entry level bike for local trails

[CyclingtheBarossa]

Hi there,

I'm in the Barossa, SA, and am looking for advice re purchasing a safe, reliable MTB (used or new) to be used once or twice/ week around the town streets, on mild dirt trails, occasionally on the Barossa rail bike-trails, mostly bitumenised. I'm not looking to do jumps or anything radical, just modest rides. Price I'm looking at, if realistic, would be $250 max.

So, I've been looking on Facebook, Big W, Anaconda, local places, etc but to be honest I'm finding it a bit confusing. Wanting advice about good brands / models of bikes and size too, for that price please.

I'm about 5'7" high, so I wonder if I'd need something larger than size 26?

Thanks in advance, cheers Paul.

[trailgumby]

Assuming you mean mountain bike trails? At that price, all you will get is a bicycle-shaped object that will fail and hurt you.

Multiply by three at minimum for something second-hand that is 10 years old and decent in a hardtail. Multiply by at least six for the same age with dual suspension.

New bike prices have headed for the moon due to supply chain disruption and second-hand bikes have followed suit, due to scarcity of new bikes leading to people not turning over their old ones.

On the upside, you will save money on medical care and gym memberships from being healthier.

[CyclingtheBarossa]

hmm, ok, thanks. Might have to re-evaluate. Though I'm only going mostly on bitumenised bike trails, not the full on mtb trails with jumps and so forth. just sedate.
thanks though. food for thought.

[bychosis]

If reckon you could get a good quality retro mountain bike for $200 and allow $50 for a couple of parts. Look for a quality brand, keep it simple with cable v-brakes and avoid suspension as it’ll likely need expensive servicing in your budget. The most important part of it will be sizing, an ill fitting bike isn’t much fun for riding.

Edit: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/newcast ... pasteboard
I know I said no suspension, but this would do the job.

Having said that I was lucky enough to pick up a 3yo Trek MTB for $150 a month ago that was worth about $900 new. It needed a brake bleed and some love but is now a complete bargain. You need to act quickly for those bargains though.

DO NOT buy something from BigW, Kmart etc. they are cheap rubbish and known as ‘bicycle shaped objects’ (BSO) because they look the part but are not nice to ride and hard to maintain because their cheap parts go out of adjustment and wear quickly. They’ll put you off riding.

Anaconda MIGHT be OK but you need to spend at least $600 for a half reasonable bike.

[CyclingtheBarossa]

thanks everyone for your guidance, I really appreciate it. Thought i'd do one reply, to save space and time. I'll reconsider my options in light of all your input. cheers, thanks again.

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