Road disc bike- suggestions?

supaderp on 26/08/2017 - 10:13

Hi guys,
Just looking for a cheap road disc bike for commute. I've bumped into some cheap ones on ebay and I would like your suggestions.

  1. 21 elite
  2. Mosciuszko 700C

my budget is around $400 and the 2nd hand bikes on gumtree are way over my budget in my area (north-west sydney).
As for going into a bike shop and finding them, the bike stores around my area are selling branded bikes and is also above my budget. Disc brake because I prefer more control in my braking, mainly because I will probably need to cater for cars/trucks on busy roads.

I am not a pro rider, more like doing a 8km commute on pavement/ asphalt to and from work. No terrian, just steep hills.

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • oscargamer on 26/08/2017 - 11:33

    the elite you linked to, looks ok

    have you looked at reidcycles.com.au ?

    decent budget bikes

    you can try before you buy - which is always a plus

    no disc brakes at your price point though

    https://www.reidcycles.com.au/condor-road-bike.html

    https://www.reidcycles.com.au/express.html

    • supaderp on 26/08/2017 - 12:09

      Reid is popular on OZB but for someone in Sydney, it's going to be a hassle sorting out warranty when their stores in melb and Adelaide…I'd be paying the delivery fees

      Kinda regret not checking out their store in Melbourne when I was there couple of weeks ago.

      Thanks for your input. I prefer the elite bike as well.

      • oscargamer on 26/08/2017 - 12:22

        i thought they had a store in Sydney…sorry

        for the money, get the elite !

  • yippy on 26/08/2017 - 12:27
    +1

    Check out Cell Bikes in Stanmore www.cellbikes.com.au

    If you're using the road bike for commuting go for a flat bar roadie.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 17:46
    +1

    The second bike is seriously wrong on so many levels, don't buy it. TBH disc brakes on cheap ebay bikes are not going to be better than normal rim brakes on a similar level bike. For a commute I would recommend something like this bike from Cell Bikes. You should definitely be buying a bike in store so you know what size to get. The ebay bikes seem to only come in one size, which is big problem if it doesn't fit you. 99bikes also has some cheap bikes, like this one

    • supaderp on 26/08/2017 - 18:20

      Noted, thanks.

      I will be riding on on the bike path along the m7 and t-way, could you please explain why a flat bar would be better than a drop bar? I currently have a flatbar bike but I don't find much comfort in it while riding (perhaps it's the wrong size).

      • Euphemistic on 29/08/2017 - 15:55

        Flat bar bikes are good for commuting because you sit up a bit higher and can see over traffic a little better.

        I have just built a new flat bar road bike with good quality hydraulic discs. It is pretty quick, nice and light and stops on a dime. Cost a bit more than $250 though.

        Check your fitment properly, and if you are looking at new bikes at $250 it is also entirely possible that your current bike is cheap ad nasty too which won't help you being comfortable.

    • Stahh on 28/08/2017 - 10:57

      How about this compared to bike you recommended Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/171882065819

  • dreambuds on 27/08/2017 - 20:21

    I don't think you are allowed to ride your bike on the t-way.

  • Euphemistic on 29/08/2017 - 15:50
    +1

    Dear God, No!!! … to either of them.

    You will not get a good new bike for $250. very cheap brakes are worse than half decent rim brakes. Components will surface rust very quickly. Bike will be heavy.

  • 2ndeffort on 13/09/2017 - 11:44
    +2

    Dont want to sound like a bike snob but both of those bikes are diabolically bad. For your budget I would be looking for something 2nd hand. Disc brakes are good but at your pricerange you will be getting mechanical, not hydraulic disc brakes. Cheapo mechanical disc brakes are not much better and are probably much heavier than rim brakes.

    The reason you would get a dropbar road bike is to get yourself into a more aerodynamic position to go faster. It doesnt sound like speed and aerodynamics are important to you so a flatbar bike would have you sitting up higher, putting less stress on your back and neck and probably being more comfortable.

    You aernt going to get a good hydraulic disc brake road bike for $400 anymore than i am going to get a Ferrari California for $5000. I sold a flatbar roadbike that I amde myself with all new parts including Fulcrum wheels, carbon forks and a full 105 groupset for $400 about a month ago to somebody on the facebook swap groups. have a look on facebook marketplace, bicycle market or buy sell roadbikes, there's maybe 6 or 7 different swap groups, ask for someone selling a flatbar roadbike in your area.

    • supaderp on 13/09/2017 - 12:12

      Yeah I did some digging into these bikes and they are just metallic junk in the market. I just picked up a Aldi Crane road bike equivalent for $400 on bicycles online. I see your point about getting a flat bar after my long ride yesterday. I eventually just used the "flat bar" section of the drop bar when i started to get sore. I feel like drop bar provides a good balance when you feel like dropping down or sitting up right.

  • SydChamp on 22/09/2017 - 11:23

    around $600, this may be a good option for a brand like Avanti with Disc Brake

    https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/hybrid-bikes/avanti/nsw/ho…

  • Euphemistic on 25/09/2017 - 08:32

    Just had a second look at the links above. Didn't notice before, but the second one has the forks on the wrong way which is a bad sign. Firstly they look wrong, but the disc brake on the same side as the chain is a giveaway. If a seller doesn't know which way they go, they have no idea about bikes and a merely selling the cheapest over-hyped rubbish they can find.

    I saw a bloke take a similar quality one into a bike shop recently. He got disappointed when the shop guy let him know it wasn't worth throwing any money at it to try and make it better. You can't polish a turd, but these have certainly been rolled in glitter.

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