
You want something for the street more or a park? Paved or dirt road?
I live in an apartment building and I had my bike parked just on my doorstep, locked with steel cable. I don't know when the thief came, how he entered the building and how the fuck did he exit with my bike and no one saw him...
Anyway, as far as I know, the bikes market is pretty global so apart from the local producers (like Devron in Romania or Kross in Bulgaria), the big companies are represented in most countries. So go ahead and tell me about a model if you know something. I don't want second-hand stuff. A second-hand bike in Romania has 50% chances of being a stolen bike and I'd like to avoid that.
(06-21-2016, 11:37 PM)DragonRider Wrote: First of all. how serious are you about this? Do you just need a avarege/good bike to ride around town and occasionally cycle off road (like dirt roads and paths)? Or do you want a quality bike to really enjoy every minute on it and ride wherever you please.
Getting the right bike can really make you love every second you spend cycling. I'll be more than happy to help you out as much as I can. So feel free to as me anything.
But first: the two questions please.
EDIT: cant help myself
The Merida Big.Nine 40 is good, but not so good. What I mean is that this is the kind of bike you get if you don't know anything about bicycles. Basic, low performance parts: basic fork, basic brakes, basic gear shifters etc. This is like getting a Sunrider instead of a Eagle or Sabre. Only because you saw the Sundrider at the convenient Erie ship dealer. It will more than do a job, but really, wouldn't you want a Eagle instead?
I'm serious. I started with some dirtroads and rocky trails with my older bike. I have plans to take it one step higher on the difficulty scale this summer. First I want to build some stamina so I'll go on longer and longer tours. And then, after I'll get enough money for some serious protection gear I want to start with some mountain tours.
Seams that Shimano Altus is very common at this price, at least on the romanian market. As for the breaks... you're right: there are bikes with hydraulic systems at the same price.
(06-21-2016, 08:22 PM)Mao Wrote: Do we have bikers here?
So, my very old MTB was stolen (yay, Romania!) and I'm looking to buy a new bike. My budget is around 500-550 €. Problem is I'm a noob when it comes to this and I only know that I need a hardtail model. Now, I've been looking at this model for a while. What do you think? Is there a better alternative for the same price?
Hi man, it is sad to hear that your MB has been stolen. I know people who put over 1000 grand, (UK money) into MTB and BMX's and things and have them stolen. I spent £800 on a bike and I had the frame snap, the fork bend, and the bars snap also within the first few months of my purchase. What sort of MTB are you looking for and what do you expect to be using it for? Like casual road use, actual downhill riding, cross country? Maybe this sort of stuff can come in hand and I could give you a hand.
I am using this bike at the moment, it works like a dream for what I use it for. That is just to ride from my house to work and home, which is roughly a 5 mile ride on road, pavement, and dirt. Carrera Vulcan